History Viking (band)

1 history

1.1 initial career , breakup (1986–1990)
1.2 post-breakup (1991–2010)
1.3 reunion (2011–present)

history
initial career , breakup (1986–1990)

viking formed in los angeles in spring of 1986 , held same personnel until broke in 1990. band signed record contract metal blade records after second live appearance , went on record 2 full-length albums , open bands dark angel, megadeth, forbidden, , sacred reich headlining many other shows.

in 1988, released debut album called or die. although brutality of songs appreciated thrash metal fans, frenetic tempos , bad production not received critics.

following or die, moved new level of songwriting , musicianship. adding half-time mosh bridges , more technical riffs, songs man of straw demonstrated marked improvement on previous offering.

shortly before started record man of straw, ron eriksen became born-again christian , changed of lyrics avoid blasphemies. before embarking on tour texas-based helstar in 1990, ron felt new faith not endure tour, , left band, broke upon departure. prior breakup, viking demoed new material third album 1990 release, , 1 song, abortuary , released bonus track on 2006 reissue of man of straw.

post-breakup (1991–2010)

ron , drummer matt jordan after moved oregon, brett eriksen joined dark angel full-time , bassist james lareau pursued career in sculpture.

before viking, ron (whose stage name ronny devious had been carried on days hags), matt, , james in tracer , released 3-song demo entitled sudden death vocalist tony vargas (vermin/ex-l.s.n.). following temporary split, brett began jamming band, , ron began singing.

after release of man of straw, matt jordan converted christianity. ron has said matt s conversion had nothing own. years after band broke up, ron became bible teacher.

reunion (2011–present)

in 2011, ron eriksen (guitar, vocals) resurrected viking after 20-year hiatus.

ron recruited dark angel members gene hoglan , mike gonzalez , justin zych (valhalla, zephaniah, ex-vindicator) record viking s first release in on 20 years titled, no child left behind.

in 2013, viking played first shows in on 20 years addition of matt jordan (ex-barrier, ex-lethal gene) on drums. headlined childhood hero s festival in new york city , ragnarokkr in chicago.

no child left behind released on march 4, 2015.