Burnward

Valarie Wilcox (deceased)

Ceri Mott

Luna Fowler

Sam Cowell

Mazzy Morrison

Sully Bennett

***Burnward (originally known as Spyder)*** was an all-female American nu metal band from Racine, Wisconsin. The band has released three albums and an EP throughout the late-90s and early-2000s. In spite of this, they were unable to find any everlasting success and folded in 2003.

The better known line-up consisted of the former members of Two Figures. Pam Finster served as another member before leaving due to poor health.

## Background

Burnward got its start during a high-school talent show. It consisted of Stacy Kruger and Valerie Wilcox on drums and guitar/vocals respectively. They recruited Pam Finster, who took Kruger's place on drums and Ceri Mott, who became the band's base player.

The band were notable, in that they became famous at a relatively young age (each member was around 15-16 years old at the time). Because of their age, they were unable to perform shows at certain venues and lacked help from an older figure to help clear out contractual obligations. A majority of their earlier shows were performed at high schools throughout Western America and at beaches along the west coast, with their biggest show at the time taking place in Carson City, Nevada. In 1997, shortly after finishing their first EP, the original guitarist and vocalist were murdered. Mott departed out of grief and to focus on her education while Finster remained with the band.

In late-1997, after the alternative rock band Two Figures were removed from their label's roster, they, along with Finster and two members of Snow (Kirk Campbell and Aaron Saltz) formed the industrial supergroup Circe, which failed to gain any traction. After Campbell and Saltz returned to Snow, Finster told the remaining members about reviving Burnward. The members of Two Figures agreed to help out. Each recorded a new album, Burn Ward and sold it to record labels. Finster would leave shortly after following a seizure, and the band opted to continue on without her.

The band secured a deal with Portrait Records and slowly rose to prominence in 2000. The band had a brief tour with Kittie, Spike 1000 and OTEP to promote themselves and an upcoming album, and they later turned up at Ozzfest in 2001. Their first major album was released the same year, and while it was well-received, it sold poorly due to it being released near the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Portrait forgave the poor sales due to the aforementioned events and intended to give the band another chance, but in 2002 the label was shuttered and Epic absorbed their contract. The label gave the band virtually no support, and following the decline of nu metal's popularity the band broke up.

In spite of no longer being active, the band still receives recognition in Wisconsin.

## Musical Style

Genres the band have been identified under include alternative metal, hard rock, metalcore and nu metal. The band also cultivated a more casual image as a protest against the fashion associated with nu metal. Many of their songs display a cynical atmosphere, decrying the concept of social change promoted through music and stardom aspirations, but have also promoted self-defiance and awareness of bullying in schools leading up to more tragic consequences.