Heaven's Force

**Labels:** | * Christian Metal Classic Collection (Affiliated)
* Open Grave Records (Affiliated)
 **Former members:** | Dave GryderKelly BergerChris Richie

**Heaven's Force** was a thrash metal band from Fort Worth, Texas in the United States. The band began in 1983 but disbanded in late 1984, but not before recording two demos. Heaven's Force is considered to be the first Christian thrash metal act, predating Vengeance Rising, Deliverance and Tourniquet, while Drummer and Vocalist Dave Gryder has stated that "I don't know if we were the first".

## History

Heaven's Force formed in 1983, after Mystress, a band that Vocalist/Drummer Dave Gryder and Bassist Kelly Berger were a part of, broke up. The two wanted to form a new band and hired on Chris Richie, a friend of Berger's, on Guitars. That year, the three recorded a demo titled, *Aggressive Angel*, which featured four tracks. In 1984, the band recorded their self-titled demo, which featured four new tracks. The band also recorded a single track, called "Don't Tell Me (That You're Leaving)", where Richie sang. However, it did not fit the style of the band, exhibiting more of a rock tune, rather than thrash metal. In 1984, the band disbanded and the members went their separate ways, due to musical differences.

In 2008, Richie committed suicide. Following this, Open Grave Records decided to release the band's two demos as *Aggressive Angel*, a compilation of their works. Gryder has since done interviews, where he stated a reunion would never happen without Richie.

In 2018, the band was a part of a compilation released through The Bearded Dragon Productions, titled *Back in the Day*, opening the release, alongside Mortification, Aletheian, Sleeping by the Riverside, Soul Embraced, Crimson Thorn, Frost Like Ashes, and many more.

## Members

* Dave Gryder - Vocals, Drums (1983-1984)
* Chris Richie - Guitars (1983-1984) (deceased 2008)
* Kelly Berger - Bass (1983-1984)

## Discography

**Demos**

* *Aggressive Angel* (1983)
* *Heaven's Force* (1984)

**Compilations**

* *Aggressive Angel* (2009)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "HEAVEN'S FORCE Demos To Be Released". Blabbermouth.net. June 10, 2009. Retrieved 13, 2018.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Heavens Force". No Life 'til Metal. Retrieved on November 13, 2018.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Gryder, Dave (October 17, 2016). "Interview: Dave Gryder, formerly of Heaven's Force". The Bearded Dragon Productions. Interview with Mace Beard. Retrieved on November 13, 2018.
4. ↑ jcg75 (March 19, 2008). "Heaven's Force - Aggressive Angel". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved on November 13, 2018.
5. ↑ jcg75 (March 13 ,2008). "Heaven's Force - Heaven's Force". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved on November 13, 2018.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Martinez, Anthony (May 15, 2014). "Interview with Dave Gryder, Ex-Heaven's Force". Classic Christian Rock. Retrieved on November 13, 2018.
7. ↑ Scott (January 11, 2010). "Album Review: Heaven's Force - Aggressive Angel". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved on November 13, 2018.
8. ↑ Beard, Mason (November 21, 2016). "5 Christian Metal Bands You May Not Have Heard Of (80's/90's Version)". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved on November 13, 2018.
9. ↑ thrashyboy (August 18, 2018). "The Bearded Dragon Productions Presents "Back In The Day: An Old-School Album" (Name Your Price)". The Metal Resource. Retrieved on November 13, 2018.