Volcano (Volcano album)

Volcano was formed in the mid-1990s by guitarist Jim Martin after his departure from Faith No More in 1993. Martin, known for his heavy, riff-based playing, teamed up with vocalist Scott Carlson (formerly of the band Cathedral), bassist Danny Marianino (later of North Side Kings), and drummer Dave Lombardo (of Slayer fame) to create a project that would explore a more straightforward heavy rock sound. The album was recorded at various studios in California and produced by Martin and the band, with engineering by Joe Barresi, who had worked with bands like Kyuss and Tool. The sessions were characterized by a raw, live-in-the-studio approach, capturing the band's energetic performances without extensive overdubbing.

The album's sound is a blend of alternative metal, stoner rock, and grunge, with Martin's distinctive palm-muted riffs and Carlson's aggressive yet melodic vocals. Critics have noted influences from Black Sabbath, Melvins, and early Faith No More, but Volcano's approach is more streamlined and groove-oriented. The lyrics often touch on themes of alienation, societal decay, and personal struggle, delivered with a sardonic edge. The band's name itself was chosen to reflect the explosive, volatile nature of their music.

Volcano was released on July 15, 1997, by Restless Records. It received generally positive reviews from underground metal and rock publications, with praise for its heavy, no-frills production and Martin's return to form. However, commercial success was limited, and the album did not chart on the Billboard 200. Despite this, it has since become a cult favorite among fans of 1990s alternative metal. A music video was made for the track "Fall of the Icon" and received some airplay on MTV's Headbangers Ball.

All songs written by Volcano. The album contains 11 tracks, including the standout "Fall of the Icon," "Permanent Solution," and "The Last Laugh." The closing track, "A Thousand Years," is an epic, slow-building piece that showcases the band's dynamic range. The album's total runtime is approximately 52 minutes.

Following the album's release, Volcano toured sporadically but disbanded in 1998 due to conflicting schedules and musical differences. Jim Martin returned to session work and later joined the band The Beaten. Dave Lombardo continued with Slayer, and Scott Carlson formed the band Repulsion. The album remained out of print for years until it was reissued on CD in 2015 by the German label Metalville Records, introducing it to a new generation of listeners. Critics have since reevaluated the album as a hidden gem of late-90s heavy rock.

One lesser-known fact is that the album's cover art was designed by artist Frank Kozik, known for his psychedelic rock posters. Another is that the track "Permanent Solution" was originally written by Jim Martin during his time in Faith No More but was never recorded by that band. Additionally, the album features a hidden track after "A Thousand Years" that consists of a humorous spoken-word piece by the band members, which is often missed by listeners. The album was also released in a limited edition with a bonus disc containing live recordings from a 1997 show at the Whisky a Go Go.

Alternative metal

A genre of heavy metal music that combines the aggression of metal with the experimentation of alternative rock.

Stoner rock

A subgenre of rock music that is slow-paced, heavy, and often influenced by psychedelic rock and blues.

Palm-muted riff

A guitar technique where the player rests the palm of the picking hand on the strings near the bridge to create a muted, percussive sound.