WRATH was formed in 1982 by bassist Gary Modica and guitarist Mike Nyrkkanen. After a couple years of playing with area musicians and cutting their musical teeth, the additions of guitarist Scott Nyquist, vocalist Gary Golwitzer, and drummer Rick Rios proved to be the very foundation for what would later become the lineup that would propel WRATH to a new level.
In 1985, with the lineup solidified, WRATH embarked on a metal journey that began with the recording of the now infamous "Children Of The Wicked" 6-song demo. This widely acclaimed collection of WRATH original music was the cornerstone to the band signing its' first recording contract with King Klassic Records. By 1986, the band debuted "Fit Of Anger", a full length album distributed world-wide through King Klassic/Greenworld. Hailed by metal fanzines and metal radio, the band experienced new found interest from metal heads all over the world. The demand for WRATH was fed by publications such as Kerrang, Metal Hammer, Metal Militia, and others.
In 1987, WRATH signed an exclusive deal with Medusa/Enigma Records. With the exit of drummer Rios, the band enlisted friend and Amulance drummer, Mike Fron. Hard rock guitar legend Ronnie Montrose was brought in to produce the Medusa/Enigma debut, critically acclaimed "Nothing To Fear", a full slab of molten, guitar-driven fury that quickly took the metal world by storm. The twisted vocal stylings of Golwitzer, the precision riffing of Nyrkkanen, Nyquist, and Modica underscored by the intense pounding of Fron signaled a new height in popularity for WRATH. Late in 1988, on the cusp of the "Nothing To Fear" tour, the band parted ways with Fron, and brought in skin basher Dave Sollman. After extensive touring, the band re-released it's "Fit Of Anger" lp, followed by another tour. 1989 brought WRATH to appear on the original motion picture soundtrack for "Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre".
In late '89, WRATH experienced big changes. The band separated from long time vocalist Golwitzer, and recruited the commanding presence of Kurt Grayson. This lineup of Grayson, Nyrkkanen, Nyquist, Modica, and Sollman crafted the newest WRATH creation. In 1990, the band's third album for Medusa/Enigma Records, "Insane Society" was unleashed on the world. Marking a change from previous WRATH releases, "Insane" offered a fresh, in-your-face approach that spawned the music videos "Insane Society" and "Test of Faith". The original MTV Headbanger's Ball picked up on WRATH, and regularly featured the band on it's Saturday night thrash-fest. More touring ensued, as the band enjoyed it's biggest selling album to date.
In 1991, long time guitarist Nyquist left the band, and in 1993 was replaced by Chris Djuricic (November's Doom, Belle City Sound founder). WRATH played extensively throughout the states, and officially went on hiatus in 1994. In 1998, the lineup of Grayson, Nyrkkanen, Nyquist, Modica, and Sollman reunited, playing a batch of successful shows. WRATH continued to reassemble regularly until 2004.
In early 2006, guitarist Nyrkkanen parted ways with the remaining lineup of Nyquist. Modica, Sollman, and new found singer John Duffey. In late 2008, WRATH entered the studio for the first time in over a decade to record a 4-song EP of new material. Digitally released, the band found new life and discovered the public was ready for metal again. Joined by longtime friend and guitarist Rob Noon, WRATH supported the EP on a string of select shows. After a three year run, the band parted ways with Duffey, to announce the re-joining of Kurt "Insane Society" Grayson.
2009 promises to bring new WRATH to the masses, and the lineup of Grayson, Nyquist, Noon, Modica, and Sollman are newly motivated to take WRATH to new levels in metal.