Trouble
Formed: 1979
From:
Chicago,
IL,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Trouble News
Below is our complete Trouble news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
Displaying records 1 - 20 of 75 1 2 3 4 Last
Headline News
Hear: Ex-Trouble Vocalist's Posthumous Solo Single
Former Trouble frontman Eric Wagner's debut and sadly final solo studio full-length "In The Lonely Light Of Mourning" will be out in stores on March 18th, 2022 via Cruz Del Sur Music. The record was originally scheduled for a November 2021 release, but was pushed back after Wagner's death this past August due to COVID-19. You can now check out the advance track "Maybe Tomorrow" streaming via YouTube for you below.
The album was assembled with ex-Trouble drummer David Snyder, and features guest appearances from current and former members of Trouble, The Skull, Pentagram, and more.
Comments Cruz Del Sur Music owner Enrico Leccese: More...
Candlemass Covers Classic Trouble Song
Swedish doom metal legends Candlemass has released a cover of the Trouble classic, "The Tempter," as a way of paying tribute to Trouble's late vocalist Eric Wagner. You can check it out below.
Candlemass: ""Here's our homage to our friend and hero, Eric Wagner (Trouble, The Skull) who sadly died some time ago, way too soon! This is for you Eric, R.I.P."
Wagner passed away in August, after battling the COVID-19 virus. He was sixty two years old. More...
Headline News
Original Trouble Vocalist Eric Wagner Passes Away
Original Trouble vocalist Eric Wagner, who fronted the band from 1979 to 1997 and then again from 2000 to 2008, has passed away at the age of sixty two after a bout with the COVID-19 virus. His son confirmed the singer's passing on social media, commenting on Eric's band, The Skull's page:
"Hey all this is Luke Wagner his oldest son. Eric Wagner has passed away."
The Skull were originally set to tour with The Obsessed, but were forced to pull out due to four members being diagnosed with the virus. The initial statement read:
"Hey all. More bad news... We will not be able to play Psycho Vegas this Thursday. While 3 out of 4 of us who tested positive for Covid are recovering nicely... Eric Wagner’s bout with Covid has gotten worse and he was admitted to the hospital yesterday with COVID pneumonia. Positive thoughts and words will be helpful."
With Wagner at the helm, Trouble became one of the most acclaimed and beloved bands in doom metal, releasing genre classics such as their eponymous debut (which was later known as "Psalm 9") and "The Skull." After leaving in 1997, he was replaced by Exhorder frontman Kyle Thomas and formed Lid with Anathema guitarist Danny Cavanagh.
He returned to Trouble in 2000 and would eventually release one more album with the band in 2007 named "Simple Mind Condition," before leaving again in 2008, forming doom metal band The Skull four years later.
The Skull (Ex-Trouble, Etc.) Premiere New Video
Chicago-based doom outfit The Skull (Ex-Trouble, Etc.) premiere a new official music video for "As the Sun Draws Near". The track is off their album "The Endless Road Turns Dark" which was released in 2018 by Tee Pee Records.
Check out now "As the Sun Draws Near" below.
The Skull Premiere New Song "Ravenswood"
Doom-metal band The Skull, featuring vocalist Eric Wagner and bassist Ron Holzner (both ex-Trouble), premiere a new song entitled "Ravenswood", taken from their upcoming new album "The Endless Road Turns Dark", which will be out in stores September 7th via Tee Pee Records.
Check out now "Ravenswood" below.
The Skull Debut Title Track Of Upcoming New Album
Doom outfit The Skull (featuring ex-Trouble members Ron Holzner on bass and Eric Wagner on vocals, plus current/ex- members of Witch Mountain and Cathedral) premiere title track of their upcoming new album "The Endless Road Turns Dark", which will be out in stores September 7 on Tee Pee Records.
Check out now "The Endless Road Turns Dark" below.
Check out tour dates below: More...
Florida Metal Fest Kicking Off This Weekend
This Saturday, January 30th, 2016 marks the first annual Florida Metal Fest organized by brothers John and Donald Tardy of death metal legends Obituary.
The event is set to take place at The Cuban Club, Ybor City in Tampa and the two stage gala will see some of the Sunshine State's most iconic bands - including Obituary, Malevolent Creation, Atheist and Deicide.
Additionally, the Tardy brothers have invited some of their favorite bands from around the country to take part in this special event including Corrosion Of Conformity, Trouble, Madball, Broken Hope and Generichrist.
Two local Floridian bands, both winners of the Battle Of The Bands contest show, will be opening the fest. The first battle was held on November 27th at the BrassMug where the winning band was Untoten Krieg. The second battle took place on December 26th at the Crowbar in Ybor City, with Unsung Destroyer winning the proverbial belt.
Said John Tardy of fest: "My brother and I have been so fortunate and thankful to be part of some the best and biggest music festivals in the world. The amount of people, bands and energy these festivals can bring is just awesome. From the first time we played one, it has always been a dream of ours to put together a music festival that is not only fun for the fans, bands and crews, but one that also brings a closeness to all involved. After years and years of talking about it, we finally decided the time is now. More...
First Annual Florida Metal Fest Announced
January 30th, 2016 will mark the official kick off of the first annual Florida Metal Fest! Organized by brothers John and Donald Tardy of death metal legends, Obituary, and set to take place at The Cuban Club, Ybor City in Tampa, year one of the brutal gala will see some of the Sunshine State's most iconic bands - including Obituary, Malevolent Creation, Deicide and Atheist - unite and return to their roots in the very heart of the death metal world. Additionally, the Tardy brothers have invited some of their favorite bands from around the country to take part in this special event including Corrosion Of Conformity, Trouble, Madball, Broken Hope and Generichrist!
Two local Floridian bands, both winners of the Battle Of The Bands contest show, will be opening the fest. The first battle was held on November 27th at the BrassMug where the winning band was
Untoten Krieg. The second battle will take place on December 26th at the Crowbar in Ybor City to determine the final band of this year's lineup.
Said John Tardy of fest: "My brother and I have been so fortunate and thankful to be part of some the best and biggest music festivals in the world. The amount of people, bands and energy these festivals can bring is just awesome. From the first time we played one, it has always been a dream of ours to put together a music festival that is not only fun for the fans, bands and crews, but one that also brings a closeness to all involved. After years and years of talking about it, we finally decided the time is now. We want to put together a first class festival. From the venue to the PA, from the lights to the lineup we are trying our best to make this as memorable event as possible. No festival, anywhere in the world, even with the best possible lineup, would work if the area does not support it. I think that Tampa, and its surrounding cities, is a great music area and one that is ready to make this event come to life."
Florida Metal Fest I Lineup:
Obituary
Corrosion Of Conformity
Deicide
Trouble
Madball
Malevolent Creation
Atheist
Broken Hope
Generichrist
Untoten Krieg [Battle Of the Bands Winner] More...
70,000 Tons Of Metal Adds To 2015 Lineup
Four more bands were announced today for the 2015 roster by UMC - promoters for the Original and World's Largest Cruise Festival, 70,000 Tons of Metal. On board at the last minute: Florida hardcore act Adaliah, Florida deathcore act Dark Sermon and Swiss groove act GurD and German thrashers Exumer.
70,000 Tons of Metal casts off tomorrow January 22, 2015 from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with a stop at Ocho Rios, Jamaica and returns on Monday, January 26, 2015. The festival boards a new vessel, Liberty of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean), which will accommodate four stages. The All-Star Jam band will be back this coming January, which features members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live. There will also be two hot tubs on the pool deck stage.
All the information on the festival can be found at 70000tons.com.
Metal Underground.com has its team on the scene and will report on all the events in the coming days. Stay tuned.
The roster lineup is as follows, with only 2 more left to be announced:
1349
Abandon Hope
Adaliah
Alestorm
Amorphis
Annihilator (featuring Coburn Pharr performing songs from "Never, Neverland")
Anvil
Apocalyptica
Arch Enemy
Artillery
Behemoth
Blind Guardian
Cannibal Corpse
Claim the Throne
Crucified Barbara
D.A.D.
Dark Sermon
Destruction
Divided Multitude
Einherjer
Ensiferum
Enthroned
Equilibrium
Exumer
Gama Bomb More...
Three More Bands Added To 70,000 Tons Of Metal
Three more bands were announced for the 2015 roster by UMC - promoters for the Original and World's Largest Cruise Festival, 70,000 Tons of Metal: U.S. thrashers Whiplash, Brazilian groove masters Soulfly and U.S. legendary traditional metal act Riot, now known as Riot V.
70,000 Tons of Metal casts off next Thursday, January 22, 2015 from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with a stop at Ocho Rios, Jamaica, returning on Tuesday, January 26, 2015 aboard a new ship, Liberty of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean), which will accommodate four stages. The All-Star Jam band will be back this coming January, which features members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live. There will also be two hot tubs on the pool deck stage.
All the information on the festival, including how to book your dream metal vacation can be found at 70000tons.com.
Whiplash, Soulfly and Riot V join the previously announced bands below, with 6 bands still left to be announced:
1349
Abandon Hope
Alestorm
Amorphis
Annihilator (featuring Coburn Pharr performing songs from "Never, Neverland")
Anvil
Apocalyptica
Arch Enemy
Artillery
Behemoth
Blind Guardian
Cannibal Corpse
Claim the Throne
Crucified Barbara
D.A.D.
Destruction
Divided Multitude
Einherjer
Ensiferum
Enthroned
Equilibrium
Gama Bomb More...
Six More Bands Confirmed For 70,000 Tons
A six pack of announcements were handed down by UMC - promoters for the Original and World's Largest Cruise Festival, 70,000 Tons of Metal: Canadian metal legends Anvil, Norway's The Hate Colony, Irish thrashers Gama Bomb, Swiss thrashers Suborned, Australia's Claim The Throne and Florida death metal act Monstrosity.
70,000 Tons of Metal casts off next Thursday, January 22, 2015 from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with a stop at Ocho Rios, Jamaica, returning on Tuesday, January 26, 2015 aboard a new ship, Liberty of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean), which will accommodate four stages. The All-Star Jam band will be back this coming January, which features members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live. There will also be two hot tubs on the pool deck stage.
All the information on the festival, including how to book your dream metal vacation can be found at 70000tons.com.
Anvil, The Hate Colony, Gama Bomb, Suborned, Claim the Throne and Monstrosity join the previously announced bands below, with 9 bands still left to be announced:
1349
Abandon Hope
Alestorm
Amorphis
Annihilator (featuring Coburn Pharr performing songs from "Never, Neverland")
Apocalyptica
Arch Enemy
Artillery
Behemoth
Blind Guardian
Cannibal Corpse
Crucified Barbara
D.A.D.
Destruction
Divided Multitude
Einherjer
Ensiferum
Enthroned
Equilibrium More...
Three More Acts Confirmed For 70,000 Tons Of Metal
UMC - promoters for the Original and World's Largest Cruise Festival, 70,000 Tons of Metal - announced another three acts for the 2015 Roster: Colombian black metal act Thy Antichrist, Belgian black metal act Enthroned and legendary Chicago doom act Trouble.
70,000 Tons of Metal casts off next Thursday, January 22, 2015 from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with a stop at Ocho Rios, Jamaica, returning on Tuesday, January 26, 2015 aboard a new ship, Liberty of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean), which will accommodate four stages. The All-Star Jam band will be back this coming January, which features members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live. There will also be two hot tubs on the pool deck stage.
All the information on the festival, including how to book your dream metal vacation can be found at 70000tons.com.
Thy Antichrist, Enthroned and Trouble join the previously announced bands below, with 15 bands still left to be announced:
1349
Abandon Hope
Alestorm
Amorphis
Annihilator (featuring Coburn Pharr performing songs from "Never, Neverland")
Apocalyptica
Arch Enemy
Artillery
Behemoth
Blind Guardian
Cannibal Corpse
Crucified Barbara
D.A.D.
Destruction
Divided Multitude
Einherjer
Ensiferum
Equilibrium More...
The Skull Recruits New Guitarist
There is now more “Trouble” for The Skull - the band featuring original Trouble members vocalist Eric Wagner and drummer Jeff “Oly” Olson alongside Trouble’s longtime bassist Ron Holzner and Sacred Dawn guitarist Lothar Keller - as the group has now recruited former Trouble bassist Chuck Robinson as a new guitar player.
Jeff Olson comments: “We are excited and honored that Chuck Robinson has accepted our invitation to join the band. He is the perfect fit for The Skull.
“I’ve always enjoyed rehearsing with Chuck as he is disciplined with his art. He’ll surely bring a bonus to the band with his experience as a former Trouble member and as a seasoned musician who utilizes both his talented song writing ability and his exceptional recording skills. We are looking forward to tour with our brother again.”
Olson added: “Chuck is more then a bass player. He grew up playing guitar with his father, also a very talented guitarist. Eric, Ron, Lothar, and myself know that Chuck is more than capable for the job. He’ll bring chops with a heavy groove to our debut album, as well as bring his charisma to the stage.”
You can also see the band live:
May 09 - Cleveland, Ohio - The Grog Shop
May 10 – Chicago, Illinois – Reggies
August 29 - Montreal, Canada - The Wings of Metal Festival
Jeff "Oly" Olson Posts Beer Video
Allagash Brewing Company has released a short video, "The Red Howes Story," chronicling the new Imperial Stout brewed by Allagash Brewery and Jeff “Oly” Olson (Trouble, The Skull, Retro Grave, Victor Griffin's In~Graved).
The Red Howes Story consists of reel-to-reel video of Olson's grandfather and family, behind the scenes video of the brewing of Red Howes, and is narrated by Olson. Check it out below. More...
Jeff "Oly" Olson To Release Beer
Original Trouble drummer Jeff “Oly” Olson will launch a Belgium-style stout named Red Howes with Allagash Brewing Company set for release on Saturday, January 25th. The limited bottles will be sold in 750 ml and will be distributed nationwide on draft.
Named after Olson’s Grandfather, Red Howes is an Imperial Stout brewed with over 3,000 pounds of New England cranberries. Coincidentally, the cranberry’s brewed in the beer are of the Red Howes and Early Blacks variety. The beer is black in color with a creamy beige head brewed with 2-Row barley, a blend of roasted malts and grains. Cocoa, coffee, and berries fill the aroma with flavors of dried fruit and bitter chocolate with a slight tartness and a dry lingering finish. 8.5% ABV.
Olson is no stranger to the brewing industry having worked in breweries and wineries for over twenty years whilst not on band tours. Moreover, Olson has been writing and recording in the music industry since the formation of Trouble (1979) and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in film scoring, cum laude, from Berklee College of Music.
Currently, Olson is playing drums and keyboards for The Skull (featuring original Trouble vocalist Eric Wagner and longtime Trouble bassist Ron Holzner), Victor Griffin’s In~Graved, and is a multi-instrumentalist with his heavy psychedelic/doom project Retro Grave. More...
Trouble Recruits New Bassist
Metal legends Trouble have announced the recruitment of new bassist Rob Hultz, who is to debut on an upcoming Fall Tour.
On the eve of the European release of latest studio album The Distortion Field (reviewed here), Trouble has made a permanent addition to the band line-up with the hiring of bass player Rob Hultz. The following press release was issued:
"Hultz is no stranger to the heavy metal, hard rock, and doom metal genres as his lengthy music resume boasts. While still in high school, he joined an East Coast hardcore band called Social Decay which served as his introduction to recording and touring. After a decade, he left with the guitar player to form the doom metal band Godspeed and was signed to Atlantic Records. Their debut album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York and produced by Rachel Bolan of Skid Row. The band was represented by Gloria Butler Management and toured with iconic bands such as Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio, and Cathedral, to name just a few. More...
Jeff Olson Returns To The Skull
Jeff "Oly" Olson has joined forces again with The Skull, the band he formed with fellow original member of Chicago doom-metal legends Trouble vocalist Eric Wagner and the band's longtime bassist Ron Holzner.
Olson states, "I know that I've mentioned that I wouldn't perform Troubles music anymore unless it's with the other original members, but I've had a change of heart. I want to rock again. Although I have been having a great time playing keys for In~Graved (led by former Pentagram guitarist Victor Griffin), I miss the drums and playing classic Trouble songs. I'm still going to jam with Victor, but there is room for The Skull too.
"In just a few short months, 2014 will mark the 30th anniversary year for Trouble's debut record Psalm 9. Trouble guitarists Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin are having fun with their new record, and I had fun writing some intros for it, it's just that Eric, Ron, and myself want to jam too and celebrate our 30th anniversary as well with a tour and a new record. We've worked just as hard as Bruce and Rick over the years and we feel that we’ve earned the privilege to celebrate with the fans as well. There is no animosity between the two bands and we intend to keep it that way. More...
Trouble Streaming Three New Songs
Chicago metal legends Trouble return with their first album since "Simple Mind Condition," released in 2007. The album entitled "The Distortion Field" features 13 tracks and will be released by FRW Records in North America on July 16th, 2013 and in Europe on August 23rd, 2013.
Trouble has teamed up with Decibel Magazine to give fans a taste of "The Distortion Field" before it is released in North America tomorrow. Check out full streams of the songs "When The Sky Comes Down," "Sucker," and "Butterflies" below.
"The Distortion Field" makes history in the Trouble camp through the band's acquisition of a new lead vocalist, Kyle Thomas of Exorder and Floodgate fame. Commenting on the new vocalist, Trouble founder and guitarist Rick Wartell says:
"Kyle is one of the most impressive singers I've ever heard, and by far the most extraodinary singer I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He's got incredible range, incredible power, and an incredible knowledge of Trouble, as he's been a fan for 20-something years. We've known him forever, and he innately understands what Trouble is about. He's like the perfect guy to come in and do this job. It's awesome." More...
Jeff "Oly" Olson To Release Cranberry Beer
Jeff "Oly" Olson (Retro Grave, In-Graved), original drummer for Trouble, tweeted today that the pilot beer he brewed for Allagash Brewing Company will launch for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays 2013.
The beer will be an Imperial Stout brewed with cranberries. The name for Olson's beer is still undecided and will be announced soon. The following press release was also issued:
"Allagash Brewing Company began as New England's original Belgian-Style brewery and have grown into one of the industries most distinguished and well-respected brands.
"Olson played keyboards on the Spring 2013 self-tiltled debut album from In-Graved, the new band led by former Pentagram guitarist Victor Griffin. Olson also recorded keyboard intros on Trouble's forthcoming album 'The Distortion Field' set for release July 16th, 2013."
Trouble Announces New Album & Release Date
Legendary Chicago metal band Trouble announced that the long awaited return album will be entitled "The Distortion Field." The album is scheduled for release on July 16th (North America) and July 26th (Europe) via FRW Records. The album marks the first new album from the band since the 2007 LP "Simple Mind Condition."
"The Distortion Field" will also make history for the band as they welcome new lead vocalist, Kyle Thomas of Exorder and Floodgate fame.
Commenting on new vocalist is founder and guitarist Rick Wartell: "Kyle is one of the most impressive singers I've ever heard, and by far the most extraordinary singer I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He's got incredible range, incredible power, and an incredible knowledge of Trouble, as he's been a fan for 20-something years. We've known him forever, and he innately understands what Trouble is about. He's like the perfect guy to come in and do this job. It's awesome."
Veteran music Producer Bill Metoyer is once again lending his expertise, having previously worked with the band on "The Skull" and 'Trouble," both Metal Blade releases. More...