A relatively melodic metalcore act with some death and thrash influences, Hamilton, Ontario's
Threat Signal sit comfortably next to contemporaries like
Fear Factory and
Lamb of God.
Threat Signal were formed in 2003 by singer
Jon Howard and his cousin, lead guitarist
Rich Howard, filled out with rhythm guitarist
Kyle McKnight, bassist
Marco Bressette, and drummer
Adam Matthews. After achieving some early notoriety in the international online metal community, with four of their demo tracks achieving heavy airplay on various websites,
Threat Signal released the Rational Eyes EP through the digital-oriented label Gomek Records in 2005. Although
Threat Signal signed with the respected metal indie Nuclear Blast Records and recorded their first album with
Fear Factory guitarist
Christian Olde Wolbers later that same year, a period of personnel instability delayed its release for nearly a year. Drummer
Adam Matthews was the first to leave, replaced by
George Parfitt. Then founding guitarist
Rich Howard split, with
Bressette taking over lead guitar duties while
Pat Kavanagh was drafted into the bass slot. Following the delayed release of debut album Under Reprisal and an extensive tour,
Bressette left
Threat Signal suddenly in March 2007; in an interview with Canadian music website Chartattack,
Howard and
Parfitt claimed he resigned via a two-line e-mail. Undaunted,
Threat Signal began demoing material for their second album while auditioning new guitarists. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide