Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Divebomb Records proudly presents XZANTHUS "World of Misery: The Demo Anthology (1988-1991)" CD available to pre-order on January 2, 2026.
Bay Area thrash unit XZANTHUS formed during the late-'80s in the San Jose, CA region—eventually settling on a lineup of Steev Esquivel (vocals), Henry Moreno (drums), Pat Nelson (bass), and guitarists Eric Beard and Michael Terry. Early talks with Roadrunner Records fell apart when Esquivel opted to relocate to Oakland and join fellow heavy-hitters Defiance. His replacement, Dave Vest, was then eventually supplanted by David Sandoval, the group's third and final frontman.
Right off the bat, the band developed a hard-charging, no nonsense brand of thrash metal that countered its gnashing aggression with an undercurrent of traditional heavy metal structure and melodicism. The first two sessions with Esquivel tended toward a rawer, down-and-dirty attack; whereas later outings with Vest and Sandoval developed tighter musicianship and slightly more dramatic singing styles.
XZANTHUS tracked a whopping four demos between 1988 and 1991; performing countless shows alongside area friends Forbidden, Epidemic, Wrekking Machine, Fatality, and Marquis de Sade; not to mention other established greats such as Vio-lence, Sacred Reich, D.R.I., and Body Count. Despite this exposure as well as an obvious progression in the quality of their recorded output, the group ultimately fizzled away without securing the opportunity for a proper LP—their material largely lost to time as a somewhat mysterious unsung gem of the Bay Area thrash scene. Much of the information regarding XZANTHUS online is incomplete or inaccurate, and even the band members have trouble piecing together the timeline almost 35 years later.
That's why Divebomb Records is thrilled to present World of Misery: The Demo Anthology, a 15-song, 62-minute complete discography of XZANTHUS. Sourced from the original analog multi-track reels as often as possible, the transfers have been mixed and mastered by Jamie King Audio in order to preserve these rather elusive examples of this corner of classic Bay Area thrash. The CD will be packaged alongside a 12-page booklet including original artwork, photos, lyrics, and an interview with guitarist Eric Beard. For the fans, by the fans!
COMRADES IN ARMS:
Defiance, Epidemic, Testament, Forbidden, Vio-lence
TRACK LIST:
DEMO I (1988) [2025 Mix]
1. Mindwarp
2. Wastelands
3. World Of Misery
DEMO II (1989) [2025 Mix]
4. Without The Darkness
5. Prelude To War
6. N.I.L.
7. Images Of Hatred
8. World Of Misery
DEMO III (1990)
9. Promised Fate
10. World Of Misery
11. Images Of Hatred
12. The Unknown
DEMO IV (1991) [2025 Mix]
13. Distant
14. Wastelands
15. Face The Fear
Order here:
divebombrecords.com/store
divebombrecords.com
indiemerch.com/divebomb
facebook.com/divebombrecords
divebombrecords.com/bandcamp
International Orders:
divebombrecords.com/stores
Divebomb Records proudly presents XZANTHUS "World of Misery: The Demo Anthology (1988-1991)" CD available to pre-order on January 2, 2026.
Bay Area thrash unit XZANTHUS formed during the late-'80s in the San Jose, CA region—eventually settling on a lineup of Steev Esquivel (vocals), Henry Moreno (drums), Pat Nelson (bass), and guitarists Eric Beard and Michael Terry. Early talks with Roadrunner Records fell apart when Esquivel opted to relocate to Oakland and join fellow heavy-hitters Defiance. His replacement, Dave Vest, was then eventually supplanted by David Sandoval, the group's third and final frontman.
Right off the bat, the band developed a hard-charging, no nonsense brand of thrash metal that countered its gnashing aggression with an undercurrent of traditional heavy metal structure and melodicism. The first two sessions with Esquivel tended toward a rawer, down-and-dirty attack; whereas later outings with Vest and Sandoval developed tighter musicianship and slightly more dramatic singing styles.
XZANTHUS tracked a whopping four demos between 1988 and 1991; performing countless shows alongside area friends Forbidden, Epidemic, Wrekking Machine, Fatality, and Marquis de Sade; not to mention other established greats such as Vio-lence, Sacred Reich, D.R.I., and Body Count. Despite this exposure as well as an obvious progression in the quality of their recorded output, the group ultimately fizzled away without securing the opportunity for a proper LP—their material largely lost to time as a somewhat mysterious unsung gem of the Bay Area thrash scene. Much of the information regarding XZANTHUS online is incomplete or inaccurate, and even the band members have trouble piecing together the timeline almost 35 years later.
That's why Divebomb Records is thrilled to present World of Misery: The Demo Anthology, a 15-song, 62-minute complete discography of XZANTHUS. Sourced from the original analog multi-track reels as often as possible, the transfers have been mixed and mastered by Jamie King Audio in order to preserve these rather elusive examples of this corner of classic Bay Area thrash. The CD will be packaged alongside a 12-page booklet including original artwork, photos, lyrics, and an interview with guitarist Eric Beard. For the fans, by the fans!
COMRADES IN ARMS:
Defiance, Epidemic, Testament, Forbidden, Vio-lence
TRACK LIST:
DEMO I (1988) [2025 Mix]
1. Mindwarp
2. Wastelands
3. World Of Misery
DEMO II (1989) [2025 Mix]
4. Without The Darkness
5. Prelude To War
6. N.I.L.
7. Images Of Hatred
8. World Of Misery
DEMO III (1990)
9. Promised Fate
10. World Of Misery
11. Images Of Hatred
12. The Unknown
DEMO IV (1991) [2025 Mix]
13. Distant
14. Wastelands
15. Face The Fear
Order here:
divebombrecords.com/store
divebombrecords.com
indiemerch.com/divebomb
facebook.com/divebombrecords
divebombrecords.com/bandcamp
International Orders:
divebombrecords.com/stores


![RETURN TO DARKNESS - Texas BBQ [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
Divebomb Records proudly presents RETURN TO DARKNESS Eternal CD available 7/11/2025.
Order here:
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http://www.divebombrecords.com
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Rockland County, NY thrash act Out of Darkness formed in 1990 when three-fifths of the lineup of Sadistik Ritual—guitarists Jon Ciorciari and Greg Paravati with drummer Forrest Leighton—soldiered on with ex-Prowler bassist Sean Weiss and former Torment vocalist Ron Roshong. As Out of Darkness, the quintet further progressed their foundation into an even more interesting brand of thrash metal that combined quirky and technical riffing with both melody and hard-hitting crunch.
Out of Darkness issued a number of recordings throughout 1990 - 1994, but ultimately faded away amidst the typical frustrations of the changing tide of mid-90s metal, thus a wealth of material was largely lost to time. Over two decades later, however, all five members of Out of Darkness reunited during the Covid era of 2020 to re-record some of their finest material, finally achieving the bands proper sound and creative vision. Founding guitarist Jon Ciorciari (a.k.a. JRod) states, When we were young, we would put our trust in others to bring our music to life, and the results were always far from what we had hoped for. I got into doing this for a living because of those experiences.
The logical name for this reunion? RETURN TO DARKNESS.
Recorded and mixed by Ciorciari, the resulting 11-song/45-minute album, Eternal, was initially released digitally in 2022. Divebomb Records is excited to present RETURN TO DARKNESS on limited edition CD for the very first time in 2025. Remastered by Jamie King Audio, the disc will be packaged alongside a booklet including all-new artwork, lyrics, and photos. For the fans, by the fans! RETURN TO DARKNESS - Texas BBQ [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bQN4TjONh3M/mqdefault.jpg)

![ENTROPY - Nightmare Extraordinaire [1991 Demo] (OFFICIAL STREAM)
Divebomb Records proudly presents ENTROPY Ashen Existence 2xCD available in stores on 8/11/2023.
Order here:
http://www.divebombrecords.com/store
http://www.divebombrecords.com
https://www.indiemerch.com/divebomb
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ENTROPY formed in Brampton, Ontario, Canada in 1989 after ex-members of a band called Aftermath—Ger Schreinert (vocals), Aldo Arbitrante (guitar), and Steve Maclaren (bass)—hooked up with guitarist Dan Lauzon through an ad in the Toronto Sun, before bringing in drummer Darren Foster. By 1991, the group was tracking its first demo at Future Sound Studio (Sacrifice, Razor, Slaughter, etc.) with the immediate goal of putting forth a limitless brand of technical and progressive metal drawing influence from any number of subgenres—power, thrash, death, etc.
Prior to 1992 industry demo Machines Way, guitarist Arbitrante stunningly took over behind the drum kit, performing double duty to mind-blowing effect for years to come. Then, with Maclaren out, Lauzon and Arbitrante also performed all of the bass tracks on full-length debut, Ashen Existence. Tracked at the Metalworks (Triumph, Kick Axe, Infernäl Mäjesty, etc.) in September of 1992, the album was viewed as such a step forward that ENTROPY destroyed all remaining copies of their demos upon its completion. Opting to avoid the overbearing recording/licensing contracts of the era, the band decided to self-release in order to retain proper ownership of their output.
Despite the changing landscape of metal circa 1992, Ashen Existence would rightfully go on to become an absolute cult classic—a unique masterpiece of complex, forward-thinking, death-tinged thrash that in-the-know listeners have championed through fanzines and online for decades. From well-honed melodies to neck-breaking grooves and an equally wide array of vocal acrobatics, Ashen Existence remains intriguingly diverse and full of unexpected twists and turns.
Therefore, Divebomb Records is elated that ENTROPY has agreed to partner with the label for this 2×CD 30th anniversary edition of the legendary Ashen Existence—expanded to present both the 1991 and 1992 demos (sourced from DAT masters); including exclusive tracks such as Transgressor, Nightmare Extraordinaire, and Storm of Mind. Fully remastered by Jamie King Audio, the set will also contain an all-new 20-page booklet including lyrics, photos, press clippings, and an interview with the band. For the fans, by the fans!
TRACK LIST:
CD 1
1. Ashen Existence
2. Necrothon
3. Darkness Weaves
4. Machines Way
5. Exalted Sith
6. Psionic Dissection
7. Traces of Time
CD 2
Entropy - Demo (1991)
1. Exalted Sith
2. Transgressor
3. Nightmare Extraordinaire
4. Darkness Weaves
Machines Way - Demo (1992)
5. Machine’s Way
6. Necrothon
7. Storm of Mind
8. Ashen Existenceombrecords.com/stores ENTROPY - Nightmare Extraordinaire [1991 Demo] (OFFICIAL STREAM)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/boIX0pyeplM/mqdefault.jpg)
![OUT OF DARKNESS - Another World [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
Divebomb Records proudly presents OUT OF DARKNESS Out Of Darkness: The Demo Anthology (1991-1994) CD available 7/11/2025.
VIDEO BY GATOR MCKLUSKY
Order here:
http://www.divebombrecords.com/store
http://www.divebombrecords.com
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http://www.divebombrecords.com/bandcamp
International Orders:
https://www.divebombrecords.com/stores
Rockland County, NY thrash act OUT OF DARKNESS formed in 1990 when three-fifths of the lineup of Sadistik Ritual—guitarists Jon Ciorciari and Greg Paravati with drummer Forrest Leighton—soldiered on with ex-Prowler bassist Sean Weiss and former Torment vocalist Ron Roshong. As OUT OF DARKNESS, the quintet further progressed their foundation into an even more interesting brand of thrash metal that combined quirky and technical riffing with both melody and hard-hitting crunch.
OUT OF DARKNESS is perhaps most-remembered for their debut four-song demo in 1991, recorded at Phoenix Studios; but issued a number of other recordings in the years that followed—including sessions with Steve Evetts at Trax East in Sayreville, NJ. The group also performed live alongside everyone from Nuclear Assault and Overkill to Danzig and Pantera. All of this resulted in marginal interest from record labels, but never quite secured a deal. Thus, OUT OF DARKNESS faded away in the mid-90s—yet another thrash act of the era with a wealth of material that was largely lost to time...
...until now. Divebomb Records is thrilled to announce the impending release of the complete discography from OUT OF DARKNESS—totaling 16 songs/70 minutes spanning a number of sessions throughout 1990 - 1994. Fully remastered by Jamie King Audio, the limited edition CD will be packaged alongside a 20-page booklet including assorted ephemera, lyrics and a retrospective interview with the band. For the fans, by the fans! OUT OF DARKNESS - Another World [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cbA9pf6f_WE/mqdefault.jpg)

![EPITAPH - Quantum Of Solace [2020 Remix] (OFFICIAL STREAM)
Divebomb Records proudly presents EPITAPH Echoes Entombed: The Demo Anthology (1991-1992) Bootcamp Series CD available on 8/14/2020.
Order here:
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http://www.divebombrecords.com/phd EPITAPH - Quantum Of Solace [2020 Remix] (OFFICIAL STREAM)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cztqtiKsoJ4/mqdefault.jpg)

![RETURN TO DARKNESS - Heart Beat In Time [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
Divebomb Records proudly presents RETURN TO DARKNESS Eternal CD available on CD 7/11/2025.
Order here:
http://www.divebombrecords.com/store
http://www.divebombrecords.com
https://www.indiemerch.com/divebomb
http://www.facebook.com/divebombrecords
http://www.divebombrecords.com/bandcamp
International Orders:
https://www.divebombrecords.com/stores
Rockland County, NY thrash act Out of Darkness formed in 1990 when three-fifths of the lineup of Sadistik Ritual—guitarists Jon Ciorciari and Greg Paravati with drummer Forrest Leighton—soldiered on with ex-Prowler bassist Sean Weiss and former Torment vocalist Ron Roshong. As Out of Darkness, the quintet further progressed their foundation into an even more interesting brand of thrash metal that combined quirky and technical riffing with both melody and hard-hitting crunch.
Out of Darkness issued a number of recordings throughout 1990 - 1994, but ultimately faded away amidst the typical frustrations of the changing tide of mid-90s metal, thus a wealth of material was largely lost to time. Over two decades later, however, all five members of Out of Darkness reunited during the Covid era of 2020 to re-record some of their finest material, finally achieving the bands proper sound and creative vision. Founding guitarist Jon Ciorciari (a.k.a. JRod) states, When we were young, we would put our trust in others to bring our music to life, and the results were always far from what we had hoped for. I got into doing this for a living because of those experiences.
The logical name for this reunion? RETURN TO DARKNESS.
Recorded and mixed by Ciorciari, the resulting 11-song/45-minute album, Eternal, was initially released digitally in 2022. Divebomb Records is excited to present RETURN TO DARKNESS on limited edition CD for the very first time in 2025. Remastered by Jamie King Audio, the disc will be packaged alongside a booklet including all-new artwork, lyrics, and photos. For the fans, by the fans! RETURN TO DARKNESS - Heart Beat In Time [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dvq00pIpdDA/mqdefault.jpg)
![PRIMAL SCREAM NYC - Kill The Light [OFFICIAL STREAM]
Divebomb Records proudly presents PRIMAL SCREAM NYC Volume One Deluxe Edition CD available on 10/9/2020 via DIVEBOMB DIRECT HITS!
Order here:
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http://www.divebombrecords.com
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http://www.divebombrecords.com/phd PRIMAL SCREAM NYC - Kill The Light [OFFICIAL STREAM]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eB5M17-XrCA/mqdefault.jpg)