Znöwhite

Znöwhite was a Speed/Thrash Metal band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 1981 the original lineup consisted of Nicole Lee on Vocals and Nickie/Ian and Sparks Tafoya on Bass/Guitar and Drums, respectively. In 1983 they released their first self-released demo. The following year All Hail to Thee was released minus Nickie who left for unknown reasons. In 1985 the Kick 'em When They're Down ep was released (which is my avatar), shortly after, Znöwhite started gathering a cult following in the underground metal circuit. In 1986 they released a live album entitled Live Suicide recorded the previous year in Cleveland, Ohio, the album featured mainly songs from their two ep's but the band finished with a track from their unreleased debut album.

1988 saw the release of the now cult classic but then criminally discarded, Act of God, with Sparks being replaced on drums by Scott Schafer and Alex Olvera taking over Bass duties, the album remains their debut and only full length and saw the band take on a new Thrash roots direction ditching their previous Speed Metal roots. Long time vocalist Nicole Lee left shortly after the album's release due to other commitments. She was replaced by Debbie Gunn. The band officially split in 1989 as Gunn wished to pursue her other band at the time, Sentinel Beast, the remaining band members (including new recruits Brian Troch and John Slattery) went on to form Cyclone Temple.

The bands sound in the early days was that of a typical Speed Metal band from the eighties with plenty of Motorhead worship, their second ep saw them go towards a more bay area Thrash sound (ala, Metallica, Exodus). Their debut album saw them go all out Thrash Metal in the vein of country mates Testament and Overkill. While the influences of the band were never a secret, they still always managed to sound like their own band with melodic and brutal riffing mixed seamlessly and Nicole Lee's unique style of vocals. Highly recommended.


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I have Act of God, great thrash, and the vocals are very good too. i think that album had a weird cover but i`m not sure

I haven't listened to them for years. Act Of God is quite good...

Act of God is a kickass thrash album.
Love that rawness throughout the album.

Yeah Act of God had one of those "What the fuck?" album covers. But the thrash more than makes up for it.

The reason why I think Act of God is just "good" and not "amazing" is the singer....

I think Nichole Lee is pretty damn good, but I like Dawn Crosby better.