August Spotlight - Spellbinder

Browsing the net one day I came across this band and intrigued by the cover, I clicked on the sound sample they had provided. Low and behold, I had stumbled upon some great sounding metal! Picture classic 80's American Metal in the vein of QUEENSRYCHE. Upon further investigating revealed this band had no website or any real info on the internet. I contacted the website I found the CD on Hell Bent For Records and obtained the email for Jim Springer.

SPELLBINDER seems to have been overlooked most of their career. Jim Springer formed DESCENDING FATE in Dudedin FL with drummer Stacy King and released "Faded Dreams". Then in 1994 they released "Castle Of Ice" an early version of the song that appears on "Seal The Fate" with a different singer. In 1996 Mike Blair became the voice for the third DESCENDING FATE release "Judgement Day". Dave Young was added to the band when Jim released a solo instrumental album called "Hand Of Fate" in 1997. SPELLBINDER became the name of the band in 1998 with the line-up of Mike (vocals), Dave (guitar), Stacy (drummer), Jim (guitar) and bassist Chris Robbins they released "Under The Spell" that year.

Things seemed to be taking off for the band as they began touring all over Florida. When Jim decided to get married the band began to stumble. Mike went to form ETHERIA and then went to HEIR APPARENT. Chris joined the FBI. Stacy became a semi-pro racer while Dave formed a band called AARSON. In 2000 things began to come back together for SPELLBINDER when Jim seperated from his wife. They released the concept CD "An Invalidated Dream" containing bonus tracks from the third DESCENDING FATE release. After that SPELLBINDERS fate was still to be determined. The next couple of years they were in and out of the studio sending material all over the US to each other. All together it would end up being "Seal The Fate".

"Seal The Fate" represents a band that has great potential. Jim displays some of the best guitar work I've ever heard from a band that is basically unknown. This man can shred with the likes of anyone playing today. Even though several tracks are instrumental and showcase the brilliant mind of Jim Springer and his magical ax weilding powers, it's when every member contributes that this band shines it's best. Mike Blair is a multi-talented vocalist that can mimic if not better the voice of Geoff Tate in his prime, check out the track 'SANCTUARY'. Other times he is somber and just waiting to bust your eardrum with a piercing octave, album opener and titletrack 'SEAL THE FATE'. The rhythm section of Stacy and Chris is quite impressive along side the rhythm riffs of Jim creating monstorous headbanging grooves. These guys cover everything that was great about classic American metal. Epic songs such as the 4 part almost 9 minute track 'QUEEN HAUNTS THE CASTLE' and even offering up a great piano ballad called 'LONELY NIGHTS'.

The one thing holding this back from being astonishing for an idependent release is the production. Not to take anything away as a great job has been done by Jim but when you hear how the music sounds now and imagine the possibilites, such as Andy Sneap working some of his magic on this baby, BAM! Instant metal masterpiece, I kid you not!

If you're looking for early era QUEENSRYCHE, say a mix of the EP and The Warning, drop a note to SPELLBINDER below. Currently the band is working on material for a new release that keeps the same sound. Until then we are left wonder what could become of a band that could take the underground by storm?

Purchase this CD straight from the band for $6 with a bonus DVD.

Links: Hell Bent For Records www.hbfr.de
Contact: Jim Springer: underthespell101@hotmail.com