In the past decade, Cleveland has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the world of aggressive music. As unlikely a place as any, this burgeoning scene has spawned the likes of several major label acts, among them, Chimaira, Erase the Grey, and Switched.

It is from the ashes of several of these underground heavyweights comes Cleveland's newest, and possibly biggest threat, Rikets. "The band started with a phone call", recalls Rose." Brad and I were catching up one day over the phone and I said 'let's start a band'. Unfortunately, he was still in Switched at the time, so we couldn't do it.."

Ultimately, perseverance paid off as Rose continued writing, along the way picking up vocalist/sampler Matt Haze, guitarist Ken Obloy, bassist Josh Jansen.and original drummer Eric Mathews (Pro-Pain).

Eventually, Switched would go on indefinite hiatus, with most of the members working on other projects (drummer Chad Szeliga took on drum duties in Breaking Benjamin, and vocalist Ben Schigel found continued success as a producer). It was at this point Brad got onboard actively and permanently, after yet another fateful call.

"I called Brad and mentioned that we were looking for a guitar player again." Scott adds. "This time it all fell into place." The collective spent 2 years writing and demoing material before entering Cleveland's renowned Spider Studios to begin what would become the arduous task of tracking their debut EP. It was here under the skilled ear of producer (and Switched vocalist) Ben Schigel (Drowning Pool, Chimaira, Breaking Point), that they would lay down the foundations of the ironically titled "Anything for the Devil".

The result is 5 blistering tracks of all-out metal, paying homage to the heyday of mostly gone-but-not-forgotten greats like Machine Head, Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains and Motley Crue. It is only appropriate then, that they enlisted the services of none other than former Machine Head/Soulfly guitarist Logan Mader to mix.

"Logan is a longtime friend of the band and has always been really supportive.", says Rose. "It helps that he also has an amazing ear, and really understood the sound we were going for. We picked the right team and we got it." Logan also appear's on the track, "Bitterwords", a track produced by Rose and Tony Gammalo(It dies today,Trustkill Records).

During the writing and recording of "AFTD" the band would see a few changes, as the lineup was rounded out with the addition of keyboardist Chanley Leffel and drummer Angel, who also pulls double duty as the rhythmic punisher for Florida's infamous Genitorturers.

Now in Summer 2005 Corporate Punishment Records will release the bands much anticipated debut through their newly formed alliance with independent distribution powerhouse Navarre, while the band prepares a rigorous tour schedule that will carry them well into the new year, destroying everything in their path.

Source: The Gauntlet