ONWARD - USA

Evermoving – 2001 – Century Media
Reawaken – 2002 - Century Media
The Neverending Sun – 2007 - Metalblic
New Fathoms Down – 2014 - Shredguy
Of Epoch And Inferno – 2022 – Cruz Del Sur

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Members
Vocals
Legend Maker, New Eden>>Michael Grant>>Crescent Shield, Malakis Reign, Cypher Seer – Attika, Solo>>Robert Van War>>Attika, Solo

Guitar
Defile, Forced Religion, Bleeding Ground, Solo, Kilpatrick/Knapp, Darken, Crescent Shield, Waxen>>TOBY KNAPP>>Godless, Rising, Forced Religion, Crescent Shield, Waxen, Sue’s Idol, Affliktor, Necrytis, Waxen

Bass
Toby Knapp>>Randy LaFrance – Defile, Forced Religion>>Chris Payette>>Forced Religion

Drum
Jon Pereau>>After The Flood




History & Biography
The group was founded by shredder Toby Knapp – known for his work with Shrapnel Records - who was grouped with singer Michael Grant by Denis Gulbey of Sentinel Steel Records. The favour was not returned when the band signed with Century Media instead. The group had planned a third album and made demos in 2002, but was dropped and disbanded. Knapp later stated that he also distrusted the label’s accounting practice. Albums three and four were demoed and mostly written in 2002 and 2003. A reunion was contemplated in 2007. Guitarist Toby Knapp brought Onward back in the winter of 2012 including new members ex-Into Eternity Dean Sternberg (vocals and bass) and ex-Godless Andy Jones (drums). The band had initially thrown in the towel after getting dropped by Century Media. Grant died in 2012. Chris Payette died in 2020.

The band returned in 2021 seeking a new singer. Onward issued an album, entitled Of Epoch And Inferno, through Cruz Del Sur in late 2022. The record featured singer Robert Van War of Attika. The main man of Onward was playing several solo shows in the USA as well.

Onward signed a two-album deal with Moribund Records in 2022. The vinyl version of the album Of Epoch And Inferno was issued by Alone Records however. The CD would be released on October 28th, while the LP in 2023. The album was announced through Cruz Del Sur months earlier! Onward and vocalist Robert Van War separated and the band and was looking for a replacement in 2024. Guitarist Toby Knapp could be reached through tkbender72@yahoo.com. In short order, Tyler Anderson (Gatekeeper and Odinfist) was recruited to record the next album.


Reviews

ONWARD - EVERMOVING - CENTURY MEDIA
The release of a blue blood heavy/speed metal album such as Onward's debut proves that you can't break the wall that is heavy metal. Traditional US metal as delivered in the olden days by Omen and Agent Steel marches out of the disc by a band based around solo guitarist Toby Knapp (Shrapnel Records). Originally signed to heavy metal label Sentinel Steel, Onward proves that nothing will bring metal down. Unfortunately bereft of a perfect sound for now, Onward can rely on their pure play stance and capable - and high pitched - singer for now until CM allocates a reasonable budget for recording to this band. It's time for the Roadrunners, MTVs and media types of this world to wave the white flag and admit defeat to heavy metal once and for all. - Ali "The Metallian"

ONWARD - REAWAKEN - CENTURY MEDIA
I recall liking the band's debut from last year (Evermoving) quite a bit and certainly more than the other reviewers who followed. True and purist heavy metal is always a pleasure to hear and one has to constantly beware of false prophets' yearn for 'innovation' and 'originality'. These reviewers, in reality, want metal bands to turn pop. In that sense, Reawaken is a good and solid metal album and should please fans of everything from Omen and Sanctuary to Annihilator and Jacob's Dream. There are a couple of Iron Maiden riffs to be sure, yet one can say with certainty that the entire album is pure molten metal. The vocals are a little too loud in the mix though which is surprising given the guitar-oriented nature of the band. They are also close to Nevermore which I am sure many people will soon be mentioning. What is missing here is any attempt at excitement from the rhythm section. In the absence of much that's interesting from the bass or drums it's left up to the guitar to excite the listener. Two final notes: that idea of playing with the radio knob and tuning to the band is already done on Helloween's debut EP and one extra mark for covering Loudness (one of the best metal bands ever) but deduct two points for doing yet another cover version. - Ali "The Metallian"


Interviews







Onward