“To be honest…we almost pulled the plug [on TRAUMA]”

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Photo Credit: Bill Towner

Bay Area Thrash Metal act TRAUMA are set to hit the road with QUEENSRŸCHE and MARTY FRIEDMAN (ex-MEGADETH) beginning on March 3rd in Orlando, Florida. The Digital Noise Alliance Tour is scheduled to criss-cross the United States over the course of two months.

TRAUMA is supporting their 4th studio album Awakening, which was released on September 9, 2022 through Massacre Records. It is the band’s first album to feature vocalist Brian Allen. Sadly, TRAUMA’s longtime vocalist Donny Hillier passed away early on in the production of Awakening. I had the chance to catch up with drummer Kris Gustofson prior to the tour’s kick off.

Highlights include:

-Discussion of Awakening album
-The positive reception it has received
-What effect the passing of singer Donny Hillier had on the band
-New vocalist Brian Allan
-New bassist Michael Spencer (ex-FLOTSAM AND JETSAM)
-Working with producer Juan Urteaga
-The resurgence of vinyl
-Hitting the road with QUEENSRŸCHE & MARTY FRIEDMAN
-Having to cancel their 1st European Tour with ROSS THE BOSS
-Plans to celebrate 40th Anniversary of Scratch And Scream in 2024
-Memories of recording the album
-What lead to TRAUMA’s break-up in 1985?
-Joining ST. ELMO’S FIRE
-What lead to their break-up?
-TRAUMA reuniting in 2013
-Cliff Burton’s early involvement with the group
-Ideas for the next TRAUMA album
-And much, much more

www.traumametal.com