Fatal Influence is a traditional speed/thrash metal band based in Orlando, Florida. Conceived by brothers Cal and James Cole and long time friend Carmen Jordan after brief and disappointing stints with their previous bands, the five-piece group was formed in 1994, and soon after relocated to Massachusetts. The next two years would find Jason Woods, and the third brother, Jon, joining the group. With a strong lineup and new material, the band moved back to Florida to record their first E.P., World Unbalanced.

Cal Cole, the band's rhythm guitarist, was born in 1974 in New Jersey and began ... (+) expand

Fatal Influence is a traditional speed/thrash metal band based in Orlando, Florida. Conceived by brothers Cal and James Cole and long time friend Carmen Jordan after brief and disappointing stints with their previous bands, the five-piece group was formed in 1994, and soon after relocated to Massachusetts. The next two years would find Jason Woods, and the third brother, Jon, joining the group. With a strong lineup and new material, the band moved back to Florida to record their first E.P., World Unbalanced.

Cal Cole, the band's rhythm guitarist, was born in 1974 in New Jersey and began studying music at the age of five with piano lessons. Within five years, though, his interest in piano began to wane and he began looking for a new instrument to express his musicality. His search eventually brought him to the guitar styles of James Hetfield (Metallica), Scott Ian (Anthrax), Dave Mustaine, and Marty Friedman (Megadeth). He started practicing guitar with friends in high school, until at the age of seventeen, he bought his first guitar and decided on it as a career. After forming Fatal Influence, he began studying Classical Guitar at Thayer Conservatory of Music in Massachusetts. For Cal, guitar is more than an instrument and metal is more than music, it's a lifestyle.

With the band since its conception, James Cole can sum up his existence in one word… Drums. Born in 1975 in New Jersey, his music education started early, with piano lessons at age six, and saxophone lessons at age nine. As he'll tell you, though, "I've always wanted to play drums", although he didn't begin playing until 1992, at age seventeen. Inspired by many of the metal drummers of that time, he joined a garage band that would eventually lead him to the birth of Fatal Influence. James has studied with various drum instructors, and continues to do so. His influences are many, including Dave Lombardo (Slayer/Grip Inc.), Neil Peart (Rush), and Virgil Donati, to name a few. The list goes on, but as he puts it, "if it has drums, I probably listen to it."

Carmen Jordan, born in 1976 in Illinois, began his musical interests at the age of seven, when he was handed his first guitar. He took lessons for a while and in 1988 picked up trombone only to quickly put it back down! After taking vocal lessons for three years and joining a junior high chorus group, he began to sing and play guitar with various bands until one day (while screwing around) he picked up a bass and decided that was it… he loved the low end! When Fatal was first born, Carmen sang and played bass, and as Fatal's music grew more complex, he decided that it would be better to stop singing and strictly concentrate on bass. His influences include Billy Milano (M.O.D.), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Beefcake the Mighty (Gwar), Cliff Burton (Metallica).

Jason Woods, lead guitarist, who was born in Massachusetts in 1973, discovered the guitar at age 13 and has been hooked ever since. Inspired by Ace Frehley (KISS), and Angus Young (AC/DC), he pursued several bands and musical projects that eventually led him to Fatal Influence. Practically self-taught, Jason's love of guitar has expanded his musical spectrum to include a wide variety of influences, ranging from Dimebag Darrell (Pantera), Elvis Presley, Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne), Slash (Guns N' Roses), the Bee-Gees, and just about everything in between. His first love has always been metal, though, and he plans to make that relationship last.

Jonathan Cole, the band's vocalist, has always been a fan of metal. He was born in 1977 in New Jersey, and introduced to metal in 1986. Inspired by Ozzy Osbourne and James Hetfield (Metallica), his interest in metal and vocals continued to grow, eventually leading him to move to Boston in 1994 to pursue a career in music. From there he decided to study vocals, but was unable to find an instructor that could satisfy his interests in metal. Sharing the same love of music as his brothers, Jon joined Fatal Influence in early 1995 and his hunger for metal was quickly appeased. His influences have always been metal, including Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), John Bush (Armored Saint) and Tom Araya (Slayer).

Fatal Influence has been featured in many magazines, local and worldwide alike. Their music has been described as "Innovative, exciting & technically proficient…taking the early thrash styles of Metallica, Megadeth, & Testament and bringing them up to date in '99"* and "Speedy thrash with a touch of groove…the performance is tight and keeps the listener challenged."** Due to the wide range of their combined influences, the band refers to their music as refined but unrestrained, and by trying to maintain the balance between pleasing their fans and pleasing themselves, their music continues to evolve. Ultimately, the band would like to obtain global recognition as a strong contributor to the evolution of metal.



* Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, February 1999
**Metal Maniacs, June 1999 (-) collapse