VIRUS were one of the pioneers of British Thrash Metal. Formed in 1986 by H Heston and Tez Kaylor, members of the punk/oi! band Criminal Damage. They brought in John D Hess in their forming year and called on the services of Coke Finlay in 1987. Their first recording ("Pray for war") was completely funded by the band itself, it wasn't till their 2nd album ("Force recon") in 1987 that people really started to take notice of the true potential of the band. Labelled the bad boys of Thrash metal because most of their gigs ending up in fights, drunken brawls and roadie punch ups. VIRUS hit the stage for the very first time supporting Suicidal Tendencies and punk outfit Chelsea at the Clarendon in London, they gigged and toured with some of the most influential outfits of the late eighties; Megadeth, DeathAngel, Nuclear Assault, Lääz Rockit, Cro-Mags, Kreator, Celtic Frost, Voi-Vod, Sabbat, Acid Reign, Overkill, Lawnmower Deth, Deathwish, Nalpalm Death, Sacrilege BC, Carcass etc.
VIRUS split up in 1990 and Heston and Kaylor made a failed attempt to reform the band in the USA of that year. Moving on to 2008 and after much deliberation Coke Finlay decided to reform the band to do a one off show…unfortunately the other members of Virus declined his offer, so he was forced to find "new blood" that came in the form of Dave Sherwood (Amulet), Matt Cooper (Cellbound) and Sam Brandon (Matron). This ensemble was later changed to Matt Cooper going on rhythm guitar and bringing in Steve Taylor on bass…after a short time Steve Taylor was replaced by Max Edwards. The band played several shows that year namely with Lawnmower Death, Gama Bomb, Savage Messiah and Discharge and in 2009 released their first recording in over 25 years entitled "Raped by Mutants". This was very well received by the press namely "Terrorizer" and was the shape of things to come!!
VIRUS look back on a short career in the end of the eighties. After a long break now there is a storm brewing und the band is ready for attack! "A new strain of an old disease" takes no prisoners! Matured, having a sound grasp of contemporary developments, to the point! Stuff, which thrash metal fans will love and let us look forward to the coming album!