BATHORY´ZINE: TRAPMAKER - Will Of The Warrior (US Heavy Metal)

Friday, March 5, 2021

TRAPMAKER - Will Of The Warrior (US Heavy Metal)

In 2014, Charles Man Dang envisioned a metal band that played the same style as Scorpions, Savatage, Accept and Judas Priest, but darker. After writing a few years of writing and experimenting, a complete collection of demos was created for a full length album, but without singing expertise, production was paused.

In 2017, Charles recruited Sean Patrick Stark as TRAPMAKER's official singer, and recorded the eponymous debut EP with the staple songs, "Dawn of Fire" and "Queen of Steel". Shortly afterwards, Charles and Sean recorded the second EP of critical acclaim, "Power Within". With the momentum continuing to roll, Charles recruited his university brothers, JP Estrada, Nate Salvatierra, and Iggy Mankkalswarran for a complete full lineup.

In 2018, "Power Within" was released on TRAPMAKER's debut show. However, Charles suffered a crippling leg injury and JP suffered a crippling arm injury that prevented frequent shows in 2018. Instead, the band decided to focus on writing a full length album with completly new songs and full member invovlement. With personal life changes, physical distance, and injury recoveries, the band decided to take a year long hiatus with very occasional shows sprinkled throughout 2019.

Entering 2020, the hiatus was officially lifted and much progress was made on recording the album. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band suddenly had to shift gears to being completely remote. As months rolled on, Sean decided to leave on good terms for personal reasons.

In July 2020, Charles found Rob Tombstone of UNDERTAKKER, who represented the same style of heavy metal that was envisioned in the very beginning.

With our 2020 lineup fully forged to pound fire and steel, TRAPMAKER will pave a darker path in US power metal and NWOTHM for the years to come.