Municipal Waste (band)

Municipal Waste
Municipal Waste performing in 2023
Municipal Waste performing in 2023
Background information
OriginRichmond, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Years active2000–present
LabelsNuclear Blast, Earache, Tankcrimes
Members
Past members
  • Brendon Trache
  • Andy Harris
  • Brandon Ferrell
WebsiteMunicipalWaste.net

Municipal Waste is an American crossover thrash band from Richmond, Virginia,[1] formed in 2000. To date, the band has released seven studio albums, three EPs and four splits. They have gone through a few lineup changes, leaving vocalist Tony Foresta and rhythm guitarist Ryan Waste as the only constant members. In addition to Foresta and Waste, their current lineup includes Philip "Land Phil" Hall on bass, Dave Witte on drums and Nick "Nikropolis" Poulos on lead guitar.

They have been called "an integral force in the second wave of the American crossover/thrash metal scene."[2]

History

Formation, Waste 'Em All and Hazardous Mutation (2001-2006)

Municipal Waste was formed in Richmond, Virginia in 2000.[3] Municipal Waste played their first show at a Richmond New Year's Eve Keg party in 2000–2001.[3] The band took musical influences from crossover thrash bands such as D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Animosity-era Corrosion of Conformity, Nuclear Assault and Attitude Adjustment. Municipal Waste toured throughout 2001 and 2002 in the US and Mexico. The band released two split albums—one 7" with Bad Acid Trip, the other being a 12" with Crucial Unit. They also had tracks on a number of compilations.

In 2002, Brendan Trache left, being replaced by Brandon Ferrell, shortly before the Tango and Thrash on Amendment Records and Waste 'Em All was released on Six Weeks Records on January 27, 2003.[4] Following the release of Waste 'Em All, both Andy Harris and Brandon Ferrell left the band, being replaced by Cannabis Corpse bassist Philip "LandPhil" Hall and drummer Dave Witte respectively. During this time the band began booking show out of their home state of Virginia, and began booking international shows in countries such as Mexico.[5] The release of Waste 'Em All gained the band their first bit of notoriety and led to the band getting supporting slots on tours with bands such as Converge and the Red Chord.[2]

Municipal Waste then signed with Earache Records to release their second studio album Hazardous Mutation on September 20, 2005. Like their debut album Hazardous Mutations was met with positive reception and helped the group gain notoriety in Europe, resulting more touring opportunities.[2] In July 2006, Municipal Waste embarked on a US headlining tour.[6] The group then embarked on a US co headlining tour with GWAR from October 13, to December 12, of 2006.[7]

The Art of Partying and Massive Aggressive (2007-2010)

Municipal Waste live in 2008

On June 11, 2007, the band released their third studio album The Art of Partying, which was produced by Zeuss.[8] Following the albums release the Municipal Waste embarked on headlining tour of Europe, and in the Fall of that year they held a US headlining tour, with supporting acts Toxic Holocaust and Skeletonwitch.[9] To close out the year they played a series of tour dates with Suicidal Tendencies.[10] Throughout 2007 the band received great acclaim from the music press, with a top five album of the year placing in Sweden's Close Up magazine and top twenty positions in Big Cheese and Kerrang! They also were on the front cover of Metal Maniacs magazine but also made several appearances in NME.

The band toured heavily in 2008, holding a spring US headlining tour,[11] they supported At The Gates on a North American tour and played a hometown show in Richmond, Virginia alongside This Time It's War and Lamb of God.[12]

In June and August 2009, Municipal Waste supported Lamb of God on the European leg of the Wrath Tour.[13] On August 25 of that year, the band's fourth album Massive Aggressive the record was once again produced by Zeuss. It debuted at number 10 on the US Heatseekers chart and was met with positive reception.[14][15][16] The band then announced the "Waste The World Tour" in support of the album. The US leg of the tour took place in November and December of 2009 and featured supporting acts such as Goatwhore, The Acused and Brutal Truth on select dates.[17] The European leg took place in late January into early February of 2010 with supporting acts such as Victims and Reproach.[18] The South American leg took place in March, the tour finally concluded following the Japanese leg in May.[19] In 2010, the band was confirmed as being part of the soundtrack for Namco Bandai Games' 2010 remake of Splatterhouse.

The Fatal Feast and Slime and Punishment (2011-2017)

Municipal waste live in 2011

In 2011 Municipal Waste only played a handful of shows in the US, that year they only played one international show in France at HellFest 2011.[20] On June 16, of that year it was announced that the band had signed a worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records.[21]

On April 12, 2012, Municipal Waste released their fifth album The Fatal Feast which featured guest appearances by John Connelly, Steve Moore (ZOMBI), and vocalist Tim Barry (ex-Avail).[14] The album debuted at number 1 on the US Heatseekers chart.[22] Overall the album was met with positive reception receiving a 78/100 on Metacritic.[23] The groups initial touring in support of the album took place in late May and June 2012 with a US headlining tour with Black Tusk.[24] In the June of that year the group released a split Ep called Toxic Waste with Toxic Holocaust.[25] Following this Municipal Waste embarked on a European tour which lasted till late August of that year.[26] To finish the year they supported Napalm Death on a North American tour.[27] Also in 2012 Tony Foresta and Land Phil started a side project called Iron Reagan.[28]

In May 2013, Municipal Waste debuted their first signature beer "Toxic Revolution."[29] In the Spring of 2013 Municipal Waste took part in the Metal Alliance tour alongside Anthrax and Exodus.[30] In 2014 and 2015 the band only played a handful of shows. During this time Nick "Nikropolis" Poulos who was a friend of Foresta joined the band as their new lead guitarist,[31] with Ryan Waste transitioning to rhythm guitar.[32] In 2016 they returned to actively touring along with playing the festival circuit including a Summer European tour.[33]

On May 31, 2016, the band's former drummer Brandon Ferrell died at the age of 32 no cause of death was revealed.[34]

In January 2017, Municipal Waste took part in the Persistence Tour alongside Suicidal Tendencies and Agnostic Front.[35] On April 28, 2017, the grouped announced their sixth album Slim and Punishment would be released on June 23, of that year.[36] The group opted to self produce the record with bassist Land Phil serving as the album's engineer.[2] The album debuted at number 3 on the US Heatseekers chart, while also reaching the top 10 of the Independent Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums charts. Overall it was met with positive reviews.[37][38] From June 6 to August 16, Municipal Waste took part in that year's Warped Tour.[39]

Electrified Brain (2018-present)

Lead singer Tony Foresta

In the Summer of 2018 Municipal Waste played multiple headlining shows,[40] in August Foresta announced that the band was working on a new Ep.[41] To close of the year they co headlined the "The Speed of Wizard tour" with High on Fire in November.[42] On October 11, 2019, Municipal Waste released a four-song EP called The Last Rager.[43] Following this they went on a US tour alongside Napalm Death and Sick of It All.[44] They ended the year with a European winter headlining tour with Toxic Holocaust, Enforcer and Skeletal Remains.[45]

After not touring at all in 2020, Municipal Waste returned to playing live shows in late 2021 alongside Volbeat and the Circle Jerks.[46] On October 29, of that year it was announced the group has re signed with Nuclear Blast Records and would be releasing their seventh studio album sometime in 2022.[47] They then held their own US headlining tour alongside Crowbar and Skeletal Remains in November.[48]

In early 2022 Municipal Waste took part in the Decibel tour alongside acts such as Obituary and Gatecreeper.[49] On April 1, the group released the single "Grave Dive" and announced their seventh studio album Electrified Brain.[50] The album which was once again self produced was later released on July 1, and was met with positive reception.[51][52] In support of the album they toured the US in August alongside At The Gates, Europe in the Fall with Anthrax and went on a co headlining tour with High on Fire in December.[53][54]

In April 2023 Municipal Waste supported Carcass on a North American tour.[55] In early 2024 The band held the "Brainsqueeze" North American tour in celebration of Waste 'Em All's 21st anniversary. Ghoul, Necrot, and Dead Heat served as supporting acts.[56] On May 24, they released a nine-song Ep called Tango & Thrash, which is reissue of their material from a split with Bad Acid Trip along with extra tracks.[57]

In January and February 2025, they supported Slayer guitarist Kerry King on his North American tour.[58] During the Summer of 2026, they will headline a dubbed the "Summer of Shove Europe tour."[59] They will also support Testament on their Latin American tour which takes place in late 2026.[60]

Musical style and influences

Municipal Waste's songwriting approach takes form in short, crossover thrash songs. According to AllMusic, the band "openly bow down to the memory of '80s thrash metal and crossover decades after, and a few hundred miles away from, the original movement's heyday in New York City."[2] Despite often being associated with the metal genre, members of Municipal Waste have stated that they do not strictly classify themselves as a metal band. With their songs often using heavy riffs, melodic elements, and a blend of various styles, including punk and grunge.[61] lead singer Tony Foresta has described the band's sound as "dirty [and] metal/punk-sounding."[62]

Lyrical topics have to do with alcoholism, mutants, or thrash metal. The music is also described as being, and the band has received the tag "party thrash" from the media.[63][64] The band's song titles are also comedic, or give nods to their influences such as "Thrashing's My Business... And Business Is Good", "The Thrashin' of the Christ", "Thrash?! Don't Mind If I Do" and "Drunk as Shit".

When asked about the band lyrical themes in 2022 Foresta stated:[65]

Some of the stuff has storylines that we wrote from the Waste 'Em All era, Substitute Creature and all that stuff. That's a song that's based off a story from the first seven inch. We have running themes like that. If people actually pay attention to our lyrics, they can catch on pretty fast. Most of our stuff is our own world that we've created, that builds upon itself. We also write about Kurt Russell movies and social issues. We kind of just keep it all across the board or whatever' more interesting for us. We definitely have created our own world lyrically where we can branch out and do a lot of fun stuff and still make sure it's a Municipal Waste song.

The band members themselves have stated that they are influenced by such groups as Suicidal Tendencies, D.R.I., Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus, Testament, Sepultura, Nuclear Assault, Vio-lence, Forbidden, S.O.D., M.O.D. and the Cro-Mags.[22][66]

Controversies

In August 2009, while playing a show in Norway Municipal Waste brought a church sculpture made out of cardboard on stage and burned it. When asked why they did it lead singer Tony Foresta stated "We had to prove ourselves as the most evil band in the world - more evil than the Norwegian black metal bands - so we burned one down." While people in the audience reacted positively to the act, it later gained backlash from the local media in Norway.[67]

In January 2016 Municipal Waste found itself in controversy once again when they made a shirt depicting U.S. President Donald Trump shooting himself in the head. The shirt was initially designed as a one-off for a show they were playing in Los Angeles, however it ended up gaining significant traction.[68] In 2022 Foresta admitted the band did not regret making the shirt.[69]

Band members

Timeline

Discography

Awards and accolades

Loudwire Music Awards[70]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017Amateur SketchMetal Song of the YearNominated

Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards[71][72]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007 Municipal Waste Best Underground Band Nominated
2008 Nominated

Decibel Hall of Fame[73]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2020 The Art of Partying Decibel Hall of Fame Inducted

References

  1. ↑ Carman, Keith. Municipal Waste[link removed], Exclaim!, September 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Municipal Waste Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & ..." AllMusic. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Hitz, Sam (March 20, 2009). "Municipal Waste". Thrasher. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  4. ↑ Waste 'Em All - Municipal Waste | Album | AllMusic, retrieved May 26, 2026
  5. ↑ "Municipal Waste - All about the band". Nuclear Blast. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Municipal Waste tour dates". lambgoat.com. May 31, 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  7. ↑ Punknews.org (October 2, 2006). "Tours: GWAR / Municipal Waste". www.punknews.org. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  8. ↑ The Art of Partying - Municipal Waste | Album | AllMusic, retrieved May 26, 2026
  9. ↑ "MUNICIPAL WASTE, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, SKELETONWITCH announce more tour dates". Metal Injection. August 29, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ "News: Suicidal Tendencies / Municapal Waste Tourdates | Tours". Scene Point Blank. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Metal underground Municipal Waste Release More March Tour Dates".
  12. ↑ "At The Gates, Darkest Hour, Municipal Waste tour". lambgoat.com. March 7, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  13. ↑ "LAMB OF GOD, AS I LAY DYING, CHILDREN OF BODOM, GOD FORBID / MUNICPAL WASTE - Full "Wrath" Tour Dates announced". Metal Injection. January 15, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Blabbermouth (February 8, 2012). "MUNICIPAL WASTE: 'The Fatal Feast' Album Art Revealed". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  15. ↑ Massive Aggressive - Municipal Waste | Album | AllMusic, retrieved May 26, 2026
  16. ↑ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET". www.roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  17. ↑ "MUNICIPAL WASTE announce "Waste The World Tour 2009"". Metal Injection. September 17, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Municipal Waste 2010 Tour Dates". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Municipal Waste The World In 2010 - Municipal Waste News @ antiMusic.com". www.antimusic.com. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Hellfest 2011 Line-Up :: Clashfinder". clashfinder.com. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  21. ↑ Blabbermouth (June 16, 2011). "MUNICIPAL WASTE Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Municipal Waste guitarist launches heavy metal talk show". AXS. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  23. ↑ The Fatal Feast by Municipal Waste, retrieved May 26, 2026
  24. ↑ published, Josh Hart (April 3, 2012). "Municipal Waste Announce Headlining Tour". Guitar World. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  25. ↑ Fest, Riot (June 19, 2012). "Free download of the Municipal Waste/Toxic Holocaust split 12" posted". Riot Fest. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  26. ↑ Fest, Riot (May 23, 2012). "Municipal Waste plan American and European tours". Riot Fest. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  27. ↑ Hartmann, Graham HartmannGraham (August 20, 2012). "Napalm Death, Municipal Waste + Exhumed Announce 2012 North American Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Iron Reagan". AllMusic. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  29. ↑ Hartmann, Graham HartmannGraham (May 9, 2013). "Municipal Waste – Bands with Signature Beers". Loudwire. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  30. ↑ Ouellette, Mary OuelletteMary (December 26, 2012). "Dates Revealed for 2013 Metal Alliance Tour Featuring Anthrax, Exodus + Municipal Waste". Loudwire. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  31. ↑ Wiederhorn, Jon. "Municipal Waste Talk Kathy Griffin Controversy, Scrapped Album". Revolver. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Municipal Waste Announce Sixth Album + Unleash New Track". Loudwire. April 28, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  33. ↑ wookubus (March 2, 2016). "Municipal Waste Announce European/UK Tour". Theprp.com. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Former MUNICIPAL WASTE Drummer Brandon Ferrell Passed Away". Metal Injection. June 1, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  35. ↑ "PERSISTENCE TOUR 2017: AGNOSTIC FRONT / SUICIDAL TENDENCIES / WALLS OF JERICHO / MUNICIPAL WASTE! - IDIOTEQ.com". August 3, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  36. ↑ Staff, New Noise (April 28, 2017). "Municipal Waste Announce New Album & Release New Single". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Municipal Waste │ Exclaim!". Municipal Waste │ Exclaim!. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  38. ↑ Punknews.org (August 7, 2017). "Municipal Waste - Slime and Punishment". www.punknews.org. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  39. ↑ Raphael, Louis (January 13, 2017). "2017 Warped Tour Lineup Announced (FULL LINEUP)". Music in SF. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  40. ↑ Lyle, Gina (May 18, 2018). "Municipal Waste Announce Summer 2018 Tour Dates -". mxdwn Music. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  41. ↑ wookubus (August 14, 2018). "Municipal Waste To Release New EP This Year". Theprp.com. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Municipal Waste + High on Fire to Co-Headline Tour". Loudwire. August 7, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  43. ↑ The Last Rager - Municipal Waste | Album | AllMusic, retrieved May 26, 2026
  44. ↑ Kaufman, Spencer (June 5, 2019). "Municipal Waste and Napalm Death Announce Fall 2019 US Tour". Consequence. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  45. ↑ Rockpit, The (August 24, 2019). "Municipal Waste announce "Winter Tour 2019" alongside Toxic Holocaust, Enforcer and Skeletal Remains". The Rockpit. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  46. ↑ Staff, NextMosh (July 19, 2021). "Municipal Waste reveal fall 2021 U.S. tour dates". NextMosh. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  47. ↑ wookubus (October 28, 2021). "Municipal Waste Re-Sign With Nuclear Blast, Complete New Album". Theprp.com. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  48. ↑ MetalSucks (July 23, 2021). "Municipal Waste, Crowbar, Skeletal Remains and Dead Heat Announce Fall 2021 Tour Dates". MetalSucks. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  49. ↑ Magazine, Decibel (November 3, 2021). "Announcing the Decibel Magazine Tour 2022 Featuring OBITUARY, MUNICIPAL WASTE, GATECREEPER, ENFORCED and SPIRITWORLD!". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  50. ↑ "MUNICIPAL WASTE - Reveal New Single "Electrified Brain"!". Nuclear Blast. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  51. ↑ Blabbermouth (June 29, 2022). "Electrified Brain". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Album review: Municipal Waste – Electrified Brain". Kerrang!. June 28, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  53. ↑ Hadusek, Jon (October 26, 2022). "High on Fire and Municipal Waste announce December 2022 US co-headlining tour". Consequence. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  54. ↑ Blabbermouth (August 17, 2021). "ANTHRAX Announces Fall 2022 European Tour". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  55. ↑ Enis, Eli. "CARCASS announce North American headlining tour with MUNICIPAL WASTE". Revolver. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  56. ↑ Blabbermouth (November 8, 2023). "MUNICIPAL WASTE Announces 'Brainsqueeze Tour 2024'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  57. ↑ "MUNICIPAL WASTE Reissues Early Material As Tango & Thrash". Metal Injection. March 7, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Kerry King Announces First North American Headlining Tour With Municipal Waste + More". Loudwire. October 1, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Municipal Waste Summer of Shove European Tour 2026 – Thrash Metal Concert in Jaromer, Aug 5, 2026". circlepit.app. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  60. ↑ "Mexico, México City - Testament: Latin America Tour 2026". Metal Storm. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Municipal Waste: Thrashing Through the Years at The Handlebar 850 - Pensacola's Live Music Venue". thehandlebar850.com. September 4, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  62. ↑ Hill, Mike HillMike (August 31, 2016). "Iron Reagan's Tony Foresta Lays It Down Fast and Loud". CLRVYNT. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  63. ↑ "Download Festival Day Three: Sunday". State. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  64. ↑ "New England Metal & Hardcore Festival in Worcester, MA". KNAC. May 11, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  65. ↑ "Woub.org" Tony Foresta of Municipal Waste reflects on 21 years of Waste 'Em All and the evolution of the band".
  66. ↑ Carsola, Will, dir. Hazardous Mutation Bonus DVD. A daybyday Production, 2006. Film.
  67. ↑ "Exclaim! Exclusive: Municipal Waste Stirs Up Controversy in Norway over "Church Burning"".
  68. ↑ Kelly, Kim (January 8, 2016). "Municipal Waste Explain Why They Made a Shirt of Donald Trump Blowing His Brains Out". VICE. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  69. ↑ "MUNICIPAL WASTE Vocalist Doesn't Regret Making Graphic DONALD TRUMP Shirt In 2016". Metal Injection. May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  70. ↑ "Power Trip's 'Executioner's Tax' Wins 2017 Metal Song of the Year". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. October 24, 2017. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  71. ↑ Blabbermouth (April 9, 2008). "METAL HAMMER GOLDEN GODS 2008 Nominees Announced". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  72. ↑ "LAMB OF GOD, IRON MAIDEN, SLAYER, MACHINE HEAD Among 'Golden Gods' Nominees". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. April 10, 2007. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  73. ↑ Tepedelen, Adem (June 26, 2020). "Municipal Waste - "The Art of Partying"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
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