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UNITED STATES, New York

Date Formed 1987

Categories: Hardcore, Heavy Metal

Biography

METHOD OF DESTRUCTION (M.O.D.) was created by former STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH vocalist Billy Milano. The singer had wished to pursue the success of studio project band S.O.D. after the band folded when bassist Dan Lilker formed Thrashers NUCLEAR ASSAULT and guitarist Scott Ian and drummer Charlie Benante opted to pursue ANTHRAX on a full time basis. M.O.D. carried on the S.O.D. tradition with short sharp Hardcore bursts of Metal laden with Milano's uncompromising bulldog lyrical attitude. The initial line-up was completed by RHYTHM TRIP guitarist Tim McMurtrie, bassist Ken Ballone and drummer Keith Davis.

Debut album 'U.S.A. for M.O.D.', co-produced by Scott Ian, created a media storm when some journalists labelled Milano a fascist because of the lyrics of a character the singer had created title 'Corporal Punishment', a point steadfastly refuted by Milano. However, the furor could well have been worse as a song subtly titled 'Death to Hindus' was dropped from the record at the last minute. The controversy resulted in the record losing British distribution for a short period. M.O.D. split in early 1988 with Milano opting to carry on with the name, McMurtrie, Davis And Ballone created a new act AMERICA'S CHOICE. Before long though McMurtie and Ballone were back with Milano in M.O.D.

M.O.D. performed a successful headline tour of America in 1988 with strong support from EXODUS. The band was knocked by some serious setbacks though when McMurtie broke a leg in a stagediving accident. The guitarist endured and, not missing a show, was soon back in action performing from a wheelchair. Further injuries hit when Ballone broke his arm and had to be replaced by former CHEMICAL WASTE bassist John Monte for the duration of the tour.

M.O.D. announced a fresh look in mid 1988. Alongside Milano was now Monte, ex-ZOETROPE guitarist Louis Svitek and drummer Tim Mallare. However, in 1990 Monte and Svitek broke away to create MINDFUNK scoring a major deal with Epic Records. Both Svitek and Monte subsequently played with MINISTRY. Mallare would team up with OVERKILL and BRONX CASKET CO.

M.O.D.'s 1996 album 'Dictated Aggression' is essentially a Milano solo album. Other musicians include KILL BILLYS guitarist Joe Young and LÄÄZ ROCKIT drummer Dave Chavarri. HEADLOCK's Bob McLynn adds guest vocals to the track 'Just Been Fired'.

Milano reformed the original S.O.D. line-up for their successful late 90's comeback album 'Bigger Than The Devil' album. Following a highly successful S.O.D. would tour Milano recreated M.O.D. (now apparently as MILANO'S ON DRUGS) with guitarist Joe Affe for a burst of American dates. These shows, curtailed due to illness on Milano's part, saw DYING FETUS guitarist Sparky Voyles in the roster.

Chavarri teamed up with PRO-PAIN and later SOULFLY and ILL NINO. By early 2002 Milano was announcing an M.O.D. reformation album handled by the production team of ANTHRAX and SEBASTIAN BACH guitarist Paul Crook and NUCLEAR ASSAULT bassist Scott Metaxas. However, demos worked up for the 'The Rebel You Love To Hate' album with guitarist Tim McMurtrie were apparently scrapped and Milano subsequently reigned in the services of guitarist Joe Affe and drummer Danny Burkhardt to complete work. McMurtrie was not out of the picture though, it being revealed he was to perform bass in a new Milano venture MURDER LEAGUE ALL-STARS in league with ex-LÄÄZ ROCKIT and KILLING CULTURE and SKINLAB guitarist Scott Sergeant. Meantime ex-bassist John Monte joined the ranks of high profile industrialists MINISTRY. Monte subsequently enrolled into another of Al Jourgensen's projects in March of 2004, when he was announced as guitarist for REVOLTING COCKS.

'The Rebel You Love To Hate' emerged in North America during May of 2003, the album cover proudly mimicking the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP logo. The band added guitarist Jon Aaron of GRAVEYARD B.B.Q. in early 2004, this musician also active with a further side endeavour dubbed DILATE. Aaron, assembling a new project entitled DILATE, exited in January 2005. M.O.D. united with CRISIS for a short run of US dates in June. That same month Milano presented the entire 'The Rebel You Love To Hate' album on his website for free download as a protest to his claims of no promotion by his label. Milano also guested on SOULFLY's 2005 album, this vocal contribution apparently having been recorded via cell phone.

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