West Virginians KARMA TO BURN's career, although high profile and certainly delivering musically, has been blighted by line up problems. Frontman William Mecum had made his first forays into the world of Rock n' Roll with the band ADMIRAL, an outfit that included in its ranks future CROWHATE RUIN and HOOVER man Joseph McRedmond. ADMIRAL issued a solitary 7" vinyl three track single 'Brother Can You Spare A Dime?' in 1990.

Mecum would become the guitarist for RED OAK SOCIAL CLUB, an act also comprising of frontman J.C. Belial, bassist Orville Weal and drummer Nathan Limbaugh. Substituting Belial for singer Curtis Duhn the band evolved into RED OAK CONSPIRACY, recording the demo tape 'Twelve Songs Amounting To Nothing'.

Subsequently Mecum and Limbaugh, together with bassist Rich Mullins, founded KARMA TO BURN in Morgantown, West Virginia. Early stages of the band briefly saw the inclusion of a second guitar player Jim Davison. Former LEECH vocalist Karim Chatila joined up in 1994 but only lasted a matter of months before opting out and going on to found LEBHEAD. Undaunted, KARMA TO BURN cut a demo in 1995, already using the soon to be familiar numbers as song titles, and signed to the Roadrunner label, recording an entirely instrumental album. The label refused to release it until the band located a singer. During 1997 the band pulled in KYUSS man John Garcia but his tenure lasted a mere twelve gigs, the group concerned that Garcia's influence was too Metal orientated. Reportedly erstwhile guitarist Jim Davison was invited to record vocal tracks for the album but this projected union too evaporated. Eventually the eponymous debut was recorded using singer Jason 'J.J.' Jarosz. The record featured a twisted version of JOY DIVISION's '24 hours'.

Just before 'Karma To Burn's release the band switched drummers, drafting Chuck Nicholas of CHUM. This revised unit fronted by Jarosz actually performed a run of gigs before the singer was given his marching orders. Tour dates in Europe ensued, including an appearance at the Dutch 'Dynamo' festival where John Garcia, there with his new act SLO BURN, put in an impromptu vocal spot. Throughout August and September KARMA TO BURN was on the road in the USA opening for CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, DRAIN and CLUTCH.

Rumours abounded as the band split away from Roadrunner Records. Press reports suggested a fresh album billed as 'Nino Brown' with John Garcia' on vocals. Nicholas broke away and Rob Oswald took on the drumming responsibilities. Although the mooted union with Garcia failed to materialise the band undertook further instrumental shows, selling an exclusive self financed EP at gigs. February of 1999 had the band backing QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE on Midwest dates.

The sophomore album 'Wild, Wonderful... Purgatory' would unpatriotically take its title as a pun on the West Virginia state motto 'Wild, Wonderful West Virginia'. KARMA TO BURN's British shows in late 1999 were supported by RAGING SPEEDHORN.

Upfront of the release of the 'Almost Heathen' album, released by the Spitfire label, reprised the group's wry sense of humour when it came to their home state, this time spoofing another well known State motto 'Almost Heaven'. The summer found the band criss crossing North America with CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and SPEEDEALER before support shows to both ANTHRAX and CLUTCH. KARMA TO BURN then paired up with SIXTY WATT SHAMAN for European gigs in December of 2001.

The band announced plans to cut a new album for Spitfire during 2002, mooting the prospect of utilizing guest vocalists. Apparently those that had offered their services include CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's Pepper Keenan and Burton C. Bell of FEAR FACTORY. Founder member Rich Mullins joined SPEEDEALER in April casting doubt on the tenability of KARMA TO BURN's future. In 2002 KARMA TO BURN officially disbanded.

In 2007 Polish imprint Metal Mind Productions released a three CD digipack box set entitled 'Mountain Mama’s - A Collection Of The works Of Karma To Burn'. All albums included bonus tracks.

Metal Mind Productions put out a new edition of 'Wild Wonderful... Purgatory' on 21st July 2008. This version added six bonus tracks taken from EP '30.33.32.20' and a bootleg recorded in Utrecht, '07.03.2000'. The album was subsequently released on 2nd September 2008 in the USA via MVD.