DISTANT THUNDER is a Houston, Texas based formation of Metal elite founded during 2003. Fronted up by singer James Rivera, previously with HELSTAR, SEVEN WITCHES and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM. Rivera also headed a unique tribute band, fronting up SABBATH JUDAS SABBATH, honouring both JUDAS PRIEST and BLACK SABBATH, also including HELSTAR colleague Mike Heald on guitar.

DISTANT THUNDER also included ex-DESTINY'S END guitarist Eric Halpern and SYMPHONY X bass player Mike Lepond. Also featured in the line-up would be Z-LOT-Z guitarist Gregg Gill and Hattiesburg, Mississippi native Rick Ward of ONYXX on drums. Both these latter musicians subsequently joined MIDNIGHT CIRCUS.

Their pedigree assured a swift record deal with Germany's Massacre Records and the band set to work at Spyder Studio in Houston, Texas with ex-SAVATAGE guitarist JACK FROST acting as producer. Tracks included covers of ACCEPT's 'Restless And Wild' and HELSTAR's 'Run With The Pack' from the 'Burning Star' album. In April of 2004 the group revealed the album to be entitled 'Welcome The End'. DISTANT THUNDER undertook an extensive round of European headline shows in December although by the time the shows were booked they were all under the HELSTAR branding once again. Rivera joined VICIOUS RUMORS in September 2005.