Local metal band Ruthless Vendetta opening for Warrant

Local band Ruthless Vendetta will play The Forum in Hazard Friday night as the opening act for Warrant’s concert. The band recently played as part of the musical lineup at Corbin’s Fourth of July festivities.

A local Heavy Metal band is getting the opportunity to take the stage with a big-name band Friday night in Hazard.

Ruthless Vendetta has been chosen to open the show when Warrant plays The Forum

The band features James Stephens on vocals, Doug Gregory and Allen Warfield on guitar, Robby Hash on bass and Jon Taylor on drums.

Gregory said the band has been together for two years, playing a variety of events and, including the Fourth of July Show at The Arena in Corbin.

“We are not really a bar band,” Gregory said explaining that instead of just standing on stage and playing music, the band works to put on a show that people will remember.

“We move around and interact with the crowd,” Gregory said.

Gregory said the band got the opportunity to open for Warrant while playing a show in Louisville.

“We have been gaining fans and one of the fans hooked us up with a promoter who is booking the show in Hazard,” Gregory explained.

When asked to describe the band’s sound, Gregory said it is a combination of classic Heavy Metal from the 1980s, such as Judas Priest and Megadeth, and new heavy metal.

“It is ‘progressive,’ for lack of a better term,” Gregory said.

Gregory said the band is excited, not just at the prospect of sharing the stage with Warrant, but to play in a facility like The Forum, explaining it is designed to host concert.

“It is almost like playing in a sound studio,” Gregory said.

Gregory said he and the other band members currently have day jobs including contracting work, driving a truck and others.

However, the band squeezes in all of the practice it can between work and family and shows and are looking to take it as far as it goes.

“We just go one step at a time,” Gregory said.

More information about the Ruthless Vendetta, including upcoming appearances, may be found on the band’s Facebook page.