Spiraling out of a chasm of epic rapture their sound rose and a white-hot liquid musical injection clogged veins, cascaded into spines and left fans of the band of Illicit Rite (www.illicitrite.com) cloaked in a new coat of metal.
Three very distinct musical artists continue to spread the infection: a livid, unpredictable vocalist, a bass guitar magician, an aging rock wizard, and a 17-year-old guitar phenomenon encompass the Rite. Inspired by visionary consumption of epic battles, horror and war history, their musical style is a scathing mix of Death Metal, Black Metal and Hardcore, commonly dubbed “Bastard Metal”.
Formed in 2001, the three horsemen from the mountains of Northwest Georgia turned up the amps and plugged in to what started as simple jam sessions and turned into something so much more Rite, originally known as “15 on the Down”, in its infancy started playing original power ballads and cover songs to pay for new equipment and keep the group afloat. Throughout the metamorphosis to the smoking metal power they have become today the lineup has featured Burkett’s son Paul on bass and the third of the Burkett clan, teenage wonder, Zach, who joined the band at the age of 13, on lead guitar. Jim Burkett, 46, an aging warrior on the drums who took up the sticks at the tender age of 10. Cutting his teeth with bands in Birmingham. Alabama in the 1970s and Kentucky in the late 80s and early 90s, along the road his talents entwined onstage with legendary artists like John Michael Montgomery, Exile, and many others.
Now 17, Zach, has been labeled by many as the second coming of Randy Rhodes. Inspired by legends like Jimmy Page, Steve Vie, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Stevie Ray Vaughn his amazing talents recently garnered a sponsorship with Dean Guitars. With Paul and Justin penning dark, grippingly enchanting lyrics and Zach and father, Jim, pushing a tight-knit metal avalanche, the group is primed for explosive success.
“These guys have determination and the guts to make this happen,” Jim said. “The most important thing is the music and continuing to push to new levels. Hopefully major success is a rung on our musical ladder.”
The road scars and resulting hard earned jewels in the Rite crown have come through over 100 performances throughout the Southeast, including two at the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga in 2003 and 2004, a high-energy gig at the legendary roadhouse Flora-Bama last year and an equally raucous Spring Break show in Panama City, Fla. in 2004.
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