Formed in 2011 around the talents of drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, Dio), bassist Rex Brown (Pantera), guitarist Mark Zavon, and vocalist Jason Bragg, Kill Devil Hill, named for a North Carolina coastal town with a long history of piracy (as in rum, swordplay, and loot), mine both the past and present, resulting in a powerful blend of groove-laden hard rock, brooding post-grunge, and classic mainstream metal that has drawn comparisons to artists like Alice in Chains and System of a Down. The band's eponymous debut was released through SPV/Steamhammer in May 2012. ~ James Christopher Monger