Originally concocted as a side project to King Fowley's old school Death Metal thrash attack, Deceased; October 31 began the first demo days immediately after Brian Williams was brought on board. Fowley and Williams clicked right away on a personal and songwriting level. Reminiscing about the glory days of 80's Heavy Metal and how they wanted to make their own mark with the traditional aspects that define the genre. This was the mid 90's mind you and finding other members could be quite the task. Years before the trendy Power Metal boom, meeting musicians that wanted to play Heavy Metal was hard enough, let alone the style Fowley and Williams desired. Keep in mind that they lived (and still do) about 6 hours away from each other. The burning ambition that churned between the two could not be put on hold and in 1996, the "Voyage To Infinity" cassette demo was recorded, marking the only O31 release with Casey Sayles (bass) and Frank Bauguess (rhythm/acoustic guitar), local friends of Brian Williams. Oblivion Studios, the same studio that will spawn Deceased's zombie thrash classic "Fearless Undead Machines" years later, would be the studio of choice and practically every session that followed.
The demo showed a mixture of Thrash, Power, subtle Doom and Classic Heavy Metal that could be compared to bands like Nasty Savage, Attacker, Killer, Griffin, Exciter and the endless list of unappreciated cult legends. Appropriate covers of "Child of the Damned" (Warlord) and "Harder Than Steel" (Jag Panzer) further proved that the intentions of October 31 derived from true Heavy Metal, loud and proud. This line-up however didn't last very long as a local scene friend of King Fowley joined for the permanent bass position, Jim Hunter (Revelation/While Heaven Wept/Blacklord/Twisted Tower Dire/every band in the vicinity of Northern Virginia). An old friend of Brian Williams, Kevin Lewis, began his first attempt at the rhythm position and the writing process but quit the band shortly before it was time to record the first full-length, 1997's "The Fire Awaits You". Leaving all the guitar parts to Brian Williams, left to figure out all the guitar tracks that he never played, "The Fire Awaits You" was still a defining record for October 31. The production is modest yet effective. The opening track, "The Warlock", takes everything that was so greatly intense from the Whiplash "Power and Pain" album, the majority of "The Fire Awaits You" churn an atmosphere being dark, heavy, melodic, and most importantly, memorable. Another obscure cover landed on Side B, "Day of the Saxons" from Witchkiller. The CD was released by RIP Records while the vinyl didn't come out officially until 1999 by Fowley's own Old Metal Records.
Kevin Lewis returned once again in 1998, attempting the full-time rhythm guitar position as the "Visions of End" EP writing and recording process began. Completely finished in under a week, "Visions of the End" is still one of my favorites and a most impressive EP. Despite one of the most ridiculous and maybe only covers of Lizzy Bordern's "Give 'em The Axe" that I've ever heard (mostly due to Fowley's interpretation of the vocals), this is arguable the greatest October 31 release. Full of pure energy yet never straying too far from that dark, doomy vibe and building their epic qualities with tracks like "The Legend of the Haunted Sea". Old Metal Records released "Visions of the End" on CD and again in 1999 with a different cover. Attached was the long out of print "Voyage To Infinity" demo already mentioned. Around this time the decision was made by King Fowley to have a live singer, being more comfortable with the drum duties for shows yet keeping his vocal position for the studio only. Once again, old friends of both Fowley (Chuck Parsons) and Williams (Shawn Pelata) were chosen among the fight for Metal supremacy. Parsons, having a more characteristic but rugged voice, showed energy on stage, but lacked the real abilities of a strong Heavy Metal singer and showman; Pelata being the mirror opposite, great voice-no stage presence. October 31 played a handful of shows with each vocalist around this time but under the demanding role that being in O31 calls for, going their separate ways was in order.
In 2000 "Meet Thy Maker" was released. Rip Records put out the original CD while Metal Blade Europe released the "Visions of the End" bonus CD version. What should have been possibly their best at that point, consisting of a bigger production, more keyboards, melody and acoustic sections, "Meet Thy Maker" suffered from a quirky final mix and many of the moments on the album being much too melodic for Fowley's street vocal style. Still, tracks like "For There is War!" showed that October 31 were not about to slow down. A cover of Saxon's classic "Power and the Glory" near the album's end has become a staple in closing their live set. Also that year, RIP put out the reissue of the "Visions of the End" EP with the original cover art but still being inferior to the 10 track 1999 Old Metal Records release, which made for a pretty pointless reissue.
October 31 had landed on many compilations, played every dive on the east coast, recorded two more cover songs "I Don't Know" (Ozzy/guitar solo courtesy of Deceased's very own Mark "Chainsaw" Adams) and "Public Enema Number One" (Iron Maiden) along with just as great an accomplishment as any, playing the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. Things were moving right along until the road of optimism was brought to a halt once again by Kevin Lewis, deciding to leave the band once more. Dave Castillo (ex Hatred/VA) was brought in to fill in on drums for certain shows, allowing King to run the stage and some shows were only played as a three piece, Fowley/Hunter/Williams. Northern Virginia's Twisted Tower Dire members Tony Taylor and Scott Waldrop were next to serve their time in the revolving door positions. Taylor having a very melodic voice that would havee been best suited for the "Meet Thy Maker" album and Waldrop's natural ear for great harmonies seemed to set the stage for what would be possibly the best October 31 release yet. Sadly, only a 7" single birthed from this line-up in 2002. Maniacal Records released a redone version of "Salem's Curse" along with Judas Priest cover "Electric Eye", pressed in a small quantity. While the single showed much promise of things to come, disagreements within the band left Tony Taylor and Scott Waldrop out of October 31 while Jim Hunter shortly joined the bass position for Twisted Tower Dire, keeping his position in October 31.
As if that wasn't enough of a catastrophe, Fowley's darkest days shortly followed. Following the death of his mother, two blood clots and a sudden stroke left him for dead. This not only stopped the advancing of the band they had worked so hard at, the iron fist of sickness left Fowley's recovery process a slow one. Thankfully, strong will and determination prevail as King makes a full recovery. Before King's sudden streak of horrible luck, Jason Tedder, being the best rhythm guitarist O31 has ever had is the next contestant after Waldop, makes his entrance as the rhythm guitarist in Williams' side band, K-Octave (who also has Shawn Pelata on vocals). Dave Castillo also gets a permanent spot on the drums as King takes his rightful position as the front man. "Stage Fright" gets released by Thrash Corner Records in 2003, capturing a moment in time at Classic Metal Fest 2 with obviously no overdubs. Another demo is recorded, a cover of "Missing in Action" (Q5) that gets lumped in the same category as the Lizzy Borden cover by yours truly, an amazing vocal performance from Fowley on "Danger Zone" (Black Sabbath) and original brain smasher "Powerhouse", which has yet to get an official release.
Finally, having a steady line-up and with the drive of making Heavy Metal music still abundant within the group, October 31 release their long awaited "No Survivors" album. "No Survivors", being their
heaviest and fastest recording to date, lands October 31 back in the valid music category. William's leads are furious as ever, Castillo keeps the fast yet original style of Fowley on past records keeping up the rhythm section with Hunter as Tedder helps add a huge multi-tracked guitar sound that has never been heard on any O31 recording, producing a slightly more stripped down and in your face direction. After breaking off their contract with Metal Blade Records and deciding not to put it out on Fowley's other label, Battlezone Records, "No Survivors" is released on CD by Thrash Corner Records in 2005.
This sky is the limit for October 31. Having played hundreds of shows all across the United States over the past 10 years, persevering over all life's many obstacles, October 31 is proof that some bands still play for the sheer love of Heavy Metal. With plans of another album and a possible tour(s), they're just getting things warmed up.
The Warlock
October 31 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With magic he attacks
The sorcerer of full moons eyes
His soul is drenched in black
Within his lair for no one goes
They know the curse he'll bring
He beckons fools to come to him
From the highest hill he sings
So fall into my arms,
You can't resist temptations urge
You can't deny my charm"
So take my hand my foolish children
For I'll not bring you harm
The warlock feeds on mindless fools
The poor who've lost their way
He takes their minds and steals their souls
Insisting they'll be saved!
His spell is cast on you
Sealing the fate of doom
You took his words too well
He'll see you down in hell...
The warlock strikes again
Another life does end
A victim of the night will never see...
The light begins yet another day
Another time and place
The warlock stands before the town
Preaching his magic ways
Another fool does raise his hand
Waiting to be "saved"
The warlock lives to fool the world
To trick them with his "sight"
He takes the mind and steals the soul
And laughs into the night...
Beware, oh beware, oh beware of the night:
(The warlock)
Beware, oh beware, oh beware of the night:
(The warlock)
Warlock, the warlock, the warlock waits for you,
Beware!!!
The lyrics to October 31's "The Warlock" tell the story of a mysterious and dangerous figure who uses his powers for malice and manipulation. The warlock is described as a sorcerer with eyes of black who attacks with magic. He lives in isolation and his curse is feared by all. Despite this, he seeks out victims to lure into his grasp with promises of power and the allure of temptation. The warlock's ultimate goal is to steal the minds and souls of his victims, leaving them with no hope for salvation.
The lyrics are filled with warnings against the warlock's deceit and manipulation, urging listeners to beware of his power. However, many still fall under his spell, becoming his mindless followers. The repetition of the phrase "Beware, oh beware, oh beware of the night: (The warlock)" emphasizes the danger he represents.
Overall, the lyrics to "The Warlock" paint a vivid picture of a malevolent figure who seeks to control and destroy those around him. The warnings in the lyrics remind listeners that there are those who would use their power for evil, and that we must always be wary of those who seek to manipulate us.
Line by Line Meaning
He's the warlock he's the midnight man
He is the infamous warlock known for haunting the night, practicing his magic.
With magic he attacks
He uses his mystical powers to attack unsuspecting victims.
The sorcerer of full moons eyes
His eyes reflect the mystical forces that rule the full moon, giving him even greater powers.
His soul is drenched in black
His soul is corrupted by evil, and he is morally depraved.
Within his lair for no one goes
His den is where he performs his dark rituals, and nobody has ever ventured in to check.
They know the curse he'll bring
The townspeople are aware of the misfortunes that will befall them if they cross the warlock.
He beckons fools to come to him
He calls out to naive individuals, luring them into his trap.
From the highest hill he sings
Standing atop the highest hill, he sings and his voice echoes around the town.
"There is no force as great as mine
He boasts of his supreme powers, suggesting no one can stand against him.
So fall into my arms,
He invites his victims to surrender themselves to his evil and become subservient to him.
You can't resist temptations urge
The evil allure of his temptations will overtake you, and you will become a slave to him.
You can't deny my charm"
He believes himself to be irresistible, and tries to seduce people into following him blindly.
So take my hand my foolish children
He calls out to those who are foolish, and asks them to entrust themselves to him.
For I'll not bring you harm
He falsely promises his victims safety and protection, while perpetrating harm upon them.
The warlock feeds on mindless fools
He preys upon those who are thoughtless and easily beguiled.
The poor who've lost their way
He targets those who are lacking in good judgement, and who are lost in life.
He takes their minds and steals their souls
He exerts control over his victims, manipulating their thoughts and stealing their spirits.
Insisting they'll be saved!
He deceives his victims, insisting that he has the power to heal and deliver them.
His spell is cast on you
Once you have fallen under his spell, there is little hope of escaping the warlock's power.
Sealing the fate of doom
His wicked magic assures a path of destruction and ultimately to one's own doom.
You took his words too well
Those who take heed to his deceptive speech will fall under his control.
He'll see you down in hell...
His promises of protection and salvation will lead only to eternal damnation.
The warlock strikes again
The townspeople can always count on the warlock for continued evil deeds.
Another life does end
He has taken yet another life with his black magic.
A victim of the night will never see...
No one can escape the fate of the warlock once they have become a victim of his magic.
The light begins yet another day
The day dawns anew, free from the warlock's grasp.
Another time and place
But the warlock still waits, lurking in the shadows for another chance to ensnare his victims.
Preaching his magic ways
He continues to propagate his evil message, luring in believers who he can then ensnare more easily.
Another fool does raise his hand
Despite his sinister reputation, there will always be those who fall under his spell and raise their hands in belief.
Waiting to be "saved"
They don't realize that they will need true salvation, as the warlock's salvation only leads to eternal doom.
The warlock lives to fool the world
His ultimate goal is to lead everyone astray to better serve his dark purposes.
To trick them with his "sight"
He deceives people with his supernatural skills of perception, leading them further onto the path of destruction.
And laughs into the night...
Clearly enjoying his power over others, he laughs arrogantly in the darkness.
Beware, oh beware, oh beware of the night:
The townspeople are advised to remain vigilant and cautious at all times, as evil lurks in the darkness.
(The warlock)
Warlock, the warlock, the warlock waits for you,
The warlock continues to wait for the next victim to fall into his entrapment.
Beware!!!
The people are warned once more to take heed and stay alert.
Contributed by Alice D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.