Dethtoll was an early American death/thrash metal band based in Toledo, Ohio. The band was formed in 1986 on New Year’s Day by Todd Evans and Joe D. Evans got his first guitar as a high school graduation present. According to Evans, Joe D had been screaming, yelling, and singing his entire life. Their first song, according to Evans, was written in Joe D’s bedroom with Evans on guitar and Joe D singing through a vacuum cleaner tube. In 1986 Dethtoll created their first recordings, an untitled five song demo tape. At this time the band consisted of Todd Evans (guitar), Joe D (vocals), John Gingrich (drums), and Howard Kolb (bass). The Dethtoll sound, according to Evans, was influenced by various bands including Slayer, Exodus, D.R.I, Voivod, Black Flag, Die Kruezen, Dark Angel, Dr. Know, The Mentors, and GWAR.
Dethtoll played various venues in Toledo and in surrounding cities, including the Cyprus Lounge (Toledo) and Blondie’s (Detroit).
In 1987 Dethtoll released their first album titled “Count the Dead” and followed that up in 1988 with their album titled “S.A.D.”
Dethtoll disbanded in 1989 and some members went on to start, or join in, other musical projects. Evans played guitar for Porn Flakes, Mother Goose, Lazy American Workers, GWAR (as Beefcake the Mighty), and currently plays for Mobile Deathcamp. Gingrich went on to play drums in the bands Ground Zero and Social Decay, along with Kolb on bass.
In 1992 the Bijou in Toledo, Ohio hosted a Dethtoll reunion concert.
On February 2, 2008 former Dethtoll drummer John Gingrich passed away.
Dethtoll Discography:
Untitled demo (1986 – Indie Release)
Count the Dead (1987 – Indie Release) Tracks include Mourning Impalement, Count the Dead, Destructive End, Sea of Fire, Erthshok. .
S.A.D. (1988 – Indie Release) Tracks include Death Revealed, Barra Edin Na Zu, Flight 655, CH4H2S, POW/MIA, Chez Bourgois.
RIP John Gingrich
GINGRICH John R. John Robert Gingrich, age 41, of Toledo, Oh passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 2, 2008, at the University of Toledo Medical Center. He was born on March 14, 1966, to Robert and Cindy (Snyder) Gingrich. John was employed as a Manager for Seal Plus Auto Detailing for more than 15 years. In his spare time he played drums for various bands throughout the Toledo area, but now he plays for the biggest band of them all! John is survived by the love of his life, his son, Stefan Matthew; wife, Melanie; father, Bob; mother and stepfather, Cindy and Mike Snyder; brothers, Erik, Jason and Kevin; stepsisters, Jennifer (Keith) Benedict and Melissa (Brian) Fuller; grandmother, Doris Gingrich as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Family and friends will be received on Friday, February 8, 2008, from 10-11 a.m. in Asbury United Methodist Church, 4725 Dorr Street in Toledo where Memorial services will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Philip Park-Thomas, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in John’s name to Charter One Bank to benefit his son, Stefan. Arrangements by Neville Funeral Home at Reynolds Corners.
Published in the Toledo Blade on 2/7/2008.
