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Texas Thrash Pioneers GAMMACIDE Return With ‘Toxic Mercenaries’, Their First New Album In Over 35 Years
Texas thrash metal band Gammacide are releasing "Toxic Mercenaries", their first full-length album of new material in more than 35 years, alongside a fresh reissue of their debut record. The comeback follows a string of well-received reunion shows, including a main-stage appearance at Houston's Hell's Heroes festival in 2025 and subsequent tours in the US and Mexico, which reportedly convinced the band to write new music together for the first time since splitting in 1992.
The eight-track album is due on CD on 11 September 2026 and on vinyl on 30 October 2026, preceded by a music video for the lead single "Overload". Formed in Texas in 1986, Gammacide built a cult following through 1980s demo tapes and their 1990 debut "Victims Of Science" before disbanding in 1992 and reuniting briefly in 2005; the current line-up features vocalist Varnam Ponville, guitarists Rick Perry and Scott Shelby, bassist Chance Lehman and drummer Joey Gonzalez, who will tour the US later in 2026, including festival dates in Brooklyn and Madison.
In short
- Gammacide release "Toxic Mercenaries", first new album in 35+ years
- CD out 11 September 2026, vinyl 30 October 2026
- Band tours US in summer/autumn 2026 to support the record
Explained simply
Gammacide are a thrash metal band formed in Texas in 1986. They became known through demo tapes and their 1990 debut album, Victims Of Science, before splitting up in 1992.
The band reunited for live shows years later, and their recent performances brought the current five-member line-up back together to write new music. Their return connects a group with a following rooted in the 1980s metal scene to a new run of recordings and performances.