BIG HEAT - GRAND OMINOUS DREAMS - 1995

The band known as Stygma IV endured several name changes over their fifteen-odd years of existence. They debuted as a trio in 1992 with Scenes Of Fire, at that time going under the name Big Heat. After adding a vocalist to complete their lineup, they recorded Grand Ominous Dreams, still as Big Heat, but soon changed name to Stigmata (the album has been released under both band names, with different artwork). Their third album was released as Stigmata, but due to a name conflict with another band, the group appended the IV to become Stigmata IV. Finally, in 1999, the band was forced by the courts to change their name one last time, and so they became Stygma IV. Ironically, for a band who changed name so frequently, their lineup never changed once, and in fact the band broke up (in November 2005) because the drummer could no longer play (due to a bad back) and the other three felt it inappropriate to continue without him. Their style (at least on Hell Within, their last album) crossed Euro speed/power metal with more traditional metal influences.