Insania

by Ed Rivadavia German thrashers Insania were formed in 1988 by singer F.R. Shorty, guitarist Gerald Nagy, bassist Jürgen Grziwotz (aka Simon Sledge), and drummer Wolfgang 'Wolle' Haitz. Numerous demo and compilation appearances paved the way to their power metal-tinged 1993 debut Set Them Free, and 1995's One More...One Less -- the latter featuring new singer Cheesy. 1997's House of Cards retained their melodic thrash style -- reminiscent of Megadeth and, at times, Rage -- but was most notable for introducing new bassist Jorg Dickgreber, a female singer, Alicia, and for featuring a surprising cover of Alphaville's "Big in Japan." Yet another new vocalist, Marc, had come on board by the time of 1999's Fear, but at least he saw fit to stick around long enough to appear on its follow-up, Never, in 2002.