Glam Metal
Evansville, Indiana, USA

Tempest was a Christian metal band founded in 1985 in Evansville, Indiana. The band recorded two albums on the Pure Metal Records label.

Guitarist Mick Rowe was originally a one-man-band called Travail, but upon realizing this name referred to labor pain, he changed the band-name to Tempest. His brother Jamie “J.R.” Rowe soon joined as lead vocalist and co-songwriter. Steve DeAcutis also joined on bass guitar and Duane Monk on drums.

In 1987 Tempest signed a recording contract with Pure Metal Records for three albums; however, band members would later learn that Pure Metal actually thought they were signing another Ohio band with the same name. Nevertheless, the contract was signed, and the record label followed through on their agreement. So did Tempest, producing the nine-song album, A Coming Storm in 1987. The album's production is muddy, burying much of the guitar and rhythm section in the mix.

Tempest recorded their second and last album on Pure Metal in 1988, Eye of the Storm. Eye of the Storm also brought about personnel changes with Darren Lee taking over bass and Bobby Andrews on drums. The album is dedicated to the Rowe's father, who died the year before its release.

Tempest disbanded in 1990. The album Limited Edition was privately re-issued in 1997 and combined Tempest's two albums, making it the first time A Coming Storm was available on CD. In 2003, Mick Rowe sold, via his website, a homemade DVD of Tempest's final concert in 1989.

Jamie Rowe son joined Guardian for their second album, while Mick Rowe formed several other bands and projects like Midnight Orchestra, Goliath, Mindset 7, Plush, and Nineteen88.

Mick Rowe has made several attempts to revive Tempest since 1989.

In 2002 Mick Rowe would recruit David Benson to sing on what was to become a brand new Tempest album entitled Crushing the Dark Cathedral. Unfortunately after 3 tracks were written and completely recorded the album would never see the light off day. The songs were more doom / stoner metal than the previous glam metal of the first two albums. Eventually they were released as bonus tracks on the 2011 re-issue of Benson's 1996 album Purpose of the Cross by Intense Millennium Records.

In 2012, Mick Rowe created several social media accounts that announced a third Tempest album with himself as the sole returning member. Four singles were released on YouTube, including “The Witch” - the first song written by Rowe after picking up the guitar in the 1980s. A cover of Billy Squire's “Everybody wants You” was mentioned but never released. A cover of Rez Band's “Military Man” was released.

In 2016, a new EP for Hollywood Collective Entertainment was announced. The original name of the Ep was The Metal Queen 2016, but at some point this changed to Hollywood Anti-Sleaze Rock N' Roll. The EP was supposed to include the cover of Rez Band's “Military Man” and a re-recording of “Golgotha” from A Coming Storm), but these were not included. The sound is a bit more Southern rock mixed with metal.

At various times through the years, Mick Rowe has also announced re-recorded versions of A Coming Storm and Eye of the Storm, but those have never been released either.

In 2017, Mick Rowe was arrested for child molestation. Jamie Rowe has stated that he has cut off all interaction with his brother.

1985 Independent

1. Fall Down (3:08)
2. Break the Chains (4:25)
3. In His Name (2:57)
4. Rock On (3:34)
5. Jolt (3:39)

1987 Pure Metal Records (SPCN7900602534)

Jamie Rowe - Vocals
Mick Rowe - Guitar Darren Lee - Bass
Bobby Andrews - Drums

Joe English - Additional drums, backing vocals
Steve DeAcutis - Additional bass
Glen Marchese - Backing vocals
Jeff Toone - Backing vocals
Martin Bass - Backing vocals

1. Kids Are Gonna Rock
2. Golgotha
3. Watch Out
4. Games With God
5. Tell Me
6. Metal Mission
7. God's Will Be Done
8. All My Days
9. In His Name (Rock On)

1989 Pure Metal Records (SPCN7900602534)

Jamie Rowe - Vocals
Mick Rowe - Guitar Darren Lee - Bass
Bobby Andrews - Drums

1. Storms / Rock for the Light (5:35)
2. Goin´ Nowhere (3:16)
3. Good-Bye (3:25)
4. Let Them In (3:34)
5. True Love (Never Fade Away) (3:03)
6. All for One (3:22)
7. Eye of the Storm (2:33)
8. Lost Without Your Love (3:17)
9. Midnight (1:58)
10. U.S.A. (3:03)

1997 Independent

A Coming Storm and Eye of the Storm on one CD.

2002 Unreleased

David Benson - Vocals
Mick Rowe - Guitars

1. Crushing the Dark Cathedral
2. Dark Star
3. Dear Aleister

2004 Millenium Eight Records (M8R-1009)

1. Fall Down (3:08)
2. Break the Chains (4:25)
3. In His Name (2:57)
4. Rock On (3:34)
5. Jolt (3:39)
6. Metal Mission (3:39)
7. Seek His Face (4:22)
8. It's Up to You (5:25)
9. Gingus Fang (0:40)
10. Dancing in the Rain (3:42)
11. Dancing in the Rain Too! (3:24)
12. East Vs. West (1:41)
13. Radio Interview (hidden track) (5:59)

2012 Independent

1. The Witch
2. Stand & Fight (aka Heavy Metal)
3. Destroyer
4. Military Man (Rez Band cover)

2016 H5D Records

1. Back to the Hill (4:30)
2. Hello God (3:34)
3. Every Time It Reigns (5:06)
4. Walk Away (4:18)