that James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett of Metallica entered Trouble's stage after a concert, trying to figure out how their amplifiers were set to produce their unique sound. Trouble's first two albums were critically acclaimed and are respected in the metal scene. The following album Run to the Light, however, was said to be "disappointing", but a different direction was taken during the Def American era, when Rick Rubin helped the band to develop a new, unique style. The self-titled album gained "magnificent reviews in all the major heavy metal rags" and the psychedelic Manic Frustration was a "critically lauded, cult-raved heavy metal masterpiece". The 1995's Plastic Green Head received good reviews and "the album's songs also exuded a palpable sense of wary acceptance." However, Trouble was never thought of as a completely unique group; some critiques dismissed the band as a "poor man's Black Sabbath". Nevertheless, Trouble's influence on the metal movement is unquestioned, with groups such as Corrosion of Conformity, Down, Electric Wizard, Cathedral, Crowbar, Orange Goblin, At the Gates, Confessor, Autopsy, Candlemass, and Bolt Thrower citing them as an influence. Members Current Bruce Franklin – guitars (1979–present) Rick Wartell – guitars (1979–present) Kyle Thomas – vocals (1997–2000, 2012–present) Mark Lira – drums (2009–present) Rob Hultz – bass (2013–present) Former Eric Wagner – vocals (1981–1997, 2000–2008; died 2021) Ian Brown – bass (1979–1983) Jeff "Oly" Olson – drums, keys, horns (1979–1986, 1993–2008) Sean McAllister – bass (1983–1986) Ron Holzner – bass (1986–2002) Dennis Lesh – drums (1986–1987) Ted Kirkpatrick – drums (1987–1989) Barry Stern – drums (1989–1993) Chuck Robinson – bass (2002–2009) Kory Clarke – vocals (2008–2012) Shane Pasqualla – bass (2009–2013) Timeline Discography Studio albums Live releases Trouble Live (1983, a live cassette sold by the band before being signed to Metal Blade Records, available on CDR through the band's website) Trouble Live Dallas Bootleg (1990, a live concert originally broadcast by radio during the band's tour for the self-titled album on Def American, available on CDR through the band's website) Live in L.A. (2008) Live in Palatine 1989 (2010) Live in Schaumberg 1993 (2010) Live 1983 (2011) Black Shapes of Doom (2011) EPs Knocking on Heavy's Door (1992; split with Massacria, Tanner, Meglomanic) Unplugged (2007) Demos 1980 Demo (1980) 1982 Demo (1982) 1983 Demo (1983) Live (1983) 1985 Demo (1985) One for the Road (1994) DVDs Live in Stockholm (2006) References External links Official Myspace page