Trauma (American band)

Trauma is an American heavy metal band formed in 1981. The band is best known for having a then-unknown Cliff Burton in its initial lineup, who would leave the band in 1982 to join Metallica as their bassist and died in a bus crash while touring in 1986.

The group disbanded in 1985 before re-establishing itself after twenty-eight years (2013) around original vocalist Donny Hillier and returning drummer Kris Gustofson.

On September 28, 2020, Hillier died following an undisclosed illness; he was replaced by vocalist Brian Allen nearly a year later on August 24, 2021.

On December 6, 2022, Marty Friedman and Trauma were announced as special guests for Queensrÿche's 2023 Digital Noise Alliance Tour; on February 21, 2023, Casey Trask was named as substitute rhythm guitarist for Joe Fraulob on that tour.

Its current line-up consists of members Gustofson, Steve Robello, Allen and Michael Spencer, with Trask as their touring rhythm guitarist.

Current members

 * Kris Gustofson – drums (1982–1985, 2013–present)
 * Steve Robello – lead guitar, backing vocals (2017–present), bass (2014–2017),
 * Brian Allen – lead vocals (2021–present)
 * Michael Spencer – bass (2022–present)
 * Casey Trask – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2023–present)

Former members

 * Donny Hillier – lead vocals (1981–1985, 2013–2020) (died 2020)
 * Michael Overton – rhythm guitar (1981–1985)
 * (George) Tiger Lady – lead guitar (1981–1983)
 * Cliff Burton – bass (1981–1982) (died 1986)
 * Dennis Shafer – drums (1981–1982)
 * Lucas Advicula – bass (1982–1984)
 * Ross Alexander – lead guitar (1983–1985)
 * Glen Gordon – bass (1984–1985)
 * Kurt Fry – guitars (2013–2015)
 * Marcel Eaton – bass (2013–2014)
 * Jeff Jones – lead guitar (2015–2017)
 * Bobby Cannon – lead guitar (2016–2017)
 * Joe Fraulob – rhythm guitar (2017–2023)
 * Greg Christian – bass (2017–2022)

Discography

 * Scratch and Scream (1984)
 * Rapture and Wrath (2015)
 * As the World Dies (2018)
 * Awakening (2022)