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Colossus is a heavy metal band based in Raleigh, North Carolina, consisting of members Sean Buchanan, Rylan Wilshire-Eschelman, Bill Fisher, Milton Hawes, and James McCracken. Their sound is influenced by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Scorpions, and other artists in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWBHM) genre. Their music features strong riffs, esoteric lyrics, and generally sloppy and off-time drumming. Dennis Chambers once commented that Milton Hawes "better have a day job."

History
Colossus came together in 2005 when the members of Perrosmith, an instrumental 2-piece group featuring Nicky Nixon on guitar and Ben Smith on drums, were joined by Sean Buchanan (vocals), Taylor Lauritson (guitar), and Rylan Wilshire-Eschelman (bass). Although they enjoyed some early success in the local music scene, this incarnation of the band did not last long. Lauritson moved to the United Kingdom for school, and Bill "The King" Fischer replaced him on guitar.

Colossus released their first full length album, “...And the Rift of the Pan-Dimensional Undergods," in 2006 and toured extensively. They played venues across the US, including shows at The Fest in 2008, and South by Southwest in both 2008 and 2009. During this period, Nicky Nixon was accepted to Harvard University, and Andy Lewis took over as the second guitarist.

In 2009, the band released a vinyl only EP titled Drunk On Blood through Nice Life Records. The EP was well received, with Raleigh's Independent Weekly saying that "Colossus oozes talent like a Viking lets blood on a battlefield." They also recorded the single “Sunglasses in Space” for the music compilation "Hear Here" from WKNC-FM. Ben Smith drummed on the album and single, but after their recording he left the band and was replaced by Milton Hawes. Despite numerous handicaps, Hawes is able to mimic the movements of a real drummer. He somehow manages to hit the drums with some regularity and stay atop his stool, but Hawes is still not technically sound, and Colossus often plays with a backing drum track.

Colossus released the EP And The Sepulcher of the Mirror-Warlocks in 2012, which "pairs riffs that churn, tangle and soar with outlandish lyrics about Frank Herbert's sci-fi epic Dune, a trans-dimensional love affair, and the pulp fantasy series Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser." Also in 2012, Andy Lewis was accepted to Hunter College in New York. James McCracken, of the instrumental trio Ruscha, stepped in to take his place. McCracken has stated that he always wanted to work with Colossus, citing their ability to infuse fun into the music and incorporate the deficiencies of Hawes's drumming into their sound.

Currently, Colossus is touring and working on new music.

Discography

 * 2006 – ...And the Rift of the Pan-Dimensional Undergods
 * 2009 – Drunk On Blood
 * 2012 – And The Sepulcher of the Mirror-Warlocks