By Collin Lueck

Foto News Editor

OK, so they’re not actually opening for Megadeth, but Merrill’s A Break in the Storm will be playing under the same roof, the same night as the heavy metal icons. While Megadeth will headline the four-band End Game tour in Milwaukee’s Eagles Ballroom on Nov. 17, A Break in the Storm will entertain in the adjacent Rave Theater. Their job is to keep the crowd rocking during the set change before Megadeth takes the stage.

The members of A Break in the Storm are excited for the opportunity to play to a crowd that could number more than 1,000, but they’re equally stoked to be sharing a night with some of their idols. When the band was offered their choice of dates to play at the Rave, the Megadeth show was a no-brainer.

"I was thinking about going to the concert anyway," said bassist John Sholund.

Megadeth will headline the Eagles Ballroom, preceded by Machinehead, Suicide Silence and Archanium. A Break in the Storm is one of the local bands tapped to fill time slots on the Rave stage.

A Break in the Storm has progressed quickly from the garage to the stage, and soon the studio. The band came together in August of 2008, with guitarists Andy "Goose" Immel and Brandon Peterson and drummer Rob Oemig. The band played its first live show in January of 2009.

The band has been involved in all three of Merrill’s Rock for a Reason benefit shows. Their original vocalist Ben Lee, along with friend Jarrett Savage, has taken the lead in organizing the events, which raise money for local causes. A Break in the Storm is also featured in a campaign video for Merrill United Way.

The past year has brought some personnel changes to the band. After parting company with their original bass player, band members courted Sholund to join just a few days before the second Rock for a Reason show. When Lee left the band to pursue other interests, A Break in the Storm tried out a bunch of vocalists before convincing Adam Hinz that he should be their new singer.

"Adam is one of the best vocalists I’ve heard in a band around here," Oemig said.

At 18, Hinz is the youngest of the group; the other members range in age from 19 to 23.

Backed by the solid rhythm section of Oemig and Sholund, the guitar duo of Peterson and Immel meld melodic hooks with speedy riffage to produce a sound all their own. The band’s influences range from radio-friendly hard rock to trash metal.

"All those influences combine to create the sound of A Break in the Storm," Immel explained.

The band members take their music seriously, but still have fun at their own and each others’ expense whenever an opportunity presents itself.

"We’re just a bunch of goofy dudes who really love to play music," Immel said.

The internet provides young bands with a tool to get their music out to the masses, and A Break in the Storm uploaded a handful of their original songs to their MySpace page. Their music is also featured on some regional and national compilation CDs that are handed out at music events.

The band was recently signed to Turkey Vulture Records, a Fond du Lac-based independent record label. A Break in the Storm will enter the studio in December to lay down a full length disc of their own music. Right now, they’re working on writing and perfecting new material for the album.

"We want to go into the studio with more than enough songs," Oemig said.

The distribution deal with Turkey Vulture will include a slot for the band in regional Best Buy stores. The CD is expected to be released in February or March of 2010.

"Turkey Vulture Records is a respectable idependent label," Immel said. "They’re helping us release and promote the record."

Their live show has brought the band notoriety around the state. They have 19 shows under their belts so far this year, with 22 by Thanksgiving. They play pretty much anywhere and with any other bands that will have them. There’s a network of local metal bands that help each other out by sharing gigs and offering exposure to new fans.

"Every time we play a show, there’s a connection established," Peterson said.

The band’s immediate goal is to hit the road on tour next year.

"Our short-term goal is to secure everything we need to tour," Oemig said. "We’re in the market for a van. We’re also working on merchandise."

A Break in the Storm is starting to make some money selling their self-produced CDs and t-shirts with the band logo. Still, there’s a lot of hard work ahead if they want to actually make a living playing music.

"We don’t get to quit our normal lives yet," Oemig said. "If we make it, I believe we’ll have earned it."

Part of the band’s deal with the Rave is to help promote the Megadeth show. Anyone who wants tickets can message the band through their MySpace page at MySpace.com/A Break in the Storm.