Photo courtesy americanrust.com

American Rust was born in the desolate blue-collar community of Kanabec County Minnesota USA. In June of 2001, Ross Willmert and Van Coolidge began writing songs together. Willmert and Coolidge, both guitarists and multi-instrumentalist’s they seemed to create a sense of metal fusion. Willmert has 3 album releases in his pocket, the Minneapolis Soilent Green (Big Money/Channel 83 Records); he also performed on all three of Morticia’s (Black Widow Records) albums and the EP from his Dead City Radio project. Hundreds of live performance hours pulsed in his veins. Van Coolidge led him astray again and the rest is history, the core addition of Joseph Sampson on lead vocals and lead guitar solidified a songwriting lineup that would make Martin Birch blush. Nathan Clark on drums and Erik Rasmussen (Razz) on bass round out the rhythm section. Sampson’s leads are scalding, leaving you marked. His vocals have been compared to Anselmo and Staley. Rust is unforgiving, radical, and ethereal, we never let you forget what the heart of rock really is.

In early June 06, A.A. Scott was replaced with the bombastic Nathan Clark. “The first time we played with Nate, I new we had found our permanent answer, he plays like Bonham with double or single kick, what more could anyone ask for? Willmert stated. In this New Wave of American Heavy Metal, Rust will spread and devour. American Rust is currently recording their second album within Ross’s home entitled “The Litany Project.” Pre mastering cuts will soon be available upon request. We consider our songwriting strengths to shine on the new material.

It takes you to dark places “The Missing Son” and sobers you with unwanted truths like “The Price of Sand and Letters from a Dead Alphabet.” The mission is still clear, write the material, capture the metal head vote, and play in every hall and hole that will let us.

We are proud to state we have been working with the ever-diligent, Alessio Pillia of Dark Angel Promotion, Italy. He has shown us dedication and believes in us, his friendship across the pond has been priceless. We have not played a live show within the last six months. Two ugly divorces later, we will be booking local shows aimed for Oct/Nov/December to close out 2006. Essentially due to circumstances and choice, Rust took the Queensryche approach since it’s inception. We have been a full on studio band. This will change as of late 2006. All of us have prior experience, we will get our edge on, this... is... Assured.