Jackson Free Press

Jacksonian Rex Brown brings some friends home with him Oct. 21 when Kill Devil Hill plays at Club Fire (209 Commerce St., 601-592-1000). The hometown boy, who has worked in Los Angeles for the past 15 years, is lead singer for this new heavy-metal band with some serious heritage.

Veteran rockers with ties to Black Sabbath, Pantera and Ratt make up this pedigreed act. Kill Devil Hill includes Vinny Appice, who used to play with Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, and Dio; bassist Rex Brown, who has played with Pantera and Down; Dewey Bragg, who sings; and Mark Zavon, who plays the guitar.

"It's like Led Zeppelin meets Alice in Chains—with southern rock," promoter Buck Alman said in a phone interview while somewhere between Nashville, Tenn., and Little Rock, Ark. He's traveling with the touring foursome. His favorite song from the band's still evolving repertoire is "Voo Doo Doll," but he also likes the tune "Drawbridge."

Kill Devil Hill started a tour Oct. 2, playing about an hour and a half in each town.

The band has signed with SPV/Steamhammer, and a debut album is tentatively scheduled for a March 2012 release. Warren Riker, who also worked with Down, Corrosion of Conformity, Sublime and Cathedral, is producing the as yet untitled release.

Kill Devil Hill performs at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at Club Fire (209 Commerce St., 601-592-1000). Tickets are $15. Fling Hammer is the special guest.

For more about Kill Devil Hill, go to http://www.killdevilhillmusic.com or http://www.spv.de. Also, check out the band's videos on YouTube.