Episode 14: Should Have Been Huge: Freak of Nature

Its another "Should Have Been Huge" episode, with the spotlight on FREAK OF NATURE—a hard rock band that deserved far more attention than they got. Formed in the early ’90s by Mike Tramp, former frontman of White Lion, Freak of Nature marked a sharp turn from Tramp’s hair metal roots. While White Lion had big hits like “When the Children Cry,” Freak of Nature delivered a darker, heavier sound that reflected the shifting rock landscape of the era. Their 1993 self-titled debut was raw, melodic, and aggressive, earning praise from KERRANG and prompting me to buy it sight unseen. Despite the strength of tracks like “Turn the Other Way,” “What Am I,” and “Rescue Me,” the band struggled for traction in the U.S., releasing both albums through London’s Music for Nations label. Their second record, Gathering of Freaks (1994), was heavier than the debut, with standout songs like  like “Enemy” and “Candle,” and the epic title track.  In 1998, Freak of Nature released Outcasts, a compilation of B-sides and unreleased material. All three albums are now streaming, and if you’ve ever wondered what Mike Tramp did post–White Lion or just want to discover a killer early ’90s hard rock band that flew under the radar, Freak of Nature is well worth your time.