Matt 'Animal' Thomas - (Drummer) currently of Signed Band HUNTED to Massacre Records of Germany.

A very Experimental but Solid Drummer in Rock/Progressive/Thrash/Speed Metal music

Started Drumming at the age of 12, formed a school band with Jason Staddon called Four Storey

along with Ashley Cocco on bass and Hugh Wilson guitar.

Years past and being brought up on A massive range of different genres of music from Classical to present day pop

He formed a tribute band called 'Spawn Of Eddie' (Iron Maiden Tribute)

Also a cover band in the pubs with 'Harrisburg' performing the classics.

Other Previous bands such as

F.U.B.A.R which consisted of James Taylor on vocals, Jason Staddon lead guitar, Jayson Price on bass and Nick Taylor on 2nd guitar.

Overhead Wires was also another venture on Matt's climb throughout his music career who also gained a huge following especially the time of being 3rd in the U.K in a national Battle Of The Bands and performing in the final in front of approx 4000 people at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall taking four coaches of Fans from Wales.

After 1 year rest from F.U.B.A.R, Matt went on the look for something new and came across a metal band (HUNTED) where his last bands he was in were standard Rock to heavy rock, this still didn't turn him away as he wanted to try a new genre.

After an audition with the band a few more practices past and it was then announced he was in!!!!

Hunted line up at the time were as follows:- Chris G - Vocals, Steven Barberini - Guitar, Jon Letson - Bass Guitar, and Dave Edwards - on 2nd Guitar.

Dave parted approx 6 months after and so the hunt for the next guitarist starts, Hunted performed there first gig with Matt at the Point in Cardiff with a pretty full crowd along side Adrian Lambert (Ex Dragonforce Bassist) and his band Son Of Science with a fantastic start to matt's beginning with the band.

Dan Angelow a very talented guitarist from Swansea joined and the band began to write towards the Debut Album whilst also Performing in 2009 at Bloodstock Open Air Festival on the unsigned stage but the same day of Blind Guardian, Cradle Of Filth and Carcass. However after that due to difficulties Dan then couldn't continue with Hunted so left.

Hunted Went on to Record there Debut Album anyway and had alot of interest from many labels and signed up with Massacre Records of Germany and the Album 'Welcome The Dead' on sale Worldwide has done very well and placed Hunted on The Map..........

Hunted the auditioned Guitarist Dan Owen who is a superb guitarist and currently holds many you tube videos at views over the million marks for so many notes per second.

With this Solid Line up the band in 2012 are currently writing New music for the release of there Second Album hopefully to be released in 2013, with Dan's writing and even Matt getting in on the writing side the band say this Album will top there Debut even though they are very proud of 'Welcome The Dead' they are also extremely excited to get this new Album Recorded and out on the shelves.

The band have got Endorsement Deals with

LANEY Amps IBANEZ Guitars TAMA Drums DEAN Guitars ENGL AMPS DOVETAIL STRINGS

Hunted have Released a video from a track form 'Welcome The Dead' called IMPALED (Youtube)

Matt got his nickname 'ANIMAL' from destroying cymbals and drumsticks nearly every gig and also breaking cymbal and snare stands now and again. Plus when his hair is over his face at a gig he looks like Animal from the muppets........

Matt has several kits including his master kit - TAMA SUPERSTAR CUSTOM - Colour Titanium Fade which includes of 11 drums and he would usually use between 10-18 cymbals.... He now is looking at a new kit to similar specifications.

Matt also Studied at Bridgend College and received a Diploma in Music Practice taught by Mr Phill Jones (Lecturer), but he still owes an awful lot to Mrs Julie Williams of Cowbridge Comprehensive who spent alot of time with Matt in the GCSE years teaching him music and always had faith and gave him every support in music. Matt says ' She is the beginning of my music career and without her I don't think I would have done so well'.

Matt over the years has accomplished alot but lost important people to him along the way, and this had a huge impact on his growing up through the years, at one point he lost 6 people he cared about in the space of 5 months but even though emotions all over the place he still kept going for his dream of making a success in music. He has been a special guset at many events ranging from Festivals to Schools. Always continuing to keep his love and passion alive, and to interest the younger generations to following in the footsteps of music.

The Determination Will Never Die in Matt's life to making it to the highest he can take it \m/