Forgotten Gems: "Where Are They Now Special" Featuring Ohio's Midevil

Thrift stores (love them or hate them) have always been one source for me in my pursuit of the ultimate music collection. While it's usually obscure pieces of vinyl that I've found (or had found for me as is the case with the two bootleg Ozzy live albums Heather found) there has been that odd occasion where I've walked away with CDs. It's almost impossible though to come across a CD that is scratch free, has a booklet that hasn't been used as a beer coaster and isn't a second rate Winger (the first Winger is bad enough but I digress...).

In my eagerness to never leave the local thrift store empty handed I can across the CD below. Tucked in between some no name rap group and an old computer game from the days before the Internet was Midevil's 1999 EP "Forced To Believe". Picking it up and dusting it off I took a peek at the booklet and figured why not? For less that the cost of a large coffee at McDonald's I had what I assumed would be a Armored Saint/Manowar type of band. Well, I will admit that I wasn't expecting more than water downed garage metal. You know what? My wife snickers when I'm wrong (it happens more than I'd like to admit sometimes) and I would be wrong.

I had to wait until later that night before I could load the album into my Itunes, put it in it's own play list and load it onto my Ipod. I like to listen to my little Ipod Shuffle when I do housework and as I jogged off to do the dishes I hit play. After a short intro things kicked into gear. What I heard wasn't swords and sorcery heavy metal. This was Metallica (pre Load) without the Bay Area sound. Now let me say that they don't really sound like Metallica. It's just that Midevil are what Metallica would sound like if they were an East Coast band and well...less "Metallica". I know that sounds weird but that's how my mind works. Having found this little gem (and what I later learned was their tale end material) I desperately sought out their history and if they released anything else. I already knew they were from Ohio by the information on the booklet. Besides outdated contact info there was nothing I could find on the net. I began to wonder if this was a band no one had ever heard? Finally I came across the little bit of info on the Metal Archives page and from there I sat and waited for their albums to pop up on Ebay or something. I waited a long time. Finally they did and I jumped. I wasn't the only one. This little band I thought no one knew saw their CDs go for well over $60 on Ebay! What the frig! I was able to snag a copy of 1997's "Expiration Date" for about $20 but "The Almighty" (from 1996) has never been within my reach. While I did snag a digital copy it's not the same. So, who was this band? What happened to them? I have no idea. There is still very little to be found online about them. So I leave it up to you loyal readers to help me. Someone must know something. I'd love to find:

Jon Pamblanco - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Joe Mitchell - Lead Guitar
Scott Vesely - Bass/Keys
Eugene Plascak -drums

If not then someone who knew the band. I need help with my first ever where are they now Forgotten Gems special. Shoot me an e-mail (andrewjdavis@hotmail.com) if you know. Thanks!