About
Damon Ryder, also stylized as R!DER, is a rock musician, singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the frontman and founding member of the groove metal band Razormade, the rock band Vein of Gold, and the German industrial metal band Atomic Assassins, which he joined as the lead singer in 2025.
His guitar style blends pulsing, groove-driven riffs with expressive solos and experimental sonic textures. He also incorporates electronic elements, often producing distorted sounds and shaping noises into structured musical pieces. Damon's baritone voice serves as an instrument of its own, shifting from gritty intensity to deep emotion and blending elements of vulnerability and aggression. Born in Latvia, he currently resides in Germany, continuing his work in music while exploring new avenues for growth in his career.
November 22, 2024, marked the release of Vein of Gold's debut album, Strangers In This World. This album explores themes of disappointment, anger, and love through a dark, emotive, and playful blend of alternative rock, goth, blues, and folk. Featuring eight tracks, including a collaboration with singer Helene Navne, it is the first album of Damon Ryder's career, who is the main creative force behind Vein of Gold.
In 2025, Damon turned his focus to metal. Shortly after performing at the Munky Pride festival, Razormade's original debut single Heartbleed was released on July 25. Written and produced by Damon, Heartbleed features Fabio Alessandrini on drums — the same drummer who played on the Rebel Yell metal cover released on March 8, 2023.
Damon remained open to new and unexpected opportunities that could contribute to his artistic growth and career development. In early 2025, this openness led him to join the German industrial metal band Atomic Assassins as their lead singer. Throughout the year, the band focused on writing and developing their first material, culminating in the release of their debut single, Killing Time, on Bandcamp on December 19, 2025. The track serves as the first and currently only single from their forthcoming EP, scheduled for release in early 2026. Damon also took part in the co-mixing process for the EP after the band expressed dissatisfaction with the initial studio sound. Following his revisions, the material was sent to a different studio for final mixing and mastering, resulting in a sound the band fully embraced. Atomic Assassins are now preparing for their first live performances and looking ahead with anticipation to the next chapter of the project.
His most recent original and collaborative works are also shared through the Magic and Witchcraft Telegram channel and mailing list. It's a creative platform he founded to showcase his music, art, and merchandise.
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