The Band Led By Ron Rinehart Reissues Its First EP | Oil Returns In Reissue Form
It’s not a comeback per se—at least not yet—but Oil is back with a long-awaited reissue of its first foray into a recording studio. The release in question is the self-titled EP “Oil”, originally released in 1997. While it has been completely out of print to date, thanks to the folks at No Life ’Til Metal Records, it will once again be available on both vinyl and CD in a reissue that will feature a meticulous remastering.
For those who don’t know, Oil was an American band within the White Metal scene, formed in Southern California in 1997. The group was fronted by Ron Rinehart, the acclaimed vocalist best known for his work with the influential California Thrash Metal band Dark Angel.
Rinehart joined the project several years after Dark Angel’s initial dissolution in 1992, bringing with him a powerful voice and an established reputation in the Metal community. Co-founder and lead guitarist Blake Nelson was equally central to Oil’s sound and identity. Nelson brought an extensive Metal background of his own, having performed with bands including Deceiver, Desire, and Captain Black. The original lineup was completed by drummer Jason Vander Pal and bassist Matthew Joy, who was later replaced by Jonathan Thiemens.
Although Rinehart was known for the speed and aggression of his Thrash Metal roots, Oil pursued a distinctly different musical direction. The band developed a contemporary, mid-paced sound built around power, groove, and traditional heavy metal, with occasional passages that leaned into doom metal. Rinehart adapted his vocal delivery accordingly, emphasizing soulful melodies and a darker, more deliberate approach without sacrificing the commanding edge that had defined his earlier work. Oil’s lyrics were explicitly faith-based, offering messages of hope, perseverance, and encouragement to a world the band viewed as spiritually in need.
Oil introduced its music in 1997 with a self-released, self-titled five-track EP. The recording earned enthusiastic reviews and helped the band establish an audience within the Christian Metal scene. Encouraged by the response, Oil continued building momentum and ultimately secured a recording agreement with the now-defunct Kalubone Records.
That partnership led to Oil’s first full-length album, Refine, a release praised for its direct, honest, and no-frills approach to heavy metal. The band supported the album with live performances, including a memorable appearance at the sold-out “Stryper Expo” in 2002, held at “Azusa Pacific University” during Stryper’s reunion period. Soon after the album’s release, however, Rinehart experienced a personal setback that temporarily left him unable to perform. As a result, Oil was absent from the stage for nearly a year. Following his recovery, Rinehart and the band returned to live activity, appearing as special guests for Disciple and taking every opportunity they could to perform and reconnect with listeners.
Oil’s final album was the live recording “Choice Cuts Off the Chopping Block”, captured at “First Baptist Church in Downey”, California, in November 2002 and later released through Roxx Records and Sacrivox. In addition to documenting the band’s live energy, the album featured two new acoustic songs, “This Is My Prayer” and “Medicine Man”, revealing another dimension of Oil’s songwriting. When bassist Matthew Joy stepped away in May 2003, the band recruited Jonathan Thiemens of Blind Sacrifices as a temporary replacement. By July 2003, Thiemens had become a permanent member of the lineup.
In July 2004, Oil announced that the band would disband. The group closed this chapter with a final performance on August 14 at The Lighthouse in Long Beach, sharing the bill with Recon, East West, Trauma, and Terrestrial Harvest. The farewell show marked the end of Oil’s original run after several years of recordings, live appearances, and faith based Heavy Metal.
In the years that followed, the members continued their individual musical journeys. Ron Rinehart ultimately returned as the frontman of Dark Angel, which reemerged with the 2025 album “Extinction Level Event”. The band has since remained active on the road, appearing at major metal festivals around the world. Blake Nelson also continued creating music, fronting Blakenstein and releasing the album “13th Hour”.
Although there are currently no plans to reunite Oil, the band’s legacy is poised to receive renewed attention. At the end of 2026 and into 2027, the group will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the self-titled EP; an important release from the Christian metal scene of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The EP will be remastered, expanded, and issued in limited-edition vinyl and CD formats through Roxx Records and NoLifeTilMetal Records. This special release will give longtime supporters an opportunity to revisit Oil’s beginnings while introducing a new generation of listeners to the band’s music and message.
Members
Ron Rinehart – Lead Vocals
Blake Nelson – Guitars (formerly of Deceiver)
Jason Vander Pal – Drums
Matthew Joy – Bass (Later replaced by Jonathan Thiemens in 2003)
Discography
Self Titled EP – 1997
Refine – 2000
Choice Cuts Off The Chopping Block – 2003
Self Titled EP (Remastered and Expanded) – 2027
All that’s left is to stay tuned for this big news, and to that end, here are the band’s social media handles and, of course, the label releasing this new reissue of a historic album.
