Band Biography

Maria David Jason Doug Carlos

The Story of Wounded Soul

 www.myspace.com/woundedsoulband


 Soft Tone Productions, Inc.


In the fall of 2003, Maria began forming an original hard rock band which would give her the ability to sing, perform, and be who she truly is. The name of that band is Wounded Soul. Inspired by her life, she saw herself as a soul with battle scars. Like so many of us, though wounded, we are only that much more determined, stronger, and willing to fight for our place. Over a few months she also found the musicians to complete not just her music but her life.

Wounded Soul desires to create a new sound, a blend of hard edgy rock with progressive attributes. They include worldly textures such as tribal beats, Arabic tones, spiritual lyrics, and pound for pound explosive, pumping, head-banging music. Wounded Soul launched onto the NC music scene - doing open mics, benefits, and opening gigs to get their music out. Wounded Soul has since become one of the hottest new bands in North Carolina. Their heavy progressive sound can be linked to influences of Evanescence, Tool, P.O.D, Korn, and ethnic meditational textures. Maria's powerful voice carries a spirit that cannot be ignored. Their adrenaline-pumping shows, stage and audience interaction, high energy sound, and all around presence provide awesome experiences for those who share their love for the music. Working with Grammy-nominated Producer John Custer (Dag, Cry of Love, Corrosion of Conformity), Wounded Soul is now ready to be unleashed!


Maria Ward

 www.myspace.com/mariaward


Born and raised in California, Maria has been singing and performing since age 5. She began writing her own songs at age 9. On her own since 15, Maria won karaoke contests and did what she had too to pay her bills. She continued to write as she grew older, revealing a unique writing style. Not playing an instrument herself, the melodies and lyrics seemed to flow out together. Her music and voice showed a maturity vast beyond her years. At age 19 she traveled by bus to Nashville, Tn. to fulfill her dream of being a professional singer, where she was dubbed "The next Crystal Gale". She was offered recording contracts but turned them down after realizing that being true to herself was more important than fame. She returned to California, bubbles burst, and looking for a new direction. Following her heart she moved to begin a new life here in Raleigh, NC.  She has done radio interviews locally including 96 rock!

Over the past  years Maria has truly found herself, her style, and her musical flow. Her styles sure have changed. She now looks to create a new sound-A mixture of strong progressive rock, honest lyrics, spiritual overtones and ethnic accents. Teaming up with talented musicians, Maria strives to connect with spirit, people, and to blow the music world apart. She hopes you enjoy the music and will come out and support the band.


David Shek

 www.myspace.com/davidshek


David was born in Annapolis, MD, and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. His musical education began with 10 years of classical piano lessons, from ages 5 to 15, and thereafter, he began to teach himself the guitar and drums, influenced heavily by the sounds of Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and many other classic rock and heavy metal artists. After participating in various bands in middle and high school, including Tin Zen (guitar) and Below the Root (drums), he went off to college in Chapel Hill, NC. He performed drums for several musicals, including A Chorus Line, Little Shop of Horrors, Company and Godspell.

After graduating with a psychology degree and moving around to various places, he ended up back in Raleigh, NC. In Raleigh, his eyes were finally opened to the sounds of progressive rock/metal, and his playing lately definitely shows the influence of drummers like Neil Peart (Rush) and Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater).


Jason Johns

 www.myspace.com/eviljason


Born Youngstown, Ohio in late 73 Jason first got into guitars after hearing Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard. Jason was influenced early on by the rhythm guitars of 80's metal such as Def Leppard, Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. These days bands like Opeth, Shadowsfall, Eluveitie and 3 Inches of Blood are mainstays on his iPod.

A self taught guitarist Jason brings to Wounded Soul the strong rhythm and creative thrust which helps drive the energy of this band. He is also Major Pain, referee for the Carolina Rollergirls. You will see Jason performing on stage and refereeing in Dorton arena and around the country wearing his Utilikilts!. Jason plays a Washburn Idol and uses Line 6 amplification.


Doug Hamel



Hailing originally from the Hudson valley area, Doug moved to North Carolina in 1994. A lifelong fan of all things musical, at a young age he was drawn to bands such as Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, etc. He currently enjoys listening to bands such as Clutch, C.O.C., Down, Tool, Opeth, and many others. He continues to love rock in all forms and has returned to Wounded Soul with amped energy and creative drives. Doug has a long list of experience including touring in a National Band More Than Nothing. He is incredibly professional, thorough, and steadfast when it comes to music. He brings music as well as lyrics and passion and is a crucial aspect to Wounded Soul. He uses Ampeg Amplification, Ibanez basses and products from Sennheiser, Nady, Korg and Anvil.


Carlos Ameri

 www.myspace.com/carlosameri


Carlos Ameri is a veteran of the Raleigh, NC music scene, the span of his experience dating back to the late 80’s and early 90’s. This is a time period when the Raleigh Alt. Rock/Metal/Punk scene was very much alive and thriving with a huge local fan base. He has concentrated his efforts in the Metal and Alt. Rock scenes, bringing years of writing/performing/touring/recording experience as a guitarist and vocalist for some of the areas most interesting band projects. He’s always maintained a level of musicianship, creativity, professionalism and personal integrity rarely found in your run-of-the-mill area musicians.

His musical focus has been one of bombastic, heavy guitar riffs, strong rhythm sense, dynamic melody, off-kilter lead work, intense vocals, worldly imaginings and a deep appreciation of all things left-of-center. The human condition and its evolution have been at the core of his philosophies and musical thoughts. Experimentation has led him to many places both musically and physically on the planet. He’s also into ancient culture studies, a fanatic/geek about music gear and anything to do with and about Koalas (really, he loves them). His favorite color is Cobalt Blue.

Guitar/Vocals - Tub of Noise, 1990 - 1992

Guitar/b-up vocals ­ Detura, 1993/94

Guitar/Vocals ­ Bone Shelter, 1995 - 2003
(Reunion in 2008)

Guitar/b-up vocals ­ 137, 2004 - 2006

Guitar/Vocals ­ Hand of Doom 2003 - Present
(ongoing Black Sabbath tribute side-project with Raleigh area music scene veterans/friends including Keith Fairweather of Volume 11 Tavern)