Heavy metal and the Marines may not sound like a healthy combination, but for Deadfront singer/guitarist Aaron Peltz, it has spawned a new hobby and possibly a career.

“I first picked up guitar while in the service,” Peltz said. “Being in the Marines can get pretty boring. I’d also been in a couple of high school bands but nothing really big. After all of that, I started a band of my own through connections I had made over the years.”

When the band originally formed in Des Moines three years, Deadfront consisted of Dan Spain on drums, Peltz on guitar and Max Hudson on vocals.

The group quickly recognized something was missing and decided to do some reorganizing. Peltz opted to take over at the mic and Hudson picked up a guitar.

Deadfront then invited two newcomers to the then trio, bassist Shawn Economaki and guitarist Jim Root, both from the group Stone Sour which broke up last August.

“We’re heavy and aggressive — very energy driven. I’d compare us to the Deftones and Korn,” Economaki said. “Tool had some influence on us too.

“Our shows can get pretty crazy. There’s a lotta sweat,” he added. “A couple weeks ago one guy ended up with seven stitches after three fights broke out.”

When it comes to taking the stage, Deadfront is definitely a crowd-oriented band.

“I’d like to have a big wall of people out in front of me to jump into, but unfortunately we don’t have that kind of following yet, and I’d probably end up on the floor,” Economaki joked.

Despite Deadfront’s lack of huge audiences, the band is still very dedicated to what it does. The group practices three to four times a week and plays live shows almost every weekend (usually at The Runway or Safari Club, both in Des Moines).

Deadfront plan to head into Catamount Studios in Cedar Falls this spring to begin recording the band’s first demo tape.

“We’re gonna really try to sell this one to help promote ourselves,” Economaki said.

Deadfront will be playing two shows at the Safari Club in Des Moines Saturday along with the Ames hardcore band 35″ Mudder. There is an all-ages show at 5 p.m. and a 21-and-over show at 10 p.m.