St. Joseph band Injected Element has only been around for a little over a year, but they’ve already managed to accomplish some pretty big things.

The band won first place at Metal Wars 2008 in Kansas City, beating out more than 30 of the Midwest’s best metal groups for the title. They also were nominated as one of the best new bands of 2007 by the Kansas City-based Heavy Frequency Magazine.

Yeah, the past year’s been pretty good for Injected Element.

“It was nothing that we expected,” says drummer Pat Jonas, “but is was definitely what we strive to do.”

Jonas attributes the band’s rapid rise to the fact that its members have been focused on success.

“I think it’s because we have all stayed on the same page for the group,” he says. “We all strive for one goal, as a group.”

It helps that the bands members — which include vocalist Jordan Wallace, guitarist Shawn Russell, bass player and backup vocalist Jay Blacketer and new guitarist Terry Musser — were experienced musicians before forming Injected Element. Unhappy with their previous bands, the guys decided to get together and see what kind of music they could make.

“We just pulled all the pieces together and decided to make a product out of it last year and see what we could do with it,” Blacketer says.

The result was Injected Element, which the band describes as “new wave/thrash metal.” The sound, which combines elements of old and new metal, is unique to the Midwest metal scene.

“I’ve yet to hear other bands play the style of metal we play, because it ranges,” Jonas says. “It goes from like a Pantera mix to a Tool mix, and back and forth, like Mudvane also ... Together it’s new, but it takes you back to the old roots of metal also.”

Injected Element also strays from typical music topics, like relationships or partying, focusing on real issues instead.

“We’re one of those bands that discuss political views and current events,” Blacketer says. “We’re trying to motivate and make people aware of the stuff that’s going on, not scare them away from it.”

After a year like 2007, Injected Element is going to have to work to top it. They’re on track, with the release of their first album set for later this month and a chance to play in 98.9 The Rock’s Freaker’s Ball in Kansas City this fall.

“We’re hoping to stretch the limit,” Jonas says. “... We’re hoping this year brings the same success as last year, or more.”

Hear it

Who: Injected Element

Where: Ol’ Lamplighter Inn, 301 Middleton, St. Joseph

Time: 10 p.m. May 10

Cost: $2

Visit: www.myspace.com/injectedelement

Lifestyles reporter Lacey Storer can be reached at lstorer@npgco.com