The Armed

Americas United States Metalcore Hardcore Punk

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Band Timeline

2009

Formation and Debut Album Release

The Armed was formed in Detroit, Michigan, emerging from an earlier band named Slicer Dicer. This collective approached music with a unique style blending hardcore punk, metalcore, and experimental elements. Their debut album, "These Are Lights," was released for free in 2009 to maximize reach and maintain quality control. The album was mixed by noted producer Kurt Ballou, setting the stage for a project characterized by anonymity and frequent guest collaborators. This approach helped them build an underground following while emphasizing music access over commercial gain.

2010-2013

Release of Multiple EPs

Between 2010 and 2013, The Armed released several EPs that developed their reputation in the hardcore scene. Their first EP, "Common Enemies," came out in July 2010 and featured guest Chris Pennie. This was followed by "Young & Beautiful" in October 2011, again mixed by Kurt Ballou and featuring Pennie. In December 2012, they released "Spreading Joy," with Pennie performing on all tracks, illustrating their collaborative nature. They continued their momentum with a split EP with Tharsis They in 2013, further expanding their creative output and solidifying relationships with notable musicians in the hardcore community.

2015-2016

Second Album and Live Recording

The Armed released their second album, "Untitled," in June 2015, continuing their enigmatic approach to music production by obscuring contributors’ roles, except for guest drummer Nick Yacyshyn and longtime engineer Kurt Ballou. This album furthered their abstract identity while refining their sound. In June 2016, they released their first live album, "Unanticipated," allowing fans to experience the band's intense live presence, which is important to the hardcore punk ethos. These releases showcased the band's evolving sound and commitment to maintaining their mysterious persona.

2018-2020

Release of "Only Love" and Notable Collaborations

In April 2018, The Armed released "Only Love," noted for the presence of guest drummer Ben Koller, who brought in experience from bands like Converge. Koller’s involvement came with stories illustrating the band's mystique, including deceptive information about other collaborators to preserve the group’s anonymity and eccentric reputation. Although told that Rob Trujillo would play bass, he was not involved, highlighting the project’s intentional obscurity and myth-making. Kurt Ballou produced the album, and the band continued to blend intense hardcore sounds with their signature mystery, which kept fans intrigued and engaged.

Albums

Sponsor content

Members

Current

Name

Begin

Occupation

Tony Wolski

N/A

Drums (drum set)

Story of The Armed

The Armed: A Force of Unpredictable Noise in the Hardcore Scene

The Armed, often represented by the symbol 🔪, are a shrouded American hardcore punk collective hailing from Detroit, Michigan. Their identity is as elusive as their music, with no official members publicly revealed. However, the enigmatic project is often associated with creative director and advertising guru Tony Wolski, formerly known as Adam Vallely.

Their sound is a chaotic blend of hardcore punk, metalcore, post-hardcore, and experimental hardcore, infused with a potent dose of self-deprecating humor. The Armed have embraced a cult-like presentation, often referring to themselves as "the world's greatest band" and employing the mantra "refract" as a recurring motif.

Their music thrives on collaboration, featuring guest appearances from a rotating roster of musicians, including Chris Pennie, Nick Yacyshyn, Ben Koller, Troy Van Leeuwen, and Urian Hackney. Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou has also been a consistent presence, lending his expertise to the recording and production of most of their releases.

From Slicer Dicer to "These Are Lights"

Wolski claims The Armed emerged from the ashes of a Detroit band called Slicer Dicer. Their debut album, "These Are Lights", mixed by Kurt Ballou, was released for free in 2009. Wolski explained this unconventional release strategy to Thrash Hits: "Wanting people to actually hear the music made us give it away for free. We've all played in other bands for a while now, and whether it is good or not, it's undeniable that for the most part young people do not place the same sense of monetary value on recordings as they once did."

This move epitomized The Armed's approach: unconventional, unpredictable, and unafraid to challenge the norms of the music industry. Their music, like their identity, is a mystery waiting to be unraveled, leaving audiences both intrigued and bewildered.