Attila: A Metalcore Mayhem Retrospective

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Attila emerged onto the metalcore scene in 2005, blending aggressive metalcore with prominent rap and nu-metal influences. While formed in 2005, the band didn't launch into full-time touring until around 2010, steadily building a dedicated following. Their sound, spearheaded by frontman Chris "Fronz" Fronzak, quickly gained traction, leading to eight full-length albums.

The band's breakthrough came with About That Life, produced by Joey Sturgis and released June 25, 2013. This album peaked at #22 on the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying their position in the metalcore hierarchy.

Attila's extensive touring history is a testament to their relentless energy. They've shared stages with a diverse range of acts, including heavy hitters like Hed PE, Insane Clown Posse, and Emmure, along with fellow metalcore bands such as Arsonists Get All the Girls, See You Next Tuesday, Chelsea Grin, The Agonist, Oceano, Falling in Reverse, and even the pop-punk outfit Metro Station. This eclectic mix reflects Attila's broad appeal and their ability to connect with fans across subgenres.

Early Days: From Atlanta Streets to Artery Recordings (2005-2011)

Formed in Atlanta by Chris "Fronz" Fronzak, Sean Heenan, Sam Halcomb, Matt Booth, and Kris Wilson—all high school acquaintances or friends—Attila's name, inspired by Attila the Hun, was chosen by Fronz from a book. The band quickly became part of the Artery Foundation/Razor & Tie joint venture, Artery Recordings, further solidifying their place in the burgeoning metalcore landscape.

Their journey began with the self-released demo Fallacy (March 30, 2007), dispelling the common misconception that it was released through Statik Factory. Their debut album, Soundtrack to a Party, followed in 2008, this time under the Statik Factory umbrella before signing with Artery Recordings. Early tours saw them sharing bills with Arsonists Get All the Girls, See You Next Tuesday, Chelsea Grin, American Me, and We Are The End, laying the groundwork for their future success.

Chicagos Harms Way emerged from the ashes of the straight-edge punk band Few and the Proud in 2006, initially conceived as a playful side project. Their early sound was a blistering cocktail of short, fast powerviolence, heavily influenced by acts like Crossed Out and Infest. Drummer Chris Mills describes their beginnings: "Super-fast powerviolence songs, with a masked singer belting out silly lyrics about beating up frat boys." This irreverent energy, however, soon gave way to a darker, more serious direction.

Their evolution saw them shed the comedic elements and embrace a heavier, death metal-influenced sound. This progression was documented across several releases through Organized Crime Records and Closed Casket Activities. By 2011, the band had released their second studio album, Isolation, which caught the attention of Converge's Jacob Bannon. This led to a pivotal moment: Harm's Way signing to Deathwish Inc. Their subsequent releases, including Reality Approaches (2009), Rust (2015), and the critically acclaimed Metal Blade Records debut Posthuman (2018), solidified their unique blend of metal, industrial, and hardcore, cementing their place as a significant force in the heavy music scene.

Obituary: Death Metal Titans from Florida

Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Obituary emerged in 1984, initially under the name Executioner, and quickly established themselves as a cornerstone of the death metal genre. Their impact on the scene is undeniable, cementing their place as one of the genre’s most enduring and successful acts. Over their career, they've unleashed eleven studio albums, maintaining a relentless touring schedule with only a brief five-year hiatus from 1998 to 2003.

The band's current lineup features the Tardy brothers – John on guttural vocals and Donald on drums – alongside rhythm guitarist Trevor Peres, bassist Terry Butler, and lead guitarist Ken Andrews. While the band has seen lineup changes throughout its history, the Tardy brothers and Peres remain the constants, their unwavering commitment a testament to Obituary's longevity.

Obituary's signature sound is built on a foundation of crushing, groove-laden guitar and drum riffs, perfectly complemented by John Tardy's iconic, earth-shattering growl. This potent combination established a distinctive death metal sound that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.

Early Years (1984-1990): From Executioner to Xecutioner to Obituary

Formed in Seffner, Florida as Executioner in 1984, a name change to Xecutioner followed quickly after discovering another band using the same name. The original lineup comprised John Tardy (vocals), Donald Tardy (drums), Trevor Peres (rhythm guitar), Jerome Grable (bass), and Jerry Tidwell (lead guitar). Influenced by bands like Savatage and Nasty Savage, as well as their contemporaries in the burgeoning Florida death metal scene (Death and Morbid Angel), the band honed their craft, releasing demos between 1985 and 1987 (the 1985 demo as Executioner, and the subsequent demos as Xecutioner).

Hailing from Long Island, New York, Incendiary are a hardcore punk force to be reckoned with. Their explosive career ignited in 2008 with the Amongst The Filth 7-inch EP. They quickly followed up with their debut full-length, Crusade, in 2009 via Eternal Hope Records. Subsequent releases cemented their status: Cost of Living (2013) and Thousand Mile Stare (2017), both on Closed Casket Activities, showcased their increasingly ferocious sound.

Beyond their studio work, Incendiary's impact extended to the world of professional wrestling. In 2017, they collaborated with CFO$ to create the theme song for NXT wrestler Aleister Black, even performing it live at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III alongside Code Orange members.

While not a constantly touring band, Incendiary have made significant festival appearances, including a killer set at France's Hellfest 2022 alongside heavyweights like Metallica, Bring Me The Horizon, and Mercyful Fate. Their impressive live history also includes opening for Backtrack at a final Amityville show at the Revolution Bar & Music Hall. Incendiary's legacy is built on a potent blend of studio prowess and electrifying live performances.

Gates To Hell is a Louisville, Kentucky based band who released their debut self-titled album in September of 2022. The band consists of vocalist Ryan Storey, bassist Dustin Cantrell, guitarists Seth Lewis, Stephen Price, and Eli Hanson, and drummer Jared Barron.

Hailing from Lansing, Michigan, Of Virtue emerged onto the metalcore scene in 2008. This powerhouse quartet—featuring Tyler Ennis on lead vocals, Damon Tate on guitar and co-lead vocals, Michael Valadez on guitar, and Ryan Trinh on drums—has steadily built a formidable discography.

Their journey began with the self-released To Breathe Again EP in 2009, followed by their debut full-length, Heartsounds, in 2011. They further solidified their sound with the Learn/Love EP in 2012 and the critically acclaimed Salvation in 2015. After releasing the singles "Surrounded" and "Torn Apart" in 2018, Of Virtue signed with SharpTone Records in early 2019, dropping "Suffer" as a precursor to their third studio album, What Defines You.

Now, with a legacy of three albums and three EPs, Of Virtue continues to make waves. Their latest offering, Omen, is set to drop September 29th, 2023, promising another chapter in their compelling and hard-hitting musical narrative.

Picture this: a rock-solid library, not your average mellow acoustic set. From the Middle Ages to the 18th century, most libraries – think massive, sprawling venues – were chained libraries. This wasn't some punk rock rebellion, but a practical, albeit expensive, anti-theft system. Valuable tomes – the heavy hitters, the reference albums, the oversized concept pieces – were chained to their shelves. Think of it as a librarian's ultimate security system, a hefty chain acting as the ultimate gatekeeper.

The chains weren’t just haphazardly slapped on; they were strategically attached to corners or covers, protecting the spines from wear and tear – preventing the equivalent of a record skipping during a crucial guitar solo. This meant the books were displayed spine-out, fore-edges facing the reader—a unique presentation that facilitated easy access without tangling the chains. It was a carefully orchestrated system, preventing theft and maximizing accessibility. Librarians even added extra protection, invoking curses on any would-be book thieves, adding a bit of gothic metal to the whole operation.

Removing a book required the librarian's key, making them the exclusive DJs of these literary archives. It was a high-security system, and a testament to the value placed on knowledge, a powerful riff in the history of information access.

Hailing from Calabasas, California, Incubus emerged from the ashes of Calabasas High School in 1991. The initial lineup featured vocalist Brandon Boyd, guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer José Pasillas. They later added bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich and DJ Lyfe (Gavin Koppel), before solidifying their classic lineup with bassist Ben Kenney and DJ Kilmore. In 2024, Nicole Row took over bass duties from Kenney.

Incubus' journey to multi-platinum success wasn't overnight. While their early albums, Fungus Amongus (1995) and S.C.I.E.N.C.E. (1997), laid the groundwork, it was 1999's Make Yourself that propelled them into the mainstream. The album spawned several hits, most notably the chart-topping anthem "Drive." This success continued with Morning View (2001) and A Crow Left of the Murder... (2004). The band cemented their status with their #1 debut album, Light Grenades (2006), followed by the greatest hits compilation Monuments and Melodies (2009), and the studio album If Not Now, When (2011). Incubus further demonstrated their creative output with the Trust Fall (Side A) EP (2015) and their eighth studio album, simply titled 8, in 2017. Their enduring career showcases a band that consistently evolved and delivered, establishing them as a cornerstone act of alternative rock.

Formed in September 2009, Bodybox is a Tacoma-based trio whose diverse influences defy easy categorization. Their sound is best experienced live, so we encourage you to catch them at a show in the Puget Sound region (Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle).

Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Big Ass Truck (BAT) carved a unique niche in the American rock scene. Their sound was a potent blend of rock, hip-hop, funk, and psychedelia, further amplified by the live turntable work of their DJ, who layered beats, loops, and samples into their recordings and electrifying performances. Following the release of their 2001 album, The Rug, the band went on hiatus, but roared back to life with live shows in 2021.

Lineup:

The original Big Ass Truck lineup featured a powerhouse of talent: drummer Robert Barnett, DJ Colin Butler, bassist Joe Boone, keyboardist Alex Greene, and singer/guitarists Robby Grant and Steve Selvidge. The band's dynamic shifted throughout the '90s, with a revolving door of bassists including John C. Stubblefield (Lucero/Jello Biafra's band), Grayson Grant, and Dros Liposack, as well as keyboardist Chris Parker. Producer Ross Rice also occasionally joined the band.

History:

Big Ass Truck's self-titled debut album dropped in 1995, quickly establishing their presence. Significant touring followed, notably a Southern US run supporting 311. They released their second album, Kent, in 1996, and also dropped the Sack Lunch EP on Yep Roc Records.