When you think of heavy music, images of raw power, defiance, and innovation come to mind—and Black creators have been at the forefront of this movement. Although often underestimated, these innovative musicians are known for their groundbreaking music, which blends punk’s rebellious spirit, metal’s intensity, and unique artistry. I’m a drummer and I’ve done Thrash, Crossover, and Death Metal projects over the years, some known, some not so much. But here in New York, I’ve grown up seeing everyone on stage. So this Black History Month, I want to show off the sounds of ten essential bands shaped by Black visionaries who have left an indelible mark on the world of heavy music. From thrash to hardcore, and everything in between. These bands embody the spirit of heavy music in all its glory. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Animals As Leaders
Iwrestledabearonce Are Planning a Reunion in The Near Future
To paraphrase the 2004 Martin Scorsese movie The Departed “Through the Principles of Detection” it looks like a long hoped-for reunion of metalcore genre-blenders iwrestledabearonce is in fact, “all happening!” During an episode of Nerding Out With Rickshaw, bassist Mike “Rickshaw” Martin confirmed that he has been discussing the idea with vocalist Krysta Cameron. The band had a meteoric rise in the 2000s and 2010s following in the footsteps of Mr. Bungle, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and The Residents and others and paving the way for diverse but heavy bands such as The Callous Daoboys, Jinjer, Steaksauce Mustache, Animals As Leaders, Entheos, and iwabo’s later descendants – Spiritbox (featuring final iwabo vocalist, Courtney LaPlante, and countless modern bands. The trendsetting band was a musical and fashion leader (top tier t-shirt game) band was hugely popular among Metalcore and Deathcore fans, but also disliked by greybeard old-school metal heads too. Continue reading
FESTIVAL REVIEW: ArcTangent Festival 2024 Live at Fernhill Farm
2024 marks ArcTanGent’s 10th anniversary. Taking place across five stages at Fernhill Farm near Bristol, the festival specialises in progressive, largely heavy music. It is Metal-orientated, but the festival’s remit also extends to other styles including Indie and Electronic Music. ATG 2024 sees over 130 bands and artists performing over three “main” days plus a warm-up day.Continue reading
The Summer Slaughter Tour to Finally Return This Summer After Four Years
According to a report from our friends at Lambgoat.com, The Summer Slaughter Tour will return after a four-year absence in 2024! Their official Instagram shared an image stating “We Are Back!” as well as Sumerian Records, a regular sponsor of the tour and provider of bands and support! The tour will be from July-August and will take place in US and Canada. The post also featured the track “Dynasty” from Brand of Sacrifice, hinting that they may be a part of the tour lineup. The band was on The Summer Slaughter tour in 2019. First taking place in 2007 in the USA and expanding to Canada, and Europe, the tour was responsible for the growth of popularity, especially in the USA of such bands as Necrophagist, The Black Dahlia Murder, Decapitated, Job For A Cowboy, Suicide Silence, Between The Buried and Me, Animals As Leaders, Cattle Decapitation, The Faceless, Periphery, and more. See the post below. Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Nick Schendzielos Talks Up The Comeback of Job For a Cowboy, and The “Moon Healer” Album
Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with Nick Schendzielos of Job For a Cowboy, who are releasing their comeback album “Moon Healer” on February 23rd, 2024 via Metal Blade Records! Nick went deep into the concept of the album, the sequel to 2014s “Sun Eater” and how the band worked on the tracks for the new record. Nick also chatted about the bands’ move away from Deathcore in their early days, writing with drummer Navene Koperweis (of labelmates Entheos, ex-Animals As Leaders), bass guitar mastery, some details for the next JFAC releases, and much more!Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Job For A Cowboy – Moon Healer
It has been many years, but finally, the return of Job For A Cowboy is upon us!
Once known for a certain EP that helped pioneer an entire genre we call deathcore, JFAC has since evolved greatly and picked up where they left off with their new release, Moon Healer (Metal Blade Records). This journey through a person seeking enlightenment through some pseudo-alchemy edibles is the level of chaos that the death metal world was yearning for.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Plini – Mirage
Work on Mirage began shortly after Plini’s acclaimed second album, Impulse Voices (2020).
Has it been worth the wait?
Meshuggah and Animals As Leaders Announced for Tenth ArcTanGent Festival in 2024
ArcTanGent festival has announce its first 2024 main stage headliner, Meshuggah, who will headline on the Friday night as a UK exclusive. Also on the main stage, just before them, are Animals As Leaders, with an EU exclusive show. They join Red Fang, Bossk, Textures, Conan, and many others at the event next August, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Find out more below.
ALBUM REVIEW: Creak – Depth Perception
Depth Perception is the debut full-length album from recent Prosthetic Records signees Creak, a heavy new metallic Hardcore band hailing from Newcastle UK.
Animals As Leaders Cancel Their Upcoming European Tour
In the post-pandemic era, touring has become increasingly difficult, especially in Europe. Animal As Leaders have just been forced to cancel its upcoming European tour, just ahead of its first date. The band has given no explanation for the cancelation but announced in a statement to fans that they will announce rescheduled dates in the oncoming weeks.