{"key":"24386","name":"Dream Theater","bio":"Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts, before they dropped out to support the band. Though a number of lineup changes followed, including Portnoy's departure in 2010, Petrucci and Myung remain today along with James LaBrie, Jordan Rudess and Mike Mangini.The band has had moderate mainstream success, notably with Pull Me Under in the early 1990s, which received extensive MTV rotation. Dream Theater's (commonly abbreviated 'DT') three highest selling albums are the gold selling Images and Words (1992), despite it reaching only #61 on the Billboard 200 charts, and Awake (1994) which reached #32 on the Billboard 200. Systematic Chaos entered US Billboard 200 at #19. Black Clouds and Silver Linings reached #6 on the Billboard 200 Charts. On November 30, 2011, the album's lead single, \"On the Backs of Angels\", was nominated for a Grammy Award in the \"Best Hard Rock\/Metal Performance\" category, marking the band's first ever Grammy nomination. Dream Theater's self-titled twelfth studio album was released on September 23, 2013 and earned their second Grammy Award nomination, this time for \u201cBest Metal Performance\u201d, for the album's first single, \"The Enemy Inside\".Dream Theater has sold over two million albums in the U.S., and over 8 million albums and DVDs worldwide.In January of 2005, the band obtained their first United States platinum disc (representing 100 000 DVDs sold) with Live At Budokan, recorded April 2004 in Tokyo, Japan.The band released an album entitled Systematic Chaos, their ninth studio album, in collaboration with their new label Roadrunner Records. The album is available in two formats, first one being just a regular edition CD and the other being a CD\/DVD album with the entire album mixed in 5.1 surround sound and also \"Chaos in Progress - The Making of Systematic Chaos\" (a 90-minute documentary directed by Mike Portnoy).The band is well-known for the technical proficiency of each instrumentalist, winning many awards from music magazines. They are highly respected by many of rock and metal's biggest names, leading to collaborations between Dream Theater members and many other well known musicians. In a famous example, guitarist John Petrucci was named as the third player on the G3 tour with Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, following in the foot steps of Eric Johnson, Robert Fripp, and Yngwie Malmsteen.Dream Theater is also noted for their musical versatility and the many different genres their music incorporates, which has made it possible for them to perform with a very diverse range of acts. Some of their more notable touring partners include Deep Purple, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Iron Maiden, Joe Satriani, King's X, Marillion, Megadeth, In Flames, Pain of Salvation, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Queensr\u00ffche, Spock's Beard, Fear Factory, Enchant, Symphony X, Yes, Big Wreck, I Mother Earth and Fates Warning.Current members:* James LaBrie - Vocals, percussion (1991 - present)* John Myung - Bass, Chapman Stick (1985 - present)* John Petrucci - Guitars, backing vocals (1985 - present)* Mike Mangini - Drums, percussion (2010 - present)* Jordan Rudess - Keyboards, lap steel guitar, Continuum (1999 - present)Former members:* Chris Collins - Vocals (1985-1986)* Charlie Dominici - Vocals (1987- 1990)* Kevin Moore - Keyboards (1985-1994)* Derek Sherinian - Keyboards (1994-1998)* Mike Portnoy -Drums, percussion, backing vocals (1985-2010)Studio albums and EPs:1989 - When Dream and Day Unite1992 - Images and Words1994 - Awake1995 - A Change of Seasons (EP)1997 - Falling into Infinity1999 - Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory2002 - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence2003 - Train of Thought2005 - Octavarium2007 - Systematic Chaos2009 - Black Clouds & Silver Linings2011 - A Dramatic Turn of Events2013 - Dream Theater2016 - The AstonishingSingles:1992 - Pull Me Under1992 - Another Day1994 - Lie1994 - The Silent Man1997 - Hollow Years2000 - Through Her Eyes2003 - As I Am2007 - Constant Motion2009 - A Rite of Passage2009 - WitherLive albums:1993 - Live at the Marquee1998 - Once in a LIVEtime2001 - Live Scenes From New York2004 - Live at Budokan2006 - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra2008 - CHAOS in MotionOfficial Bootlegs (from Ytse Jam Records):1985-1986 - The Majesty (Demo)1987-1989 - When Dream And Day Unite Demo (Demo)1989-1991 - Images and Words Demo (Demo)1994 - Awake Demo (Demo)1995 - Tokyo, Japan (10\/28\/95) (Live)1996 - Old Bridge, New Jersey (12\/14\/96) (Live)1999 - The Making of Scenes From a Memory (Studio Recordings)2002 - The Number of the Beast (10\/24\/02) (Live)2002 - Master of Puppets (02\/19\/02) (Live)2004 - When Dream and Day Reunite (03\/06\/04) (Live)2005 - Dark Side of the Moon (10\/25\/05) (Live)2007 - Made in Japan (Live)International Fan Club Releases (Christmas CDs):1996 - Christmas CD1997 - The Making Of Falling Into Infinity (Studio Recordings)1998 - Once In A LIVEtime Outtakes1999 - Cleaning Out The Closet2000 - Scenes From A World Tour2001 - Four Degrees Of Radio Edits2002 - Taste The Memories2003 - Graspop 20022004 - A Sort Of Homecoming2006 - A Walk Beside The BandIt may also be noted that Dream Theater's previous name was Majesty, after the band listened to the song Bastille Day by Rush and described it as being majestic. However, this name was short-lived as another band were performing and recording under the same name. So, they re-named themselves Dream Theater after a small cinema which was close to where drummer Mike Portnoy's father was living at the time. The name Majesty is the source of the band's \"M\" logo appearing on the cover artwork of several albums. The Dream Theater song entitled \"Ytse Jam\" is \"Majesty\" backwards and \"Ytse Jam\" is also the name of Mike Portnoy's record label.Official website: http:\/\/www.dreamtheater.net\/","featuredImage":"https:\/\/assets.allamericanmusic.com\/images\/24386_h_0.jpg","feeRange":"please contact"}

{"key":"25039","name":"Opeth","bio":"Opeth is a progressive metal band from Sweden that is influenced by many diverse musical styles ranging from jazz, 1970s progressive rock, death metal, and blues. Their recent releases have deviated from their traditional death metal influenced style, with more emphasis on progressive elements. Vocalist Mikael \u00c5kerfeldt is also noted for utilizing both clean singing and death growls, often in the same track. Due to their unique blend of melodic and progressive elements, Opeth are often classified separately from more typical death metal acts. The name Opeth was taken from Wilbur Smith's novel Sunbird and derived from Opet, a city of the moon named in the novel.HistoryOpeth was formed in Stockholm, S\u00f6dermanland, Sweden in 1990 by David Isberg. Isberg invited Mikael \u00c5kerfeldt to join the band at a practice session as a bass player, but failed to inform the current bass player or any of the other members of the band. Because of this, all band members except for Isberg quit, and \u00c5kerfeldt soon joined Opeth after his band, Eruption, faltered. With \u00c5kerfeldt on guitar and David Isberg on vocals, Opeth still lacked members and needing more, they were soon joined by long-time friend of \u00c5kerfeldt and former Eruption drummer Anders Nordin and Nick D\u00f6ring on bass. Andreas Dimeo was recruited as a second guitarist. Rehearsing in an elementary school with old equipment they had found, this lineup lasted less than a year and only played one show. In 1991 they spent the summer rehearsing on the island of Hamnholmen outside Stockholm with their old school friend and bass player Max Jaderberg, who suggested a more prominent bass sound.After their first performance, Andreas Dimeo and Nick D\u00f6ring quit the band. For the second performance, guitarist Kim Pettersson and bassist Johan DeFarfalla joined the group. After the show, DeFarfalla left to spend time with his girlfriend and did not return until 1994. Pettersson stuck with the band for another show before leaving in late 1991. DaFarfall was replaced by Peter Lindgren, playing the bass. However, once Pettersson left, Lindgren returned to the guitar, his original instrument. Isberg left the band in early 1992 due to creative differences and boredom. Since Mikael had previous experience as a vocalist from fronting Eruption, he became the new vocalist and immediately began writing material with Peter Lindgren. They rehearsed as a 3-piece for more than a year but eventually found a new bass player, Stefan Guteklint, who was dismissed by the band before they signed their record contract with Candlelight Records.Impressed by their originality, Candlelight Records released their debut full-length Orchid in 1995. It featured a rhythm section of bassist Johan DeFarfalla and drummer Anders Nordin. Dan Swan\u00f6, of Edge of Sanity fame, produced the band's ambitious second album Morningrise in 1996. After this Opeth embarked on a brief tour with Morbid Angel. Century Media took notice and not only licensed Opeth's first two albums for the United States, but also planned on releasing their next album on both sides of the Atlantic.The next album would introduce a change in style as well as line-up. With the recruitment of bassist Martin Mendez to replace DeFarfalla and drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Amon Amarth) replacing Nordin, Opeth's third album, entitled My Arms, Your Hearse, was released in 1998 to glowing reviews, establishing the band as a leading force in progressive metal with death roots. The album is conceptually based on a character who dies and returns to Earth as a ghost. 1999's Still Life displayed even more of the band's progressive rock influences, and the following year the band played its first U.S. concert at the Milwaukee Metalfest. This was the first album on which Martin Mendez contributed. Like My Arms, Your Hearse before it, Still Life is also a concept album, revolving around a man who is banished from his village for dissenting religious beliefs. The album then then regals the tale of his courtship of the character Melinda. Their next album, Blackwater Park, was released in early 2001 and was titled after an obscure psychedelic progressive rock band from the '70s. Blackwater Park is considered to be Opeth's magnum opus and the defining document of their career. The album created a huge buzz among progressive metal fans, who had begun to lump the band in with other experimental metal bands like Tiamat. It was the first of three albums that Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame would produce. Wilson also contributed backing vocals and guitar. Instead of waiting until the buzz died down, the band released Deliverance (also known as D1) in the fall of 2002, which was intended to be a double album, Damnation (or D2) comprising the other half. Deliverance presented the typical death metal aspect of Opeth while Damnation presented a new side of Opeth: the album that was almost completely devoid of any heavy metal trappings and focused instead on acoustic instruments and traditional songwriting. Steven Wilson again contributed by co-authoring one song, Death Whispered a Lullaby, and by providing backing vocals and playing mellotron, piano, electric piano, keyboards, and guitar.Opeth then released a DVD, \"Lamentations\", filmed in England during the Damnation Tour, in fall of '03. It featured the Damnation album in its entirety along with some highlights from the previous two albums. Now signed to the major label Roadrunner Records, Opeth's next album Ghost Reveries arrived in 2005 and proved to be a return to form for the band. Shortly before the recordings of this album, Per Wiberg (Spiritual Beggars) officially joined the band to play keyboards, as he did on the tour that supported Damnation. He can also be seen on the \"Lamentations\" DVD. More lineup changes followed in May of 2006, when long time drummer Martin Lopez left the band due to complications from a rare disease he has. After a short delay, he was replaced by Martin Axe Axenrot, former drummer of Bloodbath.On May 17th, 2007, an open letter from Peter Lindgren was posted on the official Opeth website where he wrote that he had decided to leave the band. He said that he had lost some of the enthusiasm and inspiration needed to participate in a band that has grown to become a world-wide industry. It was especially the massive amount of touring, and being away from home for long periods of time that caused this decision. \"I have come to a point where I realise I won't be able to give the band 100%, and from both sides this will not be good enough for what Opeth stands for.\" On the same day Fredrik \u00c5kesson (ex-Arch Enemy, Krux) was announced as the new guitar-player and full-time member of Opeth.In Fall 2007, Opeth released their first live album, The Roundhouse Tapes, recorded in the famous Roundhouse concert hall in Great Britain.The progressive rock\/metal band Dream Theater announced in November of 2007 that Opeth would be joining them on the Progressive Nation 2008 tour. Joining these two bands were Between the Buried and Me and 3.Opeth's ninth studio album, entitled Watershed was released on June 3, 2008. It was well received by most fans and critics. The first single from the album, Porcelain Heart, was released on April 19th, 2008. The track The Lotus Eater is also available on RoadRunner Record's website for free.Former members:* David Isberg \u2013 Vocals (1990-1992)* Andreas Dimeo \u2013 Guitar (1991)* Kim Pettersson \u2013 Guitar (1991)* Johan DeFarfalla \u2013 Bass (1991,1994-1996)* Stefan Guteklint \u2013 Bass (1992-1993)* Mattias Ander \u2013 Bass (1992)* Nick D\u00f6ring \u2013 Bass (1990-1991)* Anders Nordin \u2013 Drums (1990-1997)* Martin Lopez \u2013 Drums (1997-2006)* Peter Lindgren \u2013 Guitars (1991-2007)Discography:1995 Orchid1996 Morningrise1998 My Arms, Your Hearse1999 Still Life2001 Blackwater Park2002 Deliverance2003 Damnation2005 Ghost Reveries2008 WatershedOfficial site: Opeth.com","featuredImage":"https:\/\/assets.allamericanmusic.com\/images\/25039_h_0.jpg","feeRange":"please contact"}

{"key":"1444","name":"Katatonia","bio":"There are multiple bands named Katatonia: 1) Swedish metal band. 2) Polish death\/thrash metal band.1) Katatonia is a Swedish metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nystr\u00f6m. The bands music has doom metal elements and influences with their progressive metal style, noting the overall bleak melancholy and despair sound. After more than a year of rehearsals and composing, the first real fruits of their labour came to light in mid 1992 with the release of the demo \"Jhva Elohim Meth\", recorded at Sweden's Gorysound Studio and produced by the multi-musician Dan Swan\u00f6. The demo sold out immediately, bringing Katatonia to the attention of Dutch label Vic Records, who went on to re-release the demo as a mini CD, titled \"Jhva Elohim Meth - The Revival\". With the CD selling out fast and their reputation spreading like a wildfire through the underground, the duo knew they would need a fuller line-up to move the band up and forward. So, bassist Guillaume Le Huche (aka Israphel Wing) was enlisted to their ranks, enabling them to perform live in concert for the first time in their career. In 1993, things progressed at pace and at the end of 1992 the trio entered into a one-album deal with the now defunct Swedish label No Fashion records. April 1993 saw Katatonia re-enter Gorysound (now renamed Unisound) to record their first full-length album 'Dance of December Souls', produced by Katatonia and Dan Swan\u00f6. It then seemed like the album would never see the light of day, but was eventually released in a desirable match to the album title in December 1993. The album was an immediate hit with both the critics and the metal scene. Gone were the black metallic meanderings of their earlier attempts, to be replaced with distinguished melancholy & epic melodious emotion. An essential and now classic chapter in the doom metal genre. The reaction to the new sound was just what Katatonia needed to hear, encouraged and driven by the ever growing quest for progression, they pushed the boundaries even further and set about re-entering Unisound in early 1994 to record the classic 10 minute goth epic 'Scarlet Heavens'. The track eventually found a home, with Misanthropy records releasing it as a limited split 10\" (with Primordial in 1996). Spring 1994 and Wrong Again records approached the band to appear on a compilation album they were putting together and in the same year Italian label Avantgarde Music approached them with a new record deal. Determined to still make a successful future in the metal scene, the band returned to the sound crafted on 'Dance of December Souls' but compressed the epic proportions into a more live adjusted style. Back at the familiar Unisound studio, Katatonia emerged with the tracks 'Black Erotica' and 'Love of the Swan' for the compilation and the 'For Funerals to Come' ep to be released by Avantgarde Music in early 1995. Katatonia then surprised everyone by taking a sabbatical the whole following year. Nystr\u00f6m & Renkse's problem to find a complete & stable line-up to help them realise their master plan eventually made the two members destined to go separate ways. The time that followed, Renkse spent his time in a new founded side project called October Tide while Nystr\u00f6m divided his occupation in newly formed constellations Diabolical Masquerade and Bewitched. In 1996, Eventually frustrated by abandoning the uncharted promising future of Katatonia and little action within the walls of gloom, the friends got back together with a different approach and reunited Katatonia in early 1996. Now finally, having found a new permanent third member in ex-October Tide guitarist Fred Norrman, the trio went back into the ever open doors of Unisound, but this time armed only with ideas and an intricate vision, no actual songs had been written at this stage. After a two week's recording session, Katatonia emerged with the album 'Brave Murder Day', proof positive that this new daring way of working had paid off. Opeth's Mikael \u00c5kerfeldt was asked to step in and perform vocal duties after Renkse declared his voice had taken its toll. Katatonia & Dan Swan\u00f6's production values perfectly captured the highly original and newly emerging Katatonia sound; emotional and cutting edge, simple and direct while still retaining the dark void so integral to the whole Katatonia vibe. The band had re-invented their sound and this album proved to be a groundbreaking influence for many bands to emerge thereafter. After successfully touring Europe for the first time in the autumn of 1996, Katatonia felt excited to re-enter the studio early 1997 to quickly unleash new material. Facing the fact that their second home Unisound had closed its doors for good, they chose the only logical alternative in Sunlight Studio located in their home city of Stockholm. Figuring this would push their originality and experimentation to new places the result was justified in the mini-album 'Sounds of Decay', again for Avantgarde Music. Produced by the band & mixed by Tomas Skogsberg the CD followed a similar path to 'Brave Murder Day' and again saw Mikael \u00c5kerfeldt perform vocal duties.In 1998, Fuelled and at the top of their peak of creativity, it wasn't long before Nystr\u00f6m, Renkse & Norrman and new member and bassist Mikael Oretoft returned to Sunlight later again in mid 1997, to begin work on their third full-length album 'Discouraged Ones', a rebirth of sorts, which saw Renkse again take his old classic role as Katatonia's combined vocalist and drummer. This time \u00c5kerfeldt's input moved from a primal screamer to the more eloquent vocal producer position, and it is on this release we get the first real taste of Renkse's clean and distinct vocal style. A brave and radical move away from the old was a big risk for the band, but the sheer quality of the music on offer blew all away. The gothic flourishes of yore having been replaced by more contemporary leanings, dealing with feelings of loss and desolation, of despair and hope. This is where the band had fully taken off on their dark stylistic turn. In 1999, Peaceville Records had been following the bands career from almost the very beginning, but it was 'Discouraged Ones' with its modernity and dynamics that made the label really fall in love with their sound. Realising that Katatonia was perfect for their roster of highly original acts, the label offered the band a long-term deal, spanning five albums. Delighted to find themselves working with a label that had previously produced some of their favourite music, Katatonia now back again as a trio, set about working on their fourth studio album in 1999, 'Tonight's Decision'. This album saw Katatonia back in Sunlight, produced again by the band with \u00c5kerfeldt still co-producing the vocals; they were skilfully assisted by Tomas Skogsberg on the mix. The old long-time producer\/mixer Dan Swan\u00f6 came on board as this session's guest drummer \u2013 enabling Renkse to focus all his attention on his ever-improving sharp vocals. With strong international distribution now firmly in place via Peaceville, Katatonia saw their popularity soar to unimagined new heights and at the end of the year Katatonia toured Scandinavia opening up for the legends Paradise Lost with a brand new line-up in Fredrik Norrman's brother Mattias Norrman on bass and Daniel Liljekvist on drums. In 2001, Being busy in the millennium year of 2000 recording the fifth album and also visiting Poland and USA together with Opeth on a number of gigs, Katatonia released 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' in the early summer of 2001. The album release was preceded by a 3 track CD single, the title track being 'Teargas' culled from 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' and spiced up by two tracks specially written for the single \u2013 'Sulfur' & 'March 4'. Perhaps more than ever, we saw Katatonia really expanding in their self-belief. With their hallmark tears of sorrow spilling over the songs, there was also a confidence and warmth about the band that added a new dynamic to the sound. Maybe this was due to the fact that Katatonia produced the album themselves over a vast period of time; maybe it was the persuasive use of light and dark, used to illustrate perfectly the emotional gravitas of the songs, either way this was the album that made the whole world sit up and listen. Renkse really had come into his own as one of the most honest and distinctive vocalists around from this scene. There was vulnerability in his vocal style that made you believe every word, giving ever so much without sounding fake. All this underpinned by the genius guitar work of Nystr\u00f6m, who seemed to have opened up the door from that slightly narrow gothic doom sound to rays of modern darkness and an altogether more contemporary approach. After the success of the '3 days-3 countries' sprint that was the Peacefest in March 2001, Katatonia came back to the UK in May and embarked on a headline mini tour. Fuelled by the crowds reaction, they were quick to set their sails on a full tour opening up for Opeth later same year taking place in Central Europe and the UK again. To coincide with the tour Katatonia released their second single of 2001 \u2013 'Tonight's Music'. The title track again was taken from their last album, 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down', released in March. The EP also contained the exclusive tracks 'Help Me Disappear', and 'O How I Enjoy the Light'. 2002 was in total a pretty silent year for the band and the months were mostly spent with by having time off mixed with writing for the next album. In 2003, April 2003 saw the release of Katatonia's sixth studio album for empty souls and hearts. Titled 'Viva Emptiness', the album was recorded in the dark Swedish winter at 301 Studios in Stockholm and Fascination Street in \u00d6rebro, at the end of 2002. Produced by Nystr\u00f6m\/Renkse and mixed by Jens Bogren. Using the metal genre as an early template Katatonia had never been a band to stand still or stagnate in any way. With this album, the band now proved to be purveyors of an understated kind of grandeur that had long outgrown all or any generic restrictions, still ostensibly digging deeper into the identity of a metal band. Without a halo of limiting genre above their heads, the music alone said more about the enigmatic Swedes than a 1000 word effort ever could. The release was supported by a full European headline tour over the months April and May, 2003. In 2004 Katatonia toured Scandinavia two times and did a mini European tour and a bunch of festival shows all around the world. In between the live activity, the band yet again took well-deserved time off and started planning the next moves and how to create their next masterpiece.The New Year 2005 brought the release of two compilation albums. The first being Avantgarde Music's 'Brave Yester Days', a complete look back into the early days of 1992 \u2013 1997. Included over 2 discs were the singles, demo, compilation tracks and a selection of the finest moment on the two first full-lengths. Peaceville's 'The Black Sessions' was the second compilation featuring 2 discs of classic material from 1998 - 2004, plus a DVD concert from 2003's Viva Emptiness tour filmed in Poland. Included were all the singles and b-sides to date, together with the very best tracks from 1998's 'Discouraged Ones' up to 2004's Viva Emptiness (including 'Wait Outside', an unreleased track from the 'Viva Emptiness' sessions).To warm up and get a doze of live action before making a start on recording the new album, the band hit the road in March added to the Metalmania bill, playing a few dates in Eastern Europe. Renkse and Nystr\u00f6m then returned home to the making of their seventh album and spent the whole spring completing the process. At the end of the year the band made it to Russia for the first time in their career, playing the two biggest cities to a crowd that had been waiting over a decade for the dark quintet to arrive. In 2006, In the dying light of 2005 and Katatonia delivered their brand new single, 'My Twin' (a 4-track EP containing 3 exclusive tracks) and, shortly after, their decisive seventh full-length album, aptly titled 'The Great Cold Distance'. The album was recorded in the summer of 2005 at Fascination Street Studios, \u00d6rebro, Sweden and was released early 2006 to universal acclaim. This was backed up soon afterwards by the release of follow-up single, 'Deliberation' and extensive touring throughout Europe in the Spring supported by label-mates Novembre and topped off with an American tour with Moonspell later on in the year, concluding a fantastic year for the band.Katatonia gained great commercial & critical response to the album with many hailing it as the band's greatest work. Two more singles were lifted from the album ('Deliberation' & 'July') while both singles were also accompanied by video tracks. The band went from strength to strength with their extensive touring & festival duties before the release of 'Live Consternation' in 2007, which captured the band live at their glorious best at the Summerbreeze festival in 2006. Katatonia would then resume writing for the eagerly awaited follow-up to 'The Great Cold Distance' after having completed a headline American tour in 2007.In 2009, With such a monumental album to follow, it was 2009 before Katatonia was ready to enter the studio for their eagerly awaited eighth studio album, 'Night is the New Day'. It was recorded throughout July 2009 & was co-produced, engineered and mixed by David Castillo. Recording was divided between Studio Mega (for drums) and Ghost Ward Studios, where most recording took place & which provided a dose of inspiration from the darker corners of life with it's choice of location, as Anders describes: \u201cBroken glass, blood on the walls at the front door to the building and threatening messages written on the elevator - Even excrement and urine on the floor in the basement that makes you wonder if the caretaker is a serial killer himself\". Mastering was completed at Fascination Street Studios (where 'The Great Cold Distance' was recorded) with Jens Bogren. A continuation of the heaviness, depth & atmosphere of their previous album, 'Night Is the New Day' is also a more multi-dimensional effort - waltzing between prog moments, doom, folk & the classic melodic anthems that are the staple of Katatonia's uncompromising sound, completed by the haunting tones of Jonas Renkse's journeys of urban & emotional decay, & now joined by Frank Default on keyboards, notable for his work on the track 'Unfurl' from the 'July' EP - utilising his expertise to the fullest to texture the soundscapes. On January 27, 2012, Katatonia announced they would head into the studio on January 30, 2012 to begin recording their ninth studio album. On May 28, 2012, the band announced that their ninth studio album would be called Dead End Kings and would be released on August 27, 2012 in Europe and August 28, 2012 in the US.Katatonia will tour with The Devin Townsend Project, Paradise Lost and Stolen Babies for the North American \"Epic Kings & Idols Tour\" in September 2012. Katatonia and The Devin Townsend Project will alternate headlining each show.Katatonia will embark on the \"Dead Ends of Europe Tour\" with Alcest and Junius in December 2012.2) Katatonia was a Polish death\/thrash metal band. They released one demo, \"It's Only Dream\", in 1993 before splitting up.","featuredImage":"https:\/\/assets.allamericanmusic.com\/images\/1444_h_0.jpg","feeRange":"please contact"}

{"key":"25221","name":"Mastodon","bio":"Mastodon is an American sludge metal\/progressive metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1999. The band comprises bassist\/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist\/vocalist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer\/vocalist Brann Dailor. They have released six full-length albums to date, expanding their musical borders from early raw sludgy riffs to later psychedelic multi-layered songs, yet maintaining progressive style with unusual time signatures and odd instrumentation. It was announced, in late 2005, that, having fulfilled contractual obligations to indie label, Relapse Records, Mastodon had been offered a deal by a major music label, a spot on the Warner Music roster. Despite this, however, Relapse Records released a DVD, and re-released the band's only demo.An album titled Call of the Mastodon, comprising the material recorded for the band's first and only untitled demo, which featured Eric Saner on vocals, was released in early 2006. A DVD entitled \"The Workhorse Chronicles\" was released not long after and a full length album, the band's Warner Music debut, Blood Mountain, was released September 12th, 2006. In an interview with MTV news, Brann Dailor revealed that the band's sound, on this upcoming release would be decidedly different and more \"progressive.\" He also expressed excitement over the possibility of the birth of a new \"prog movement,\" naming bands such as Isis, along with Mastodon, as prospective leaders of said movement.Blood Mountain met critical acclaim with reviews ranging from Metal Hammer and Kerrang! who stated it was as good or better than their last release Leviathan, while other critics view it as the essential release of the decade and UK Metal Hammer named it best album of '06. Blood Mountain also featured guest appearances by Scott Kelly of Neurosis on the track \"Crystal Skull\", Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age on \"Colony of Birchmen\", as well as The Mars Volta's keyboardist Isaiah \"Ikey\" Owens on \"Pendulous Skin\" and singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala on \"Siberian Divide\".Mastodon's fourth album Crack the Skye was released on March 24, 2009 as a normal version and a deluxe version (which includes all songs in instrumental versions as well as their normal versions). The album is produced by Brendan O'Brien, and Scott Kelly of Neurosis returns as a guest musician on the title-track. The band had debuted three new tracks at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, but did not play anymore live before the album's release, due to fears of internet distribution and wanting to play the songs to the right audience. In a MusicRadar interview, guitarist Bill Kelliher confirmed that the album is about an \"out of body experience,\" and looks at the concepts of astral travel, wormholes, Stephen Hawking's theories and the spiritual realm. Drummer Brann Dailor has a section of vocals on the song \"Oblivion\" following the intro and chorus. The band has announced that they will play the album in its entirety incorporating a stage show on their upcoming tour. Mastodon was a headliner at the Scion Rock Fest on February 28, 2009, performing a set containing three tracks from Crack The Skye, the first time these songs were played since being finalized and recorded. Scott Kelly made an appearance performing his guest vocals for the songs \"Crack the Skye,\" \"Aqua Dementia,\" and \"Crystal Skull.\"Mastodon's fifth album The Hunter was released on September 26, 2011 in the UK and one day later in the US via Reprise Records. The Hunter Songfacts says that the album was titled in honor of guitarist\/vocalist Brent Hinds' brother, Brad, who unexpectedly passed away while hunting in December 2010. Mastodon actually had two working titles for the album in honor of Brad: \"The Hunter\" or \"Brother.\"Mastodon have previously appeared on the second stage at Ozzfest 2005 and have toured with the likes of Slayer, Lamb of God and Children of Bodom on the Unholy Alliance US tour and have 3 songs recorded live on the accompanying tour DVD.On June 24, 2014, the band released their sixth studio album \"Once More 'Round the Sun.\"Mastodon is:Brann Dailor - Drums. (Formerly of Today Is The Day, Lethargy, Discordance Axis)Troy Sanders - Vocals, Bass. (Also in Social Infestation, Four Hour Fogger, Knuckle, Bully)Bill Kelliher - Guitar. (Formerly of Today Is The Day, Lethargy, Butterslax)Brent Hinds - Guitar, Vocals. (Also in Fiend Without A Face, West End Motel, The Blood Vessels, Four Hour Fogger)Aforementioned former member, Eric Saner, left the band soon after the release of the 2000 demo. Troy Sanders, the then bassist, was announced as the new lead vocalist, although vocal duties were increasingly shared with guitarist Brent Hinds to the point where they are considered co-vocalists.","featuredImage":"https:\/\/assets.allamericanmusic.com\/images\/25221_h_0.jpg","feeRange":"40,000 - 75,000"}

{"key":"25016","name":"Kamelot","bio":"While the Kamelot from Tampa is the most prominent band of this name, there are more bands using it in the world:1) Kamelot is a power metal band from Tampa, Florida that incorporates progressive and symphonic elements into their music. The band was founded by guitarist Thomas Youngblood and drummer Richard Warner in 1991.In 1994 the band signed a deal with Noise Records; the release of their debut album Eternity followed in 1995. The next album, Dominion, was released in 1997.Later that year, two of the band's members were replaced; drummer and founder Richard Warner and lead vocalist Mark Vanderbilt. Respectively, their replacements were Casey Grillo and Roy Khan (Roy S\u00e6tre \u00abKhan\u00bb Khantatat from Elverum in Norway - formerly of Conception). With the two new members, Kamelot released their third studio album, Siege Perilous. The new line-up undertook an extensive tour through Europe during the fall of the same year only to return to the Gate Studio in Wolfsburg twelve months later to produce the fourth studio effort The Fourth Legacy.The summer of 2000 brought the \"New Allegiance Tour\" through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Greece and Spain during which the recordings for Kamelot's first live album The Expedition were made. Only a few months later the band presented their fifth album entitled Karma, to the greatest critical success yet. Their sixth album, Epica was released in 2003. Both Epica and the band's seventh effort, The Black Halo, which was released in 2005, are based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's version of the legend of Faust, a man who sells his soul to the devil. To support the new album the band went on tour through Europe and Japan during the first leg of the \"Black Halo World Tour 2005\", with special guests Epica and Kotipelto in Europe and support Silent Force in Japan. They also played on the Bang Your Head!!! Festival in Germany and the Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium.In 2005 they shot their first music videos ever, for the songs The Haunting (Somewhere in Time) and March of Mephisto from the album The Black Halo. Both videos were shot by acclaimed director Patric Ullaeus. The 5th of October 2005 saw the addition of Oliver Palotai as the fifth official band member. Oliver will handle both keyboards and (additional) guitars.On the second leg of the \"Black Halo World Tour\" they visited North and South America (USA, Canada, Brazil) as well as Europe (The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Norway). During this part of the tour the bands first live DVD was shot, with the main concert being shot on February 11th, 2006 at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo, Norway. The shoot was again handled by Patric Ullaeus. The DVD (and live CD) called One Cold Winter's Night was released in November 2006.Ghost Opera is the eighth studio album from Kamelot. It was released on June 1st, 2007 via SPV\/Steamhammer Records, in Germany and then followed by releases on the fourth and fifth in Europe and the USA, respectively. The album was recorded and mixed at Gate Studios and Pathway Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. The first video from the album is for the track Ghost Opera, and can be seen on the band's official MySpace site. A video for the song The Human Stain was shot and released later.Following this was their ninth studio album, Poetry for the Poisoned. It was released on the earMUSIC label, a subdivision of Edel, on September 10, 2010 in Europe, and four days later in North America by the band's own label, KMG Recordings. The release sees the return of founding member Sean Tibbetts (who formerly used the stage name Sean Christians) on bass guitar. A video was recorded for the song The Great Pandemonium and released on the band's official YouTube channel on September 6 (it's also included on the Special Edition DVD release of the album). Simone Simons returns to supply guest vocals on a few songs. Amanda Somerville, Gus G. and Bj\u00f6rn \"Speed\" Strid are also featured.On September 6, 2010, Kamelot announced that Khan wouldn't be able to perform with the band on their North American tour, just a few days before its scheduled start, and had returned to Norway. While it was initially reported that the band would continue the tour with the Norwegian vocalist Michael Eriksen of Circus Maximus in Khan's place, the band later announced that it would postpone the tour with Khan, though one show was performed with Eriksen at the ProgPower USA XI festival in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 10, 2010. However, on December 16, it was announced that Fabio Lione of Rhapsody of Fire would replace Khan for the remaining and rescheduled dates on the Pandemonium over Latin America, Europe and North America tours in 2011, and later the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise in 2012. Other guest singers appeared on selected shows, such as Simone Simons singing The Haunting (Somewhere in Time) and Don't You Cry, Tommy Karevik singing Center of the Universe, EdenEcho or The Human Stain, Snowy Shaw as Mephisto on March of Mephisto, Alissa White-Gluz also as Mephisto on March of Mephisto and Atle Pettersen on Karma. Following a period of uncertainty, Khan and Kamelot released separate statements on April 21 and 22 2011 respectively, announcing Khan's departure from the band for burnout and religious reasons.On June 22 2012, Kamelot introduced Seventh Wonder's Swedish vocalist Tommy Karevik as their new official vocalist. Karevik had previously appeared as one of the guest singers on the 2011 Pandemonium World Tour, and was thrilled about his new position: \u201cI am so honored to now be a part of this family and I can't wait to move into the new era of the band together with the guys. I fully understand that this comes with great responsibility and that it will be a big challenge for me as a singer as well as a person, but you can rest assured I will give it my all. From this day, a new journey has begun and I am really eager to meet you all along the way to share my passion for this music!\u201d. Their first show with Karevik was on July 12, 2012 at Masters of Rock.Kamelot returned to the German label SPV GmbH to release their tenth record, which was unveiled as \"Silverthorn\" in July 2012. Silverthorn was released on October 30th in North America, October 26th in Germany, and October 29th in the rest of Europe via Steamhammer\/SPV. The CD marked the band\u2019s first release with new singer, Tommy Karevik.Silverthorn went directly to the top, debuting at the #1 position on Amazon\u2019s Heavy Metal Chart. Along with this accomplishment, KAMELOT also impacted major charts in other categories including the #9 position on Billboard\u2019s Hard Rock Chart, #24 on the Rock Charts, #79 on Billboard\u2019s Top 200 Chart, as well as appearing on multiple international charts. A music video was released for the first single from Silverthorn, Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife). The band joined Nightwish on their North American tour as special guests during September and October 2012 in the period leading up to the release of Silverthorn, along with guest vocalists Elize Ryd and Alissa White-Gluz. Following the North American tour, Kamelot embarked on a headlining European tour during November 2012, with support on the tour coming from Xandria, Triosphere and Blackguard. The band also toured new countries on the Silverthorn world tour including Australia, Korea and Taiwan. On February 23, 2015 the title, artwork, track listing and official release dates for Kamelot's new album were revealed. The new album titled \"HAVEN\" will make Kamelot's history as it will be released worldwide (excl. Asia) on Napalm Records\/Universal and Napalm Records\/ADA\/Warner as an exclusive licensing deal through the band\u2019s Kamelot Music LLC on May 5, 2015 (North America) and May 8, 2015 (Europe and rest of the world). Produced by acclaimed music producer Sascha Paeth and mastered by Jacob Hansen, Haven \"features all the signature elements of KAMELOT but the band steps out to add new and modern elements along with bringing some amazing emotions that harken to the band\u2019s earlier days.\" (Source: official press release). Additional guests include Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Troy Donockley (Nightwish) and Charlotte Wessels (Delain). Following the release of HAVEN, Kamelot will embarque on a massive world tour, starting with North America in April\/May 2015 followed by European shows in the Summer 2015 and with The Haven European Tour in September\/October 2015 the band will return to Europe for their biggest headliner tour to date.HAVEN Release Dates:North America: May 5, 2015Europe & Rest of the World: May 8, 2015Australia\/New Zealand: May 8, 2015\"Haven\" is available for pre-order now, for more info visit www.kamelot.com or www.kamelothaven.com.Current Members:* Thomas Youngblood: Lead Guitar* Oliver Palotai: Keyboards and Rhythm Guitar* Casey Grillo: Drums* Sean Tibbetts: Bass* Tommy Karevik: VocalsFormer Members:* Roy Khan - vocals* Mark Vanderbilt - vocals* Richard Warner - drums* David Pavlicko - keyboards* Glenn Barry: BassDiscography:Studio albums:1995 - Eternity1997 - Dominion1998 - Siege Perilous1999 - The Fourth Legacy2001 - Karma2003 - Epica2005 - The Black Halo2007 - Ghost Opera2010 - Poetry for the Poisoned2012 - Silverthorn2015 - HavenSingles:2007 - Ghost OperaLive Albums:2000 - The Expedition2006 - One Cold Winter's NightLive DVDs:2006 - One Cold Winter's NightDemos:1991 - Demo2) Kamelot is a czech folk\/rock band from Brno found in 1982. The only member who has been in the band the whole time is its founder, Roman Hork\u00fd. Current Members:Roman Hork\u00fdViktor PorkristlJi\u0159\u00ed MeisnerPavel PlchDiscography:Studio albums:1990 - Zachra\u0148te kon\u011b1991 - Tajn\u00fd v\u00fdpravy1992 - Vyznava\u010di oh\u0148\u016f1993 - Roman Hork\u00fd a jeho host\u00e91994 - Duhov\u00e1 cesta1995 - Zlat\u00e1 ryba1996 - Cesta do r\u00e1je1997 - The Best Of1997 - Vyhasl\u00fd ohe\u01481998 - Zem\u011b antilop1999 - V\u011btrn\u00e9 m\u011bsto2000 - Vzpom\u00ednka na kamar\u00e1da2001 - Pam\u011b\u0165 slon\u016f2001 - Pozdn\u00ed n\u00e1vraty2002 - Valerie2004 - Zvl\u00e1\u0161tn\u00ed sv\u011bt2005 - Dlouh\u00e1 pl\u00e1\u017e2006 - Modr\u00e1 planeta2007 - 25 - V\u00fdb\u011br nejv\u011bt\u0161\u00edch hit\u016f2009 - Mo\u0159sk\u00e1 s\u016fl2010 - 19 ztracen\u00fdch p\u00edsn\u00ed Wabiho RyvolySingles:1995 - Tom\u00e1\u01611996 - Rio\/Hardegg2004 - Island","featuredImage":"https:\/\/assets.allamericanmusic.com\/images\/25016_h_0.jpg","feeRange":"please contact"}

{"key":"11190","name":"Amorphis","bio":"Amorphis is a Finnish progressive\/melodic metal band, and formerly death\/doom band started by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari and Esa Holopainen in Helsinki, Finland in 1990. Amorphis absorbed and incorporated influences from many metal genres, and with time passing their sound evolved dramatically. Initially, the band was a Death Metal act, but with time they have evolved into making music that is more classifiable as Doom Metal with folk influences, and, more recently, Progressive Metal and Hard Rock, utilizing increasingly complex arrangements and a less brutal sound. Amorphis is also well known for their use of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, as a source for their lyrics.In 1989 Jan Rechberger and Esa Holopainen played in a speed metal band Violent Solution, which Tomi Koivusaari had left the previous year to form the death metal band Abhorrence. Violent Solution slowly withered away as the musicians became interested in other things and styles of music. At this point, Jan Rechberger and Esa Holopainen had the idea of putting together a death metal band. In early 1990, Tomi Koivusaari was asked to be the vocalist and Oppu Laine to be their bassist.During that time the band asked Tomi to pick up the slot of rhythm guitarist as well as singing, which led to the band dumping all original compositions and starting again. With the band starting to move along, Tomi's other band (Abhorrence) split up and he found himself with much more time to put into Amorphis. The band went into gear and started churning out new brutal music.Shortly after the band had recorded their first studio demo tape, Tomi got a letter from Relapse Records offering Abhorrence a recording contract. Since Abhorrence was no longer active, they quickly sent their own demo in the return mail and eventually got signed to a recording deal. The deal would later almost destroy the band, due a very long commitment and poor artist relations. They quickly released a death metal classic Karelian Isthmus and would later release the original demo as the Privilege Of Evil EP. The EP featured Abhorrence's original vocalist, Jukka Kolehmainen, as a vocalist on the Abhorrence cover song Vulgar Necrolatry.The band quickly adopted new ways of making music and started incorporating different styles in with the original death metal aspect, creating a very unique and complex soundscape. Their musical growth has not stopped and the band consistently strives to excel in the creativity and unique soundscapes which has always been the band's backbone.Eclipse, is the result of this uncompromising attitude and while the band sheds their musical skin, the fans can rest assured that the direction of the music is still in the same distant horizon as it was when they went in to studio to records Tales from the Thousand Lakes.Amorphis' eighth release was Silent Waters, which was released in 2007 and continued in similiar vein with Eclipse. Again based on Kalevala, the album tells the story of Lemmink\u00e4inen.Skyforger was released in May 27 2009, and it contains 10 songs. The digipack version has one bonus song; Godlike Machine.Forging The Land Of Thousand Lakes was released in July 2010. It is available as a 2 DVD & 2 CD package (2 digipacks in a box) or as a 2 DVD set. DVD 1, and the CDs, contain a live concert in Oulu (Finland) in 2009. The second DVD contains a shorter set from Summer Breeze Open Air 2009, a 60 minute documentary and all (most?) Amorphis videos plus a photo gallery.Magic & Mayhem \u2013 Tales From The Early Years was released in September 2010. It contains 12 tracks from the first three albums plus a bonus track Light My Fire. They have all been re-recorded with the current line up. Some arrangements have changed - essentially they are the songs as they have evolved through many concert tours, recorded in a studio environment.In May 2011, The Beginning Of Times was released and went straight to number 1 in the Finnish album charts and number 16 in the German charts.Current Members* Tomi Joutsen \u2013 vocals* Esa Holopainen \u2013 guitar* Tomi Koivusaari \u2013 guitar* Niclas Etel\u00e4vuori \u2013 bass* Santeri Kallio \u2013 keyboards* Jan Rechberger \u2013 drumsFormer Members* Pasi Koskinen \u2013 vocals (1996\u20132004)* Olli-Pekka Laine \u2013 bass (1990\u20132000)* Pekka Kasari \u2013 drums (1996\u20132002)* Kim Rantala \u2013 keyboards (1996\u20131998)* Kasper M\u00e5rtenson \u2013 keyboards (1993\u20131994)Discography:1992 The Karelian Isthmus1994 Tales from the Thousand Lakes1996 Elegy1999 Tuonela2001 Am Universum2003 Far From the Sun2006 Eclipse2007 Silent Waters2009 Skyforger2010 Forging The Land Of Thousand Lakes2010 Magic & Mayhem \u2013 Tales From The Early Years2011 The Beginning Of TimesOfficial site: Amorphis.net","featuredImage":"https:\/\/assets.allamericanmusic.com\/images\/11190_h_0.jpg","feeRange":"please contact"}

{"key":"25045","name":"Therion","bio":"Therion, formerly known as Blitzkrieg (1987-1988) and Megatherion (1988), is a symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in Upplands V\u00e4sby, Sweden in 1987.Therion was initially a death metal band, however starting with 1995\u2019s Lepaca Kliffoth, Therion began to gradually incorporate symphonic elements into their metal music. The band has seen many changes in line-up and style throughout its history with Christofer Johnsson being the only constant member.Beginning as a death metal band, they later turned to combining orchestral elements with their metal music, employing heavy use of choirs and classical musicians, not only as additions to but also as integral parts of the composition. The band is one of the first both commercial and audience successful heavy metal with fully live orchestra featured. It is also one of the bands which originated, popularized and highly influenced the symphonic metal genre.Therion takes its lyrical themes from various mythologies, occult and magical teachings, and ancient traditions and writings. The majority of the lyrics are written by Thomas Karlsson, head and founder of the magical order Dragon Rouge, of which Johnsson is a member. The band\u2019s name originates from the Greek word therion (\u03b8\u03b7\u03c1\u03af\u03bf\u03bd), which means beast, in reference to the \u201cbeast\u201d of the Christian Book of Revelation, though the word itself is taken from the Celtic Frost album To Mega Therion.Official wesite: http:\/\/www.megatherion.com","featuredImage":"https:\/\/assets.allamericanmusic.com\/images\/25045_h_0.jpg","feeRange":"please contact"}

{"key":"25066","name":"Ayreon","bio":"Ayreon is a progressive metal project started by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen in 1995. Based in Hilversum, Netherlands, Ayreon's musical style derives mostly from heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like folk, classical and electronica. The majority of Ayreon's albums are dubbed a \"rock opera\" with an ongoing science fiction storyline featuring a host of characters, usually with each one being represented by a unique vocalist.Ayreon's music is characterized by the use of traditional instruments in rock music (guitars, bass guitar, drums, analogue synthesizers, electric organs) mixed with instruments more native to folk and classical music (e.g. mandolins, violins, violas, celli, flutes, sitars and didgeridoo). Lucassen writes the music and the lyrics, sings and plays instruments on all of the Ayreon albums, alongside many guest musicians. His most regular collaborator is drummer Ed Warby.","featuredImage":"https:\/\/assets.allamericanmusic.com\/images\/25066_h_0.jpg","feeRange":"please contact"}

{"key":"24837","name":"Meshuggah","bio":"Meshuggah, whose name is taken from the Hebrew and Yiddish word for \u201ccrazy\u201d, is a five-piece band from Ume\u00e5, Sweden, founded in 1987. The band's style is most easily described as extreme\/technical metal with some jazz influence. They use extended polymetric passages, polyrhythmic drum patterns, angular, dissonant guitar riffs, and harsh vocals. Their lineup has always been consistent, apart from bass which has been handled by many people since the band\u2019s inception. Their current lineup consists of Jens Kidman (vocals), Fredrik Thordendal (lead\/rhythm guitar + backup vocals), M\u00e5rten Hagstr\u00f6m (rhythm guitar + backup vocals), Dick L\u00f6vgren (bass) and Tomas Haake (drums).Meshuggah is widely acknowledged as an influence on many modern metal bands from Textures to Tool. They are regarded as pioneers by critics and musicians alike.DiscographyPsykisk Testbild (EP, 1989)Contradictions Collapse (1991)None (EP, 1994)Selfcaged (1995)Destroy Erase Improve (1995)The True Human Design (1997)Chaosphere (1998)Contradictions Collapse and None (1999)Rare Trax (2001)Nothing (2002)I (EP, 2004)Catch Thirty-Three (2005)Nothing (Re-Release With DVD) (2006)obZen (2008)Alive (2010)Koloss (2012)Pitch Black (2013)Band historyMeshuggah was formed in Ume\u00e5 in 1987; two years later, the band released their first record, an EP entitled Psykisk Testbild (which can be roughly translated as \"Psychological test image\". This recording displayed a straightforward thrash metal influenced sound, with some strains along the lines of Metallica's concurrent releases. There were also hints of more complex music in the songwriting. As the group grew older, they further refined the technicality of their musicianship and songwriting. This led to a harsher sound, utilizing strong seven string guitar (and later eight string guitar) rhythms, manic sounding vocals, and a combination of jazz fusion elements as well. This caused the band's style to border on the lines of an esoteric feel. This style has shown to be hard to appreciate by some but it is widely embraced by Meshuggah fans.While the band's music is extremely intense and aggressive, the members often demonstrate a strong sense of humour: their video for \"New Millennium Cyanide Christ\" consisted of the five band members sitting inside their tour bus headbanging and air guitaring to the song. Promotional photos of the band often include comical grimacing.In late 2005, Meshuggah were nominated for a Swedish Grammy for the album Catch Thirty-Three.Bands such as Dream Theater, God Forbid, Deftones, Textures , Lamb of God, The Safety Fire and Tool have cited Meshuggah as an influence.StyleAmong the band's most recognizable qualities are lead guitar player Fredrik Thordendal's abrasive, chaotic and dischordant solos, singer Jens Kidman's vocals, which resemble manic screams and shouts; the churning, dissonant rhythm guitars and the polymetric drum beats. In a typical Meshuggah song, drummer Tomas Haake plays two separate rhythms: a standard 4\/4 beat with his hands, and a completely different metrical subdivision with his feet. The guitars mostly follow the bass drum work, creating an awkwardly pulsating rhythmic pattern to work as the basis of the song.To give an example, the main riff of the song \"New Millennium Cyanide Christ\" from their 1998 album Chaosphere follows the aforementioned blueprint. Haake beats a rather slow 4\/4 rhythm with his hands, while the bass drums and guitars play a repetitive 23\/16 rhythm pattern on top of it. As the subdivided pattern is repeated, the pattern's accents shift to different beats on each repetition. After repeating the 23\/16 pattern five times, a shorter 13\/16 pattern is played once. These patterns sum up to 128 16th notes, which equals exactly 8 measures in 4\/4 meter.The band has evolved through a number of stylisitic periods. Contradictions Collapse and None have a sound similar to Metallica's concurrent albums. Destroy Erase Improve and Chaosphere have a more distinct off-time influence along with the thrash metal sound. Nothing and Catch Thirty-Three have a sound close to the vein of groove metal, consisting of droning and slow grooves.While live drums were obviously not abandoned, a unique decision was made to use programmed drum patterns using Toontrack's \"Drumkit From Hell\" (developed in co-operation with Tomas Haake and Morgan \u00c5gren) sample library on the latest album Catch Thirty-Three, not only providing a more precise and mechanized drumscape, but also making drum beat creativity a more collaborative effort amongst all of the band members. It cemented the album as one of the band's most complex works to date. The band members have, however, stated in several interviews that the decision to use programmed drums was due to the lack of time given by their label to produce the record.On all records since Nothing, guitarists Thordendal and Hagstr\u00f6m use custom-made Nevborn, and custom Ibanez eight string guitars. These guitars add two low strings to allow the crushing, heavy riffs to be played in even lower registers. They currently use Line 6's Vetta II Amps.In regards to lyrics, the main lyricist of Meshuggah is drummer Tomas Haake, who uses vocabulary and metaphorical styling. Through abstract descriptions, Haake tackles such topics as: The self, society, mendaciousness, the human condition, and spatial\/4th dimensional concepts. While Haake tends to write the majority of the lyrics, guitarist M\u00e5rten Hagstr\u00f6m also contributes to certain songs.","featuredImage":"https:\/\/assets.allamericanmusic.com\/images\/24837_h_0.jpg","feeRange":"please contact"}