Animals as Leaders

Animals as Leaders
Animals as Leaders playing at the Boston House of Blues on November 24, 2010. From left to right: Javier Reyes, ex-drummer Navene Koperweis, and Tosin Abasi.
Background information
Origin	Washington DC, United States
Genres	Progressive metal, Experimental metal
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Sumerian Records, Prosthetic
Associated acts	TRAM, Periphery, Animosity, The Faceless, Reflux, Mestis
Members	Tosin Abasi Javier Reyes Matt Garstka
Past members	Matt Halpern Chebon Littlefield Navene Koperweis

Animals as Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band formed by guitarist Tosin Abasi in 2007. It currently features guitarist Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka. Prosthetic Records released the band's self-titled debut album in April 2009. Abasi and Reyes are also members of the supergroup T.R.A.M, alongside former The Mars Volta wind instrumentalist Adrián Terrazas-González and Suicidal Tendencies drummer Eric Moore. Reyes also has his own side-project, Mestis.

The group released their latest album, Weightless, on November 8, 2011 in the US, November 4th in Europe, and November 7 in the UK.[1]

History

Animals as Leaders formed after guitarist Tosin Abasi's previous technical metalcore band, Reflux, disbanded.[2] The heavy metal record label Prosthetic Records saw Abasi's guitar work and asked him to create a solo album for them. Abasi initially declined, feeling such an endeavor would be "...egotistical and unnecessary."[3] Abasi decided to take a year off to study music, as he felt he was unable to reach his peak at guitar playing, Reflux eventually disbanded permanently. After Abasi had completed his course, he took up the label on the offer of a solo project. The name Animals as Leaders was inspired by Daniel Quinn's 1992 novel Ishmael, which addresses anthropocentrism. Abasi coined the name as a reminder "that we're all essentially animals".[3]

The project's first album, Animals as Leaders, was recorded in early 2008. Abasi recorded most guitar and bass tracks on the album; a few guitar solos, drums and various synthesized effects were programmed by engineer Misha Mansoor of Periphery and Haunted Shores.[3] The album was released April 28, 2009 by Prosthetic Records.[4]

In 2010, the band toured extensively, including the 2010 Summer Slaughter Tour with such acts as Decapitated, Vital Remains, Carnifex, The Faceless, All Shall Perish, The Red Chord, Cephalic Carnage, Veil of Maya, and Decrepit Birth and since Summer Slaughter have toured with more mainstream acts like Circa Survive and Dredg. They uploaded a non-album digital single called Wave of Babies to iTunes later that year.

The band embarked on a tour alongside Circa Survive, Dredg, and Codeseven from mid-2010 to early 2011, and in early 2011, toured alongside Underoath, Thursday, and A Skylit Drive to promote Underoath's latest release, Ø (Disambiguation).

On May 26, 2011, Animals as Leaders took part in a Red Cross benefit show titled "Josh Barnett Presents The Sun Forever Rising" at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California. Shortly thereafter, they headlined their first tour, which included opening acts Intronaut, Dead Letter Circus, Last Chance to Reason, and Evan Brewer. On July 27, 2011, during a show at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia, Tosin Abasi announced that they were recording the show for a live DVD.

The band has been billed as the first support of Between the Buried and Me on their European tour in September 2011, also with the French band Doyle. As a follow-up to their self-titled album, the band released their new LP, entitled Weightless, on November 8 in the United States.[5]

In spring 2012, Animals as Leaders embarked on a headlining tour of Europe, then returned to North America to open for Thrice. Navene Koperweis left Animals as Leaders in March 2012. Prosthetic Records then announced on March 23, 2012 that drummer Matt Garstka would join them on tour.[6] Whether or not Garstka is a permanent replacement remains undetermined.

“We see nothing but great potential with Matt, and look forward to performing with him on the upcoming tours,” Abasi says. “We feel very excited for the future of AAL, which is brighter than ever. I’m beyond excited for our fans to hear some of the new music we already have brewing for the future!” [7]

On November 28, 2012, Misha Mansoor, the producer for the first Animals as Leaders album, announced that he'd begun writing riffs with Tosin Abasi, intending to start recording on the currently untitled third album.[8] Two days later, it was confirmed that Mansoor was recording the band after the completion of two songs.[9]

It was announced in late December that Animals As Leaders had signed a deal with Sumerian Records, who will release the band's next album in 2013.

Members

Current

• Tosin Abasi – guitar
• Javier Reyes – guitar
• Matt Garstka - drums

Former

• Chebon Littlefield - bass guitar, keyboard
• Navene Koperweis (Animosity) – drums

Discography

Albums

• Animals as Leaders (2009)
• Weightless (2011)

Singles

• "Wave of Babies" (2010)

References

Footnotes

1. ^ http://got-djent.com/article/animals-leaders-new-album-release-date-announced
2. ^ Politte, Elliott. "Tosin Abasi: 8-String Animal". Guitar Edge. 
3. ^ a b c Allyn, Bobby (February 9, 2009). "Q&A: Animals as Leaders." Washington City Paper.
4. ^ "Animals as Leaders Unveils Artwork, Track Listing for Debut Album" (March 20, 2009). Blabbermouth.net.
5. ^ "Animals As Leaders Set November Release Date For New Album “Weightless”"
6. ^ "Prosthetic Records Announces New Drummer For 2012 Tour"
7. ^ "ANIMALS AS LEADERS PREP FOR EUROPEAN TOUR, MESHUGGAH DATES". Prosthetic Records. March 23, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2012. 
8. ^ Mansoor, Misha. "Writing new Animals As Leaders riffs with Tosin Abasi. Recording starts tomorrow!". Facebook. Retrieved 1 December 2012. 
9. ^ Mansoor, Misha. "2 days into writing/recording with Tosin Abasi for the new Animals As Leaders album and we have 2 songs down, making good progress! Can't wait for you guys to hear this stuff!!". Facebook. Retrieved 1 December 2012. 

Further reading

• Animals as Leaders (Allmusic)
• Marsicano, Dan (April 2009). "Animals as Leaders – Animals as Leaders." About.com.

External links

• Official website
• Animals as Leaders on Facebook