The Human Abstract
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2010) |
| The Human Abstract | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Genres | Progressive metal, metalcore, neo-classical metal |
| Years active | 2004–2011 |
| Labels | Hopeless, E1 |
| Members | |
| Brett Powell A.J. Minette Dean Herrera Henry Selva |
|
| Past members | |
| Nathan Ells Mike Nordeen Nick Olaerts Kenny Arehart Allen Eason Sean Leonard Andrew Tapley Travis Richter |
|
The Human Abstract was an American progressive metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2004, the group was originally signed to the independent label Hopeless Records, the band then released the two albums Nocturne (2006) and Midheaven (2008) before signing to E1 Music and releasing Digital Veil (2011). The Human Abstract has gone through several lineup changes over the years, with the final consisting of founding members Dean Herrera, A.J. Minette and Brett Powell, in addition to Henry Selva and touring vocalist Ryan Devlin.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Formation and Nocturne (2004–2007)
The Human Abstract formed in Los Angeles, California in 2004 with guitarists Dean Herrera and A.J. Minette, drummer Brett Powell, bassist Kenny Arehart, and vocalist Nick Olaerts. The group's name was derived from the title of a William Blake poem published in Songs of Experience in 1794. The band soon released a two-track demo to sell at live performances. They would later record additional demos with Jonny Santos of Spineshank and Silent Civilian, and Logan Mader formerly of Machine Head, Soulfly and Medication.[1] The Human Abstract signed to the independent record label Hopeless Records in 2005.[2]
Nathan Ells joined the band before heading into the studio to record the band's debut full length release "Nocturne”. They released their debut album Nocturne on Hopeless Records on August 22, 2006.
[edit] Midheaven (2008–2009)
Their album Midheaven was released on August 19, 2008.
In the past they have toured with bands such as All That Remains, The Devil Wears Prada, As I Lay Dying, God Forbid, Misery Signals, Every Time I Die, The Bled, August Burns Red, Shai Hulud, Folly, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Protest the Hero, It Dies Today, Mushroomhead, Mnemic, Goatwhore, Look What I Did, Arsis, and The Chariot.
The Human Abstract performed on 2007's Vans Warped Tour and 2008's Take Action Tour featuring Every Time I Die, From First To Last, The Bled, and August Burns Red. In fall 2008, they toured with the Japanese band Dir en grey.
Nathan Ells addressed a situation regarding A.J Minette in an interview stating, "A.J. was tired of playing metal, plain and simple, and the rest of the band wants to continue the high-energy live shows and hard edged sound that we have fashioned and developed over the past two years."[3]
A.J. was quoted as saying "I can't keep on crossing the Rubicon so much, I don't feel like I can get onstage and feel honest about playing metal anymore." The rest of the band felt that totally changing the sound would have been "like a smack in the face to all those that had been coming out and supporting the shows."[4]
As of January 9, 2009, Henry Selva was named permanent bass player for the group. Selva originally filled in after Kenny Arehart's departure in 2006.
[edit] E1 and Digital Veil (2009–2011)
In September 2009, the band has begun co-writing material for the new album, "Digital Veil", with A.J. Minette. Minette will also serve as producer on the album. It was announced that the band would be parting ways with vocalist Nathan Ells and they have begun a search for a new vocalist. On March 29, 2010 it was announced the band has found a new vocalist, and on April 7 it was announced that The Color of Violence and former From First to Last guitarist Travis Richter has become Ells' replacement.[5]
In November 2009, Herrera confirmed through a Myspace blog that Leonard was no longer in the band, "Sean is not technically in the band anymore... However, we have not ruled out the possibility of him having some sort of presence on the next record. He decided that touring wasn't for him, and wanted to go to music school."[6]
In April 2010 Travis Richter revealed to Absolutepunk.net in his first interview since becoming The Human Abstract's new frontman that A.J. Minette has officially returned.[7]
The Human Abstract released their first single "Faust" from their next album "Digital Veil" on November 16, 2010.
On January 10, 2011 The Human Abstract announced that they have signed to E1 Music, and that their new album "Digital Veil" will be released through E1 on March 8, 2011.
The song "Patterns" was released January 18, followed by "Complex Terms" on February 15.
There was some speculation that Andrew Tapley is not in the band anymore, as he is no longer listed as a member on the band's Facebook profile. On February 9, 2011- Andrew Tapley confirmed this speculation via Facebook with the public message: "As some of you know and many have been wondering, I will not be playing with The Human Abstract anymore. This wasn't decided by me; however, there are no hard feelings. Thanks to everyone who supported the band these past few years and to all the wonderful friends I had the pleasure of meeting. I will be in Los Angeles continuing with music; art is long and time is fleeting --see y'all soon!"
A few weeks after Digital Veil's release, they announced that they would embark on what would be called the "Pull Me From The Gallows" Tour with Scale the Summit. Its name comes from a line in their latest album's title track. The band has posted an update via Twitter on 31 May that the remaining dates will be canceled "...due to a sudden and devastating loss to the THA family." [8]
As of 24 August 2011, Travis Richter parted ways with the band, citing a desire to focus on the production side of his career.
It has been announced that Ryan Devlin, frontman from the band Corelia, will be filling in for the "Frak the Gods Tour" headlined by Periphery.[9]
On December 29th, 2011 bassist Henry Selva, when questioned over why he was selling equipment, announced that the band was calling it quits. "Folks, we are not looking for a new vocalist. We are not touring anytime soon. I think it's only fair you guys know that we're on "break or hiatus if you will." I don't know why we haven't said anything. I guess it's because there is always that "maybe if something happens, etc..etc..." Or maybe it's hard for us to realize the reality of our situation, the bands situation, to finally let go. I'll be honest when I say the folllowing: Periphery and Never Say Die were our last tours together as a band."[10]
[edit] Band members
- Final members
- A.J. Minette – guitars, piano (2004–2007, 2010–2011)
- Dean Herrera – guitars (2004–2011)
- Henry Selva – bass (2006–2007, 2008–2011)
- Brett Powell – drums (2004–2011)
- Touring members
- Ryan Devlin – lead vocals (2011)[11]
- Former members
- Nick Olaerts – lead vocals (2004–2005)
- Nathan Ells – lead vocals (2006–2009)
- Travis Richter – lead vocals (2010–2011)[11]
- Kenny Arehart – bass (2004–2006)
- Mike Nordeen – bass (2007–2008)
- Sean Leonard – keyboards, synthesizers, piano (2007–2009)
- Andrew Tapley – guitars (2007–2010)
[edit] Timeline
[edit] Discography
| Year | Album | Chart peaks[12] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | Heatseekers | Independent Albums | ||
| 2006 | Nocturne | — | — | — |
| 2008 | Midheaven | 163 | 6 | 22 |
| 2011 | Digital Veil[13] | 177 | 5 | — |
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | ||||
[edit] References
- ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry (2005). New Wave of American Heavy Metal. New Plymouth, New Zealand: Zonda Books Limited. pp. 319. ISBN 0-9582684-0-1.
- ^ Mason, Stewart. "The Human Abstract – Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-human-abstract-p812717/biography. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
- ^ "The Human Abstract Announces New members". metalnews.com. http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=33688.
- ^ "The Human Abstract parts ways with guitarist". blabbermouth.net. 2008-02-04. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89968. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
- ^ Karan, Tim (April 7, 2010). "Exclusive: Travis Richter (ex-From First to Last) named Human Abstract frontman". Alternative Press. http://www.alternativepress.com/news/richterabstract.htm. Retrieved April 7, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Dean Herrera's Mypsace Blog". November 22, 2009. http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=7548657&blogId=519569055.
- ^ DiVincenzo, Alex (April 10, 2010). "Interview: The Human Abstract". AbsolutePunk. http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=65196692. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ^ http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150640542755693&id=68886975692
- ^ http://www.metalinsider.net/metal-musical-chairs/exclusive-the-human-abstract-announce-touring-vocalist
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatOrca/posts/346979795328659?notif_t=share_reply
- ^ a b Teitelman, Bram (August 24, 2011). "Exclusive: The Human Abstract Announce Touring Vocalist". Metal Insider. The Syndicate. http://www.metalinsider.net/metal-musical-chairs/exclusive-the-human-abstract-announce-touring-vocalist. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
- ^ "Artist Chart History - The Human Abstract" Billboard.com. Retrieved on August 29, 2008.
- ^ "The Human Abstract: New Album Title Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. October 1, 2010. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=147015. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
