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, jazz fusion |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Prosthetic |
| 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 which now includes guitarist Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka. Their self-titled debut album was released in April 2009 by Prosthetic Records. 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.
The group's latest album entitled Weightless was released on November 8th, 2011 in the US, November 4th in Europe, and November 7th in the UK.[1]
History
Animals as Leaders was formed after guitarist Tosin Abasi's previous technical metalcore band, Reflux, had been 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] When Reflux disbanded, Abasi decided to take the label's offer. 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 did extensive touring 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. A non-album digital single was uploaded to iTunes later that year entitled "Wave of Babies".
The band embarked on a tour alongside Circa Survive, Dredg, and Codeseven from mid 2010 to early 2011, and in early 2011, they 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 will embark on a headlining tour of Europe, then return to North America to open for Thrice. Navene Koperweis left Animals as Leaders in March of 2012. Prosthetic Records then announced on March 23, 2012 that drummer Matt Garstka would be joining them on tour.[6] Whether or not Garstka is a permanent replacement is still to be determined.
“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]
Image gallery
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Animals as Leaders playing live November 24, 2010 -
Tosin Abasi playing live -
Tosin Abasi playing a guest solo for Circa Survive with Anthony Green near his guitar
Members
- Current
- Tosin Abasi – guitar (2007–Present)
- Javier Reyes – guitar (2009–Present)
- Matt Garstka - drums (2012-Present)
- Former
- Matt Halpern - drums (2009)
- Chebon Littlefield - bass guitar, keyboard (2007-2008)
- Navene Koperweis – drums (2009–2012)
Discography
- Albums
- Animals as Leaders (2009)
- Weightless (2011)
- Singles
- "Wave of Babies" (2010)
Videography
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "CAFO" | Scott Hansen |
| 2011 | "Isolated Incidents" | Jay Wynne |
| 2012 | "Weightless" | Scott Hansen |
Equipment[8]
Tosin Abasi
Guitars
- Strandberg Custom Headless 8-string
- Ibanez RG2228 8-string Custom 2011
- Ibanez RG2228 8-string
- 8-string Ibanez LACS RGA
- 7-string Ibanez LACS
- 7-string Eastman ER-1 hollow body
- Custom Illustrated Luthier 8-string
- 2 Custom Strandberg 8 strings
- Legend custom 6 string
- Mayones Regius 8 string
Pickups
- Lundgren guitar pickups M8
- Q-tuner BL-5
- EMG 808/EMG 808X
- Kent Armstrong Handmade Pickup
- DiMarzio D Activator 8™
Preamps/Amps
- Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra preamp (previously he used a Line 6 POD unit)
- Fractal Audio Axe-FX II
- VHT 2/50/2 stereo power amp
- Port City Pearl
Cabinets
- Orange Amplification 4x12 speaker cabinet
- OS Vertical Wave 2x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers
Effects
- Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro MIDI Foot Controller
- Fractal Audio MFC-101 MIDI Foot Controller
- Boomerang Plus Phrase Sampler
Guitar Rig & Signal Flow
A detailed gear diagram of Tosin Abasi's 2011 Animals As Leaders guitar rig is well-documented.[9]
References
- Footnotes
- ^ http://got-djent.com/article/animals-leaders-new-album-release-date-announced
- ^ Politte, Elliott. "Tosin Abasi: 8-String Animal". Guitar Edge.
- ^ a b c Allyn, Bobby (February 9, 2009). "Q&A: Animals as Leaders." Washington City Paper.
- ^ "Animals as Leaders Unveils Artwork, Track Listing for Debut Album" (March 20, 2009). Blabbermouth.net.
- ^ "Animals As Leaders Set November Release Date For New Album “Weightless”"
- ^ "Prosthetic Records Announces New Drummer For 2012 Tour"
- ^ Politte, Elliott. "Tosin Abasi: 8-String Animal". Guitar Edge. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
- ^ Cooper, Adam (March 11, 2011) "Tosin Abasi's 2011 Animals As Leaders Guitar Rig". GuitarGeek.Com
- Further reading
- Animals as Leaders (Allmusic)
- Marsicano, Dan (April 2009). "Animals as Leaders – Animals as Leaders." About.com.