Signs of the Swarm

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Signs of the Swarm
OriginPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresDeathcore[1]
Years active2014 (2014)–present
LabelsUnique Leader Records, Century Media
Members
  • Bobby Crow
  • David Simonich
  • Michael Cassese
  • Carl Schulz
Past members
  • Collin Barker
  • Rodney Fabiann
  • CJ McCreery
  • Jimmy Pino
  • Cory Smarsh
  • Jacob Toy
  • Jeff Russo

Signs of the Swarm is an American deathcore band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania formed in 2014.[1] The band consists of drummer Bobby Crow, vocalist David Simonich, guitarist Carl Schulz and bassist Michael Cassese. They have released 5 studio albums, releasing their fifth album Amongst the Low & Empty on July 28, 2023 via Century Media Records.

History[edit]

Formation, Senseless Order, and The Disfigurement of Existence (2014–2018)[edit]

Signs of the Swarm was founded in 2014 with the initial lineup of vocalist CJ McCreery, guitarists Rodney Fabiann and Jacob Toy, bassist Collin Barker, and drummer Bobby Crow. Fabiann's departure saw Cory Smarsh joining the band as the new rhythm guitarist in January 2015. Their debut full-length album, entitled Senseless Order, was released on April 29, 2016. The album drew influence from brutal death metal and slam. Senseless Order was mostly self-recorded and therefore received mixed reviews, but allowed the band to find their footing. Later that same year, they signed with Unique Leader Records.[2]

Following the album's release, Barker departed the band. A lineup change followed which saw Crow take on role as bassist, while new member Jimmy Pino replaced Crow as drummer. With this lineup, Signs of the Swarm released their second album, The Disfigurement of Existence, on November 3, 2017, their first release on Unique Leader.[3] It was received positively by fans and it introduced the influences of black metal and hardcore, which would shape their sound going forward. The album's release was preceded by the single “Final Phase”, featuring guest vocals by Dickie Allen of Infant Annihilator.[4]

Departure of CJ McCreery and Vital Deprivation (2018–2020)[edit]

In 2018, vocalist CJ McCreery departed Signs of the Swarm to join New Jersey-based deathcore act Lorna Shore, after their original vocalist Tom Barber departed to join Chelsea Grin. The band issued a statement addressing McCreery's departure, saying the decision was mutual and stating "we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."[5] They were briefly supported by vocalists David Simonich and Matthew Krawchuk while on tour with bands such as Traitors, Aborted, and Lorna Shore.[6] Simonich would be announced as their permanent vocalist later that year.

Signs of the Swarm's third album, entitled Vital Deprivation, was released on October 11, 2019,[7] serving as Simonich's debut with them as well as drummer Jimmy Pino's last album with them. It continued the sound they had previously explored on The Disfigurement of Existence. Some reviews were mixed, stating that the vocals drowned out the music in the mix. Pino departed the band early the next year, causing another change which saw Jacob Toy switch to playing bass, and Bobby Crow return to his original position as drummer.[8]

Absolvere and line-up changes (2020–2022)[edit]

During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Signs of the Swarm released 2 non-album singles. The first, “Pernicious”, was released on October 20, 2020.[9][10] The second, titled “The Collection”, was released on February 5, 2021, and featured guest vocals from Matt Honeycutt and Nick Arthur, of Kublai Khan and Molotov Solution, respectively.[11] It would also be the first to feature new guitarist Jeff Russo, who joined the band full-time in early 2021 after initially being contacted to tour with them in 2020. Russo would also be involved in writing and recording their upcoming fourth album, according to a statement published later in the year.

On June 29, 2021, they announced their fourth studio album, Absolvere, which released on September 24, 2021, and premiered its first single and music video, “Totem”.[12][13] About a month later on July 27, they released a second single, “Hollow Prison”, featuring Alex Erian of Despised Icon as a guest vocalist.[14]

In August 2021, the band parted ways with longtime members Cory Smarsh and Jacob Toy following abuse allegations against them that surfaced on Facebook.[15] Despite this, the band confirmed that Absolvere’s release and support tours would continue as planned. They released a final music video which was filmed previously in 2021, featuring one of the former members for the album’s closing track "Death Whistle." Michael Cassese would step in to handle bass duties for their forthcoming tours. He was later announced as a full-time member on June 6, 2022.[16]

The band embarked on a release tour for Absolvere in September 2021 with opening acts Worm Shepherd and Ov Sulfur, and supported Born of Osiris that fall, alongside Shadow of Intent. In early 2022, they supported Fit For an Autopsy, alongside Ingested, Enterprise Earth, and Great American Ghost.

They played at the Chaos & Carnage 2022 tour, headlined by Suicide Silence and Carnifex, featuring further support from Lorna Shore, Upon A Burning Body, Angelmaker, and Distant.

Century Media and Amongst the Low & Empty (2022–present)[edit]

On August 29, 2022, the band announced their signing with Century Media Records, ending their nearly 6-year long relationship with Unique Leader Records. In celebration, they also announced a new single and video titled "Unbridled", which was released through Century Media on September 7.

The band entered the studio in November that same year to begin work on their fifth studio album with producer Josh Schroeder (King 810, Lorna Shore), with a social media post on December 15 confirming the album's completion. The following April, the band welcomed new guitarist Carl Schulz, confirming the departure of Jeff Russo in the process. They debuted a new single the next day, titled "Amongst the Low & Empty."

On May 26, 2023, the band revealed a new single titled “Tower of Torsos” and announced their fifth studio album Amongst the Low & Empty, to be released on July 28.[17]

Members[edit]

Timeline

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

List of Albums
Year Album details
2016 Senseless Order
  • Released: April 29, 2016
  • Label: independent
2017 The Disfigurement of Existence
  • Released: November 3, 2017
  • Label: Unique Leader Records
2019 Vital Deprivation
  • Released: October 11, 2019
  • Label: Unique Leader Records
2021 Absolvere
  • Released: September 24, 2021
  • Label: Unique Leader Records
2023 Amongst the Low & Empty

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Signs of the Swarm". September 4, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "SIGNS OF THE SWARM Joins Unique Leader". uniqueleader.com. Unique Leader Records. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  3. ^ "The Disfigurement of Existence, by Signs of the Swarm". Unique Leader Records. Bandcamp. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "Track Premiere: Signs of the Swarm - "Final Phase" (Feat. Dickie Allen)". Decibel Magazine. October 6, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  5. ^ "Signs Of The Swarm part ways with CJ McCreery". June 29, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  6. ^ "Signs Of The Swarm 2018 Tour History". August 21, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  7. ^ Houlden, Sam (January 10, 2020). "Signs of the Swarm - Vital Deprivation". www.punknews.org. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  8. ^ "Signs of the Swarm on Twitter: "We'd also, like to take this time to thank our previous drummer Jimmy Pino for all that he has contributed to Signs of the Swarm. We love Jimmy and wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors. • See you all next week."". Twitter. Signs of the Swarm. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  9. ^ Redrup, Zach (October 21, 2020). "NEWS: Signs Of The Swarm debut new single, 'Pernicious'!". DEAD PRESS!. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  10. ^ "Signs of the Swarm release new music video for 'Pernicious'". Distorted Sound Magazine. October 21, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  11. ^ Howkins, Jessica (February 4, 2021). "Signs Of The Swarm release new music video for 'The Collection' - Distorted Sound Magazine". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  12. ^ "Signs of the Swarm release new single and announce album details". Hold Tight. June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  13. ^ Redrup, Zach (June 30, 2021). "NEWS: Signs Of The Swarm announce fourth album, 'Absolvere'!". DEAD PRESS!. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  14. ^ Rogers, Jack. "Signs Of The Swarm Have Released A Destructively Intense New Track - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  15. ^ Graham Hartmann (August 6, 2021). "Signs of the Swarm Fire Guitarist Cory Smarsh Following Abuse Allegations". Loudwire. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  16. ^ "Signs Of The Swarm Welcome Michael Cassese As Their Permanent Bassist". ThePRP. June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  17. ^ "Signs of the Swarm Announce Amongst the Low & Empty Album". MetalSucks. May 26, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
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