Between the Buried and Me

Lore & Background

Between the Buried and Me was formed in 2000 in Raleigh, North Carolina after the demise of the metalcore bands From Here On and Prayer for Cleansing, of which Rogers, Waggoner, and Goodyear were members. The name was chosen from a section of lyrics in the Counting Crows song 'Ghost Train'. Their debut eponymous album was released through Lifeforce Records in 2002, and they later signed to Victory Records, which reissued the album in 2004. The band toured in support of their first album with Canadian metalcore group The End.

After several lineup changes, the current lineup was assembled for their third album, Alaska, released in September 2005. The band released their first cover album, The Anatomy Of, in 2006. Their fourth studio album, Colors, was released in September 2007, which the band described as 'new wave polka grunge' and 'adult contemporary progressive death metal'. They participated in the first Progressive Nation festival in 2008 alongside Dream Theater, Opeth, and 3.

In 2011, the band moved from Victory Records to Metal Blade Records and released their first extended play, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues, followed by its full-length follow-up The Parallax II: Future Sequence in 2012. Their seventh studio album, Coma Ecliptic, was released in July 2015, and their eighth and ninth albums, Automata I and II, were released in 2018. Their tenth album, Colors II, a follow-up to 2007's Colors, was released in August 2021, and their eleventh studio album, The Blue Nowhere, was released in September 2025.

Reader's Guide

Between the Buried and Me has been a significant force in progressive metal since their formation in 2000, known for their intricate compositions and willingness to blend diverse genres. Their early work, such as the self-titled debut and The Silent Circus, established them within the metalcore scene, but it was with albums like Alaska and especially Colors that they began to push boundaries, incorporating elements of jazz, classical, and experimental rock. The band's move to Metal Blade Records in 2011 marked a new chapter, with the two-part Parallax concept series showcasing their ambition and narrative focus. Their later albums, including Coma Ecliptic and the Automata pair, continued to explore progressive and theatrical territory. The release of Colors II in 2021, a direct sequel to their landmark 2007 album, demonstrated their enduring commitment to artistic evolution. Their legacy lies in their ability to maintain a dedicated fanbase while constantly challenging the conventions of heavy music, influencing a generation of progressive metal musicians.

Did You Know?

• Their debut album was originally released through Lifeforce Records in 2002, then reissued by Victory Records in 2004.
• The band's tenth album, Colors II, is a follow-up to their 2007 album Colors.

Origins in Raleigh's Metalcore Scene

Between the Buried and Me emerged from the wreckage of two Raleigh, North Carolina metalcore projects—From Here On and Prayer for Cleansing—whose rosters included Tommy Giles Rogers Jr., Paul Waggoner, and Goodyear. After those bands dissolved around 2000, the core trio brought in Nick Fletcher on guitar and Jason King on bass to forge a new unit. The band's name was lifted from a lyric fragment in the Counting Crows track "Ghost Train," an unusual borrowing that foreshadowed their eclectic musical tastes. Their first output was a three-song demo, all of which were re-recorded for the self-titled debut album released through Lifeforce Records in 2002. Though commercially modest, the record earned a music video for "Aspirations" and caught the ear of Victory Records, who reissued it as an enhanced CD in 2004. The band also toured with Canadian metalcore outfit The End to build early momentum.

Lineup Flux and the Search for a Sound

Between their second and third albums, Between the Buried and Me endured a period of significant personnel turnover that reshaped the group's identity. Mark Castillo replaced Goodyear on drums for The Silent Circus in 2003, only to be succeeded by Jason Roe and then Blake Richardson. Guitar saw Nick Fletcher give way to Shane Blay and eventually Dustie Waring, while Jason King on bass was replaced by Kevin Falk before Dan Briggs settled into the role. By the time Alaska arrived in September 2005, the current four-piece—Rogers, Waggoner, Briggs, and Richardson—was finally in place. The album's singles, including "Selkies: The Endless Obsession" and "Backwards Marathon," showcased a more ambitious, progressive direction. The following year's The Anatomy Of, a cover collection honoring influences like Metallica, King Crimson, Pantera, Faith No More, Queen, Pink Floyd, Earth Crisis, Counting Crows, and Soundgarden, further revealed the breadth of musical territory the band drew from.

A Career Built on the Road

Between the Buried and Me's career has been defined as much by relentless touring as by studio work. After their early run with The End, the band cycled through supporting acts like Bleeding Through, Every Time I Die, and Haste the Day, then landed a slot on the Ozzfest 2006 Second Stage. They also served as main support for DragonForce's off-date headline tour and joined Norma Jean's Radio Rebellion Tour. The 2007–2008 period saw them headline with August Burns Red and Behold… The Arctopus, support The Dillinger Escape Plan across the UK, and share the Progressive Nation '08 stage with Dream Theater and Opeth. In 2008 they backed Children of Bodom in the US, and by 2009 they were co-headlining a Canadian tour with Killswitch Engage and In Flames. They even completed a month-long Australian run in early 2009. By 2010, they were touring with Mastodon, Cynic, Devin Townsend, and Lamb of God in Europe, cementing their status as a globally active progressive metal act.

A Decade-Spanning Catalog and Label Journey

The band's discography traces a clear arc across three labels. After the Lifeforce debut and the Victory Records era—spanning The Silent Circus, Alaska, The Anatomy Of, Colors, and The Great Misdirect—Between the Buried and Me signed with Metal Blade in 2011. That partnership yielded the Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues EP and its full-length successor, The Parallax II: Future Sequence, in 2012. Colors itself (2007) was a 65-minute record the band cheekily labeled "new wave polka grunge" and "adult contemporary progressive death metal." The Great Misdirect followed in October 2009 with the single "Obfuscation." Later releases include Coma Ecliptic (July 2015), the twin albums Automata I and II (2018), Colors II (August 2021, a sequel to the 2007 record), and The Blue Nowhere (September 2025), their eleventh studio album. This steady output over more than two decades underscores a band that has consistently evolved while maintaining a recognizable identity.