The Contortionist
American progressive metal band from Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Contortionist, a progressive metal band, originated in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2007. The group’s current members are guitarists Robby Baca and Cameron Maynard, drummer Joey Baca, vocalist Mike Lessard, bassist Jordan Eberhardt, and keyboardist Eric Guenther. They have four studio albums and three EPs to their name, having signed with eOne Music and Good Fight Entertainment in early 2010.
Quick Facts
- Also known as
- At the Hands of Machines (2007–2008)
- Origin
- Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
- Genre
- Progressive metal
- progressive rock
- deathcore (early)
- Years active
- 2007–present
- Label
- eOne; Good Fight
- Current members
- Robby Baca
- Joey Baca
- Cameron Maynard
- Michael Lessard
- Eric Guenther
- Jordan Eberhardt
- Past members
- Jake Morris
- Dave Hoffman
- Jonathan Carpenter
- Christopher Tilley
Facts from the source article.
History
The band began in 2007 as At the Hands of Machines with vocalist Jake Morris, guitarists Robby Baca and Cameron Maynard, bassist Christopher Tilley, and drummer Joey Baca. Their first release, the EP Sporadic Movements, came out later that year. After changing their name to The Contortionist, the same lineup recorded the EP Shapeshifter, released in September 2008. Both EPs had a deathcore sound. The band entered Voltaic Recording Studio in early 2009 and issued their third EP, Apparition, in September of that year. That EP continued the deathcore style but began incorporating progressive metal elements. Hoffman departed in early 2010 and was replaced by Jonathan Carpenter. The Contortionist then worked on their debut album, Exoplanet, released on August 31, 2010, through Good Fight Entertainment. The album maintained the progressive metal/deathcore sound of Apparition, with lyrics about space and interstellar travel; several songs were reworked from Apparition with new lyrics by Carpenter. Their second album, Intrinsic, came out on July 17, 2012. A month earlier, the band released their first music video, for the song "Holomovement. Intrinsic shifted toward greater melody and atmosphere while retaining some deathcore elements, and Carpenter's lyrics continued science fiction themes. In March 2013, Carpenter announced his departure on good terms to focus on his personal life and starting a family. Robby Baca stated that the band supported Carpenter's decision and looked forward to finding a new vocalist and writing a new record.
Musical style and influences
The Contortionist's music is described as progressive metal and progressive rock. Their early EP Apparition has been called deathcore. Former vocalist Jonathan Carpenter listed Dream Theater and ambient composer Brian Eno as personal influences. Other noted influences are Rush, Isis, and Cynic.
More in American Progressive Metal Musical Groups
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