Cult Leader

Lore & Background

Cult Leader was founded in May 2013 by guitarist Mike Mason, drummer Casey Hansen, and bassist-turned-vocalist Anthony Lucero, all former members of Gaza, after Gaza's breakup in March 2013. The breakup followed rape allegations against Gaza vocalist Jon Parkin by an unnamed woman from Idaho, which Gaza denied as 'reckless and completely slanderous' before the matter was settled privately. Lucero stated that tension between the three members and Parkin had been building for two years, leading to Parkin's removal and the decision to start a new band. The name 'Cult Leader' was suggested by a friend and chosen for its vivid imagery and multiple meanings.

The band released its debut EP 'Nothing for Us Here' on April 15, 2014, through Deathwish Inc., after initially considering self-releasing it. The EP's title partly referenced Gaza's breakup. In 2015, they released a second EP 'Useless Animal' and their first full-length album 'Lightless Walk' on October 16, 2015, both through Deathwish. Their second studio album 'A Patient Man' followed on November 9, 2018, produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge. The band toured extensively in support of these releases.

Reader's Guide

Cult Leader emerged from the dissolution of Gaza, a Salt Lake City hardcore band that ended amid serious allegations and internal conflict. The three founding members—Lucero, Mason, and Hansen—chose to continue making music together, forming Cult Leader as a fresh start. Their sound, described as brutal with prominent extreme metal elements, was showcased on two studio albums and two EPs released through Deathwish Inc., a label known for heavy, underground music. The band's significance lies in its direct lineage from Gaza and its ability to channel that band's intensity into a new project, gaining a following within the hardcore punk and metal scenes. Their legacy is tied to their recorded output and touring, with no further activity noted beyond 2018 in the source.

Did You Know?

• Cult Leader was formed by three former members of Gaza after that band broke up in March 2013.
• The band's name was suggested by a friend and chosen because it 'conjured up vivid imagery'.
• Their debut EP 'Nothing for Us Here' was released through Deathwish Inc. after label head Jacob Bannon heard it and offered to release it.
• The EP 'Useless Animal' includes a cover of 'You Are Not My Blood' by Mark Kozelek and Desertshore.

From the Ashes of Gaza

Cult Leader was born out of one of the most turbulent chapters in the Salt Lake City hardcore scene. In late 2012, an unnamed woman from Idaho took to social media to accuse Gaza vocalist Jon Parkin of rape. The band publicly denied the claims on Facebook in January 2013, labeling them reckless and slanderous, and the dispute was ultimately resolved privately, with both parties agreeing to stop discussing the matter. Yet the fallout was compounded by nearly two years of mounting interpersonal tension. As bassist Anthony Lucero later recalled, tours were being cancelled and the group had simply reached a breaking point, leading the remaining three members to remove Parkin from the lineup. Gaza formally dissolved in March 2013, with a parting note that some members would keep making music together. Just two months later, in May 2013, guitarist Mike Mason, drummer Casey Hansen, and Lucero—who shifted from bass to lead vocals—announced their new project, Cult Leader, and brought in Sam Richards on bass. The name, suggested by a friend, struck Lucero immediately for its vivid, layered imagery.

Finding a Home at Deathwish

The band's first release, the EP Nothing for Us Here, arrived on April 15, 2014, and its path to a label was almost accidental. The material came together in roughly a week, and the group initially considered self-releasing it. Instead, they sent a copy to their friend Jacob Bannon, the frontman of Converge, to get his honest take on the music. Bannon was impressed and suggested they put the EP out through his own imprint, Deathwish Inc. The title carried, in part, a reference to the breakup of Gaza, acknowledging that the old chapter was closed. The EP earned generally favorable reviews and was followed by a supporting tour across the United States in April and May 2014. By November of that year, the band had already announced plans for both a three-track 7-inch and a full-length record for the following year, cementing their partnership with Deathwish as a long-term creative home.

Lightless Walk and the Ballou Connection

Cult Leader's sound is defined by a brutal hardcore foundation heavily laced with extreme metal elements, and that identity was sharpened significantly in the studio. In March 2015, the band traveled from Utah to Massachusetts to record their debut full-length at GodCity Studio, working with producer Kurt Ballou, who is also a member of Converge. They had toured the United States before entering the studio and continued touring North America through May 2015 immediately after tracking was complete. The resulting album, Lightless Walk, dropped on October 16, 2015, through Deathwish and was supported by a North American tour that stretched through October and November. That same year, the three-song EP Useless Animal (June 16, 2015) included a cover of "You Are Not My Blood," a collaboration between Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon, and the band Deathshore. The follow-up, A Patient Man, also produced by Ballou, arrived on November 9, 2018, and was promoted with an online stream of the track "I Am Healed" in September of that year.

Lineup and Longevity

The core of Cult Leader has remained remarkably stable since its inception. Casey Hansen handles drums, Mike Mason plays guitar, and Anthony Lucero—originally Gaza's bassist—now delivers the band's lead vocals, a role he adopted when the project was formed in May 2013. Sam Richards, who is also associated with the band Rile, anchors the rhythm section on bass. All three of the original Gaza members brought their experience directly into the new lineup, and Richards completed the four-piece. Beyond their two full-length albums and two Deathwish EPs, the group has continued to release material. In 2022, they issued a split EP titled Gather & Mourn alongside the band End, adding another collaborative entry to their catalog. The band maintains a presence on platforms like Tumblr and Bandcamp, where fans can access their recordings and follow updates. From a project assembled just two months after Gaza's dissolution to a Deathwish-signed act with a growing discography, Cult Leader has maintained a consistent identity and output throughout its run.