Common Dead
American thrash/groove metal project of A.P. Laurenson.
Common Dead was an American thrash/groove metal project and the alias of musician A.P. Laurenson, who handled all instruments on recordings and played guitar and sang live. The act is often labeled melodic death metal, but its sound also draws from melodic thrash, groove, and alternative metal, placing it within the new wave of American heavy metal.
Laurenson described the music as built around melodic guitar work and raw, direct vocals. The debut self-titled album arrived in 2009. A 2011 EP, *Interim Flesh*, introduced industrial metal elements uncommon for the band and earned warm critical reception. The full-length *Diatribe* followed in 2012 to generally positive reviews, with three music videos including “Critical Mass,” which aired on Underground Video TV. The next year saw the release of *Allegorize*.
After posting a raw mix of a Fear Factory cover (“Flashpoint”) on YouTube, Laurenson announced new live members. Activity paused in 2013 when he shifted focus to other projects, including work under his birth name.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Genre
- Thrash metal, melodic death metal, groove metal
- Years Active
- 2009–2013
- Label
- Independent
- Current Members
- A.P. Laurenson
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Common Dead debuted with a self-titled album in 2009. Laurenson was the band's sole proprietor and performed all instrumentation on recorded efforts, playing lead/rhythm guitar and vocals for live occasions. In an interview with Metal-Rules.com, he commented that the band revolves around a melodic guitar influence and raw, forthright vocals. A four-track EP titled Interim Flesh was released in January 2011, which experimented with industrial metal influences not typical of the band's style and scored warm praise from critics. The band released the album Diatribe in February 2012, met with generally positive reviews. Three music videos were released for the album, including 'Critical Mass,' which was broadcast on Underground Video TV. The following year, the album Allegorize was released. After a raw mix for a Fear Factory cover came out on YouTube, Common Dead recorded a cover for 'Flashpoint' as one instrumentalist. New members were announced for live performances, but a break in activity was confirmed in 2013 as Laurenson moved toward other projects, including work under his natural name.
Reader's Guide
Common Dead represents a notable entry in the new wave of American heavy metal, particularly for its blend of melodic death metal with thrash and groove elements. The project's significance lies in its sole proprietorship by A.P. Laurenson, who handled all instrumentation and vocals on recordings, a rarity in the genre. The band's discography, spanning from 2009 to 2013, includes a self-titled debut, an EP that experimented with industrial metal, and two full-length albums that received generally positive reviews. The EP Interim Flesh earned warm critical praise for its departure from the band's typical style. The release of three music videos for Diatribe, with one broadcast on Underground Video TV, indicates a modest promotional reach. The band's activity ceased in 2013 when Laurenson shifted to other projects, leaving a compact but varied body of work that illustrates the stylistic range within modern American metal. Common Dead's legacy is that of a short-lived but creatively flexible project that contributed to the melodic death metal landscape of its era.
Did You Know?
- Common Dead was the stage name of recording artist A.P. Laurenson.
- The band's EP Interim Flesh experimented with industrial metal influences not typical of its style.
- A music video for the song 'Critical Mass' from Diatribe was broadcast on Underground Video TV.
- Common Dead recorded a cover of 'Flashpoint' as one instrumentalist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Common Dead?
Common Dead is a solo American heavy metal project fronted by musician A.P. Laurenson, who records every instrument himself and plays guitar and sings on stage. Though often slotted under melodic death metal, the sound actually spans thrash, groove, and alternative metal within the broader new wave of American heavy metal.
What genre is Common Dead really?
Fans and labels tend to tag the project as melodic death metal, but the music draws just as heavily from melodic thrash, groove, and alternative metal. Laurenson has described the core approach as melodic guitar work paired with raw, direct vocal delivery.
What albums has Common Dead put out?
The debut self-titled full-length arrived in 2009, and a 2011 EP called *Interim Flesh* followed. That EP stood out for weaving in industrial metal textures that were a clear departure from the project's usual thrash-and-groove palette.
Does Common Dead have a full live band?
No; A.P. Laurenson is the sole proprietor, handling all instruments in the studio and performing guitar plus lead vocals himself at shows. There are no permanent bandmates or rotating members attached to the project.
Why do fans consider Common Dead noteworthy?
The project bridges melodic death metal sensibilities with thrash and groove roots, giving it a distinct identity within the new wave of American heavy metal. Its 2011 EP *Interim Flesh* earned warm critical reception specifically for introducing industrial elements that set it apart from similar acts.
More in American thrash metal musical groups 1-24
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