Early Man (band)

Lore & Background

Early Man began when guitarist and vocalist Mike Conte started performing under the name in the early 2000s. Drummer Adam Bennati moved to New York in 2003, and the two formed the core of the band. Drawing influence from Black Sabbath, Mercyful Fate, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Kreator, Celtic Frost, and early Metallica, they released their first EP in early 2005 on Monitor Records. Matador Records signed them and released their debut album, Closing In, in fall 2005. Lead guitarist Pete Macy joined in 2005. The band has used several bass players over the years and at times performs without one.

The band left Matador Records and signed with The End Records in 2008. They released the EP Beware the Circling Fin on October 14, 2008, and toured with Iced Earth, High on Fire, 3 Inches of Blood, Toxic Holocaust, Skeletonwitch, and Valient Thorr. Their second album, Death Potion, recorded and produced by Jack Endino, was released on July 20, 2010. The band toured with Evile and Bonded by Blood that fall, but prior to the tour, Adam Bennati announced his departure. The band has since used various touring drummers.

In July 2011, Mike Conte was announced as the composer for the Cartoon Network show Secret Mountain Fort Awesome, premiering in fall 2011. The band's discography includes studio albums Closing In, Death Potion, and A Death in the Family (2014), as well as several EPs and singles.

Reader's Guide

Early Man occupies a niche in the American metal scene as a duo that revived a traditional heavy metal and thrash metal sound in the 2000s. Their debut album, Closing In, drew comparisons to Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest, with Mike Conte's vocals likened to Ozzy Osbourne. The follow-up, Death Potion, showed stronger thrash influences, inviting comparisons to early Metallica and Anthrax. The band's willingness to perform without a bassist and their rotating lineup of bass players and touring drummers underscored a flexible, core-driven approach. Their signing with Matador Records and later The End Records reflected the independent metal circuit's interest in retro-styled acts. Beyond music, Conte's work on Cartoon Network's Secret Mountain Fort Awesome expanded the band's reach into television. While not a mainstream commercial force, Early Man's adherence to classic metal tropes and their modest discography have made them a footnote in the 2000s metal revival, notable for their persistence through lineup changes and label shifts.

Did You Know?

• Early Man was formed in 2003 when drummer Adam Bennati moved to New York and joined guitarist/vocalist Mike Conte.
• Mike Conte composed all the music for the Cartoon Network show Secret Mountain Fort Awesome, which premiered in fall 2011.
• Their second album, Death Potion, was recorded and produced by Jack Endino.