Animals as leaders

Animals as Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band from Washington DC. Formed in 2007, the band is currently composed of Tosin Abasi (guitar), Javier Reyes (guitar) and Matt Garstka (drums). Previous band members include Chebon Littlefield on bass and keyboard as well as Matt Halpern and Navene Koperweis on drums. Animals as Leaders, currently signed to the Sumerian Records label, has a total of four albums, the latest being "The Madness of Many" (2016).

Animals as Leaders is formed in 2007 by the guitarist Tosin Abasi, after the separation of his metalcore band, Reflux >>>. The heavy metal label Prosthetic Records notices Abasi's guitar playing and asks him to record a solo album. Abasi initially declined, explaining that "it would be selfish and useless" ... " Abasi decides to take a year off to learn the music, feeling that he was not reaching his maximum as for his guitar playing. Reflux finally separates permanently. Later, Abasi accepts the proposal of the label. The name Animals as Leaders is inspired by Daniel Quinn's (1992) Ishmael about anthropocentrism. Abasi explains that this name "reminds all of us that we are animals". "

The first album of the band, "=" en>> Animals as Leaders , was recorded in early 2008. Abasi recorded the guitar and bass tracks on the album; some guitar solos, drums and synthesizers are programmed by the sound engineer Misha Mansoor of Periphery and Haunted Shores. The album is published April 28, 2009 at the label Prosthetic Records.

In 2010, the band turned significantly, notably at the Summer Slaughter Tour with bands like Decapitated, Vital Remains, Carnifex, The Faceless, All Shall Perish, The Red Chord, Cephalic Carnage, Veil of Maya, and Decrepit Birth, and since Summer Slaughter, with more popular bands like Circa Survive and Dredg. They're releasing a separate single titled "Wave of Babies " on iTunes later this year. The group embarks on a tour with Circa Survive, Dredg, and Codeseven in mid-2010 and early 2011, then with Underoath, Thursday, and A Skylit Drive. On May 26, 2011, Animals as Leaders takes part in the charity show Josh Barnett Presents The Sun Forever Rising at the House of Blues in Hollywood. California. Shortly after, they tour for the first time headlining with Intronaut, Dead Letter Circus, Last Chance to Reason, and Evan Brewer. On July 27, 2011, during a concert at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia, Tosin Abasi announces a live DVD. The band toured Between the Buried and Me in Europe in September 2011, with French band Doyle. The band is releasing a new album, Weightless , November 8 in the United States>, November 4 in Europe, and November 7 in the United Kingdom. Kingdom>.