Arsis

Arsis is an American extreme metal band from Virginia Beach, Virginia, formed in 2000. The band is currently signed to Nuclear Blast.

This article is about the American death metal band. For the musical or metrical term, see Arsis and thesis.
Arsis
Arsis performing in Seattle, Nov. 9th 2018
Background information
OriginVirginia Beach, Virginia, United States
GenresTechnical death metal, melodic death metal
Years active2000–present
LabelsWillowtip, Earache, Candlelight, Nuclear Blast, Negative Existence
Associated actsThe Black Dahlia Murder, Malevolent Creation, Arch Enemy, Dååth, Battlemaster, Monstrosity
MembersJames Malone
Shawn Priest
Noah Martin
Past membersMike Van Dyne
Ryan Knight
Darren Cesca
Nathaniel Carter
Nick Cordle
Justin Shaw
Brandon Ellis

Biography

Demos and Willowtip era (2000–2006)

Arsis was started by James Malone and Michael “Mike” Van Dyne in 2000, who met while attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston. They recorded two demos independently in 2001 and 2002, which were later officially released by Negative-Existence Records in 2007.[1] Arsis signed to Willowtip Records in 2003, and released their debut album, A Celebration of Guilt, in 2004. This was followed by the release of A Diamond for Disease in 2005, and United in Regret in 2006. During this time, Arsis toured heavily, sharing national stages with Misery Index, Incantation, Necrophagist, Cattle Decapitation, Dead to Fall, Misery Signals, The Faceless, All Shall Perish, and Napalm Death, and performed on the main stage at the 2004 Maryland Deathfest, the 2006 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, and the First Annual California Metalfest.

The band's main composer, singer/guitarist/songwriter James Malone, wrote and performed all the guitar, vocal, and bass work on the first studio album, A Celebration of Guilt, as well as the follow-up, A Diamond for Disease. Malone also composed and performed a score for the off-Broadway ballet company Ballet Deviare.[2] He has a signature model for Washburn Guitars.[3]

Mike Van Dyne performed drums on all of Arsis' releases and tours up until early 2007, and recorded/toured again with the band from 2009 until 2011. Van Dyne is the current drummer for The Final Sleep.[4]

We Are the Nightmare and line-up changes (2007–2008)

The band signed to Nuclear Blast just before original drummer Van Dyne departed; he was replaced by Darren Cesca. Noah Martin, who played bass on United in Regret, and Ryan Knight were also added to the line-up to record We Are the Nightmare (2008), their first album with Nuclear Blast. That summer 2008, Arsis played on the Thrash & Burn tour.

Cesca was let go in 2008, with differences in musical direction provided as the reason; he was replaced on tour by Alex Tomlin of Battlemaster and later by Shawn Priest. Martin quit the band in the fall of 2008 to finish his college degree. In late 2008, Nick Cordle (guitar) and David Kinkade (drums) joined the band, and in December Knight left Arsis to join The Black Dahlia Murder.

On March 18, 2009, Malone issued a statement explaining and apologizing for recent tour cancellations and lineup changes, citing personal reasons. Soon after, it was announced that original drummer Mike Van Dyne would return (although due to career commitments, his ability to tour with the band may be limited).[5]

Starve for the Devil (2009–2011)

In July, 2009, it was announced that work was ongoing for their next record, Starve for the Devil. In September, recording sessions began with Nathaniel Carter performing bass and production being handled again by Zeuss. The record was released on February 9, 2010, and landed at No. 13 on the Billboard Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, making Starve for the Devil the highest charting Arsis album.[6]

In October and November, 2009, Arsis toured Europe with Behemoth, DevilDriver, and Scar Symmetry on the Neckbreakers Ball Tour.

In January, 2010, Arsis released a music video for "Forced to Rock", the first track off Starve for the Devil.

In January and February, 2010, Arsis toured the U.S. and Canada with Arch Enemy, Exodus, and Mutiny Within on the Tyrants of Evil North American Tour.

On March 6, 2010, Arsis performed at the Eye Scream Metal Fest II in Mexico City (the band's first ever performance in Latin America) with Sacred Reich, Cynic, Municipal Waste, and Dying Fetus. This festival, the Tyrants of Evil Tour, and the Neckbreakers Ball Tour are the only times the full Starve for the Devil recording lineup performed live.

On May 13, 2010, Noah Martin rejoined the band, despite staying enrolled in college, following the departure of Nathaniel Carter.

In November 2010, the lineup of Malone, Cordle, Martin, and Van Dyne toured Europe extensively with Misery Index, Grave, The Last Felony, and The Rotted, followed by a U.S. headlining tour in December with Powerglove and Conducting from the Grave. During their headlining dates, Arsis performed the 12+ minute track "A Diamond for Disease" in its entirety for the first time ever.[7]

On August 9, 2011, Willowtip Records reissued Arsis' acclaimed debut album A Celebration of Guilt with two bonus tracks and expanded artwork.[8]

Unwelcome (2011–2017)

News of demos and samples of a new full-length record starting pouring out in early 2012. Not long after, however, guitarist Nick Cordle left the band to join Arch Enemy.[9] Shortly after that, longtime drummer and founding member Mike Van Dyne departed Arsis to concentrate on his career full-time.[10]

On March 13, 2012, Arsis released a demo song entitled "Choking on Sand" featuring Malone on vocals and both guitars and Noah Martin on bass.[11]

On April 6, Arsis announced Shawn Priest as Mike Van Dyne's replacement and reposted the demo song "Choking on Sand" with Shawn on the recording.[12]

Tracking for the as-of-then still untitled full-length record produced by Mark Lewis began on June 4.[13] Raw video footage from the recording sessions was posted by the band on Facebook on July 19.[14]

On July 27, 2012, the album art and title for Unwelcome were made public.[15]

On December 4, 2012, Arsis released an EP entitled Lepers Caress preceding the release of Unwelcome containing new songs that would be on the full-length record as well as some re-recordings from their earlier catalog.

On April 30, 2013, Arsis released Unwelcome.

In 2014, Willowtip Records reissued Arsis' A Diamond for Disease EP and United in Regret album with bonus live video tracks and expanded artwork.[16]

In 2015, Arsis supported Sepultura on their 30th Anniversary tour, they were also joined by Destruction and Starkill.[17]

In 2016, Arsis released their pre-production demo which is titled "As Deep As Your Flesh".[18] They also opened up for Scar Symmetry once again on their North American tour alongside Shattered Sun and Painted in Exile.[19]

Visitant (2018–present)

In November 2018, Arsis released Visitant.

Members
Current members
  • James Malone – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2000–present), lead guitar (2000–2006, 2018–present), bass (2000–2006)
  • Noah Martin – bass, backing vocals (2006–2008, 2010–present)
  • Shawn Priest – drums (2008, 2012–present)
Former members
  • Mike Van Dyne – drums (2000–2007, 2009–2011)
  • Nathaniel Carter – bass (2009–2010)
  • Brandon Ellis - lead guitar (2012-2018)
  • Nick Cordle – lead guitar (2008–2012)
  • Ryan Knight – lead guitar (2006–2008)
  • Darren Cesca – drums (2007–2008)
Touring/Session members
  • Mike Parks – lead vocals (2007, 2012)
  • Justin Shaw – bass (2004–2006)
  • Mike Mullen – bass (2003)
  • Alex Cox – bass (2006)
  • Michael Leon – bass (2015)
  • Taylor Washington – lead guitar (2018–2019)
  • "Fast" Chris Jones – lead guitar (2003–2004)
  • Jake Ososkie – lead guitar (2004–2005)
  • Johnny Allen – lead guitar (2006)
  • Jon Fralick – lead guitar (2006)
  • David Kinkade – drums (2008–2009)
  • Alex Tomlin – drums (2008)
  • Samus – drums (70000 Tons of Metal 2011)
  • Scot Seguine – bass (2001 demo)
  • Kathy Burke – lead guitar (2001 demo)

Timeline

Discography
Studio albums
EPs and compilations
Music videos
  • We Are The Nightmare – Regular Version (2008)
  • We Are The Nightmare – Animated Version (2008)
  • Forced To Rock (2010)
  • Carve My Cross (2012)
  • Scornstar (2013)
  • Tricking The Gods (2018)
  • Fathoms (2018)

References
  1. "ARSIS Demos To Be Released On NEGATIVE EXISTENCE". Blabbermouth.net. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  2. "Ballet Deviare presents : Forged" (PDF). Balletdeviare.org. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-03-14. Retrieved 2011-01-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Former ARSIS drummer joins THE FINAL SLEEP". Blabbermouth.net. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  5. "Original Arsis Drummer Michael Van Dyne Returns To The Band". idiomag. 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  6. "Arsis: 'Starve For The Devil' First-Week Sales Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  7. "Arsis To Perform Entire 'A Diamond For Disease' Track On Upcoming Tour". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  8. "ARSIS – A Celebration Of Guilt To Be Reissued With Bonus Material". Bravewords.com. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  9. "Arch Enemy Part Ways With Guitarist Christopher Amott". Loudwire.com. 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  10. "Arsis Drummer Mike Van Dyne Announces His Departure - Blabbermouth.net". Legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com. 2012-04-04. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  11. "ARSIS – Choking on Sand (Demo) by NuclearBlastRecords on SoundCloud – Hear the world's sounds". Soundcloud.com. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  12. EvilG (2012-04-06). "News, Interviews, Concert Reviews » ARSIS ANNOUNCES NEW DRUMMER SHAWN PRIEST". Metal-rules.com. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  13. "ARSIS Begin Tracking New Album – The Gauntlet Heavy Metal News". Thegauntlet.com. 2012-06-13. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  14. "Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  15. Rosenberg, Axl. "New Arsis Album Will Be Called Unwelcome; Album Art Preview Available". MetalSucks.net. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  16. "Arsis To Reissue "A Diamond For Disease" In October - Theprp.com". Theprp.com. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  17. "Metal Injection Presents SEPULTURA's 30th Anniversary Tour with DESTRUCTION, ARSIS and Select Guests". Metalinjection.net. March 2, 2015.
  18. "ARSIS Says Its First New Album In Four Years Is "On Its Way"". Metalinjection.net. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  19. "Scar Symmetry Announce US Tour with Arsis, Shattered Sun, and Painted in Exile". Metalinjection.net. July 14, 2016.

Sources
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