Elysia (band)
Encyclopedia
Elysia was an American deathcore
band from Shingle Springs, California
. Originally called Elysium's Revenge, the band was started in 2003 while the members were just freshmen and sophomores in high school
. Since 2003, they have released two EPs and one full-length album, and have completed two US tours despite almost constant line-up changes. Having settled into a more solid line-up, the band released their latest full length, Lion Of Judas, on June 10, 2008, through Ferret Records. They have apparently since disbanded, as vocalist Zak Vargas refuses to speak of Elysia anymore.
They have toured and performed alongside many bands, including Arsonists Get All the Girls
, Knights Of The Abyss
, Catherine
, Emmure
, Heavy Heavy Low Low
, Impending Doom
, Killwhitneydead.
, Suicide Silence
and This Is Hell
. They also have performed at the Saints & Sinners Festival
in 2007. Elysia has close ties with Knights Of The Abyss
and Arsonists Get All the Girls
; for example, Zak Vargas did guest vocals on Knights of the Abyss's full-length Juggernaut, on the track "Decaying Waste".
. That summer and fall, they would write "Triumph" and "Filthy".
. Originally planned to be released on the This City Is Burning Records, problems arose and it became a DIY effort. It was during this time that they started to become more known, touring with killwhitneydead.
. Around this time, most of the band graduated, and Kerem Yildirimer left the band to move to San Diego. After several band member changes, they toured along the west coast. In the spring of 2007, the band planned to rerecord the album for a re-release on Tribunal Records
, with Jamie King
as the producer. However, Joey Rommel, drummer at the time, left the band right before they go into Castle Ultimate Studios for the recording. Thus, they never re-released the album, although they are on a Tribunal Records sampler. They found drummer Jacob Durrett (now playing drums in Fate) to fill in for a 10 Day tour with Impending Doom and Moria. After returning home they found Steven Sessler to play drums, who is still in the band today. Alex Porte left the band in the summer of 2007, less than a month before their first full US tour. With Zak Vargas now the sole original member, the band almost breaks up, but continues due to contractual obligations to perform. They toured with Knights Of The Abyss
and Arsonists Get All the Girls
, and during the tour got jumped for a second time. In the low point of the band, when they are about to break up, Elysia got signed to Ferret Records. Elysia signed into a three day mini-tour, and the day it starts Mark Underwood, Alex's replacement, leaves the band. Once again, the fate of the band is at stake, but Zak agrees to continue and they found a replacement guitarist. To save the band, after the mini-tour Zak talked Garrett Gilardi, a highschool friend, into joining the band again, as well as Jon joining the band again as the bassist.
, where it concluded with a trip to Salem, Massachusetts
where the new album was recorded with Kurt Ballou
for a week. They dropped off the tour with Shai Hulud
and Full Blown Chaos
because of medical issues with Zak.
Their sound has encompassed several facetes of hardcore and metal. Their early material, to include Masochist, was of the deathcore style. Their second and final album, Lion of Judas, was of a style remisicent of 90s hardcore in its sound; however it continued the band's socially minded lyrical themes, albeit in a more seasoned manner.
Honorable mention to: Andre vocino, Jeremy Chavez, Alex Port, Kevin
Loyal and devine roadie of the early days - Sean Hannah
Deathcore
Deathcore is an extreme metal music genre that combines elements of death metal with elements of metalcore or hardcore punk, or both. It is defined by an "excessive" use of death metal riffs, blast beats and use of hardcore punk breakdowns...
band from Shingle Springs, California
Shingle Springs, California
Shingle Springs is a census-designated place in El Dorado County, California, United States. The population was 4,432 at the 2010 census, up from 2,643 at the 2000 census. It is located about 40 miles from Sacramento in the historic Gold Country foothills and sits directly on Highway 50...
. Originally called Elysium's Revenge, the band was started in 2003 while the members were just freshmen and sophomores in high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. Since 2003, they have released two EPs and one full-length album, and have completed two US tours despite almost constant line-up changes. Having settled into a more solid line-up, the band released their latest full length, Lion Of Judas, on June 10, 2008, through Ferret Records. They have apparently since disbanded, as vocalist Zak Vargas refuses to speak of Elysia anymore.
They have toured and performed alongside many bands, including Arsonists Get All the Girls
Arsonists Get All the Girls
Arsonists Get All the Girls is an American deathcore band from Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 2005, they are currently signed to Century Media Records and have recorded and released four full-length studio albums, Hits from the Bow, The Game of Life, Portals and Motherland.-Biography:Arsonists...
, Knights Of The Abyss
Knights of the Abyss
Knights of the Abyss is an American deathcore band from Glendale, Arizona, formed in 2005.-Biography:Knights of the Abyss was formed in 2005 after drummer Andy Rysdam had left his former band Job for a Cowboy. They have recorded two full-length albums, which were released by Siege of Amida Records...
, Catherine
Catherine (band)
Catherine is a now defunct metalcore band from Sacramento, California.-Most Recent Lineup:*Nick Bradwell - lead vocals, piano*Robert Tobin - rhythm guitar, keyboard, programming*Taylor Rearick - lead guitar...
, Emmure
Emmure
Emmure is an American band formed in 2003, originally based in Connecticut, but now residing in Queens, New York. The group has a total of seven releases...
, Heavy Heavy Low Low
Heavy Heavy Low Low
Heavy Heavy Low Low is a four piece Mathcore band from San Jose, California.-Biography:Formed in early 2004 in San Jose, California, Heavy Heavy Low Low began playing what may be called thrash , then metalcore, before evolving into a decidedly more style, and now, with the release of...
, Impending Doom
Impending Doom
Impending Doom is a Christian deathcore band from Riverside, California.-History:Brook Reeves and Manny Contreras started the band in 2005 with ex members Chris Forno, Isaac Bueno, and Jon. After releasing the The Sin and Doom of Godless Men EP, Greg Pewthers joined on third guitar after leaving...
, Killwhitneydead.
Killwhitneydead.
Killwhitneydead. is an American deathcore band from Greensboro, NC, formed in 2001. They are characterized by their mixture of blast beats, traditional metal riffs, hardcore style guitars, death growl vocals, occasional trace elements of power metal, and audio samples from pop culture video...
, Suicide Silence
Suicide Silence
Suicide Silence is an American extreme metal band from Riverside, California. The group consists of vocalist Mitch Lucker, guitarists Chris Garza and Mark Heylmun, drummer Alex Lopez and bassist Dan Kenny. Formed in 2002, the band has released three full-length studio albums, one EP and seven music...
and This Is Hell
This Is Hell
This Is Hell are a Long Island, New York-based hardcore band. The band is known for extensive touring and high energy concerts. To date, the band has released three studio albums, and four EPs.- Early days and formation :...
. They also have performed at the Saints & Sinners Festival
Saints & Sinners Festival
Saints & Sinners Festival is a two-day hardcore and heavy metal music festival held yearly in New Jersey. It started in 2006 at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on October 28 and October 29. The first day had emo/screamo/post hardcore bands and Atreyu headlined. The second day had metal/hardcore...
in 2007. Elysia has close ties with Knights Of The Abyss
Knights of the Abyss
Knights of the Abyss is an American deathcore band from Glendale, Arizona, formed in 2005.-Biography:Knights of the Abyss was formed in 2005 after drummer Andy Rysdam had left his former band Job for a Cowboy. They have recorded two full-length albums, which were released by Siege of Amida Records...
and Arsonists Get All the Girls
Arsonists Get All the Girls
Arsonists Get All the Girls is an American deathcore band from Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 2005, they are currently signed to Century Media Records and have recorded and released four full-length studio albums, Hits from the Bow, The Game of Life, Portals and Motherland.-Biography:Arsonists...
; for example, Zak Vargas did guest vocals on Knights of the Abyss's full-length Juggernaut, on the track "Decaying Waste".
Formation and early years
Elysia started as Elysium's Revenge, while the band members were still in high school. The band gained notoriety in the Shingle Springs-Cameron Park area with their empty shows at the Shingle Springs Community Center. By the end of 2003, they shortened their name to Elysia and added a second vocalist, Justin Chambers who helped them record their first EP. Months later, they pen "Incinerate", a song that has grown to become a staple in their setlist. In the spring of 2004, they recorded a second EP, with the first occurrence of "Incinerate". The release show for this EP features Suffokate and The FrontlineThe Frontline
The Frontline, commonly known as Frontline, is a rap duo from Richmond, California consisting of Left and Locksmith, also known as Lock. The group is associated with West Coast hip hop music.-History:...
. That summer and fall, they would write "Triumph" and "Filthy".
Masochist
Out of the Masochist writing sessions came their first full album, MasochistMasochist (album)
Masochist is the first full-length album by deathcore band Elysia. It was originally planned to be released on This City Is Burning Records, but problems forced them to release it independently. Plans for a re-release on the Tribunal Records label also fell through, when the drummer quit right as...
. Originally planned to be released on the This City Is Burning Records, problems arose and it became a DIY effort. It was during this time that they started to become more known, touring with killwhitneydead.
Killwhitneydead.
Killwhitneydead. is an American deathcore band from Greensboro, NC, formed in 2001. They are characterized by their mixture of blast beats, traditional metal riffs, hardcore style guitars, death growl vocals, occasional trace elements of power metal, and audio samples from pop culture video...
. Around this time, most of the band graduated, and Kerem Yildirimer left the band to move to San Diego. After several band member changes, they toured along the west coast. In the spring of 2007, the band planned to rerecord the album for a re-release on Tribunal Records
Tribunal Records
Tribunal Records is a North Carolina-based record label that launched in the summer of 1999 by founder Matthew Rudzinski. They have recorded and produced with bands such as Animosity, Scarlet, He Is Legend, Woe of Tyrants, Killwhitneydead, and Atreyu....
, with Jamie King
Jamie King
Jamie King is a creative director and choreographer whose work directing concert tours for pop stars has grossed over two billion dollars...
as the producer. However, Joey Rommel, drummer at the time, left the band right before they go into Castle Ultimate Studios for the recording. Thus, they never re-released the album, although they are on a Tribunal Records sampler. They found drummer Jacob Durrett (now playing drums in Fate) to fill in for a 10 Day tour with Impending Doom and Moria. After returning home they found Steven Sessler to play drums, who is still in the band today. Alex Porte left the band in the summer of 2007, less than a month before their first full US tour. With Zak Vargas now the sole original member, the band almost breaks up, but continues due to contractual obligations to perform. They toured with Knights Of The Abyss
Knights of the Abyss
Knights of the Abyss is an American deathcore band from Glendale, Arizona, formed in 2005.-Biography:Knights of the Abyss was formed in 2005 after drummer Andy Rysdam had left his former band Job for a Cowboy. They have recorded two full-length albums, which were released by Siege of Amida Records...
and Arsonists Get All the Girls
Arsonists Get All the Girls
Arsonists Get All the Girls is an American deathcore band from Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 2005, they are currently signed to Century Media Records and have recorded and released four full-length studio albums, Hits from the Bow, The Game of Life, Portals and Motherland.-Biography:Arsonists...
, and during the tour got jumped for a second time. In the low point of the band, when they are about to break up, Elysia got signed to Ferret Records. Elysia signed into a three day mini-tour, and the day it starts Mark Underwood, Alex's replacement, leaves the band. Once again, the fate of the band is at stake, but Zak agrees to continue and they found a replacement guitarist. To save the band, after the mini-tour Zak talked Garrett Gilardi, a highschool friend, into joining the band again, as well as Jon joining the band again as the bassist.
Lion of Judas
In December, 2007, the band sat down to write their second album, Lion of Judas released through Ferret Records. They consider their new music to be "a new era for Elysia, so please do not expect the same band." They were on a tour with This Is HellThis Is Hell
This Is Hell are a Long Island, New York-based hardcore band. The band is known for extensive touring and high energy concerts. To date, the band has released three studio albums, and four EPs.- Early days and formation :...
, where it concluded with a trip to Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
where the new album was recorded with Kurt Ballou
Kurt Ballou
Kurt Ballou is the guitarist from Massachusetts-based band Converge. Aside from his role in Converge, he is a prolific producer, engineering and producing out of his own Godcity studio.- GodCity studio :...
for a week. They dropped off the tour with Shai Hulud
Shai Hulud (band)
Shai Hulud is an American hardcore punk band with progressive metal influences, originally formed in Pompano Beach, Florida, the band later moved up to Poughkeepsie, New York....
and Full Blown Chaos
Full Blown Chaos
Full Blown Chaos is a metalcore band from Floral Park, Queens, New York. According to the band, their whole direction "is to keep a wide range of music, not to necessarily pigeonhole ourselves into metal or hardcore"...
because of medical issues with Zak.
Disbandment
After the drop-out of the last tour, there were hints of Elysia's then current state including their MySpace design removed and Zak's blog entries which included Elysia breaking up. Members including Zak, Steven, and Garrett are slowly working on a new musical project.Musical style
Elysia's lyrics cover a wide range of topics, from anti-homophobia to women's rights. The band admits that they sometimes have a hard time accurately portraying the meanings they want to put across, mainly because of "immaturity". For example, the lyrical content of "Incinerate" and "Filthy" has had the band criticized. They have also been banned from playing at venues because of their lyric's graphic violent content.Their sound has encompassed several facetes of hardcore and metal. Their early material, to include Masochist, was of the deathcore style. Their second and final album, Lion of Judas, was of a style remisicent of 90s hardcore in its sound; however it continued the band's socially minded lyrical themes, albeit in a more seasoned manner.
As Elysia
- (2003) - Demo
- "Lust Was Heart"
- "Killing Grounds"
- (2004) - Killing Grounds EP
- "Intro - Catharsis"
- "Prayer For The End"
- "King Of The Hill"
- "Lust Was Heart"
- "Killing Grounds"
- (2004) - 04 Demo
- "Incinerate"
- "Massacre"
- "Skirmish"
- "Triumph" (added to the demo in 2005)
- (2005) - Tease Her, Please Her, Stick Her In The Freezer
- "Filthy"
- "Triumph"
- "Incinerate"
- (2006) - MasochistMasochist (album)Masochist is the first full-length album by deathcore band Elysia. It was originally planned to be released on This City Is Burning Records, but problems forced them to release it independently. Plans for a re-release on the Tribunal Records label also fell through, when the drummer quit right as...
- (2008) - Lion of JudasLion of JudasLion of Judas is the second and final album by deathcore band Elysia. The album has a large change in style compared to the band's previous album, drawing heavy influence from Converge, Botch, and Cave In. It was released on June 10, 2008 on Ferret Records...
Final Lineup
- Zak Vargas - vocals
- Garrett Gilardi - guitar
- Alex Solares - drums
- Chris Cain - guitar
- Jon Malinowski - bass
Honorable mention to: Andre vocino, Jeremy Chavez, Alex Port, Kevin
Loyal and devine roadie of the early days - Sean Hannah