Hell Within
Encyclopedia
Hell Within is a metalcore
band founded in Lowell, Massachusetts
in 1998. After recording two albums as Twytch, the band changed their name to Hell Within and released Asylum of the Human Predator
through Lifeforce Records
in 2005. After extensive touring across the United States and lineup changes, the band released Shadows of Vanity
in 2007. Hell Within recently signed with Thorp Records.
was seeking to sign bands under their new American branch. After much regional success, Twytch's album Hatred found its way into the hands of Lifeforce German rep Stefan Ludicke, who offered the band a recording contract.
By now, the band had outgrown the name Twytch and wanted something more original and heavy-sounding. They agreed on the name Hell Within. In an interview with Decibel Magazine
, the band discusses what led to the name change.
In April 2005, Hell Within's first worldwide release, Asylum of the Human Predator, was delivered. First print editions contained a DVD of behind-the-scenes video of the band on tour. These have sold out, are now sought-after by collectors, and can be found on Half.com
, a division of Ebay
.
The album's lead single was "Bleeding Me Black." An accompanying music video was produced by Ian McFarland of Killswitch Productions.
On July 22, 2005, the opening track from Asylum of the Human Predator, "Godspeed to Your Deathbed," reached #1 on the Comcast Music Choice network, beating out such bands as Nevermore
, As I Lay Dying
and A Life Once Lost
.
In the fall of 2005, Hell Within embarked on the International Extreme Music Festival tour with bands such as Nightrage
, Atrocity
, Leaves' Eyes
, Lilitu, Manntis
and God Dethroned
. During the tour Hell Within played to audiences all across North America in places such as the legendary CBGB
in New York City.
.
In the fall of 2006, production on Hell Within's second full-length album Shadows of Vanity went underway. It was at this time that creative differences between the members became apparent. Making matters confusing was that vocalist Matt McChesney
did guest vocals on The Autumn Offering
's new album, since they were without a vocalist at the time. Rumors were swirling amongst fans that McChesney was no longer in Hell Within. On June 24, 2007, as production was wrapping up on Shadows of Vanity, McChesney released an even more bewildering statement to blabbermouth.net: "I'm devoting 100% of my time, for the immediate future, to The Autumn Offering. I am not leaving Hell Within." However, the damage was done. Hell Within found a new vocalist and publicly introduced Brian Roy on July 16, 2007.
Sensing that the screaming style of vocals was a trend and wishing to jump on a new bandwagon, Hell Within decided to embark upon a throwback sound reminiscent of late 80's thrash. Reviews for Shadows of Vanity were generally good. The album was produced by John Ellis and mixed by Mark Lewis of AudioHammer Studios (Trivium
, Bury Your Dead
, God Forbid
.) Tartarean Desire claimed the album was "... a breath of fresh air... With amazing solos, tight and insane music." A tour in 2008 included support acts such as DEATHBEAT and Sikend, both of whom were fans of Hell Within for years.
In October 2009, Hell Within announced that they had signed with Thorp Records and would be releasing a new album in the Spring 2010. Hell Within headlined the "Scars In Oblivion Tour 2010" with Long Island metalcore act Letter To The Exiles
(Strike First Records
), a 6 week full-US tour leading up to the July 13th release of their new album "God Grant Me Vengeance".
Hell Within will be opening the Hartford, CT stop of the Mayhem Festival 2011
.Hell Within played there last show on November 11 2011 in Massachusetts to focus on other projects.
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
band founded in Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
in 1998. After recording two albums as Twytch, the band changed their name to Hell Within and released Asylum of the Human Predator
Asylum of the Human Predator
Asylum of the Human Predator is Hell Within's first studio album.The first single off the album was "Bleeding Me Black." An accompanying music video was produced by Ian McFarland of Killswitch Productions. The video features the band playing in a warehouse, interspersed with shots of a young man...
through Lifeforce Records
Lifeforce Records
Lifeforce Records is a German record label that specializes in metalcore, death metal, and post-hardcore. Their current roster contains bands such as Burning Skies, This or the Apocalypse, Light Pupil Dilate and Nightrage, and they have helped to launch the careers of a number bands who went on to...
in 2005. After extensive touring across the United States and lineup changes, the band released Shadows of Vanity
Shadows of Vanity
Shadows of Vanity is Hell Within's second studio album.-Track listing:# "Shadows of Vanity" - 4:07# "My Exit in Red" - 3:27# "Lay Down Your Arms" - 3:51# "The Spiral" - 3:39# "In the Absence of Fire" - 3:44...
in 2007. Hell Within recently signed with Thorp Records.
2003-2005
At this time, European metal label Lifeforce RecordsLifeforce Records
Lifeforce Records is a German record label that specializes in metalcore, death metal, and post-hardcore. Their current roster contains bands such as Burning Skies, This or the Apocalypse, Light Pupil Dilate and Nightrage, and they have helped to launch the careers of a number bands who went on to...
was seeking to sign bands under their new American branch. After much regional success, Twytch's album Hatred found its way into the hands of Lifeforce German rep Stefan Ludicke, who offered the band a recording contract.
By now, the band had outgrown the name Twytch and wanted something more original and heavy-sounding. They agreed on the name Hell Within. In an interview with Decibel Magazine
Decibel magazine
Decibel is a monthly heavy metal and extreme music magazine published by the Philadelphia-based Red Flag Media. Since October 2004, Decibel has featured a plethora of extreme metal bands and musicians. Its sections include Upfront, Features, Reviews, Guest Columns and the Decibel Hall of Fame...
, the band discusses what led to the name change.
In April 2005, Hell Within's first worldwide release, Asylum of the Human Predator, was delivered. First print editions contained a DVD of behind-the-scenes video of the band on tour. These have sold out, are now sought-after by collectors, and can be found on Half.com
Half.com
Half.com is a subsidiary of eBay, in which sellers offer items at fixed prices, usually items that have a UPC, ISBN or other kind of SKU, rather than rare, old or collectible items...
, a division of Ebay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
.
The album's lead single was "Bleeding Me Black." An accompanying music video was produced by Ian McFarland of Killswitch Productions.
On July 22, 2005, the opening track from Asylum of the Human Predator, "Godspeed to Your Deathbed," reached #1 on the Comcast Music Choice network, beating out such bands as Nevermore
Nevermore
Nevermore is an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1991, they are known to incorporate elements from styles such as thrash, power, progressive, and neo-classical metal into their songs, and also makes use of acoustic guitars and a wide range of vocal styles.-Early years...
, As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying (band)
As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by Tim Lambesis and having completed their first Line-up in 2001, the band consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Josh...
and A Life Once Lost
A Life Once Lost
A Life Once Lost is an American metalcore band formed in 1999 in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After releases on Robotic Empire and Deathwish Inc., A Life Once Lost released their successful album, Hunter on Ferret Music in 2005...
.
In the fall of 2005, Hell Within embarked on the International Extreme Music Festival tour with bands such as Nightrage
Nightrage
Nightrage is a Greek/Swedish melodic death metal band formed by guitarist Marios Iliopoulos and his close friend Gus G. who later re-located to Gothenburg, Sweden.-Sweet Vengeance:...
, Atrocity
Atrocity (band)
Atrocity is a German Heavy Metal band formed in Ludwigsburg.-History:First started in 1985 as Instigators and playing grindcore, Atrocity arose as a death metal band with their debut EP, Blue Blood, in 1989, followed soon by Hallucinations, a concept album about drug use...
, Leaves' Eyes
Leaves' Eyes
Leaves' Eyes is a German-Norwegian symphonic metal band from Stavanger, Norway and Ludwigsburg, Germany. They were formed in 2003 by Liv Kristine, the former lead singer of Theatre of Tragedy and the entire line-up of Atrocity...
, Lilitu, Manntis
Manntis
-History:Manntis originally formed in 2000 as a four-piece group. The band gathered mainstream attention in 2004 when they were one of the contestants on MTV's Battle for Ozzfest. Their lead guitarist, Adair Cobley, was picked as the representative for the band on the show...
and God Dethroned
God Dethroned
-Biography:God Dethroned was formed in 1991 by singer and guitar player Henri Sattler, with Hans Leegstra and Ard de Weerd. Sattler and Leegstra had previously been in Dysentery; Leegstra, quickly after the band formed, left the music scene altogether. They recorded a demo, Christ Hunt, in 1991,...
. During the tour Hell Within played to audiences all across North America in places such as the legendary CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
in New York City.
2006-Present
After returning from the IEMF tour, Hell Within went through several changes, not only in the band lineup, but musically as well. Longtime drummer Bubba Joyce resigned, and was replaced by Derek Jay, formerly of Trauma ConceptBattle for Ozzfest
Battle for Ozzfest was a reality TV show aired during autumn of 2004 on MTV, where 8 bands 'battle' it out in a series of challenges to win a spot on the stage of the metal festival Ozzfest, which is a primarily heavy metal-subgenre based music festival...
.
In the fall of 2006, production on Hell Within's second full-length album Shadows of Vanity went underway. It was at this time that creative differences between the members became apparent. Making matters confusing was that vocalist Matt McChesney
The Autumn Offering
The Autumn Offering is an American metalcore band that formed in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1999. After achieving some degree of local success, the band was signed to Stillborn Records, founded by Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, in 2003. The band released one album through this label...
did guest vocals on The Autumn Offering
The Autumn Offering
The Autumn Offering is an American metalcore band that formed in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1999. After achieving some degree of local success, the band was signed to Stillborn Records, founded by Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, in 2003. The band released one album through this label...
's new album, since they were without a vocalist at the time. Rumors were swirling amongst fans that McChesney was no longer in Hell Within. On June 24, 2007, as production was wrapping up on Shadows of Vanity, McChesney released an even more bewildering statement to blabbermouth.net: "I'm devoting 100% of my time, for the immediate future, to The Autumn Offering. I am not leaving Hell Within." However, the damage was done. Hell Within found a new vocalist and publicly introduced Brian Roy on July 16, 2007.
Sensing that the screaming style of vocals was a trend and wishing to jump on a new bandwagon, Hell Within decided to embark upon a throwback sound reminiscent of late 80's thrash. Reviews for Shadows of Vanity were generally good. The album was produced by John Ellis and mixed by Mark Lewis of AudioHammer Studios (Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
, Bury Your Dead
Bury Your Dead
Bury Your Dead is an American metalcore band from Boston, Massachusetts, United States, formed in 2001. To date they have had eight releases; one EP: Bury Your Dead, one live DVD: Alive, and six studio albums: You Had Me at Hello, Cover Your Tracks, Beauty and the Breakdown, Bury Your Dead, It's...
, God Forbid
God Forbid
God Forbid is an American heavy metal band formed in 1996 in East Brunswick, New Jersey.-Biography:Building up a following in the late 1990s by touring with bands such as GWAR, Nile, Cradle of Filth and Candiria, God Forbid's first full album Reject the Sickness was released by 9 Volt Records in 1999...
.) Tartarean Desire claimed the album was "... a breath of fresh air... With amazing solos, tight and insane music." A tour in 2008 included support acts such as DEATHBEAT and Sikend, both of whom were fans of Hell Within for years.
In October 2009, Hell Within announced that they had signed with Thorp Records and would be releasing a new album in the Spring 2010. Hell Within headlined the "Scars In Oblivion Tour 2010" with Long Island metalcore act Letter To The Exiles
Letter to the Exiles
Letter To The Exiles is a Christian metalcore band from Long Island, New York that formed in 2006. The band formed in 2006 and are currently signed to Strike First Records .- Biography :...
(Strike First Records
Facedown Records
Facedown Records is a Christian record label based in Fallbrook, California, devoted mostly to hardcore punk and metalcore bands . Founded by No Innocent Victim drummer Jason Dunn, the label started off small with a number of 7" record releases by bands such as Overcome, Dodgin Bullets, and Born...
), a 6 week full-US tour leading up to the July 13th release of their new album "God Grant Me Vengeance".
Hell Within will be opening the Hartford, CT stop of the Mayhem Festival 2011
Mayhem Festival 2011
Mayhem Festival 2011 was the fourth annual Mayhem Festival created by Kevin Lyman. The official lineup was announced on January 31, 2011. It was the first year that the festival utilized a rotating main stage slot, and the first year that the tour had more than one act returning from previous...
.Hell Within played there last show on November 11 2011 in Massachusetts to focus on other projects.
Current Lineup
- JJ Long - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Tony Zimmerman- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Isaias Martinez - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Philip J. Sica - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Derek Garabedian - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Former members
- Matt McChesneyThe Autumn OfferingThe Autumn Offering is an American metalcore band that formed in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1999. After achieving some degree of local success, the band was signed to Stillborn Records, founded by Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, in 2003. The band released one album through this label...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(2002–2007) - Bubba Joyce - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Derek Jay - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Joe Martinez - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Discography
- TWYTC] (3 Song Demo) (1998)
- TWYTCH (4 Song Demo) (1999)
- TWYTCH (EP) (2001)
- Hatred (EP) (2003)
- Asylum of the Human PredatorAsylum of the Human PredatorAsylum of the Human Predator is Hell Within's first studio album.The first single off the album was "Bleeding Me Black." An accompanying music video was produced by Ian McFarland of Killswitch Productions. The video features the band playing in a warehouse, interspersed with shots of a young man...
(2005) - Shadows of VanityShadows of VanityShadows of Vanity is Hell Within's second studio album.-Track listing:# "Shadows of Vanity" - 4:07# "My Exit in Red" - 3:27# "Lay Down Your Arms" - 3:51# "The Spiral" - 3:39# "In the Absence of Fire" - 3:44...
(2007) - God Grant Me Vengeance (2010)