The Faceless
Encyclopedia
The Faceless is an American technical death metal
band from Encino, California
. They released their debut album, Akeldama in November 2006, and a follow-up, Planetary Duality
, in November 2008.
, Decapitated
, Nile
, and The Black Dahlia Murder. After touring, drummer Brett Batdorf left the band during the recording of Akeldama. Former drummer Nick Pierce, recorded the instrumental song, "Akeldama" the name of the debut album. The band went through several fill-in drummers before adding current drummer Lyle Cooper to their line-up.
The Faceless released their second full-length album, Planetary Duality
, in November 2008. The album debuted at number 119 on the Billboard 200
.
In January 2009, the group announced a North American tour with Meshuggah
and Cynic
; and in February 2009, another North American tour, with Cannibal Corpse
, Neuraxis and Obscura
; then toured the US with In Flames
, Between the Buried and Me
, and 3 Inches of Blood
; then a co-headlining tour with Dying Fetus
. The band were confirmed to tour Europe as part of the Bonecrusher Fest in Spring 2010 alongside The Black Dahlia Murder, 3 Inches of Blood, Necrophobic
, Obscura, Carnifex
and Ingested. Prior to their performance at California Metalfest IV, founding member and bassist Brandon Giffin announced that he would no longer be in the group. They also announced that they would be playing in the 2010 Summer Slaughter Festival along with such bands as Decapitated, All Shall Perish
, Decrepit Birth
and others.
The band's MySpace
front page announces that a new album is to be released in 2011. The Faceless are currently playing a new song on tour titled, "The Eidolon Reality." They also announced, through MySpace, that they have appointed a new bassist to the band, Evan Brewer.
As of May 2011, The Faceless have been using vocalist Geoff Ficco for current touring commitments. Guitarist Micheal Keene confirmed Geoff as the new permanent vocalist for the Faceless via Facebook. Geoff is the vocalist on the The Eidolon Reality Demo.
Former members
Technical death metal
Technical death metal is a musical subgenre of death metal that focuses on complex rhythms, riffs and song structures. Technical experimentation in death metal began in the late '80s and early '90s by bands such as Death, Atheist and Cynic...
band from Encino, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. They released their debut album, Akeldama in November 2006, and a follow-up, Planetary Duality
Planetary Duality
-Personnel:*Michael Keene – lead guitar, clean vocals, vocoder, engineer, producer, spokesman, lead composer*Steve Jones – rhythm guitar*Brandon Giffin – bass*Derek “Demon Carcass” Rydquist – vocals*Lyle Cooper – drumsAdditional musicians...
, in November 2008.
History
The Faceless was formed in Encino, California by guitarist Michael Keene and bassist Brandon Giffin in 2004. They released their debut album Akeldama in 2006 and toured extensively with bands such as NecrophagistNecrophagist
Necrophagist is a German death metal band, founded and fronted by Muhammed Suiçmez; a German-born, Turkish guitarist and vocalist. The band is known for its rapid and technical compositions....
, Decapitated
Decapitated (band)
Decapitated is a death metal band that formed in Krosno, Poland in 1996. The group comprises guitarist, founder and composer Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka, vocalist Rafał Piotrowski and Austrian drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner. Decapitated have gained recognition as one of the genre's most widely respected...
, Nile
Nile (band)
Nile is an American death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1993. Their music and lyrics are inspired by Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism, history, religion, and art, as well as stories by H. P. Lovecraft.- History :...
, and The Black Dahlia Murder. After touring, drummer Brett Batdorf left the band during the recording of Akeldama. Former drummer Nick Pierce, recorded the instrumental song, "Akeldama" the name of the debut album. The band went through several fill-in drummers before adding current drummer Lyle Cooper to their line-up.
The Faceless released their second full-length album, Planetary Duality
Planetary Duality
-Personnel:*Michael Keene – lead guitar, clean vocals, vocoder, engineer, producer, spokesman, lead composer*Steve Jones – rhythm guitar*Brandon Giffin – bass*Derek “Demon Carcass” Rydquist – vocals*Lyle Cooper – drumsAdditional musicians...
, in November 2008. The album debuted at number 119 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.
In January 2009, the group announced a North American tour with Meshuggah
Meshuggah
Meshuggah is an extreme metal band from Umeå, Sweden, formed in 1987. Meshuggah's line-up has primarily consisted of founding members vocalist Jens Kidman and lead guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, drummer Tomas Haake, who joined in 1990, and rhythm guitarist Mårten Hagström, who joined in 1992...
and Cynic
Cynic (band)
Cynic is an American progressive rock band, incorporating experimental music, alternative, metal and jazz fusion elements, founded in Miami, Florida and currently based in Los Angeles, California. Their first album, Focus, released on September 14, 1993, is widely regarded as a landmark release of...
; and in February 2009, another North American tour, with Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
, Neuraxis and Obscura
Obscura (band)
-History:Obscura was founded in 2002 by Steffen Kummerer. The band was named after the Gorguts album Obscura. In 2006 Obscura self-released their debut album Retribution and toured alongside Suffocation within Europe. A European headlining tour through East and South Europe followed in 2007...
; then toured the US with In Flames
In Flames
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. Since the band's inception in 1993, they have released ten studio albums and one live DVD...
, Between the Buried and Me
Between the Buried and Me
Between the Buried and Me is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina. They have released a total of five studio albums, as well as a cover album, an EP and a live DVD/CD...
, and 3 Inches of Blood
3 Inches of Blood
3 Inches of Blood is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in 2000 in Vancouver, British Columbia, currently consisting of Cam Pipes, Justin Hagberg, Shane Clark, and Ash Pearson...
; then a co-headlining tour with Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus is an American death metal band from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formed in 1991, the group is known for their outspoken political views, and for being one of the few death metal bands who follow a political nature. Earlier lyrics showcased the common death metal trait of explicit violence...
. The band were confirmed to tour Europe as part of the Bonecrusher Fest in Spring 2010 alongside The Black Dahlia Murder, 3 Inches of Blood, Necrophobic
Necrophobic
Necrophobic is a Swedish death metal band formed in 1989 by drummer Joakim Sterner and guitarist David Parland. It is believed that the band named themselves after a Slayer song from the 1986 seminal album Reign in Blood. The pair played with a 'revolving door' line-up of musicians until the...
, Obscura, Carnifex
Carnifex (band)
Carnifex is an American deathcore band from San Diego, California. Formed in 2005, they are currently signed to Victory Records and have released four studio albums...
and Ingested. Prior to their performance at California Metalfest IV, founding member and bassist Brandon Giffin announced that he would no longer be in the group. They also announced that they would be playing in the 2010 Summer Slaughter Festival along with such bands as Decapitated, All Shall Perish
All Shall Perish
All Shall Perish is an American deathcore band from Oakland, California, formed in 2002. Currently, the band is signed to Nuclear Blast and have released four full-length albums through the label. Their latest record, This Is Where It Ends was released on July 26, 2011...
, Decrepit Birth
Decrepit Birth
Decrepit Birth is a death metal band from Santa Cruz, California, USA, signed to Nuclear Blast. They have released three studio albums through Unique Leader Records and a demo independently...
and others.
The band's MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
front page announces that a new album is to be released in 2011. The Faceless are currently playing a new song on tour titled, "The Eidolon Reality." They also announced, through MySpace, that they have appointed a new bassist to the band, Evan Brewer.
As of May 2011, The Faceless have been using vocalist Geoff Ficco for current touring commitments. Guitarist Micheal Keene confirmed Geoff as the new permanent vocalist for the Faceless via Facebook. Geoff is the vocalist on the The Eidolon Reality Demo.
Band members
Current members- Michael "Machine" Keene – guitar, backing vocals, vocoder (2004–present)
- Steve Jones – guitar (2004–present)
- Lyle Cooper – drums (2007–present)
- Evan Brewer - bass guitar (2011–present)
- Geoffrey Ficco - lead vocals (2011–present)
Former members
- Derek "Demon Carcass" Rydquist – lead vocals (2006–2011)
- Jarrad Lander - bass (2010)
- Brandon Giffin – bass guitar (2004–2010)
- Michael Sherer – keyboards, synthesizers
- Bret Batdorf – drums (2004–2006)
- Nick Pierce – drums
- Elliott Sellers – drums
- Marco Pitruzzella – drums
Discography
Studio albums- Akeldama (Sumerian RecordsSumerian RecordsSumerian Records is an American independent record label based in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. The label was founded in 2006 by Ash Avildsen, who is also a booking agent, and is managed by Shawn Keith. Fellsilent became the first non-US band to be signed to the label, in 2008. The label made a...
, 2006) - Planetary DualityPlanetary Duality-Personnel:*Michael Keene – lead guitar, clean vocals, vocoder, engineer, producer, spokesman, lead composer*Steve Jones – rhythm guitar*Brandon Giffin – bass*Derek “Demon Carcass” Rydquist – vocals*Lyle Cooper – drumsAdditional musicians...
(Sumerian Records, 2008) - TBA' (Sumerian Records, 2012)