The Human Abstract
Encyclopedia
The Human Abstract is an American progressive metal
band from Los Angeles
, California. Formed in 2004, the group was originally signed to the independent label Hopeless Records
, the band then released the two albums Nocturne
(2006) and Midheaven
(2008) before signing to E1 Music and releasing Digital Veil
(2011). The Human Abstract has gone through several lineup changes over the years, and currently consists of founding members Dean Herrera, A.J. Minette and Brett Powell, in addition to Henry Selva and touring vocalist Ryan Devlin.
poem published in Songs of Experience
in 1794. The band soon released a two-track demo to sell at live performances. They would later record additional demos with Jonny Santos of Spineshank
and Silent Civilian
, and Logan Mader
formerly of Machine Head
, Soulfly
and Medication
. The Human Abstract signed to the independent record label Hopeless Records
in 2005.
Nathan Ells joined the band before heading into the studio to record the band's debut full length release "Nocturne
”. They released their debut album Nocturne
on Hopeless Records
on August 22, 2006.
was released on August 19, 2008.
In the past they have toured with bands such as All That Remains
, The Devil Wears Prada
, As I Lay Dying
, God Forbid
, Misery Signals
, Every Time I Die
, The Bled
, August Burns Red
, Shai Hulud
, Folly
, Drop Dead Gorgeous
, Protest the Hero
, It Dies Today
, Mushroomhead
, Mnemic
, Goatwhore
, Look What I Did
, Arsis, and The Chariot
.
The Human Abstract performed on 2007's Vans Warped Tour and 2008's Take Action Tour
featuring Every Time I Die
, From First To Last
, The Bled
, and August Burns Red
. In fall 2008, they toured with the Japanese band Dir en grey
.
Nathan Ells addressed a situation regarding A.J Minette in an interview stating, "A.J. was tired of playing metal, plain and simple, and the rest of the band wants to continue the high-energy live shows and hard edged sound that we have fashioned and developed over the past two years."
A.J. was quoted as saying "I can't keep on crossing the Rubicon so much, I don't feel like I can get onstage and feel honest about playing metal anymore." The rest of the band felt that totally changing the sound would have been "like a smack in the face to all those that had been coming out and supporting the shows."
As of January 9, 2009, Henry Selva was named permanent bass player for the group. Selva originally filled in after Kenny Arehart's departure in 2006.
and former From First to Last
guitarist Travis Richter has become Ells' replacement.
In November 2009, Herrera confirmed through a Myspace blog that Leonard was no longer in the band, "Sean is not technically in the band anymore... However, we have not ruled out the possibility of him having some sort of presence on the next record. He decided that touring wasn't for him, and wanted to go to music school."
In April 2010 Travis Richter revealed to Absolutepunk.net
in his first interview since becoming The Human Abstract's new frontman that A.J. Minette has officially returned.
The Human Abstract released their first single "Faust" from their next album "Digital Veil" on November 16, 2010.
On January 10, 2011 The Human Abstract announced that they have signed to E1 Music, and that their new album "Digital Veil" will be released through E1 on March 8, 2011.
The song "Patterns" was released January 18, followed by "Complex Terms" on February 15.
There was some speculation that Andrew Tapley is not in the band anymore, as he is no longer listed as a member on the band's Facebook profile. On February 9, 2011- Andrew Tapley confirmed this speculation via Facebook with the public message:
"As some of you know and many have been wondering, I will not be playing with The Human Abstract anymore. This wasn't decided by me; however, there are no hard feelings. Thanks to everyone who supported the band these past few years and to all the wonderful friends I had the pleasure of meeting. I will be in Los Angeles continuing with music; art is long and time is fleeting --see y'all soon!"
A few weeks after Digital Veil's release, they announced that they would embark on what would be called the "Pull Me From The Gallows" Tour with Scale the Summit
. Its name comes from a line in their latest album's title track. The band has posted an update via Twitter on 31 May that the remaining dates will be canceled "...due to a sudden and devastating loss to the THA family."
As of 24 August 2011, Travis Richter
parted ways with the band, citing a desire to focus on the production side of his career.
It has been announced that Ryan Devlin, frontman from the band Corelia, will be filling in for the "Frak the Gods Tour" headlined by Periphery
.
Touring members
Former members
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California. Formed in 2004, the group was originally signed to the independent label Hopeless Records
Hopeless Records
Hopeless Records is an independent record label located in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. The label was started in 1993 by Louis Posen and financed by a group of private investors. Hopeless's artists are generally considered punk rock, pop punk, post-hardcore, or alternative rock, but some...
, the band then released the two albums Nocturne
Nocturne (The Human Abstract album)
Nocturne is the debut album by American metal band The Human Abstract. It was recorded at The Basement in Rural Hall, North Carolina and Trax East in South River, New Jersey...
(2006) and Midheaven
Midheaven (album)
Midheaven is The Human Abstract's second full-length release on Hopeless Records. It was released on August 19, 2008. The album was originally recorded with producer Toby Wright, however the band has "wiped off all credits" of his effort. The record was later re-worked and finished by Leonard...
(2008) before signing to E1 Music and releasing Digital Veil
Digital Veil
Digital Veil is the third studio album by American heavy metal band The Human Abstract. The album was released on March 8, 2011 through E1 Music. Digital Veil marks the return of founding guitarist A.J. Minette, who left in 2007, and the introduction of the new lead vocalist Travis Richter, who...
(2011). The Human Abstract has gone through several lineup changes over the years, and currently consists of founding members Dean Herrera, A.J. Minette and Brett Powell, in addition to Henry Selva and touring vocalist Ryan Devlin.
Formation and Nocturne (2004–2007)
The Human Abstract formed in Los Angeles, California in 2004 with guitarists Dean Herrera and A.J. Minette, drummer Brett Powell, bassist Kenny Arehart, and vocalist Nick Olaerts. The group's name was derived from the title of a William BlakeWilliam Blake
William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his lifetime, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age...
poem published in Songs of Experience
Songs of Innocence and of Experience
Songs of Innocence and of Experience is an illustrated collection of poems by William Blake. It appeared in two phases. A few first copies were printed and illuminated by William Blake himself in 1789; five years later he bound these poems with a set of new poems in a volume titled Songs of...
in 1794. The band soon released a two-track demo to sell at live performances. They would later record additional demos with Jonny Santos of Spineshank
Spineshank
Spineshank is an American Grammy-nominated alternative metal band. The band has sold over 540,000 records, and has released 3 studio albums.-Formation, Roadrunner Records years :...
and Silent Civilian
Silent Civilian
Silent Civilian is a metalcore band originating from Los Angeles, California. Following his departure from nu metal band Spineshank in 2004, frontman Jonny Santos felt he wanted to move in a different direction musically and start from scratch...
, and Logan Mader
Logan Mader
Logan Mader was born on November 16, 1970 in Montreal, Canada. Logan is best known for his work as a guitarist in the heavy metal band Machine Head, who formed in Oakland, California in 1992. Their 1994 debut, Burn My Eyes, was released by Roadrunner Records and quickly became the top-selling...
formerly of Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
, Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
and Medication
Medication (band)
Medication was a group that included Logan Mader , Whitfield Crane , BBlunt , Kyle Sanders , and Roy Mayorga . They released a self-titled EP and an LP called "Prince Valium" through Locomotive Music, and filmed a video for the song "Inside"...
. The Human Abstract signed to the independent record label Hopeless Records
Hopeless Records
Hopeless Records is an independent record label located in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. The label was started in 1993 by Louis Posen and financed by a group of private investors. Hopeless's artists are generally considered punk rock, pop punk, post-hardcore, or alternative rock, but some...
in 2005.
Nathan Ells joined the band before heading into the studio to record the band's debut full length release "Nocturne
Nocturne
A nocturne is usually a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night...
”. They released their debut album Nocturne
Nocturne (The Human Abstract album)
Nocturne is the debut album by American metal band The Human Abstract. It was recorded at The Basement in Rural Hall, North Carolina and Trax East in South River, New Jersey...
on Hopeless Records
Hopeless Records
Hopeless Records is an independent record label located in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. The label was started in 1993 by Louis Posen and financed by a group of private investors. Hopeless's artists are generally considered punk rock, pop punk, post-hardcore, or alternative rock, but some...
on August 22, 2006.
Midheaven (2008–2009)
Their album MidheavenMidheaven (album)
Midheaven is The Human Abstract's second full-length release on Hopeless Records. It was released on August 19, 2008. The album was originally recorded with producer Toby Wright, however the band has "wiped off all credits" of his effort. The record was later re-worked and finished by Leonard...
was released on August 19, 2008.
In the past they have toured with bands such as All That Remains
All That Remains (band)
All That Remains is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, which formed in 1998. They have released five studio albums, a live CD/DVD, and have sold nearly 800,000 records...
, The Devil Wears Prada
The Devil Wears Prada (band)
The Devil Wears Prada is an American metalcore band from Dayton, Ohio. Formed in 2005, they are currently signed to Warner Music Group...
, 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...
, 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...
, Misery Signals
Misery Signals
Misery Signals is an American metalcore band formed in Wisconsin in 2002. The sound of their music is defined by bright melodies backed up by odd time signatures, chugging riffs, and breakdowns.-Formation :...
, Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die is a metalcore band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1998. Their musical style is rooted in technical hardcore with strong southern metal and mathcore elements, and is also characterised by their cryptic, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. The band announced on July 14, 2008 that they had...
, The Bled
The Bled
The Bled is a hardcore band from Tucson, Arizona. The group formed in 2001, originally under the name "The Radiation Defiance Theory", but changed it because of its length...
, August Burns Red
August Burns Red
August Burns Red is an American metal band, from Manheim, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2003, the group began their first performances while a majority of the members were attending their senior year of high school, and soon began playing shows around Lancaster, before being signed to CI Records, and...
, 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....
, Folly
Folly (band)
Folly is a band from Sussex, New Jersey. Their music is a mix of hardcore, metal, punk and ska. The band's final lineup included Arben Colaku on bass, Geoff Towle on guitar, Anthony Wille on drums, Agim Colaku on guitar, and Jon Tummillo on vocals....
, Drop Dead Gorgeous
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Drop Dead Gorgeous is a 1999 American dark comedy film directed by Michael Patrick Jann and starring Kirstie Alley, Ellen Barkin, Denise Richards, Brittany Murphy and Kirsten Dunst...
, Protest the Hero
Protest the Hero
Protest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
, It Dies Today
It Dies Today
It Dies Today is a metalcore band that formed in Buffalo, New York during September, 2001.- History :It Dies Today formed in August 2001. The group was established in Buffalo, New York by vocalist Nicholas Brooks, guitarist Chris Cappelli and guitarist Steve Lemke...
, Mushroomhead
Mushroomhead
Mushroomhead is an American industrial metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in Cleveland Warehouse District, the band's music can be described as a synthesis of alternative music, heavy metal, and electro-industrial...
, Mnemic
Mnemic
Mnemic is a Danish metal band, formed in Aalborg, Denmark in 1998. Their music has been described as a fusion between metalcore, melodic death metal, industrial metal and progressive metal, with additional elements of thrash metal and groove metal, to form a style the band themselves have...
, Goatwhore
Goatwhore
Goatwhore is an American blackened death metal band, formed in 1997 in New Orleans, Louisiana.- Biography :Goatwhore was formed by singer/guitarist Sammy Duet following the breakup of his previous band, Acid Bath. Soilent Green singer L...
, Look What I Did
Look What I Did
Look What I Did is an American post-hardcore band, formed in 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. The music combines elements of jazz/fusion, hardcore, metal, and progressive pop punk...
, Arsis, and The Chariot
The Chariot (band)
The Chariot is an American mathcore band from Douglasville, Georgia, formed in 2003. The current lineup consists of drummer David Kennedy, bassist Jon "KC Wolf" Kindler, vocalist and bandleader Josh Scogin, and guitarists Brandon Henderson and Stephen Harrison. The band has experienced frequent...
.
The Human Abstract performed on 2007's Vans Warped Tour and 2008's Take Action Tour
Take Action Tour
The Take Action Tour is an annual spring tour that not only hosts several bands, but also tries to get people alerted about the issues with teen suicide, and ultimately tries to prevent it. The tour was created by both Sub City and Hopeless Records...
featuring Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die is a metalcore band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1998. Their musical style is rooted in technical hardcore with strong southern metal and mathcore elements, and is also characterised by their cryptic, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. The band announced on July 14, 2008 that they had...
, From First To Last
From First to Last
From First to Last was an American rock band based out of Los Angeles, originally hailing from Valdosta, Georgia and Tampa, Florida. The band released their first EP titled Aesthetic in 2003 with vocalist Phillip Reardon, followed by Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count in 2004 and Heroine in...
, The Bled
The Bled
The Bled is a hardcore band from Tucson, Arizona. The group formed in 2001, originally under the name "The Radiation Defiance Theory", but changed it because of its length...
, and August Burns Red
August Burns Red
August Burns Red is an American metal band, from Manheim, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2003, the group began their first performances while a majority of the members were attending their senior year of high school, and soon began playing shows around Lancaster, before being signed to CI Records, and...
. In fall 2008, they toured with the Japanese band Dir en grey
Dir en grey
Dir En Grey is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2011, they have recorded eight full-length records...
.
Nathan Ells addressed a situation regarding A.J Minette in an interview stating, "A.J. was tired of playing metal, plain and simple, and the rest of the band wants to continue the high-energy live shows and hard edged sound that we have fashioned and developed over the past two years."
A.J. was quoted as saying "I can't keep on crossing the Rubicon so much, I don't feel like I can get onstage and feel honest about playing metal anymore." The rest of the band felt that totally changing the sound would have been "like a smack in the face to all those that had been coming out and supporting the shows."
As of January 9, 2009, Henry Selva was named permanent bass player for the group. Selva originally filled in after Kenny Arehart's departure in 2006.
E1 and Digital Veil (2009–present)
In September 2009, the band has begun co-writing material for the new album, "Digital Veil", with A.J. Minette. Minette will also serve as producer on the album. It was announced that the band would be parting ways with vocalist Nathan Ells and they have begun a search for a new vocalist. On March 29, 2010 it was announced the band has found a new vocalist, and on April 7 it was announced that The Color of ViolenceThe Color of Violence
The Color of Violence is an American experimental side project of the post-hardcore band From First to Last. It features From First to Last's drummer Derek Bloom and former guitarist/backup vocalist Travis Richter. The Color of Violence is a way for the members to experiment and have fun with music...
and former From First to Last
From First to Last
From First to Last was an American rock band based out of Los Angeles, originally hailing from Valdosta, Georgia and Tampa, Florida. The band released their first EP titled Aesthetic in 2003 with vocalist Phillip Reardon, followed by Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count in 2004 and Heroine in...
guitarist Travis Richter has become Ells' replacement.
In November 2009, Herrera confirmed through a Myspace blog that Leonard was no longer in the band, "Sean is not technically in the band anymore... However, we have not ruled out the possibility of him having some sort of presence on the next record. He decided that touring wasn't for him, and wanted to go to music school."
In April 2010 Travis Richter revealed to Absolutepunk.net
AbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk is a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate . The website mainly focuses on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it has been known to feature artists who have eventually achieved crossover success, including Fall...
in his first interview since becoming The Human Abstract's new frontman that A.J. Minette has officially returned.
The Human Abstract released their first single "Faust" from their next album "Digital Veil" on November 16, 2010.
On January 10, 2011 The Human Abstract announced that they have signed to E1 Music, and that their new album "Digital Veil" will be released through E1 on March 8, 2011.
The song "Patterns" was released January 18, followed by "Complex Terms" on February 15.
There was some speculation that Andrew Tapley is not in the band anymore, as he is no longer listed as a member on the band's Facebook profile. On February 9, 2011- Andrew Tapley confirmed this speculation via Facebook with the public message:
"As some of you know and many have been wondering, I will not be playing with The Human Abstract anymore. This wasn't decided by me; however, there are no hard feelings. Thanks to everyone who supported the band these past few years and to all the wonderful friends I had the pleasure of meeting. I will be in Los Angeles continuing with music; art is long and time is fleeting --see y'all soon!"
A few weeks after Digital Veil's release, they announced that they would embark on what would be called the "Pull Me From The Gallows" Tour with Scale the Summit
Scale the Summit
Scale the Summit is an American instrumental metal band based out of Houston, Texas. It formed in 2004 and signed to Prosthetic Records.The band draws influences from other progressive acts such as Cynic and Dream Theater. However, unlike most other progressive metal bands, they have no vocalist...
. Its name comes from a line in their latest album's title track. The band has posted an update via Twitter on 31 May that the remaining dates will be canceled "...due to a sudden and devastating loss to the THA family."
As of 24 August 2011, Travis Richter
Travis Richter
Travis Brandon Richter is an American musician, music producer, dubstep producer and vocalist. He is known for being the original screamer and guitarist of From First to Last, and the current guitarist and lead vocalist of The Color of Violence and the former lead vocalist for The Human Abstract...
parted ways with the band, citing a desire to focus on the production side of his career.
It has been announced that Ryan Devlin, frontman from the band Corelia, will be filling in for the "Frak the Gods Tour" headlined by Periphery
Periphery
Periphery may refer to:* Peripheries of Greece, the administrative subdivisions of that country* Periphery * Periphery , by Periphery* Periphery * Periphery countries, a category of less-developed nations...
.
Band members
Current members- A.J. Minette – 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...
s, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
(2004–2007, 2010–present) - Dean Herrera – guitars (2004–present)
- Henry Selva – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2006–2007, 2008–present) - Brett Powell – 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 ....
(2004–present)
Touring members
- Ryan Devlin – lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
(2011-present)
Former members
- Nick Olaerts – lead vocals (2004–2005)
- Nathan Ells – lead vocals (2006–2009)
- Travis RichterTravis RichterTravis Brandon Richter is an American musician, music producer, dubstep producer and vocalist. He is known for being the original screamer and guitarist of From First to Last, and the current guitarist and lead vocalist of The Color of Violence and the former lead vocalist for The Human Abstract...
– lead vocals (2010–2011) - Kenny Arehart – bass (2004–2006)
- Mike Nordeen – bass (2007–2008)
- Sean Leonard – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, synthesizers, piano (2007–2009) - Andrew Tapley – guitars (2007–2010)
Discography
| Year | Album | Chart peaks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
Independent Albums | ||
| 2006 | Nocturne Nocturne (The Human Abstract album) Nocturne is the debut album by American metal band The Human Abstract. It was recorded at The Basement in Rural Hall, North Carolina and Trax East in South River, New Jersey... |
— | — | — |
| 2008 | Midheaven Midheaven (album) Midheaven is The Human Abstract's second full-length release on Hopeless Records. It was released on August 19, 2008. The album was originally recorded with producer Toby Wright, however the band has "wiped off all credits" of his effort. The record was later re-worked and finished by Leonard... |
163 | 6 | 22 |
| 2011 | Digital Veil Digital Veil Digital Veil is the third studio album by American heavy metal band The Human Abstract. The album was released on March 8, 2011 through E1 Music. Digital Veil marks the return of founding guitarist A.J. Minette, who left in 2007, and the introduction of the new lead vocalist Travis Richter, who... |
177 | 5 | — |
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | ||||