Aghora

Hey everybody! Back with another post on a band that arose from the ashes of CYNIC:

Aghora

Genre: Progressive/Jazz Metal

Formed: 1995 in Miami, Florida (USA), active

Members:

Santiago Dobles - Guitar (also in Cynic)
Alan Goldstein - Bass
Diana Serra - Vocals
Giann Rubio - Drums
Sean Reinert - Studio Drums (also in Cynic, Gordian Knot, Anomaly, Portal, Sean Malone, formerly in Death)

Former:
Sean Malone - Bass (also in Cynic, Office Of Strategic Influence, Anomaly, Clockwork, Gordian Knot)
Charlie Ekendahl - Guitar (also in Mendacity)
Richard Komatz - Drums
Jonathan Orriols - Guitar
Danishta Rivero - Vocals
Andy Deluca - Bass
Ian Hayes - Drums
Alex Meade - Guitar

Discography:

1998 - Demo
1999 - Demo
2000 - Aghora (album)
2005 - Dual Alchemy (demo)
2006 - Transitions (compil.)
2006 - Formless (album)

Aghora is a progressive metal band formed in 1995 by Guitarist Santiago Dobles, rising from the ashes of pioneer Progressive Death Metal band CYNIC.
As their name indicates, the lyrical and artwork theme is focused on eastern philosophy (Aghora is a a particular school of Hindu Tantra).
In 2000 they released their first album, self titled Aghora, recorded in 1999 with Sean Malone, Sean Reinert, Charlie Ekendahl, and Danishta Rivero - so 3 members of Cynic were in the band at that time.
In the last 6 years the band has undergone various lineup changes and had been recording and working on their new album Formless that was just released.
I recommend you check em out if you're out for something that's not new, but unique - I'm not the biggest fan of female vocals, but they really create a style of their own!

Links:

Aghora Official Website
Aghora @ myspace.com

Videos @ youtube.com:

Some taps/legatos played by Santiago Dobles:


Aghora playing "Atmas Heave" live in Miami:


Acoustic Song at a radio station in Florida:


Sean Reinert & Santiago Dobles recording "Kali Yuga" in 1999:


Bands already featured:

Abstract Shadows
Adagio
Behold... The Arctopus
Cellar Door
Chaoswave
Circus Maximus
Dream Theater
Into Eternity
Nevermore
Pagan's Mind
Spiral Architect
Symphony X

(just search this blog or look in the archive for the band you're interested in - scroll up to the top)

Behold... The Arctopus

Hey everybody!
As promised, I'll now cover a rather unknown band that definitely stands out of the crowd and is treasured by insiders: the instrumental NY three-piece...




Behold... The Arctopus

Genre: Progressive Technical Instrumental Metal

Formed: 2002 in New York City (USA), active

Members:

Mike Lerner - Guitar
Colin Marston - Warr Guitar (also in Dysrhythmia, Byla, Infidel?/Castro!)
Charlie Zeleny - Drums (also in Blotted Science)


Discography:

2002 - We Need A Drummer (demo)
2003 - Arctopocalypse Now... Warmageddon Later (demo)
2005 - Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning (EP)
2006 - Orthrelm/Behold... The Arctopus (split)


Behold... The Arctopus was founded in New York City during the late months of 2002, with Colin Marston on Warr guitar and Mike Lerner on electric guitar. Without a drummer, the pair went searching for one through numerous advertisements in local newspapers and auditions. During this time without a drummer to supply the required acquisition, Colin spent months programming the drums with the demo tracks he and Lerner had already written and recorded. Two songs, "We Need a Drummer" (which became "Alcoholocaust" on their following debut Arctopocalypse Now... Warmageddon Later EP) and "We Still Need a Drummer" ("You Will Be Reincarnated As An Imperial Attack Spaceturtle", also on their subsequent debut EP). A bootleg titled "We Need a Drummer" with both of these demos has being circulating the web with no official release of both the original demo tracks currently available. After over a year without a drummer, they stumbled upon a New Jersey local named Charlie Zeleny, who after merely twenty minutes of jamming with the band was accepted as a certified member. Zeleny comprehended the band's conceptual techniques quickly, having perceived the programmed drumming sheet music from the We Need a Drummer demo songs and finally recorded them in 2003 for their debut EP, released by Epicene Sound Systems. The cover was designed by Daniel Rizer. This was succeeded upon in 2005 with their EP "Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning", consisting of three new songs showing major developments.
It was by now Behold... The Arctopus were nationally touring with other tech metal orientated acts like Colin's other band Dysrhythmia, Yakuza, Time of Orchids, Kayo Dot, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Orthrelm, with whom they later released a Split EP with
In 2006 they were signed to Black Market Activities/Metal Blade and on August 22 the same year they released a full-length album, "Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning (reissue)", combining their two EPs "Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning" and "Arctopocalypse Now... Warmageddon Later" and a full live set.
In a recent radio interview with Garry Way, Colin mentioned that a new Behold... The Arctopus album is in the works with "five songs written and three songs learnt". It's set for release in mid 2007.

Charlie Zeleny is also part of the band "Blotted Science", a technical all star project featuring Ron Jarzombek and Alex Webster from Cannibal Corpse. I'll cover that as soon as they reveal more info bout the whole thing...

Links:

Behold... The Arctopus Official Website
Behold... The Artcopus @ myspace (listen to 4 Songs here)

Videos @ youtube.com:

"Alcoholocaust" live:


"Transient Exuberance" live:



Bands already featured:

Abstract Shadows
Adagio
Cellar Door
Chaoswave
Circus Maximus
Dream Theater
Into Eternity
Nevermore
Pagan's Mind
Spiral Architect
Symphony X

(just search this blog or look in the archive for the band you're interested in - scroll up to the top)