Allegaeon /ˌʌln/[2] is an American death metal band from Fort Collins, Colorado, formed in 2008. They have released one EP and six studio albums and are currently signed to Metal Blade Records.

Allegaeon
Allegaeon performing in 2018
Allegaeon performing in 2018
Background information
OriginFort Collins, Colorado, U.S.
GenresTechnical death metal, melodic death metal
Years active2008 (2008)–present
LabelsMetal Blade[1]
Members
  • Greg Burgess
  • Ezra Haynes
  • Michael Stancel
  • Brandon Michael
  • Jeff Saltzman
Past members
  • Jordan Belfast
  • Ryan Glisan
  • Corey Archuleta
  • Brandon Park
  • Riley McShane
Websitemetalblade.com/allegaeon/

History

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Allegaeon was formed in 2007.[3][4] They initially played small shows, at bars and houses in and around Fort Collins. In August 2008 they independently released a self-titled EP.[5] Soon after, they signed with Metal Blade Records.[5] In January 2010, Allegaeon entered the studio to record their debut album Fragments of Form and Function. The album was released on July 20, 2010 through Metal Blade.[6] In January 2012, Allegaeon went to Lambesis Studios in December 2011, in San Diego, California to record their second full-length album Formshifter.[7] Formshifter was released May 8, 2012 through Metal Blade.[8] In 2013, founding guitarist Ryan Glisan collaborated on a project with Tim Lambesis, and left the band shortly thereafter.[9] He was replaced by Michael Stancel.

Their third full-length album, titled Elements of the Infinite, was released June 24, 2014 through Metal Blade.[10] The album has been heavily praised, with Gregory Heaney of AllMusic calling it a "creative breakthrough" and praising "the dazzling guitar work" and "epic orchestral flourishes".[11] In 2015, original vocalist Ezra Haynes departed Allegaeon, not citing a specific reason, though it is clear it was not because of internal band issues.[12] Riley McShane was immediately selected to take over as vocalist, and has received a positive reaction from the fans.[citation needed]

In September 2016, Allegaeon released Proponent for Sentience, the first album with Riley and what was considered their finest work to date.[13] It has received not only wide praise, but has been critically noted as having great importance in modern metal.[14] It features Bjorn Strid of Soilwork on vocals and Benjamin Ellis of Scar Symmetry.

In October 2016, long time bass player Corey Archuleta announced he would be leaving the band at the end of the year to focus on his law career.[15] During this time the band also stated they had incurred a large amount of debt, and were unsure how much longer the band would continue.[16] Because of this financial stress, the band launched a fan club through the Patreon platform and have since been focused on continuing to tour and write their next album.[17]

Also during 2016, Allegaeon shot studio play-through videos for the songs "Gray Matter Mechanics"[citation needed] and their cover of the Rush song "Subdivisions", as well as an official video in California for the song "Of Mind and Matrix".[18][19]

The band released a cover of Rush's song, "Animate", as a single on January 5, 2018; the cover was recorded during the Proponent for Sentience sessions.[20][21] Allegaeon embarked on their first European tour later that year as a supporting act for Ne Obliviscaris.[22]

In January 2019, Allegaeon announced a release date for their new album, Apoptosis, and released a new music video single for the song "Stellar Tidal Disruption".[23] Apoptosis was released on April 19, 2019 through Metal Blade.[24]

On April 3, 2020, the band released a cover of the 1971 song "Roundabout" by British progressive rock band Yes.[25]

On October 27, 2021, they announced their new album Damnum with the release of its first single "Into Embers."[26] The album was released on February 25, 2022.[27] Damnum was well received by critics, and was named among the top 50 best rock and metal albums of 2022 by Loudwire.[28]

On August 24, 2022, vocalist Riley McShane announced his departure from the band.[29] On September 13, the band recruited original vocalist Ezra Haynes to perform with them on their upcoming European tour.[30] On October 18, 2023, the band released a new single, "Inhumation" and announced that Ezra had formally rejoined the band on a permanent basis.[31]

On March 27, 2024, the band released a second single, "Iridescent" accompanied by a music video the band's label described as "absolutely unhinged."[32] A month later the band embarked on the "Cancer Culture Over North America Tour 2024" alongside Decapitated, Septicflesh, and Kataklysm.[32]

Musical style and lyrical themes

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Allegaeon combines different styles. They are often referred to as technical melodic death metal.[33] They take influence from classical music, progressive metal and thrash metal as well. Lyrically, they deal with scientific themes, exploring things like the theory of evolution and biology, physics, cryonics, dyson spheres, the probability of alien life in the universe, stem cell research,[34][35] and artificial intelligence. Allegaeon is also noted for their technicality, but by the time "Elements of the Infinite" was released, they had started incorporating more melodic elements in their music.[citation needed][example needed]

Tours

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Allegaeon has toured and played shows with other prominent bands, such as Job for a Cowboy, Darkest Hour and in 2014, they had their most intense touring schedule to date. In August, they embarked on a nationwide tour entitled "The Artery Metal Tour" supporting Chimaira and The Plot in You.[36] Immediately after, in September 2014, Allegaeon played a string of shows directly supporting Arsis on the band's 10th Anniversary Tour. In the spring of 2015 the band toured with The Agonist and Product of Hate, and played SXSW with Norma Jean. Additionally, Allegaeon co-headlined a large tour with Act of Defiance, a metal supergroup featuring members of Megadeth, including guitarist Chris Broderick.[37] In 2016, Allegaeon also played the Ozzfest meets Knotfest festival in San Bernardino, California[38] and the Winter Warriors tour alongside Battlecross and Necromancing the Stone.[39] The band started off 2017 by performing multiple sets on the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise festival[40] and followed up with performing the Metal Blade Records' 35th Anniversary tour with Whitechapel, Cattle Decapitation, and Goatwhore.[41]

Band members

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Current members

  • Ezra Haynes – lead vocals (2008–2015, 2022–present)
  • Greg Burgess – lead guitar (2008–present)
  • Michael Stancel – rhythm guitar (2013–present)
  • Brandon Michael – bass (2017–present)
  • Jeff Saltzman – drums (2021–present)

Former members

  • Corey Archuleta – bass, backing vocals (2008–2016)
  • Ryan Glisan – rhythm guitar (2008–2013)
  • Jordan Belfast – drums (2008–2011)
  • J. P. Andrande – drums (2011–2013)
  • Brandon Park – drums (2013–2020)
  • Riley McShane – vocals (2015–2022)

Touring/session musicians

  • J. P. Andrande[42] – drums (2011–2013)

Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums
Year Title Label Chart peaks
US Heat.
[43]
US Hard Rock
[44]
US Rock
[45]
US Indie
[46]
US Sales
[47]
2010 Fragments of Form and Function Metal Blade Records
2012 Formshifter 29
2014 Elements of the Infinite 11 25
2016 Proponent for Sentience 6 11 33 29
2019 Apoptosis 2 6 15 13 66
2022 Damnum 35 6 23 20 100
EPs
Year Title Label
2008 Allegaeon Self-released

Singles

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Year Song Album
2010 "A Cosmic Question" Fragments of Form and Function
2011 "Biomech - Vals No. 666"
2012 "Tartessos: The Hidden Xenocryst" Formshifter
"Behold (God I Am)"
"A Path Disclosed"
2014 "1.618" Elements of the Infinite
"Our Cosmic Casket"
"Threshold of Perception"
2016 "Gray Matter Mechanics" Proponent for Sentience
2016 "Proponent for Sentience III"
2016 "Subdivisions" (Rush cover)
2018 "Animate" (Rush cover) non-album single
2019 "Stellar Tidal Disruption" Apoptosis
"Extremophiles (B)"
"Colors of the Currents"
2020 "Roundabout" (Yes cover) non-album single
2021 "Into Embers" Damnum
2023 "Inhumation" non-album single
2024 "Iridescent" non-album single

Music videos

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Year Song Director
2011 "Biomech - Vals No. 666"
2012 "A Path Disclosed"
2014 "1.618" Deja Low and Lance Rohr[48]
"Our Cosmic Casket" Flow Forum Productions[49]
"Threshold of Perception" Ezra Haynes[50]
2016 "All Hail Science" Vince Edwards[51]
2017 "Of Mind and Matrix" Nick Hipa[52]
2019 "Stellar Tidal Disruption" Robert Graves[53]
"Extremophiles (B)" Vince Edwards[54]
"Colors of the Currents" Matthew Zinke[55][56]
"Metaphobia"
2021 "Into Embers" Kyle Lamar[57][58][59]
2022 "Of Beasts and Worms"
2022 "Vermin"
2022 "Called Home" Kyle Lamar
2024 "Iridescent" K. Hunter Lamar

References

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  1. ^ "ALLEGAEON | Elements of the Infinite". Metalblade.com. June 24, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  2. ^ "mxdwn.com review" Retrieved July 9, 2014 via Google News Search
  3. ^ "Allegaeon". www.facebook.com.
  4. ^ Cravens, Kyle (April 10, 2021). "Allegaeon Reveal They Have Begun Working On A New Album". Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Metal Blade Records signs Allegaeon". December 1, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "Allegaeon: Fragments of Form and Function". July 20, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  7. ^ "Allegaeon To Enter Studio in December". Blabbermouth.net. October 20, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  8. ^ "ALLEGAEON FORMSHIFT INTO RELIGION-HATERS IN NEW LYRIC VIDEO". May 8, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "Allegaeon guitarist Ryan Glisan leaves band". September 13, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "Allegaeon "Elements of the Infinite"". June 24, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  11. ^ Heaney, Gregory (June 23, 2014). "Elements of the Infinite - Allegaeon | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  12. ^ "Allegaeon Part Ways With Longtime Vocalist Ezra Haynes". loudwire.com. October 12, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  13. ^ "Album Review: ALLEGAEON Proponent for Sentience". October 6, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  14. ^ "Album Review: ALLEGAEON Proponent for Sentience - Metal Injection". Metalinjection.net. October 6, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  15. ^ "Allegaeon Bassist Corey Archuleta to Exit Band". Loudwire.com. October 25, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  16. ^ "Allegaeon Launch Patreon Campaign To Avoid Having To Break Up". November 2, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  17. ^ "ALLEGAEON Vocalist Riley McShane Discusses Patreon Financial Status & Plans To Play Guitar On Next Record". April 4, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  18. ^ "Allegaeon launches video for "Of Mind and Matrix" online". January 24, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  19. ^ "Allegaeon premieres 'Subdivisions' (Rush cover)". August 23, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  20. ^ Winney, Mitchel (January 5, 2018). "Allegaeon Cover Rush's "Animate"". Metalsucks. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  21. ^ "ALLEGAEON launches cover of Rush's 'Animate' on all digital music services". Metal Blade Records. January 5, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  22. ^ "ALLEGAEON to embark on a European tour in March supporting NE OBLIVISCARIS". Metal Blade Records. February 2, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  23. ^ "ALLEGAEON Are Back With Crushing New Track "Stellar Tidal Disruption," New Album". Metal Injection. January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  24. ^ "Allegaeon "Apoptosis"". April 19, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  25. ^ Childers, Chad (April 3, 2020). "Allegaeon Go Prog With Epic Cover of Yes Classic 'Roundabout'". Loudwire. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  26. ^ Rosenburg, Axl (October 27, 2021). "Allegaeon Announce New Album, Stream First Single". Metalsucks. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  27. ^ "Allegaeon "DAMNUM"". February 25, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  28. ^ "The 50 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2022". Loudwire. November 21, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  29. ^ "Frontman Riley McShane Announces His Departure From Allegaeon". Metal Underground. August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  30. ^ Zenae Zukowski (September 13, 2022). "Allegaeon re-recruits Ezra Haynes on vocals for European tour". Metal Insider. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  31. ^ "ALLEGAEON Debuts "Inhumation" Visualizer Featuring Original Vocalist EZRA HAYNES". October 18, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  32. ^ a b "Allegaeon Releases New Video / Single, "Iridescent"". March 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  33. ^ "Allegaeon". Metal Storm. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  34. ^ "Allegaeon 'Fragments of Form And Function' CD - Metal Blade Records". Indiemerch.com. November 5, 1955. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  35. ^ "Allegaeon 'Elements of the Infinite' CD - Metal Blade Records". Indiemerch.com. November 5, 1955. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  36. ^ "Chimaira to Tour with The Plot in You, Upon This Dawning, Allegaeon, and Silence The Messenger". metalsucks.net. May 22, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  37. ^ [1][dead link]
  38. ^ "Allegaeon Added To 'Ozzfest Meets Knotfest'". Theprp.com. July 20, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  39. ^ "Battlecross to Honor Veterans on Annual 'Winter Warriors' Tour". Loudwire. September 20, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  40. ^ "LINE UP & STATS 2017 - 70000TONS OF METAL - The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise". 70000tons.com. February 14, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  41. ^ "Whitechapel, Cattle Decapitation, Goatwhore, and Allegaeon to tour the USA this spring, celebrating Metal Blade Records' 35th anniversary". Metalblade.com. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  42. ^ "Formshifter - Allegaeon|Credits|AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  43. ^ "Allegaeon Chart History - Top Heatseekers". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  44. ^ "Allegaeon Chart History - Top Hard Rock Albums". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  45. ^ "Allegaeon Chart History". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  46. ^ "Allegaeon Chart History - Independent Albums". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  47. ^ "Allegaeon Chart History - Top Album Sales". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  48. ^ "Allegaeon "1.618" (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". May 6, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014 – via YouTube.
  49. ^ "Allegaeon 'Our Cosmic Casket' (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". June 19, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014 – via YouTube.
  50. ^ "Allegaeon 'Threshold of Perception' (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". December 19, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2014 – via YouTube.
  51. ^ "Allegaeon 'All Hail Science' (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". August 30, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2017 – via YouTube.
  52. ^ "Allegaeon 'Of Mind and Matrix' (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". January 24, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2017 – via YouTube.
  53. ^ "Allegaeon 'Stellar Tidal Disruption' (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". January 31, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019 – via YouTube.
  54. ^ "Allegaeon "Extremophiles (B)" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". March 14, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019 – via YouTube.
  55. ^ "Allegaeon 'Colors of the Currents' feat. Christina Sandsengen (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019 – via YouTube.
  56. ^ "Allegaeon - Metaphobia (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". October 4, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2022 – via YouTube.
  57. ^ "Allegaeon - Into Embers (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". October 28, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2022 – via YouTube.
  58. ^ "Allegaeon - Of Beasts and Worms (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". January 21, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022 – via YouTube.
  59. ^ "Allegaeon - Vermin (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022 – via YouTube.
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