Ithaca are a British metalcore band that emerged from the London hardcore scene in 2012, known for their emotionally charged and intense musical style.[1][2][3][4] Using both clean and screamed vocals, their lyrics deal with topics such as anger, revenge, self-loathing, and self-healing.[5][6][7]
Ithaca | |
|---|---|
 Ithaca performing at Aftershock Festival | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2012–2025 |
| Labels | |
| Members | Djamila Boden Azzouz Sam Chetan-Welsh Will Sweet Dom Moss James Lewis |
| Past members | Drew Haycock Red Sismey |
| Website | theyfearus |
Ithaca released their debut album, The Language Of Injury, in 2019.[8][9] It garnered positive reviews and established the band's presence alongside contemporaries such as Employed to Serve, Svalbard, and Rolo Tomassi.[10][11]
Their second album, They Fear Us, was released in 2022 to critical acclaim.[12][13][14] Kerrang! and Metal Hammer both placed it within their top three albums of the year, with the latter selecting it as the best metalcore album of 2022.[15][16][17]
In addition to their music, Ithaca are known for their focus on social issues, emphasizing values such as community and diversity. The band advocates against racism and sexism,[5][18] which has led to them becoming the target of online harassment and death threats.[6][19]
In October 2024, the band announced they would be breaking up following one final performance at the O2 Academy Islington on 8 February 2025.[20]
Band members
editCurrent members
edit- Djamila Boden Azzouz – lead vocals (2012–present)
- Sam Chetan-Welsh – guitar (2012–present)
- Will Sweet – guitar (2012–present)
- Dom Moss – bass guitar (2020–present)
- James Lewis – drums (2012–present)
Past members
edit- Drew Haycock – bass guitar (2013-2017)
- Red Sismey – bass guitar
Discography
editFrom AllMusic,[1] Discogs,[21] and Ithaca's bandcamp:
Demos/EPs/Other Releases
edit- Narrow the Way (2014)
- Trespassers (2015)
- Hold Fast Hope (2020)
Studio Albums
edit- The Language of Injury (2019)
- They Fear Us (2022)
References
edit- ^ a b "Ithaca Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ "Ithaca – discography, line-up, biography, interviews, photos". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ "Ithaca: Meet Fiery U.K. Crew Out to Reshape Hardcore in Its Own Diverse Image". Revolver. 2019-01-29. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "Ithaca". Genius. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ a b Mills, Matt (2022-07-22). "Ithaca: 'We said: "Stop supporting racist bands". Our Facebook page was flooded with Nazis'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ a b "Ithaca: "This is about divine feminine power"". Kerrang!. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "Hassle Records | Hassle Records". www.hasslerecords.com. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ The Language of Injury – Ithaca | Releases | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-04-15
- ^ "The Language of Injury by Ithaca". Genius. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ "Ithaca: The Language of Injury". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ "Ithaca – The Language of Injury (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ "Album review: Ithaca – They Fear Us". Kerrang!. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ Leaver, Elliot (2022-07-25). "Ithaca's They Fear Us: metallic hardcore firebrands stake their claim to greatness with stellar second album". Metal Hammer. Louder. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "Ithaca: They Fear Us". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ Hobson, Rich; O'Boyle, Tom; McFee, Edwin; Chillingworth, Alec; Daly, Joe; Brennan, Adam; Travers, Paul; Hill, Stephen; Maughan, Sophie (2022-12-26). "The 50 best metal albums of 2022". Metal Hammer. Louder. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "The 50 best albums of 2022". Kerrang!. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ Hobson, Rich; Leaver, Elliot; Brennan, Adam; Hill, Stephen; Young, Nik; Whelan, Kez; Mills, Matt; Leivers, Dannii (2022-12-17). "The 10 best metalcore albums of 2022". Metal Hammer. Louder. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ Wilkes, Emma (8 November 2022). "Ithaca are pushing conversations around fatness and feminism to the forefront of metal". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ Hobson, Rich (2022-02-04). "Ithaca's empowering new single They Fear Us is "about inner power, femininity and why people should fear us"". Metal Hammer. Louder. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ Greg Kennelty (October 30, 2024). "ITHACA To Break Up In 2025, Announces One Final Show". Metal Injection. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ "Ithaca (6)". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-04-15.