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Vampires Everywhere!

(Redirected from The Killing Lights)

Vampires Everywhere! (known as The Killing Lights between 2013 and 2015) is an American metalcore band from Los Angeles, California, currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The last lineup consisted of vocalist Michael Vampire and guitarists Matti Hoffman and Grey Soto. In 2021, the lead singer Michael Vampire reformed the group, and the band signed with Cleopatra Records, releasing "Witch", a single from their second EP, The Awakening, released in October 2021.

Vampires Everywhere!
Vampires Everywhere! performing on the Warped Tour in 2012
Vampires Everywhere! performing on the Warped Tour in 2012
Background information
Also known asThe Killing Lights (2013–2015)
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 2009–2013
  • 2015–2016
  • 2021–present
LabelsCentury Media, Hollywood Waste, Cleopatra
MembersMichael Vampire
Jesse James Smith
Michael "Ghost" Rodd
Brandon Blackout Burke
Past membersMatti Hoffman
Grey Soto
David Hernandez
Alexander Hernandez
Zak Dunn
Jessica Leigh
Philip Anthony
Aaron Martin
Adam Vex
Miles Roger
Frankie Sil
Chris Paterson
Bryan Allan
DJ Blackard
Joshua Ingram
Tyler Strattin
Craig "Nello" Pirtle
Chris Fulp
WebsiteVampires Everywhere! on Facebook Edit this at Wikidata

History

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Formation and Lost in the Shadows (2009–2010)

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Vampires Everywhere! was founded in 2009 by Michael Orlando (a.k.a. Michael Vampire). The band's name came from the movie The Lost Boys. "Vampires Everywhere!" is a comic book in the movie that explains the rules of vampires and how to kill them.[1]

On February 9, 2010, Vampires Everywhere! released their debut EP Lost in the Shadows. The first single and music video, "Immortal Love", was released exclusively on PureVolume on January 18, 2010. Together with director Scott Hanson, who worked with A Day to Remember, Carnifex, A Skylit Drive and Alesana, Vampires Everywhere! produced a music video for their song Immortal Love which was shown at MTV 2 (Headbangers Ball),[2][3] Heavy Rotation and Fuse On-Demand.[3][4]

The group toured through the US and Canada with acts including Escape The Fate[5] Brokencyde,[6] Black Veil Brides, Eyes Set to Kill, Get Scared, Dr. Acula, Aiden, Alesana, Honor Bright, Our Last Night,[7] Polkadot Cadaver and Modern Day Escape. They shared stage with X Japan and Murderdolls as the opener. They played a gig at SXSW 2010 with D.R.U.G.S., VersaEmerge and Black Veil Brides in Austin, Texas.[6]

Their single "Undead Heart" was released on November 29, 2010.

Kiss the Sun Goodbye (2011)

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The debut album Kiss the Sun Goodbye followed on May 17, 2011, and was released worldwide via Hollywood Waste Records. Wil Francis (Aiden, William Control) was guest singer in the song "Bleeding Rain".[8] The Deluxe Version includes 3 Bonus tracks. Their second music video was directed by Fred Archambault who worked with Avenged Sevenfold and Deftones.[9] The album ranked on Place 19th at the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums and on Place 43 on Top Independent Albums (Billboard).[10]

Since then Alex Rouge and David Darko have left the band to form their own band called The Automatic Me.

In August 2011, Vampires Everywhere! played at Sunset Strip Music Festival. The band covered Katy Perry's song Teenage Dream.[11]

In Fall 2011, they played on the "Something Wicked This Way Comes Tour" with Wednesday 13, Polkadot Cadaver & Nightmare Sonata.

In December 2011, they announced that they would be releasing a new album sometime in 2012.

Hellbound and Heartless and disbandment (2012–2013)

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On April 25, 2012, bassist Philip Kross left the band, amicably, to pursue other projects. The next day, Vampires Everywhere! announced that Adam Vex would be replacing him temporarily while on tour.[12]

Their second album, Hellbound and Heartless, was released on June 19, 2012, presenting a drastic change in style from metalcore and gothic rock to industrial metal, featuring influences from shock rock and industrial metal acts such as Ministry and Marilyn Manson. The band played the entire Summer Vans Warped Tour to support the album.[1]

In October 2012, the band embarked the road with Alesana, In Fear and Faith, and Glamour of the Kill, then joined Orgy and Davey Suicide on the "Wide Awake and Dead" Tour throughout March 2013.[13][14]

In November 2013, Michael released a statement, announcing that Vampires Everywhere! had been disbanded, and that the members would instead release new music as The Killing Lights. They released a new song, "Don't Turn Around", a few days later.[15]

The Killing Lights (2014)

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On August 14, The Killing Lights released a video, directed by Will Da Rosa, for "Lies Spread Like Fire", a new song from their upcoming EP.[16] The Killing Lights later performed their first headlining show at Chain Reaction on October 4, where they played their EP in its entirety.[17]

On October 21, The Killing Lights released a second single, "Until I Bleed", through Kerrang! around the same time pre-orders for their EP, The Killing Lights, went live, the EP was released on December 2, 2014.[18]

A music video, directed by Brad Golowin, for "Until I Bleed" was planned for a November release, but was instead released on December 11, a tour in support of the EP was planned for 2015.[19]

Reformation, Ritual, and second breakup (2015–2016)

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On February 11, 2015, The Killing Lights reverted to Vampires Everywhere![20] and, shortly after, announced that they were recording a new album in two sessions, the first to commence in March,[21] the second in April, in Salt Lake City.[22]

Michael Vampire later performed with Motionless In White at Rock on the Range.[23]

On November 30, the band played on the Bat2Bat Tour with Consider Me Dead and Set to Stun.[24] Immediately after the tour ended, they released the song "Black Betty", off the new album, Ritual, which had a tentative release date of early 2016.[25]

On January 19, 2016, they released the first official single from the new album, a cover of "Take Me to Church", featuring Alex Koehler of Chelsea Grin.[26] Ritual was finally released on March 18, 2016, and was supported by a short headlining tour,[27] before they joined Filter, Orgy, and Death Valley High on their Make America Hate Again Tour.[28]

November 2016, Vampires Everywhere! disbanded once again and Michael Vampire started a new band called Dead Girls Academy.[29]

Second comeback

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In March 2021, Michael Vampire announced that Vampires Everywhere will have a second comeback and playing the first concert at Summit Music Fest.[30] In July the same year, the band released their comeback single "Witch," announced the release of their forthcoming EP The Awakening, and the signing with Cleopatra Records as well as an US tour throughout October with Assuming We Survive and The Bunny the Bear.[31]

Musical style and influences

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Vampires Everywhere!'s sound spans several genres, including metalcore, post-hardcore, industrial metal, alternative metal, shock rock, and gothic rock.[32]

Noisecreep described the band as "an ultra-catchy hybrid of goth, metalcore and pop".[33] The band maintained an emo and goth image with horror themes in their lyrics, mainly around vampires. Lead singer Michael Vampire uses screamed and clean vocals, having already used synthesizer and autotune effects, especially at the beginning of the band's career. Vampires Everywhere!'s influences include Slipknot,[34] Atreyu,[34] Cannibal Corpse,[34] Dimmu Borgir,[34] The Black Dahlia Murder,[34] Children of Bodom,[34] As I Lay Dying,[34] Parkway Drive, August Burns Red,[34] Death,[34] Obituary,[34] Theatres des Vampires, Aiden, AFI, Misfits, Marilyn Manson, Ministry and Behemoth.[34]

Regarding the band's vampire themes, Michael Vampire has stated "We didn't get inspired by Twilight or True Blood at all. I love True Blood and own season 1, but all of our influences come from the classics. By classics I mean The Lost Boys, Nosferatu, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Bela Lugosi, Fright Night, and more."[35]

Members

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Timeline

Discography

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Albums

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Year Album Label Chart positions[36][37]
US Indie US Hard Rock US Heat
2011 Kiss the Sun Goodbye Hollywood Waste 43 19 4
2012 Hellbound and Heartless — 22 9
2016 Ritual — — — —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

EP

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  • 2010: Lost in the Shadows
  • 2021: The Awakening
  • 2023: BELLADONNA

Singles

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  • 2010: Immortal Love
  • 2010: Undead Heart
  • 2012: I Can't Breathe
  • 2012: Drug of Choice
  • 2012: Star of 666
  • 2016: Perfect Lie
  • 2016: Take Me to Church (Hozier cover)
  • 2016: Truth in You
  • 2021: Witch
  • 2021: Death of Me
  • 2021: The Hills (The Weeknd cover)
  • 2022: Tear Me Down
  • 2023: Cry Little Sister (Gerard McMahon cover) – No. 34 Mainstream Rock Airplay[38]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Interview with a Vampire? Words with Michael Vampire of Vampires Everywhere! | Bloody Good Horror – Horror movie reviews, podcast, news, and more!". Bloody Good Horror. June 14, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  2. ^ http://www.trendsettermarketing.net/2010/03/05/vampires-everywhere-signed-to-century-media/ [dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b "Vampires Everywhere! | Immortal Love | Music Video". MTV.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  4. ^ "Century Media Records – Vampires Everywhere!". Centurymedia.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  5. ^ "MUSICREVIEW: Vampires Everywhere! release Kiss the Sun Goodbye". Musicreview.co.za. May 19, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "MUSICREVIEW: Vampires Everywhere! announce tour with Brokencyde". Musicreview.co.za. March 3, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  7. ^ "MUSICREVIEW: Vampires Everywhere! announces tour with Murderdolls, Alesana, Honor Bright and Our Last Night". Musicreview.co.za. November 22, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  8. ^ "Exclusive Stream: Vampires Everywhere!'s "Bleeding Rain (feat. William Control)" – Alternative Press". Altpress.com. May 5, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "Vampires Everywhere!: 'Undead Heart' Released – Blabbermouth.net". Roadrunnerrecords.com. May 15, 2011. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  10. ^ Heaney, Gregory. "Vampires Everywhere! | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  11. ^ "MUSICREVIEW: Vampires Everywhere! launch cover of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream". Musicreview.co.za. March 25, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  12. ^ "Vampires Everywhere! bassist Phillip Kross leaves, VE! announces temporary replacement – Metal Riot". Metal Riot. April 26, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  13. ^ "VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE! to Join ORGY on the "Wide Awake and Dead Tour" « News «". Puregrainaudio.com. February 5, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  14. ^ "Orgy, Vampires Everywhere and Davey Suicide Tour Announced (a top story)::Orgy News". antiMusic.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  15. ^ "Vampires Everywhere! change name, release demo – News – Alternative Press". Alternative Press. November 14, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  16. ^ "The Killing Lights Premiere Lies Spread Like Fire Video – Kerrang!". Kerrang!.
  17. ^ "This Saturday Oct. 4th @tklband We are playing... - The Killing Lights". Facebook. September 30, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  18. ^ "The Killing Lights Debut New Single, Until I Bleed – Kerrang!". Kerrang!. October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  19. ^ "News Article – Musicology Online". Musicology Online. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  20. ^ "Instagram". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  21. ^ "Timeline Photos – Vampires Everywhere!". Facebook.com. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  22. ^ "Michael Vampire on Twitter: "Finished on 3 tracks... Each one of these songs brings me to tears. I cannot believe I put myself out there like this. Fuck. Part 2 in April"". Twitter.com. March 14, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  23. ^ "Instagram". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  24. ^ "Vampires Everywhere announce U.S. tour with Consider Me Dead, Set To Stun". asx.com. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  25. ^ "YouTube". YouTube.com. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  26. ^ "Take Me to Church (feat. Alex Koehler) – Single by Vampires Everywhere on iTunes". iTunes. January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  27. ^ "Vampires Everywhere Announces Headlining Run, "The Ritual Tour" – I'm Music Magazine". I'm Music Magazine. February 2, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  28. ^ "Filter Announce 'Make America Hate Again' Tour". Loudwire. 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  29. ^ Natalie Perez: Nataliezworld: Vampires Everywhere Disbands Again, Frontman Launches New Band
  30. ^ "VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE Returns After Five Years To Perform At Summit Music Fest". Outburn Magazine. March 19, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  31. ^ Ramon Gonzales (July 20, 2021). "VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE RESURRECT AFTER FIVE YEAR HIATUS WITH THE PREMIERE OF "WITCH" FROM THE FORTHCOMING EP, 'THE AWAKENING'". Knotfest.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  32. ^ * Metalcore:
  33. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (May 24, 2010). "Vampires Everywhere! Tour Dates With Get Scared, Black Veil Brides". Noisecreep. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Vampires Everywhere! Guitarist Aaron Graves on His Background, Influences and Tone". Guitar World. June 28, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  35. ^ "Michael Vampire Interview – Vampires Everywhere Interview". Heavymetal.about.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  36. ^ Charts & Awards, Allmusic, retrieved October 28, 2011
  37. ^ Charts & Awards, Allmusic, retrieved September 1, 2014
  38. ^ "Mainstream Rock Airplay: Week of December 9, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
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