Vektor is an American technical thrash metal band from Tempe, Arizona (and based in Philadelphia since 2012). Their music is heavily themed around scientific, philosophical, futuristic and astronomical topics.

Vektor
Vektor in 2016
Vektor in 2016
Background information
Also known asLocrian (2002–2004)
OriginTempe, Arizona, U.S.
GenresTechnical thrash metal,[1][2] progressive metal[3]
Years active2002–2016, 2020–present
LabelsEarache
Members
  • David DiSanto
  • Erik Nelson
  • Stephen Coon
  • Mike Ohlson
Past members
  • Adam Anderson
  • Kian Ahmad
  • Mike Tozzi
  • Frank Chin
  • Blake Anderson

History

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Formation and first albums (2002–2011)

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The band was formed under the name Locrian in December 2002 by the front man/guitarist David DiSanto, and a year later they released their first demo, "Nucleus". After reforming the band in 2004 under the name Vektor, they became popular in the Phoenix metal scene, with a musical style that mixes technical thrash metal and speed metal with progressive influences. In 2006, Vektor released a demo entitled "Demolition", followed by a two track demo "Hunger for Violence" (2007). After four years of local and regional performances as the opening act for such national acts as Testament, Hirax, Iced Earth and Municipal Waste, Vektor embarked on a tour, alongside label mates Exmortus, in support of Black Future in December 2009 through January 2010. The band subsequently toured the US in June–August 2010 on their own. Their first full-length album, Black Future, was released on November 17, 2009, on Heavy Artillery Records.[4] The band released its second album, Outer Isolation, on November 22, 2011, on the Heavy Artillery label.[5] In 2012, the band signed with Earache Records after the label acquired Heavy Artillery's roster of artists.

Touring, Terminal Redux, and hiatus (2012–2016)

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Frank and Erik during a Vektor headline show in Hamilton, Ontario, 2012

In the summer of 2012, Vektor went on a small headlining tour, and in November opened on an extended tour with Napalm Death, Municipal Waste, and Exhumed. In January 2013, the band played the Earache Records Showcase in California.

The band played their first European show at Hellfest in June 2013. They embarked on their first full European headlining tour in November and December 2015 alongside Angelus Apatrida and Distillator which included an appearance at Eindhoven Metal Meeting and culminated in a show at the Camden Underworld in London.[6] In early 2016, the band embarked on an American tour opening for Voivod. After the band's relocation to Philadelphia and several years of touring,[7] their third album, Terminal Redux, a conceptual work with a runtime of over 70 minutes, was released on May 6, 2016.

In December 2016, guitarist Erik Nelson, bassist Frank Chin and drummer Blake Anderson left the band, thus putting the band into hiatus, stating that there was "no big story or drama," but "people and personalities simply change and drift apart and we've reached our limit."[8] Controversy would ensue in June 2019, when Katy DiSanto made domestic abuse allegations against David, with both video and photos of the supposed incident.[9] Although, legal proceedings would be pursued against David in family court, a Temporary Protection From Abuse Order was issued against David on June 11, 2019.[10] Katy would still advocate David received help for his alleged alcoholism. David would release a counter response a few weeks later, in which he stated "There’s a person who has destroyed this entire band and, (surprise!) it wasn’t me."[11]

Reformation with new lineup and Transmissions of Chaos (2020–present)

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In May 2020, DiSanto and Erik Nelson announced they were reforming Vektor, with Mike Ohlson on drums and Stephen Coon on bass, and that they were working on new material and preparing for multiple tour dates in 2021.[12][13] On December 16, 2020, Vektor released their first song in four years, "Activate", taken from the split EP with Cryptosis, Transmissions of Chaos, which was released on February 25, 2021.[14] However, David DiSanto's allegations would cause the reformed band to be dropped by the label Century Media only a month after signing. This would lead David to release a second statement clarifying further details of the supposed incident.[15] Additionally, the music festival and cruise, 70000 Tons of Metal, announced they would be dropping Vektor from their 2023 line up.[16]

Band members

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Current members
  • David DiSanto – vocals, lead and rhythm guitar (2002–present)
  • Erik Nelson – lead and rhythm guitar (2004–2016, 2020–present)
  • Stephen Coon – bass guitar (2020–present)
  • Mike Ohlson – drums (2020–present)
Former members
  • Mike Tozzi – bass guitar (2006–2008)
  • Adam Anderson – drums (2004–2007)
  • Kian Ahmad – drums (2007)
  • Frank Chin – bass guitar (2008–2016)
  • Blake Anderson – drums (2007–2016)

Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums

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Demos

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  • Nucleus (as Locrian) (2004)
  • Demolition (2006)
  • Hunger for Violence/Accelerating Universe (2007)

Singles

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  • "Scion AV Label Showcase – Earache Records" (2013)
  • "Ultimate Artificer" (2015)
  • "Charging the Void" (2016)
  • "Pillars of Sand" (2016)
  • "Activate" (2020)
  • Transmissions of Chaos (2021) (split with Cryptosis)

References

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  1. ^ "Nemesis Divina album Archives". Ghost Cult Magazine. August 23, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  2. ^ Admin, Developer; Rosen, Josh (May 10, 2016). "Vektor reach surpassingly creative heights". The Chimes. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Blabbermouth (February 15, 2016). "VEKTOR To Release 'Terminal Redux' Album In May". BLABBERMOUTH.NET.
  4. ^ "Vektor: 'Black Future' Release Date Announced". Blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth. September 18, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  5. ^ "Vektor – Outer Isolation (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  6. ^ "Vektor reveal new album title and announce debut European Tour". loudnoise.nl. Loud Noise. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  7. ^ Brockman, Daniel (August 4, 2014). "Young Guns: Vektor's Dave DiSanto and Erik Nelson Explore Deep Space". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  8. ^ "Everyone Besides VEKTOR's Frontman Just Quit The Band". metalinjection.net. Metal Injection. December 28, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  9. ^ "Violent Video of Vektor's David DiSanto Assaulting His Wife Has Surfaced". metalsucks.net. Metal Sucks. June 15, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  10. ^ "Vektor's David DiSanto Responds to Domestic Abuse Allegations". metalsucks.net. Metal Sucks. July 8, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  11. ^ "Vektor Have Reunited, Announce New Album + Tour Plans". Loudwire. May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  12. ^ "Vektor Return With New Lineup, Plan New Material". ThePRP. May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  13. ^ "VEKTOR Return With New Single "Activate"; Split EP With CRYPTOSIS Announced". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  14. ^ "Vektor's David DiSanto: "Hopefully People Will Eventually Be Able to Judge Us on Our Music"". metalsucks.net. Metal Sucks. September 28, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  15. ^ "70000 Tons Of Metal Books, Then Removes VEKTOR From Its Lineup". metalinjection.com. Metal Injection. January 3, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
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