Contrarian (band) explained

Contrarian
Origin:Rochester, New York, U.S.
Genre:Technical death metal, progressive metal[1]
Years Active:2012–present
Label:Willowtip Records
Associated Acts:Nile, Atheist, Death, Cynic, Lethargy, Mastodon, Psyopus, Gorguts, Martyr, Pyrrhon, Imperial Triumphant
Current Members:Jim Tasikas
Brian Mason
Bill Bodily
Alex Cohen
Cody McConnell
Past Members:George Kollias
Leon Macey
Ed Paulsen
Patrice Hamelin
Bryce Butler

Contrarian is an American extreme metal band from Rochester, New York, founded in 2012 by guitarist Jim Tasikas. The band is known for its progressive songwriting and technical playing style. They are influenced by progressive death metal of the 1990s from bands such as Death and Cynic, and combine it with modern technical death metal. The band featured famed Nile drummer George Kollias for their first three albums.[2] [3] [4]

History

The band was originally formed in 2012 in Rochester, New York, by Jim Tasikas. Jim then enlisted his friend Ed Paulsen for bass duties, Brian Mason as lead guitar and George Kollias of Nile for drums. Contrarian roots came from the progressive and technical metal scene birthed in Rochester, NY in the mid-1990s which also brought to light bands such as Lethargy, Mastodon, Psyopus and Sulaco.[5] [6] [7] [8] Contrarian recorded their first EP "Predestined" in 2014. This EP caught the attention of Jason Tipton at Willowtip Records and within one year the band released their first full-length album Polemic on November 20, 2015.[9] [10] [11]

The band's two latest album Only Time Will Tell and Sage of Shekhinah were also released via Willowtip Records, with mixing by producer Neil Kernon.[12] [13] [14] Contrarian has had guest appearances from Paul Masvidal of Cynic and Leon Macey of Mithras UK.

As of 2020, guitarists Jim Tasikas and Brian Mason are endorsed by ESP guitars.[15] Contrarian are known for their detailed album art covers and concept albums dealing with themes of philosophy and theology. Contrarian are also known for reviving an organic approach to recording technical metal in studio settings.[16] [17] [18] [19]

Members

Current

Former

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

[20] [21] [22] [23]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [{{AllMusic |class=artist |id=atheist-mn0000931546 |pure_url=yes }} Biography of Atheist]. November 6, 2007 . Mike . DaRonco . Eduardo . Rivadavia . AllMusic.
  2. Web site: Contrarian Album Discography. August 12, 2020. AllMusic. en-us.
  3. Web site: Ashley Talent International, llc Ashley Talent International, LLC. August 12, 2020. Ashley Talent International, llc. en-US.
  4. Web site: Tech-Death Tuesday: CONTRARIAN Deliver Prog-Death Gold on "My Curse" – Metal Injection. August 19, 2020. metalinjection.net. January 29, 2019 .
  5. Web site: CONTRARIAN – Ink Deal with Extreme Management Group. August 12, 2020.
  6. Web site: May 5, 2017. Contrarian – Featuring George Kollias – Complete Second Full-length – To Perceive Is To Suffer. August 12, 2020. Sick Drummer Magazine. en-US.
  7. Web site: CONTRARIAN – Ink Deal with Extreme Management Group. August 19, 2020.
  8. Web site: Contrarian Archives. August 19, 2020. NO CLEAN SINGING. en-US.
  9. Web site: Sacha. Vick. March 1, 2019. March 2019's Featured Band is… Contrarian!. August 19, 2020. technicalmusicreview.com. en-US.
  10. Web site: Contrarian – discography, line-up, biography, interviews, photos. August 19, 2020. www.spirit-of-metal.com.
  11. Web site: Contrarian. August 19, 2020. BandMix.com. en-US.
  12. Web site: December 21, 2018. AN NCS PREMIERE: CONTRARIAN — "EXORCISM". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108121743/https://www.nocleansinging.com/2018/12/21/an-ncs-premiere-contrarian-exorcism/ . November 8, 2020 . August 19, 2020. www.nocleansinging.com.
  13. Web site: August 28, 2020. Jim Tasikas (Contrarian) Reviews His Top 3 Favorite Guitars. September 2, 2020. Decibel Magazine. en-US.
  14. Web site: Hinds . Thomas . March 15, 2019 . Progressively Technical: Contrarian's Seam-Busting "Their Worm Never Dies" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190317084954/https://www.invisibleoranges.com/contrarian-their-worm-never-dies-review/ . March 17, 2019 . September 2, 2020 . . en.
  15. Web site: CONTRARIAN's Jim Tasikas and Brian Mason showcase ESP 'M Series' Guitars in Playthrough Video – Kronos Mortus News. September 18, 2020. March 2, 2021. en-US.
  16. Web site: March 31, 2019. Patrice Hamelin Joins Upstate NY Progressive Metal Band – Contrarian. August 12, 2020. Sick Drummer Magazine. en-US.
  17. Web site: Contrarian – Metal Storm. August 19, 2020. www.metalstorm.net.
  18. Web site: February 14, 2019. Tech Death Thursday: Contrarian – Their Worm Never Dies. August 19, 2020. The Toilet Ov Hell. en-US.
  19. Web site: November 17, 2020. AN NCS ALBUM PREMIERE (AND A REVIEW): CONTRARIAN – "ONLY TIME WILL TELL". March 2, 2021. NO CLEAN SINGING. en-US.
  20. Web site: Willowtip Releases > Contrarian – Polemic. August 12, 2020. www.willowtip.com.
  21. Web site: Contrarian News, Tour Dates and Music. August 12, 2020. Metal Injection.
  22. Web site: Interview: Contrarian. August 19, 2020. Aversion Online. en.
  23. Web site: contrarian band. August 19, 2020. grizzlybutts.com. en.

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