The Contortionist Explained

The Contortionist
Image Upright:1.2
Alias:At the Hands of Machines (2007–2008)
Origin:Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Years Active:2007–present
Current Members:
  • Robby Baca
  • Joey Baca
  • Cameron Maynard
  • Michael Lessard
  • Eric Guenther
  • Jordan Eberhardt
Past Members:
  • Jake Morris
  • Dave Hoffman
  • Jonathan Carpenter
  • Christopher Tilley

The Contortionist is an American progressive metal band from Indianapolis, Indiana. Formed in 2007, the band consists of guitarists Robby Baca and Cameron Maynard, drummer Joey Baca, vocalist Mike Lessard, bassist Jordan Eberhardt, and keyboardist Eric Guenther. They have released four studio albums and three EPs. The band signed with eOne Music and Good Fight Entertainment in early 2010.[1]

History

The Contortionist formed in 2007 under the name At the Hands of Machines with vocalist Jake Morris, guitarists Roby Baca and Cameron Maynard, bassist Christopher Tilley, and drummer Joey Baca. The band's first release, the EP Sporadic Movements, was released later that year. At the Hands of Machines changed their name to The Contortionist following the EP's release and the same line-up recorded the EP Shapeshifter, which was released in September 2008. These two EPs featured a deathcore sound in contrast to the band's later works. Following the release of Shapeshifter, vocalist Jake Morris left the band and was replaced by Dave Hoffman, who also provided keyboards. The band entered Voltaic Recording Studio in early 2009 and released their third EP, Apparition, in September of that year. The sound of this EP continued the deathcore sound heard with Morris, but also showed the band incorporating elements of progressive metal into its music.

Hoffman departed the band in early 2010 and was replaced by Jonathan Carpenter. Not too long after Carpenter's arrival, The Contortionist began work on their debut album, Exoplanet. Exoplanet was released on August 31, 2010 through Good Fight Entertainment. The album's sound continued the progressive metal/deathcore sound heard on Apparition, with lyrics exploring themes such as space and interstellar travel. Several of the album's songs are reworked songs from Apparition, featuring new lyrics written by Carpenter with slightly different musical passages. The band's second album, Intrinsic, was released on July 17, 2012. A month before the album's release, the Contortionist released their first music video for the song "Holomovement." The sound of Intrinsic differed from previous releases; the album still contained elements of deathcore, but had a greater focus on melody and atmosphere.[2] Carpenter's lyrics focused on science fiction themes which are reflected in the music videos for "Causality" and "Dreaming Schematics."

In March 2013, Jonathan Carpenter announced his departure from the band. At the time, Carpenter and his longtime girlfriend (now his wife) were expecting their first child. He left on good terms with the band to focus on his personal life and starting his family. Carpenter commented on his departure:

Robby Baca also commented on Carpenter leaving:

"We are sad to see John go, but at the same time remain fully supportive of his decision. We look forward to the process of finding a new vocalist and writing a new record."

Mike Lessard of Last Chance to Reason took over vocal duties for upcoming shows until the band found a permanent replacement. Mike Lessard commented on filling in for Carpenter:

"I'm happy to be helping my friends in the Contortionist for the next few months on tour as a temporary vocalist. I'll be returning to my duties in Last Chance to Reason once these dates are finished in May. I look forward to seeing a bunch of new and familiar faces in the months to come."[3]
On June 21, 2013, the Contortionist announced via their Facebook page that Mike Lessard was officially their new vocalist.On April 23, 2014, the Contortionist announced via Facebook the completion of recording their third full-length album. The album was produced by Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, He Is Legend, the Human Abstract, among many others).[4] On June 26, 2014, the Contortionist announced on their Facebook page that their new album, entitled Language, would be released September 16, 2014 through eOne and Good Fight Music. It was also officially made known that bassist Christopher Tilley had been replaced by former Scale the Summit bassist, Jordan Eberhardt, for unannounced reasons. During an AMA session, which took place on September 12, a question regarding Christopher Tilley's departure was answered, the band's response was: "Touring and all that comes with it just wasn't what Tilley wanted to do anymore. We love Chris and wish him the best!"

The band released their fourth album, entitled Clairvoyant, on September 15, 2017.[5] This album featured a softer sound, with predominantly clean vocals.

On August 9, 2019, the band released the EP Our Bones. The EP features two new full-length songs, an ambient interlude, and a cover of "1979", originally by The Smashing Pumpkins.[6]

Musical style and influences

The Contortionist's musical style has been described as progressive metal[7] [8] and progressive rock.[9] The band's early work showed one-time experiments in other metal genres outside their primary sound; their second EP Apparition has been described as deathcore.[8] [10] [11] Robby Baca has stated that his influences include Planet X, Pat Metheny, Meshuggah, Allan Holdsworth, Between the Buried and Me, Dream Theater, The Dear Hunter, Textures, Deftones,[12] Gojira, and Animosity.[13] Former member Jonathan Carpenter also stated that his personal influences include Dream Theater and ambient composer Brian Eno.[14] Other influences include Rush, Isis, and Cynic.[15]

Members

Current

Former

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
[19] 		US Indie
[20] 		US Rock
[21] 		US Hard Rock
[22]
Exoplanet — — — —
Intrinsic
  • Released: July 17, 2012
  • Label: eOne, Good Fight
  • Formats: CD, LP, DL
125 23 42 12
Language
  • Released: September 16, 2014
  • Label: eOne, Good Fight
  • Formats: CD, LP, DL
52 13 15 6
Clairvoyant
  • Released: September 15, 2017
  • Label: eOne, Good Fight
  • Formats: CD, LP, DL
135 8 26 7
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

Title! scope="col" style="width:20em;"
Album details
Retrospective: Live from Atlanta[23]
  • Released: January 30, 2023
  • Label: MNRK Heavy
  • Format: LP

EPs

Title! scope="col" style="width:20em;"
EP details
Sporadic Movements
Shapeshifter
  • Released: September 1, 2008
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: CD
Apparition
  • Released: September 24, 2009
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: CD
Our Bones

Singles

YearSongAlbum
2012"Holomovement"[24] Intrinsic
"Causality"[25]
2014"Language I: Intuition"[26] Language
"Primordial Sound"[27]
2017"Reimagined"[28] Clairvoyant
"Absolve"[29]
"Return to Earth"[30]
2019"Early Grave"[31] Our Bones

Music videos

YearSongDirector
2012"Causality"
"Dreaming Schematics"
2014"Language I: Intuition"Corey Norman
"Primordial Sound"
2015"The Parable" (Rediscovered)Erez Bader[32]
"Language" (Rediscovered)
"Primordial Sound" (Rediscovered)
"The Source" (Rediscovered)
2017"Reimagined"
"Return to Earth"
2019"Early Grave"
2020"1979"Michael Lessard[33]
2022"Primal Directive" (live)

Concert tours

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Good Fight Music. Good Fight Music. March 25, 2013. September 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923164100/http://www.goodfightmusic.com/artists/thecontortionist.php. dead.
  2. Web site: The Contortionist: Intrinsic - Sputnikmusic - Staff review. Sputnikmusic. Jacob Royal. 20 June 2013.
  3. Web site: The Contortionist Part Ways With Vocalist & Keyboardist Jonathan Carpenter . Heavy Blog Is heavy . 25 March 2013 . July 29, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140729220358/http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2013/03/25/the-contortionist-part-ways-with-vocalist-keyboardist-jonathan-carpenter/ . dead .
  4. Web site: The Contortionist Enter The Studio For New Album. May 18, 2014. March 20, 2014.
  5. Web site: The Contortionist – Clairvoyant. Calder Hannan. The Progressive Aspect. September 13, 2017. September 25, 2017.
  6. Web site: Metal Injection. Leon T.K.. EP Review: THE CONTORTIONIST Our Bones. August 16, 2019. September 11, 2019.
  7. Web site: The Contortionist . . April 15, 2015 . Monger, James Christopher.
  8. Web site: The Contortionist . . July 17, 2012 . April 15, 2015 . Falzon, Denise.
  9. Web site: Progressive Rock Unit THE CONTORTIONIST to Celebrate 10 Years of 'Exoplanet' Album with an Exclusive Livestream Event June 26th. June 8, 2021.
  10. Web site: The Contortionist - Intrinsic . . July 17, 2012 . April 15, 2015 . Colwell, Matthew.
  11. Web site: In The Studio: The Contortionist . . February 24, 2012 . April 15, 2015 . Colwell, Matthew.
  12. Web site: Interview: The Contortionist . October 21, 2011 . Mind Equals Blown . March 25, 2013.
  13. Gomez . Adrian . May 6, 2011 . Indy metal band blazes its own trail . Interview . . 47 . January 30, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220130144739/https://www.abqjournal.com/28807/indy-metal-band-blazes-its-own-trail.html . January 30, 2022.
  14. Web site: Bell . Robert . Friday To-Do: The Contortionist . July 19, 2012 . Arkansas Times . March 25, 2013.
  15. Web site: The Contortionist Bio The Contortionist Career . https://archive.today/20130411095319/http://www.mtv.com/artists/the-contortionist/biography . dead . April 11, 2013 . MTV . March 25, 2013.
  16. Web site: Boreworm Add Ex-The Contortionist Vocalist | The Circle Pit. Thecirclepit.com. October 10, 2020.
  17. Web site: BOREWORM Unleashes Pulverizing New Single "Vile Husk" Through Metal Injection. Carcosapr.com. October 10, 2020.
  18. Web site: NEWS: Jonathan Carpenter (Ex-The Contortionist) Teases New Music - It Djents . www.itdjents.com . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151026055859/http://www.itdjents.com/news/news-jonathan-carpenter-ex-the-contortionist-teases-new-music/ . 26 October 2015 . dead.
  19. Eldridge Industries. Billboard. The Contortionist Chart History (Billboard 200). December 12, 2018.
  20. Eldridge Industries. Billboard. The Contortionist Chart History (Independent Albums). December 12, 2018.
  21. Eldridge Industries. Billboard. The Contortionist Chart History (Top Rock Albums). December 12, 2018.
  22. Eldridge Industries. Billboard. The Contortionist Chart History (Hard Rock Albums). December 12, 2018.
  23. Web site: The Contortionist– Retrospective: Live From Atlanta . Discogs . 28 July 2023.
  24. Web site: Metal Sucks. EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: THE CONTORTIONIST'S "HOLOMOVEMENT" SONG + LYRIC VIDEO!. June 11, 2012. August 24, 2021.
  25. Web site: . THE CONTORTIONIST - 'Causality' Video Released . July 16, 2012 . July 2, 2022.
  26. Web site: . Neilstein . Vince . Drop What You're Doing and Listen to the New Contortionist Single Right Now! . July 15, 2014 . July 2, 2022.
  27. Web site: . Exclusive Track Premiere: The Contortionist, "Primordial Sound" . September 2, 2014 . July 2, 2022.
  28. Web site: . DiVita . Joe . The Contortionist Detail New Album, Release 'Reimagined' Video . June 6, 2017 . July 2, 2022.
  29. Web site: . Listen to the Contortionist's Opeth-Esque New Song . July 21, 2017 . January 6, 2023.
  30. Web site: . Kielty . Martin . The Contortionist premiere Return To Earth video . August 25, 2017 . July 2, 2022.
  31. Web site: . DiVita . Joe . The Contortionist Drop New Song 'Early Grave' + Announce EP . June 25, 2019 . July 2, 2022.
  32. Web site: wookubus . The Contortionist 'Rediscover' Four Songs For "Language" Reissue, Debut New Version Of "The Parable" . theprp.com . December 1, 2015 . March 14, 2016.
  33. Web site: . Hadusek . Jon . The Contortionist Unveil Video for Cover of Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" . February 20, 2020 . July 2, 2022.

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