Astronoid
Astronoid | |
|---|---|
 Playing in Colchester, April 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Blood Music,[4] 3DOT Recordings |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | www |
Astronoid is a post-metal band from Lowell, Massachusetts, formed in 2012.[1] Started by vocalist Brett Boland and bassist Daniel Schwartz, the current lineup includes Boland, Schwartz, guitarist Casey Aylward, and drummer Matt St. Jean. They have released two extended plays, November (2012) and Stargazer (2013), and three studio albums, Air (2016), the eponymous Astronoid (2019) and Radiant Bloom (2022).
History[edit]
The band started as a studio project between vocalist Brett Boland and bassist Daniel Schwartz.[1] Boland had previously played in Morning Glory.[5] They recorded two songs, which were released as the November EP, on May 11, 2012.[6] The second song on the EP "Astronoid" featured guest vocals from Nick Thornbury of Vattnet Viskar. On November 22, 2012, the band released a cover of the My Bloody Valentine song "Only Shallow".[7]
The band's second release Stargazer, was a four song EP that came out on July 2, 2013.[8] They then recruited guitarists Casey Aylward and Mike DeMelia and drummer Matt St. Jean to tour. Boland, Aylward and Schwartz were previously bandmates in post-hardcore band Hetfield & Hetfield.[3] This lineup began to work on their debut LP, Air.[5]
After forming the full band, the group was signed to Blood Music.[9] They are currently based out of Boston, Massachusetts.[9]
The band was inspired by Devin Townsend, Ihsahn, and Emperor as well as Mew during this time.[1] The band and their record label began describing their sound as "Dream Thrash" in 2016,[10] a genre originally coined by New Jersey thrash metal band Eliminator in 2012.[11][12][13] Noisey described Air as "a buoyant mix of metal, thrash, punk, prog-rock and shoegaze".[14] Metal Sucks described the album as "an instant classic".[15]
In early 2017, they toured in support of Ghost Bath.[16] In addition, they opened for Ghost on several shows,[17] and toured in support of Periphery and Animals As Leaders.[18] In 2018, the band were announced as support for Zeal & Ardor on their North American tour.[19]
On October 31, 2018, the band announced guitarist Mike DeMellia was leaving the group to pursue other musical and creative interests.[20]
On November 27, 2018, Astronoid announced their second studio album, Astronoid for release on February 1, 2019.[21]
In April 2022, the band announced its third album, titled Radiant Bloom, would be released later in the year in June.[22] The album's first single, "Eyes", was released on April 6.[23] The second single, "Sleep Whisper", was released on April 28.[24] "Human", the album's third single, was released on May 19.[25] Radiant Bloom was released on June 3 through 3DOT Recordings.
Discography[edit]
Studio albums[edit]
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Air | Blood Music |
| 2019 | Astronoid | |
| 2022 | Radiant Bloom | 3DOT Recordings |
Extended plays[edit]
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | November | Independent |
| 2013 | Stargazer |
Music videos[edit]
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Obsolete" | Air |
| 2018 | "I Dream in Lines" | Astronoid |
| 2022 | "Eyes" | Radiant Bloom |
Band members[edit]
Current members[edit]
- Brett Boland – vocals, rhythm guitar (2012–present)
- Daniel Schwartz – bass (2012–present)
- Casey Aylward – lead guitar (2014–present)
- Matt St. Jean – drums (2014–present)
Past members[edit]
- Mike DeMellia – guitar (2014–2018)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Nelson, Michael (June 1, 2016). "Band To Watch: Astronoid". Stereogum. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ "Astronoid on Apple Music".
- ^ a b "Astronoid - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Astronoid - Blood Music". blood-music.com. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ a b "Astronoid Interview: Brett Boland on the Band's Intoxicating 'Air'". June 22, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "November EP, by Astronoid". Astronoid. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Astronoid Only Shallow (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Stargazer, by Astronoid". Astronoid. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ a b "Astronoid and the power of 'Air'". February 23, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "A chat with Astronoid". May 21, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Eliminator - New Demo Track 'You Are, You're Not' Available For Streaming". BraveWords. July 17, 2012. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Eliminator – Release New Demo "You Are, You're Not"". Metal Odyssey. July 18, 2012. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Dream Thrash". Bandcamp. June 17, 2012. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ Relly, Emily (June 10, 2016). "Astronoid's 'Air' Is the Happiest Dream Thrash Record You'll Ever Hear". Noisey. Vice.com. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ "Holy Shit Alert: Astronoid's Air - MetalSucks". June 15, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Astronoid Announce 2017 Tour + Dates With Ghost Bath". Loudwire.
- ^ "Ghost have a host of awesome openers for Summer tourMetal Insider". May 9, 2017.
- ^ WonderWeek.ca. "Periphery and Animals As Leaders - The Convergence Tour with guests Astronoid - November 28 2017". Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "ZEAL & ARDOR And ASTRONOID Announce North American Tour". June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ astronoid on twitter
- ^ Ham, Robert (November 27, 2018). "Astronoid announce new album, unveil "I Dream in Lines" video: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ Weaver, James (April 10, 2022). "Astronoid announced new album 'Radiant Bloom'". Distorted Sound. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (April 6, 2022). "ASTRONOID Drops Driving New Single "Eyes"". Metal Injection. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Astronoid Premiere "Sleep Whisper"". ThePRP. April 28, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ Alleva, Dan (May 19, 2022). "ASTRONOID Release New Single "Human"". Metal Injection. Retrieved June 3, 2022.