Polyphia
{{Short description|American progressive rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = group_or_band
| name = Polyphia
| image = Polyphia at History, end of show (crop).jpg
| caption = Polyphia performing in 2023
| landscape = yes
| origin = Plano, Texas, US
| genre = {{Flat list|
- Progressive rock
- instrumental rock
- trap{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Astley-Brown |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Digging the new Polyphia? Here are 10 trap and lo-fi beat-loving guitar players you need to check out |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/10-trap-lo-fi-guitarists |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Guitar World}}
}}
| years_active = 2010–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- Headphone Music
- Equal Vision
- Rise
}}
| spinoffs =
| spinoff_of =
| website = {{URL|polyphia.com}}
| current_members =
- Tim Henson
- Scott LePage
- Clay Gober
- Clay Aeschliman
| past_members =
- Brandon Burkhalter
- Lane Duskin
- Randy Methe
}}
Polyphia is a primarily instrumental progressive rock band based in Plano, Texas, formed in 2010. The group consists of guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage, bassist Clay Gober, and drummer Clay Aeschliman.{{Cite web |author1=Richard Bienstock |date=July 25, 2017 |title=Introducing Polyphia, Rising Stars of the Instrumental Guitar Scene |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/introducing-polyphia-rising-stars-instrumental-guitar-scene |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=guitarworld}} Initially rooted in a metal-focused sound in their early releases, the band's music evolved into a more progressive rock style in their later productions, combining electronic music and hip hop. Polyphia has released four studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and numerous singles.
Their third album, New Levels New Devils, was their first to chart, reaching 61 on the Billboard 200. Their fourth album, Remember That You Will Die, released in October 2022, debuted at number 33.
History
Polyphia formed in 2010 and first achieved mainstream success after the guitar play-through of "Impassion", from their EP Inspire, went viral on YouTube. Since then, the band's popularity has grown and they have shared the stage with progressive metalcore artists such as Periphery, Between the Buried and Me, and August Burns Red.{{citation | title = Polyphia premiere "Aviator" music video featuring Chelsea Grin's Jason Richardson – exclusive | work = Guitar World | date = April 27, 2015 | access-date = February 28, 2021 | url = https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/polyphia-premiere-aviator-music-video-featuring-chelsea-grins-jason-richardson-exclusive}}
The name of the band comes from the word "polyphony", meaning music whose texture is defined by the interweaving of several melodic lines.{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2013 |title=Polyphia – Artist of the Week Contest / Interview! |url=https://www.thecirclepit.com/2013/06/polyphia-artist-of-week-contest-interview |access-date=September 11, 2022 |work=The Circle Pit}}
They first began to experiment with incorporating pop, funk, and electronic elements into their music on their first full-length album, Muse, released in 2014. The album also featured other guitarists on several tracks, which the band has cited as a source of inspiration.{{Cite web |author1=Richard Bienstock |date=July 25, 2017 |title=Introducing Polyphia, Rising Stars of the Instrumental Guitar Scene |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/introducing-polyphia-rising-stars-instrumental-guitar-scene |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=guitarworld}} The band was signed to Equal Vision Records after the album charted on the Billboard Top 100, which led to its reissue in 2015.{{Cite web |title=Polyphia Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/polyphia-mn0003313453 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=AllMusic}}
Their second album, Renaissance, released in 2016, continued in the band's fusion of pop, hip hop, and EDM elements.{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2023 |title=The Story of Polyphia: The Genre-bending 4-piece Band |url=https://www.themetalverseofficial.com/the-story-of-polyphia/ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=The Metalverse}}
Polyphia released their third studio album, New Levels New Devils, on October 12, 2018.
In September 2022, they released the single "Ego Death", the fourth from their latest album, Remember That You Will Die. This was accompanied by a video, both of which feature guitar virtuoso Steve Vai.{{cite news|title=Polyphia Teams Steve Vai for Virtuosic New Track Ego Death |url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/polyphia-steve-vai-new-ego-death-single-djent-shred/ |website=guitar.com |date=September 29, 2022 |access-date=September 29, 2022}} Remember That You Will Die was released on October 28, 2022, and also includes appearances by Sophia Black, Brasstracks, $NOT, and Chino Moreno.{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Matt |title=Polyphia's upcoming album Remember That You Will Die will feature Steve Vai and Deftones' Chino Moreno |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/polyphia-remember-that-you-will-die-details |access-date=October 30, 2022 |work=Guitar World |date=September 1, 2022}} In October 2022, Polyphia announced a 15-date European tour to support the record.{{cite news |title=Polyphia announce 15-date UK and European tour |url=https://www.kerrang.com/polyphia-announce-15-date-uk-and-european-tour |access-date=October 30, 2022 |work=Kerrang! |date=October 19, 2022}}
Polyphia released their first live album, Live at the Factory in Deep Ellum, on November 24, 2023.{{cite news|last=Carter|first=Emily|date=November 27, 2023|title=Listen to Polyphia's new Live at the Factory in Deep Ellum album|url=https://www.kerrang.com/listen-to-polyphias-new-live-at-the-factory-in-deep-ellum-album|access-date=November 27, 2023}} The 16-track album was recorded on April 14, during the Remember That You Will Die tour at the Factory in Dallas, Texas.
Style and influences
Polyphia was originally known for their guitar covers of classical songs on YouTube. The band mixes elements of instrumental and progressive rock with EDM, funk, and hip hop.{{Cite web|date=March 15, 2016|title=Album Review: Polyphia – 'Renaissance'|url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/album-review-polyphia-renaissance/|access-date=May 20, 2021|website=New Noise Magazine}}
This sound was further developed with the release of their second EP, The Most Hated, and third full-length album, New Levels New Devils, which featured production from hip hop and EDM producers Judge and Y2K.{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2018 |title=Polyphia – New Levels New Devils (Review) – Depth Magazine |url=http://www.depthmag.com/polyphia-new-levels-new-devils/ |access-date=October 24, 2022}}
Their fourth studio album, Remember That You Will Die, has continued in this vein, further exploring "trap percussion and hip hop stylings", as well as incorporating a variety of genres, such as bubblegum pop and bossa nova.{{Cite web|date=October 19, 2022|title=Album Review: Polyphia – Remember That You Will Die|url=https://boolintunes.com/2022/10/19/album-review-polyphia-remember-that-you-will-die/|website=Boolin Tunes|first=Harry|last=Eaton|access-date=November 3, 2022}}
The band has stated that their influences come from artists of all genres. They started out with a heavier shred-oriented style but have since created a more melodic-focused sound. Groups like Within the Ruins and Job for a Cowboy were their biggest inspirations when creating their first EP, Inspire.{{Cite web |last=Vaughn |first=Jacob |title=Plano Band Polyphia Gears Up for the Release of Its Third Album |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/scott-lepage-of-plano-band-polyphia-tells-us-about-third-full-length-album-10944713 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=Dallas Observer}} When describing the album Muse, guitarist Tim Henson says that the primary inspiration came from pop and rap music.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NAgeAityA |title=Dunlop Sessions: Polyphia |date=August 17, 2015 |access-date=October 21, 2015 |work=YouTube}}
Gear
Tim Henson is an Ibanez endorser with two current signature guitars, the TOD10N and the TOD10. The THBB10 had a roasted maple neck, a Gotoh tremolo bridge with locking machine heads, as well as DiMarzio pickups.{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarlobby.com/tim-henson-guitars-and-gear/|title=Tim Henson THBB10 Signature Model|website=guitarlobby.com|date=February 12, 2022 |access-date=May 12, 2022}} The TOD10N is a nylon-string electric guitar, with a unique "Tree of Death" inlay conceived by Henson.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibanez.com/eu/products/detail/tod10n_5b_01.html|title=Tim Henson TOD10N Signature Model|website=ibanez.com|date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022}} The TOD10 (not to be confused with the TOD10N) is a solid-body guitar. It has a roasted maple neck with the "Tree of Death" inlay first seen on the TOD10N, Gotoh tremolo bridge and locking machine heads, and a set of Fishman Fluence Tim Henson Signature humbucker pickups.{{Cite web |title=TOD10 {{!}} TOD {{!}} Electric guitars {{!}} Products |url=https://www.ibanez.com/na/products/detail/tod10_1p_01.html |access-date=December 16, 2022 |website=Ibanez guitars}} Additionally, Henson has worked with Neural DSP to release the "Archetype: Tim Henson" plugin, which contains three simulated amps and Henson's signature "Multivoicer" attachment.{{Cite web |title=Archetype: Tim Henson |url=https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-tim-henson |access-date=August 12, 2022 |website=neuraldsp.com}}
Scott LePage has one current Ibanez signature guitar, the KRYS10, and the SLM10, which is out of production. The SLM10 had a roasted maple neck, a Gotoh tremolo bridge with locking machine heads DiMarzio pickups,{{Cite web|url=https://geargods.net/news/polyphia-tim-henson-scott-lepage-signature-ibanez/|title=Scott LePage SLM10 Signature Model|website=geargods.com|date=June 21, 2019 |access-date=May 12, 2022}} and a quilted maple top with a transparent red matte finish. The KRYS10 also has a roasted maple neck and Gotoh tremolo bridge with locking machine heads, but the pickups are instead a set of Fishman Fluence Scott LePage Signature humbuckers.{{Cite web |title=KRYS10 {{!}} KRYS {{!}} Electric guitars {{!}} Products |url=https://www.ibanez.com/eu/products/detail/krys10_1p_01.html |access-date=December 16, 2022 |website=Ibanez guitars}}
Clay Aeschliman endorses both TAMA Drums and Meinl Percussion.{{Cite web |title=Clay Aeschliman gear |url=https://equipboard.com/pros/clay-aeschliman |access-date=May 12, 2022 |website=equipboard.com}}
Clay Gober uses Ibanez bass guitars, most commonly those in the Ibanez SR series.{{Cite web|url=https://equipboard.com/pros/clay-gober|title=Clay Gober gear|website=equipboard.com|access-date=May 11, 2022}}
Band members
Current
- Tim Henson – guitar (2010–present)
- Scott LePage – guitar (2010–present)
- Clay Gober – bass guitar (2012–present)
- Clay Aeschliman – drums (2016–present)
Past
- Brandon Burkhalter – drums (2010–2014; 2015–2016), clean vocals (2010–2011)
- Lane Duskin – vocals (2010–2012)
- Randy Methe – drums (2014–2015)
Timeline
{{#tag:timeline|
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Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ {{Sronly|List of studio albums, with selected details and peak chart positions}} ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US {{cite magazine|title=Billboard 200: Week of November 12, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2022-11-12/ |access-date=November 9, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUS ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| CAN |
|---|
| scope="row"| Muse
|
| — || — || — |
| scope="row"| Renaissance
|
| — || — || — |
| scope="row"| New Levels New Devils
|
| 61 || — || — |
| scope="row"| Remember That You Will Die
| | 33 || 72 || 73 |
| colspan="10" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
=Live albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ {{Sronly|List of studio albums, with selected details and peak chart positions}} ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col"| Details |
| scope="row"| Live at the Factory in Deep Ellum
|
|
|---|
=EPs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ {{Sronly|List of EPs, with selected details}} ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" | Details |
| scope="row"| Resurrect
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Inspire
|
|
| scope="row"| The Most Hated
|
|
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ {{Sronly|List of singles, with year released}} ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row"| "Envision" {{small|(featuring Rick Graham)}} | 2013 | rowspan=2 {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| "LIT"
| 2017 |
| scope="row"| "G.O.A.T."
| rowspan=3 | 2018 | rowspan=3 | New Levels New Devils |
| scope="row"| "O.D." |
| scope="row"| "Yas" {{small|(featuring Mario Camarena and Erick Hansel)}} |
| scope="row"| "Look But Don't Touch" {{small|(featuring Lewis Grant)}} | rowspan=2 | 2019 | rowspan=2 {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Inferno" |
| scope="row"| "Playing God"
| rowspan=4 | 2022 | rowspan=4 | Remember That You Will Die |
| scope="row"| "Neurotica" |
| scope="row"| "ABC"{{cite web|url=https://www.aapimusicians.com/post/sophia-black-interview|title=Sophia Black Interview|last=Swee-Singh|first=Summer|date=May 25, 2022|website=aapimusicians.com|access-date=November 27, 2023}} {{small|(featuring Sophia Black)}} |
| scope="row"| "Ego Death" {{small|(featuring Steve Vai)}} |
References
{{reflist}}