The Faceless
{{short description|American technical death metal band}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2013}}
{{use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The Faceless
| image = The faceless tuska 20090627.JPG
| caption = The Faceless performing at Tuska Open Air Metal Festival 2009
| landscape = Yes
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = Encino, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| genre = *Technical death metal
- progressive metal
- deathcore (early)Kapper, Andrew (undated; circa August 2012). [http://heavymetal.about.com/od/thefaceless/fr/The-Faceless-Autotheism-Review.htm "The Faceless{{spaced ndash}} Autotheism Review"]. Heavy Metal module of Dotdash. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
| years_active = 2004–present
| label = Sumerian
| website =
| current_members = Michael Keene
James Dorton
| past_members = See: The Faceless membership
}}
The Faceless are an American technical death metal band from the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. They released their debut album, Akeldama, in November 2006, and a follow-up, Planetary Duality, in November 2008. The band's third album, Autotheism, was released on August 14, 2012. On December 1, 2017, the band released their fourth album, In Becoming a Ghost.
History
The band was formed in Encino by guitarist Michael Keene and bassist Brandon Giffin in 2004. In the winter of 2005, the band began work on a four-song extended-play album which would become Akeldama. After recording the drum tracks, drummer Brett Batdorf left the band. After a break in the recording process, the band decided to make the EP into a full–length record and recruited several drummers to finish the drum tracks for the remaining songs.
Following the release of Akeldama, the band toured extensively with bands including Necrophagist, Decapitated, Nile, and The Black Dahlia Murder. [http://metalinjection.net/reviews/all-shall-perish-arsis-and-the-faceless-metal-maniacs-tour-show-review All Shall Perish, Arsis, and The Faceless Metal Maniacs Tour Show Review]. Metal Injection. Retrieved February 1, 2013. The band went through several fill-in drummers before adding drummer Lyle Cooper to their line-up.
Planetary Duality debuted at number{{nbsp}}119 on the Billboard 200.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=109201|title=The Faceless: 'Planetary Duality' First-Week Sales Revealed – Nov. 19, 2008|date=n.d.|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=February 1, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213081840/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=109201|archive-date=February 13, 2009|df=mdy-all}} The album was critically acclaimed and brought the band a new level of success.
Soon after its release, they toured with bands including Meshuggah, Lamb of God and In Flames. Prior to their performance at California Metalfest IV, Giffin announced that he would no longer be in the band.{{cite web| date = May 14, 2010 | url=http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=14490&ref=lph|title=The Faceless Bass Player Quits Group| website=Lambgoat.com | access-date= February 1, 2013}} The band also announced that they would be playing in The Summer Slaughter Tour of 2010 along with bands including Decapitated, All Shall Perish, and Decrepit Birth.
In May 2011, Keene confirmed via Facebook that Geoffrey Ficco would be replacing Derek Rydquist as the band’s vocalist.{{cite web| date = May 20, 2010 | url=https://www.facebook.com/thefaceless/posts/10150179906531074&ref=1ph|title=
In March 2012, guitarist Steve Jones left the band and was replaced by Wes Hauch, leaving Keene as the last founding member still in the band. Keene stated that “he’s moved in a different direction than us and we wish him good luck in his ventures.” Keene has also stated{{when|date=February 2013}} that the addition of Hauch gave the band some fresh energy, praising Hauch to be “one of the finest guitar players I’ve ever had the privilege of playing with, he’s really amazing.” Keene wrote Autotheism almost entirely while being the only member of the band, with the exception of track "Ten Billion Years" which was brought to the table by Wes Hauch and rewritten together between Hauch and Keene, keeping a large portion of Hauch's original arrangement with some Faceless signature elements added.
Autotheism débuted at number{{nbsp}}50 on the Billboard 200 and hit number{{nbsp}}1 on CMJ radio loud rock charts.
The band, along with bands including Cannibal Corpse, Between the Buried and Me, and Periphery, took part in The Summer Slaughter Tour of 2012.
In January 2013, Cooper left the band, and posted on his Facebook module regarding his departure; he claimed that the band’s goals and interests were not his own.{{better source|date=January 2013}} {{registration required|date=January 2013}} {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/lylelcooper/posts/10151249246687849|title=Lyle Cooper Leaving The Faceless| publisher = Lyle Cooper (via his Facebook module) | access-date= January 26, 2013}} Alex Rüdinger, formerly of The HAARP Machine, a labelmate of The Faceless, became the band’s new full-time drummer.{{cite web| date = January 28, 2013 | url=https://www.facebook.com/thefaceless/posts/562769460401617|title=
On February 14, 2014, Wes Hauch announced he was leaving the band.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/guitarist-wes-hauch-leaves-the-faceless-to-join-reactivated-glass-casket|title=Guitarist Wes Hauch Leaves THE FACELESS, To Join Reactivated GLASS CASKET|work=Metal Injection|date=February 17, 2014}}
On October 20, 2014, both Evan Brewer and Alex Rüdinger announced on their personal Facebook pages that they were leaving the band to pursue other projects.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/AlexRudingerOfficial/posts/302044946662292|title=Alex Rudinger - After much thought I've decided that it is... - Facebook|work=Facebook.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEvanBrewer/posts/730719973675135|title=Evan Brewer - After almost four years of good times with... - Facebook|work=Facebook.com}} On December 4, 2014, vocalist Geoffrey Ficco announced his departure from the band, leaving Keene as the sole remaining member of the band.{{cite web|url=http://lambgoat.com/news/23752/The-Faceless-vocalist-Geoff-Ficco-quits-band|title=The Faceless vocalist Geoff Ficco quits band|work=lambgoat.com}}
On February 25, 2015, The Faceless announced Justin McKinney (of The Zenith Passage) as the band's new rhythm guitarist via Facebook.
On April 12, 2015, Michael Keene announced the return of founding member and bassist Brandon Giffin.
On September 28, 2015, The Faceless shared a new song titled: "The Spiraling Void", announced a U.S. tour, and also confirmed via Facebook, the return of long time vocalist Derek "Demon Carcass" Rydquist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Zj9LpJK8Y|title=The Faceless - The Spiraling Void - YouTube|website=YouTube|date=July 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724225901/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Zj9LpJK8Y|archive-date=July 24, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/thefaceless/posts/10153128611431074|title=The Faceless|website=Facebook.com}}
On November 13, 2015, The Faceless made "The Spiraling Void" available for download, via iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.
On April 18, 2016, The Faceless announced that they would be working under new management through E.J. Shannon Management.{{Cite web|url=https://fr-fr.facebook.com/thefaceless/posts/10153517421206074|title=The Faceless - We have recently started working with E.J.... {{!}} Facebook|website=Fr-fr.facebook.com|language=fr|access-date=2017-01-31}}
On June 9, 2017, the band announced that they will be playing on the Summer Slaughter Tour 2017 with The Black Dahlia Murder, Dying Fetus and other bands.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thesummerslaughtertour.com/|title=THE SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR|website=Thesummerslaughtertour.com}} On the same day, the band released a new song called "Black Star",{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABX6K6yLloQ&gl=US&hl=en|title=THE FACELESS - Black Star - YouTube|website=YouTube|date=June 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610024216/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABX6K6yLloQ&gl=US&hl=en|archive-date=June 10, 2017}} which featured Ken "Sorceron" Bergeron on vocals, Justin Mckinney on guitar and Chason Westmoreland on drums, also, this is the first The Faceless song on Drop A tuning using seven string guitars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/justin.mckinney/posts/10154483454741714|title=Justin McKinney|website=Facebook.com}} Michael Keene tracked the bass on the entire album by himself. On October 19, 2017, the band announced their fourth full length album entitled In Becoming a Ghost,
which released on December 1, 2017.
On March 19, 2018, vocalist Ken "Sorceron" Bergeron, guitarist Justin McKinney, and drummer Bryce Butler announced they quit the band. Bergeron announced his departure earlier in the day, hours later followed by the other two members. At the time, Keene remained the only member of the band. The new lineup of the band was revealed a month later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2018/04/22/video-the-faceless-perform-live-with-new-lineup/|title=Video: The Faceless Perform Live with New Lineup|date=April 22, 2018|website=MetalSucks}} The Faceless were expected to perform the entirety of Planetary Duality on June 10, 2018, at Bay Area Deathfest after former member Justin McKinney's band "The Zenith Passage".{{Cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/breakups/vocalist-ken-sorceron-announces-he-quit-the-faceless|title=Everybody But Michael Keene Just Quit THE FACELESS|first=Robert|last=Pasbani|date=March 19, 2018|website=Metal Injection}} However, their set was met with criticism after they arrived late and only performed five songs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2018/06/11/the-faceless-reportedly-play-shortened-sloppy-set-at-bay-area-deathfest-fans-rage-online/|title=The Faceless Reportedly Play Shortened, Sloppy Set at Bay Area Death Fest; Fans Rage Online|date=June 11, 2018|website=MetalSucks}}
On July 24, 2022, Keene came under fire for arriving on-stage at a concert 45 minutes late, only to begin an apparently-inebriated rant about having a neurological disorder. After touring member Aaron Stechauner got Keene off stage, he performed alone on drums for a time to keep the crowd entertained. The Faceless eventually performed two hours after the set was scheduled.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/07/25/watch-the-faceless-michael-keene-goes-on-incoherent-onstage-rant-starts-headlining-set-two-hours-late/|title=Watch: The Faceless' Michael Keene Goes on Incoherent Onstage Rant, Starts Headlining Set Two Hours Late |date=July 25, 2022 }}
On July 25, 2022, the band announced that James Dorton of Black Crown Initiate had joined the band as lead vocalist.{{Cite web|author=Greg Kennelty|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/black-crown-initiate-vocalist-joins-the-faceless|title=BLACK CROWN INITIATE Vocalist Joins THE FACELESS|date=July 25, 2022|website=Metal Injection|access-date=July 25, 2022}}
Band members
Current members
- Michael Keene – lead guitar (2004–present), clean vocals, vocoder (2006–present), keyboards, programming, sequencing (2007–present), rhythm guitar (2012–present), bass (2016–present), drums (2018–present)
- James Dorton – unclean vocals (2022–present)
Current live/touring members
- Andrew Virrueta – rhythm guitar (2018–present)
- Aaron Stechauner – drums (2018–present)
Former live/touring musicians
- Mica Meneke – lead vocals (2008)
- Nico Santora – rhythm guitar (2014)
- Anthony Barone – drums (2015)
- Julian Kersey – lead vocals (2015, 2018–2022)
- James Knoerl – drums (2017)
- Taylor Wientjes – lead vocals (2018)
- Cody Pulliam – drums (2018)
- Gabe Seeber – drums (2018)
- Jacob Umansky – bass (2018)
Session musicians
- Navene Koperweis – drums (2006)
- Andy Taylor – drums (2006)
- Matthew Blackmar – keyboards (2008)
- Tara Keene – backing vocals (2012)
- Sergio Flores – saxophone (2012), flute (2017)
Former members
- Steve Jones – rhythm guitar (2004–2012)
- Brandon Giffin – bass (2004–2010, 2015–2016)
- Bret Batdorf – drums (2004–2006)
- Jeff Ventimiglia – lead vocals (2004–2005)
- Mikee Domingo – lead vocals (2004; died 2014)
- Zack Graham – drums, clean vocals (2004)
- Bryce Butler – drums (2017–2018)
- Elliott Sellers – drums (2004)
- Michael Sherer – keyboards (2005–2006)
- Derek "Demon Carcass" Rydquist – lead vocals (2006–2011, 2015–2016)
- Nick Pierce – drums (2006)
- Marco Pitruzzella – drums (2007)
- Lyle Cooper – drums (2007–2013)
- Jarrad Lander – bass (2010)
- Geoffrey Ficco – lead vocals (2011–2014)
- Evan Brewer – bass (2011–2014)
- Wes Hauch – rhythm/lead guitar (2012–2014)
- Alex Rüdinger – drums (2013–2014)
- Justin McKinney – rhythm/lead guitar and orchestrations (2015–2018)
- Chason Westmoreland – drums (2015–2017)
- Ken "Sorceron" Bergeron – lead vocals (2016–2018)
Timeline
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Discography
;Studio albums
- Akeldama (2006)
- Planetary Duality (2008)
- Autotheism (2012)
- In Becoming a Ghost (2017)
;Demo albums
- Nightmare Fest (2006)
See also
{{Portal|Biography|Greater Los Angeles}}
- List of bands from Los Angeles
- List of progressive metal bands
- List of Sumerian Records artists
- List of technical death metal bands
- Music of Los Angeles
{{clear}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat}}
- {{Facebook|thefaceless}}
- {{allmusic|id=mn0000058830|label=The Faceless}}
{{The Faceless|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Faceless, The}}
Category:2005 establishments in California
Category:American deathcore musical groups
Category:American progressive metal musical groups
Category:American technical death metal musical groups
Category:Death metal musical groups from California
Category:Musical groups established in 2004
Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles