Maharahj
Encyclopedia
Maharahj is a metalcore
band
from Oakville, Ontario
. Their name originated from a modified spelling of the East Indian term maharaja
. This now defunct band was founded in 1997 by Garren and Clay under the original name One Winged Angel. Over the course five years the band released one demo and two studio albums. After heated discussion about the viability of full time tour support, they disbanded in 2002. Members went on to start bands Explode the Airwaves and Silverstein
.
and Diecast (band)
, Maharahj found underground scene success with their blend of cacophony and mathematical technicality. Shortly afterwards, they were back in the studio recording their first full length "Chapter One, The Decent". With a major label financial backing the record, Maharahj was able to gain a huge fan base. Record sales soared. However, the rigorous demands of the touring and difficult musicianship had their toll on some of the members.
In 2001, the heavy handed nature of the bands internal song writing process created some dramatic lineup changes. Colin and Andrew were recruited to replace Jon and Neil. Neil went on to join and play in the successful band Silverstein
. Progressing as a more diverse band with more diverse interests, Maharahj later recorded "Repetition". Unfortunately, this album was not as well received as they had hoped. Poor tour support was also a contributing factor. One year later, the band split ways.
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from Oakville, Ontario
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
. Their name originated from a modified spelling of the East Indian term maharaja
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
. This now defunct band was founded in 1997 by Garren and Clay under the original name One Winged Angel. Over the course five years the band released one demo and two studio albums. After heated discussion about the viability of full time tour support, they disbanded in 2002. Members went on to start bands Explode the Airwaves and Silverstein
Silverstein (band)
Silverstein is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and read the stories of as children. They have released a total of five studio albums, three EP's, a...
.
History
During their first US tour, label owner Matt Beckerman signed them to his (now defunct) nowornever records. Sharing the stage with such label-mates as The Dillinger Escape PlanThe Dillinger Escape Plan
The Dillinger Escape Plan is an American mathcore band from Morris Plains, New Jersey. The group originated in 1997 after the disbanding of Arcane, a hardcore punk trio consisting of Ben Weinman, Dimitri Minakakis, and Chris Pennie. The band's current line-up consists of guitarist Ben Weinman,...
and Diecast (band)
Diecast (band)
Diecast is a five-piece metalcore band originating from Boston, Massachusetts. There are no active members that date back to their inception.-History:...
, Maharahj found underground scene success with their blend of cacophony and mathematical technicality. Shortly afterwards, they were back in the studio recording their first full length "Chapter One, The Decent". With a major label financial backing the record, Maharahj was able to gain a huge fan base. Record sales soared. However, the rigorous demands of the touring and difficult musicianship had their toll on some of the members.
In 2001, the heavy handed nature of the bands internal song writing process created some dramatic lineup changes. Colin and Andrew were recruited to replace Jon and Neil. Neil went on to join and play in the successful band Silverstein
Silverstein (band)
Silverstein is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and read the stories of as children. They have released a total of five studio albums, three EP's, a...
. Progressing as a more diverse band with more diverse interests, Maharahj later recorded "Repetition". Unfortunately, this album was not as well received as they had hoped. Poor tour support was also a contributing factor. One year later, the band split ways.
Major label signing
The band signed to Nowornever Records in June 1999 The band recorded both their full-length debut CD "Chapter One, The Descent' and sophomore effort "Repetition" on the Nowornever label.Members
- VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Garren Ustel - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Colin Ross - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Clayton Kelly - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Andrew Bricker - DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Dave Johnston
Discography
- A Replication of a Process and Product (EP) (September 1999)
- Chapter One, The Descent (LP) (August 2000)
- Repetition (LP) (September 2001)