Our Last Enemy
Encyclopedia
The band was formed in 2006 by Oliver Fogwell, Jeff Ritchie, and Matt Heywood. The band would go through 2 guitarists and a keyboardist from 2007 - 2009 before being joined by Bizz and Craig Byrnes on Guitars and Keyboards/Effects respectively in 2010
Our Last Enemy has worked and played with bands that include Fear Factory, Static X, Dope, Hanzel Und Gretyl, Soil, Genitorturers, God Forbid and Fozzy.
During 2008 Our Last Enemy entered the studio to record the cult E.P “…Is Death”. …Is Death is a play on the meaning of the bands name, ‘our last enemy is death’. ‘…Is Death’ was a 6 song E.P containing 3 original songs (10 000 Headless Horses, Decoy and Cold & Alone) and also featured 3 remixes of 10 000 headless horses from leading Dj’s from the Sydney underground industrial dance scene, which led to many crossover sales of ‘…Is Death’ for the band and contributed to its cult status within the Sydney music scene.
It has also been stated by Bassist Matt Heywood that the last copy of “… Is Death” was given to Vas Kallas of Hanzel Und Gretyl.
Our Last Enemy also toured the east coast of Australia extensively during this time, solidifying their name in cities outside of their native home of Sydney.
While recording in Los Angeles, the band also lived with producer Christian Olde Wolbers. The band was also given special recognition “As their Australian friends” at God Forbids show at the Whiskey a go-go, which was noted by local press at the time.#
The album took 2 months to record, and was recorded at the famed Temple studios which is Co-owned by B-Real of Cypress Hill.
Also, during this period, Our Last Enemy became the first Australian band to work with famed publicist Kelli Wright, were signed to Australian Heavy Metal label Riot! Entertainment and Bizz of U.S industrial band Genitorturers joined as guitarist.
The album took close to 3 months to record, and was recorded at the famed Temple studios which is Co-owned by B-Real of Cypress Hill and Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory.
Also, during this period, Our Last Enemy became the first Australian band to work with famed publicist Kelli Wright, were signed to Australian Heavy Metal label Riot! Entertainment and Bizz of U.S industrial band Genitorturers joined as guitarist. The album was distributed by major label Warner Music in Australia.
To coincide with the release of ‘Fallen Empires’ Our Last Enemy embarked on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. The band had also planned to tour Japan in 2011 but with the national disaster in Japan, these plans have been put on hold, with the band now looking towards heading back the United States.
In recent interviews the band has stated they are currently in talks with labels about releasing ‘Fallen Empires’ in the U.S, Japan and Europe.
The band has also mentioned that there will be a video clip for 10 000 Headless Horses is due to be released in early May, 2011 and that they are currently working on a follow up E.P. to ‘Fallen Empires’ during their extensive touring schedule and then will put their efforts towards a full length album to follow in 2012.
The band has been extremely busy since their inception, recently moving to LA for 3 months to live and record their latest offering with renowned industrial metal producer, ex Fear Factory/Arkaea bassist Christian Olde Wolbers.
The debut record ‘FALLEN EMPIRES’ via Riot! Entertainment /Warner Music. It was one of 2010’s most anticipated local metal releases with media reviews being unanimous in their praise of the albums world class production and killer tracks, setting the band up on a level playing field with their overseas counterparts.
With new members, guitarist Bizz from cult Florida band Genitortures (featuring David Vincent from Morbid Angel) and The Undead (ex Misfits) and new keyboardist Craig (Grimthor), the band has just completed their most ambitious tour to date to celebrate the launch of their debut full length ‘Fallen Empires’ throughout Australia, New Zealand, and with Asia/Euro/US dates to be announced soon.
Now they kick off the second leg of the tour titled ‘TEARING DOWN THE EMPIRE’ with fellow industrial metal act VIRAL MILLENIUM.
Matt Heywood – Bass/Vocals (2006 – present),
Jeff Ritchie – Drums (2006 – present),
Craig Byrnes – Keyboards/Effects (2010 – present),
Bryce ‘Bizz’ Bernius – Guitars (2010 – present),
Our Last Enemy has worked and played with bands that include Fear Factory, Static X, Dope, Hanzel Und Gretyl, Soil, Genitorturers, God Forbid and Fozzy.
Early years and “…Is Death” 2006–2009
Our Last Enemy was formed in 2006 through the dissolution of the members previous bands. According to an interview with Vocalist Oliver Fogwell, during this period the band wrote and jammed for close to 6 months before playing their first show.During 2008 Our Last Enemy entered the studio to record the cult E.P “…Is Death”. …Is Death is a play on the meaning of the bands name, ‘our last enemy is death’. ‘…Is Death’ was a 6 song E.P containing 3 original songs (10 000 Headless Horses, Decoy and Cold & Alone) and also featured 3 remixes of 10 000 headless horses from leading Dj’s from the Sydney underground industrial dance scene, which led to many crossover sales of ‘…Is Death’ for the band and contributed to its cult status within the Sydney music scene.
It has also been stated by Bassist Matt Heywood that the last copy of “… Is Death” was given to Vas Kallas of Hanzel Und Gretyl.
Our Last Enemy also toured the east coast of Australia extensively during this time, solidifying their name in cities outside of their native home of Sydney.
Fallen Empires, 2009 – Present.
During this period it was announced that Our Last Enemy would be relocating from Sydney to Los Angeles for 2 months to record their debut album with producer Christian Olde Wolbers of Fear Factory fame (God Forbid, Threat Signal, Mnemic).While recording in Los Angeles, the band also lived with producer Christian Olde Wolbers. The band was also given special recognition “As their Australian friends” at God Forbids show at the Whiskey a go-go, which was noted by local press at the time.#
The album took 2 months to record, and was recorded at the famed Temple studios which is Co-owned by B-Real of Cypress Hill.
Also, during this period, Our Last Enemy became the first Australian band to work with famed publicist Kelli Wright, were signed to Australian Heavy Metal label Riot! Entertainment and Bizz of U.S industrial band Genitorturers joined as guitarist.
The album took close to 3 months to record, and was recorded at the famed Temple studios which is Co-owned by B-Real of Cypress Hill and Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory.
Also, during this period, Our Last Enemy became the first Australian band to work with famed publicist Kelli Wright, were signed to Australian Heavy Metal label Riot! Entertainment and Bizz of U.S industrial band Genitorturers joined as guitarist. The album was distributed by major label Warner Music in Australia.
Recent
‘Fallen Empires’ was released in Australia in October 2010 through Riot!/Warner in Australia, and has received a favorable response from critics, noting the sound quality and the musical range of the band.To coincide with the release of ‘Fallen Empires’ Our Last Enemy embarked on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. The band had also planned to tour Japan in 2011 but with the national disaster in Japan, these plans have been put on hold, with the band now looking towards heading back the United States.
In recent interviews the band has stated they are currently in talks with labels about releasing ‘Fallen Empires’ in the U.S, Japan and Europe.
The band has also mentioned that there will be a video clip for 10 000 Headless Horses is due to be released in early May, 2011 and that they are currently working on a follow up E.P. to ‘Fallen Empires’ during their extensive touring schedule and then will put their efforts towards a full length album to follow in 2012.
Tearing Down The Empire Tour AUS 2011
Our Last Enemy are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with within the Australian heavy music scene thanks to their unique blend of industrial metal and intense live stage show. The band's debut EP sold out of all 3 pressings, and a legion of passionate fans soon followed, with a heavy touring schedule and coveted international supports for Static X, Dope, Hanzel und Gretyl andSoil.The band has been extremely busy since their inception, recently moving to LA for 3 months to live and record their latest offering with renowned industrial metal producer, ex Fear Factory/Arkaea bassist Christian Olde Wolbers.
The debut record ‘FALLEN EMPIRES’ via Riot! Entertainment /Warner Music. It was one of 2010’s most anticipated local metal releases with media reviews being unanimous in their praise of the albums world class production and killer tracks, setting the band up on a level playing field with their overseas counterparts.
With new members, guitarist Bizz from cult Florida band Genitortures (featuring David Vincent from Morbid Angel) and The Undead (ex Misfits) and new keyboardist Craig (Grimthor), the band has just completed their most ambitious tour to date to celebrate the launch of their debut full length ‘Fallen Empires’ throughout Australia, New Zealand, and with Asia/Euro/US dates to be announced soon.
Now they kick off the second leg of the tour titled ‘TEARING DOWN THE EMPIRE’ with fellow industrial metal act VIRAL MILLENIUM.
Current Lineup
Oliver Fogwell – Vocals (2006 – present),Matt Heywood – Bass/Vocals (2006 – present),
Jeff Ritchie – Drums (2006 – present),
Craig Byrnes – Keyboards/Effects (2010 – present),
Bryce ‘Bizz’ Bernius – Guitars (2010 – present),
External links
- http://www.ourlastenemy.com/
- http://www.facebook.com/ourlastenemy,
- http://www.reverbnation.com/ourlastenemy,
- http://www.last.fm/music/Our+Last+Enemy,
- http://www.youtube.com/user/OurLastEnemy?blend=5&ob=5,
- http://www.ausmetalguide.com/Our_Last_Enemy,