This Is Hell
Encyclopedia
This Is Hell are a Long Island
, New York
-based hardcore band. The band is known for extensive touring and high energy concerts. To date, the band has released three studio albums, and four EPs.
. The band quickly released a four song self titled demo EP
which was later pressed onto vinyl via Boston label Run for Cover Records & in Europe via Broken Glasses Records. Pressings of the EP sold out quickly and was very well received. The demo gained enough popularity to later be reissued. In support of this demo, the band played over 200 live shows in one year.
. It was released on May 16, 2005 on State of Mind Records. Later that year, the band caught the attention of hardcore punk record label Trustkill Records
. The president of Trustkill, Josh Grabelle, stated:
The band signed to Trustkill shortly after that, and began to work on their debut album Sundowning
to be released on their new label. In May 2006 the album was released and received a very warm reception. Larger magazines including Alternative Press, Metal Hammer, and Rock Sound started featuring the small time Long Island band, creating a rise in popularity. Their slow rise to fame was also due to their non-stop touring. In 2006 and 2007, This Is Hell participated in the Sounds of the Underground
tour which rivaled Ozzfest
. In this tour they played alongside As I Lay Dying
, Trivium
, In Flames
, GWAR
, Shadows Fall
, Every Time I Die
and others. In 2006 they were invited to play in the Taste of Chaos
tour and the Saints & Sinners Festival
. During this time This Is Hell also toured with Comeback Kid
, Endwell
, It Dies Today
, Parkway Drive, Cancer Bats
, Glassjaw
, Lostprophets
, Bayside
and several others.
In April 2006, This Is Hell members Rick Jimenez and Dan Bourke were interested in starting a side project. The two started recruiting local hardcore punk musicians from Long Island and soon formed Soldiers. The band went on to independently release The Tombstone EP, and a full length album, The End of Days, through Trustkill Records. Soldiers has played live with This Is Hell on a few tours. For these shows, Jimenez and Bourke would play in both bands each night.
After the amicable departure of bassist/lyricist Jeff Tiu and the parting of ways with guitarist Joe Oslin, Johnny Moore (ex-Subterfuge, ex-Asternaut) took over on bass as well as becoming the main lyricist, and Chris Reynolds took over second guitar duties. Jeff Tiu went on to front lihc band Ice Age with Chris Mazella (ex-Subterfuge, current Soldiers) on guitar.
Before the close of 2007, This Is Hell released two more EPs exclusively on 7" vinyl records. The first EP, titled Cripplers
featured cover songs, unreleased songs, and one brand new song. The new song called "Infected" was later found on the band's second studio album, but was added to this EP to give fans a taste before the release of the new album. The second EP was a split record with Cancer Bats. This EP featured one new song from each band and one cover of the other band.
. With this album, the band created a new more aggressive and raw sound not found on previous efforts. Only a few days after the release the band embarked on their first headlining tour, which included a full US tour followed by a small European tour. After the Euro tour, Chris Reynolds left the band to pursue his project Kill The Frontman and returned to life in upstate NY. The band did a short US/Canadian tour, now as a 4 piece, with Blacklisted, although Blacklisted didn't make it across the border into Canada.
In October, a small "early press" of the This is Hell/Nightmare of You split 7" from Run For Cover Records was released. From the fall of 08-early winter of 09, This is Hell did more touring throughout the US with bands of all genres. Oct/Nov with Four Year Strong, I Am The Avalanche & A Loss For Words. November with Gravemaker. December with Evergreen Terrace, Four Letter Lie & Casey Jones. Jan/Feb with Funeral For A Friend, The Sleeping & Emarosa. After the last mentioned tour, Dan Bourke left the band and joined fellow long island group, Stray From The Path. Dennis Wilson took over on drums for a Europe headlining tour with Dead Swans
and The Blackout Argument.
, and are now on Rise Records. They released an EP through Think Fast! Records in 2009 called Warbirds
. The EP featured covers and new songs, some of which would later be a part of their following full length. This Is Hell released their third studio album Weight of the World
on June 8, 2010 through Rise Records.
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
-based hardcore band. The band is known for extensive touring and high energy concerts. To date, the band has released three studio albums, and four EPs.
Early days and formation (2004)
This Is Hell formed in June 2004 when Long Island musicians and members of The Backup Plan, Scraps and Heart Attacks, and Subterfuge got together after their previous bands broke up. The name of the band was originally the title of an Elvis Costello songBrutal Youth (Elvis Costello album)
Brutal Youth is an album by Elvis Costello. This is the first album Costello recorded with his band the Attractions after Blood and Chocolate...
. The band quickly released a four song self titled demo EP
This is Hell Demo
This Is Hell Demo was the very first physical release of songs recorded by hardcore punk band This Is Hell. The album was untitled and released on both CD and 7" vinyl formats, also in Europe on Broken Glasses Records . All formats are out of print and difficult to find...
which was later pressed onto vinyl via Boston label Run for Cover Records & in Europe via Broken Glasses Records. Pressings of the EP sold out quickly and was very well received. The demo gained enough popularity to later be reissued. In support of this demo, the band played over 200 live shows in one year.
First EP and Sundowning (2005–2007)
After the release of their demo and in between touring, the band started working on their next release, a self titled EPThis is Hell (This Is Hell album)
This Is Hell is the first EP from the band This Is Hell. After quickly forming the band and releasing a demo ep, This Is Hell returned to the studio to work on their next release. For an early release, This is Hell generated a lot of hype and received good reviews. Some critics still argue that...
. It was released on May 16, 2005 on State of Mind Records. Later that year, the band caught the attention of hardcore punk record label Trustkill Records
Trustkill Records
Trustkill Records was an American record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994...
. The president of Trustkill, Josh Grabelle, stated:
The band signed to Trustkill shortly after that, and began to work on their debut album Sundowning
Sundowning
Sundowning is the debut full length album by Long Island hardcore punk band This Is Hell. The title refers to the sundowning associated with dementia that is common in Alzheimer's disease...
to be released on their new label. In May 2006 the album was released and received a very warm reception. Larger magazines including Alternative Press, Metal Hammer, and Rock Sound started featuring the small time Long Island band, creating a rise in popularity. Their slow rise to fame was also due to their non-stop touring. In 2006 and 2007, This Is Hell participated in the Sounds of the Underground
Sounds of the Underground
The Sounds of the Underground tour was a festival-like tour that rivaled Ozzfest in its first year of existence .The tour features extreme metal and metalcore, and hardcore bands. The existence of this tour, which was held in national arenas, was to attract the rising interest of metal, hardcore,...
tour which rivaled Ozzfest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
. In this tour they played alongside As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying (band)
As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by Tim Lambesis and having completed their first Line-up in 2001, the band consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Josh...
, Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
, In Flames
In Flames
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. Since the band's inception in 1993, they have released ten studio albums and one live DVD...
, GWAR
GWAR
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
, Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. They are one of the few contemporary metal bands who take their lyrical influence from Eastern philosophy and some references to the Rastafari culture...
, Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die is a metalcore band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1998. Their musical style is rooted in technical hardcore with strong southern metal and mathcore elements, and is also characterised by their cryptic, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. The band announced on July 14, 2008 that they had...
and others. In 2006 they were invited to play in the Taste of Chaos
Taste of Chaos
Taste of Chaos is a hardcore tour that was started in the winter of 2005 by Kevin Lyman, the creator of the successful Warped Tour along with friend and business partner, John Reese. The Taste Of Chaos tour caters for fans of the post-hardcore, screamo, and metal genres, while offering the same...
tour and the Saints & Sinners Festival
Saints & Sinners Festival
Saints & Sinners Festival is a two-day hardcore and heavy metal music festival held yearly in New Jersey. It started in 2006 at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on October 28 and October 29. The first day had emo/screamo/post hardcore bands and Atreyu headlined. The second day had metal/hardcore...
. During this time This Is Hell also toured with Comeback Kid
Comeback Kid
Comeback Kid is a Canadian hardcore band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Formed in 2002, the band is currently signed to Facedown Records. Their name comes from a headline in a newspaper about hockey player, Mario Lemieux coming back to the NHL. The band was formed in 2002 by Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy...
, Endwell
Endwell (band)
Endwell is a Metalcore band from Queens, New York formed in 2003, They have released one independent EP, one Full-Length LP on Victory Records, an EP & Full-Length for Mediaskare Records whom the band are currently writing their 3rd Full-Length for....
, It Dies Today
It Dies Today
It Dies Today is a metalcore band that formed in Buffalo, New York during September, 2001.- History :It Dies Today formed in August 2001. The group was established in Buffalo, New York by vocalist Nicholas Brooks, guitarist Chris Cappelli and guitarist Steve Lemke...
, Parkway Drive, Cancer Bats
Cancer Bats
Cancer Bats are a hardcore punk/sludge metal band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Background:Cancer Bats originated in May 2004 with singer Liam Cormier and guitarist Scott Middleton, former member of Toronto heavy metal band At the Mercy of Inspiration...
, Glassjaw
Glassjaw
Glassjaw is a four-piece rock band from Long Island, New York. The band is fronted by vocalist Daryl Palumbo and guitarist Justin Beck, and have undergone numerous line-up changes since their inception...
, Lostprophets
Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. Founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance. To date, Lostprophets have released four studio...
, Bayside
Bayside (band)
Bayside is an American punk rock band from Queens which formed in the winter of 2000. The band has released five full length albums since signing to Victory Records...
and several others.
In April 2006, This Is Hell members Rick Jimenez and Dan Bourke were interested in starting a side project. The two started recruiting local hardcore punk musicians from Long Island and soon formed Soldiers. The band went on to independently release The Tombstone EP, and a full length album, The End of Days, through Trustkill Records. Soldiers has played live with This Is Hell on a few tours. For these shows, Jimenez and Bourke would play in both bands each night.
After the amicable departure of bassist/lyricist Jeff Tiu and the parting of ways with guitarist Joe Oslin, Johnny Moore (ex-Subterfuge, ex-Asternaut) took over on bass as well as becoming the main lyricist, and Chris Reynolds took over second guitar duties. Jeff Tiu went on to front lihc band Ice Age with Chris Mazella (ex-Subterfuge, current Soldiers) on guitar.
Before the close of 2007, This Is Hell released two more EPs exclusively on 7" vinyl records. The first EP, titled Cripplers
Cripplers
Cripplers is a limited vinyl only 7" EP by the hardcore punk band This Is Hell. It features cover songs, unreleased songs, and one new song "Infected" later to be featured on their 2008 album Misfortunes...
featured cover songs, unreleased songs, and one brand new song. The new song called "Infected" was later found on the band's second studio album, but was added to this EP to give fans a taste before the release of the new album. The second EP was a split record with Cancer Bats. This EP featured one new song from each band and one cover of the other band.
Misfortunes (2008–2009)
After several years of non stop touring with larger bands on festival tours, and smaller bands on underground tours, This Is Hell gathered much inspiration for their second studio album titled MisfortunesMisfortunes
Misfortunes the second full length album by hardcore punk band This Is Hell. It was released on February 19th, 2008 through Trustkill Records. After extensive worldwide touring in 2007, the band managed to find time to write and record an album. An earlier version of "Infected" can also be found...
. With this album, the band created a new more aggressive and raw sound not found on previous efforts. Only a few days after the release the band embarked on their first headlining tour, which included a full US tour followed by a small European tour. After the Euro tour, Chris Reynolds left the band to pursue his project Kill The Frontman and returned to life in upstate NY. The band did a short US/Canadian tour, now as a 4 piece, with Blacklisted, although Blacklisted didn't make it across the border into Canada.
In October, a small "early press" of the This is Hell/Nightmare of You split 7" from Run For Cover Records was released. From the fall of 08-early winter of 09, This is Hell did more touring throughout the US with bands of all genres. Oct/Nov with Four Year Strong, I Am The Avalanche & A Loss For Words. November with Gravemaker. December with Evergreen Terrace, Four Letter Lie & Casey Jones. Jan/Feb with Funeral For A Friend, The Sleeping & Emarosa. After the last mentioned tour, Dan Bourke left the band and joined fellow long island group, Stray From The Path. Dennis Wilson took over on drums for a Europe headlining tour with Dead Swans
Dead Swans
Dead Swans are a hardcore punk band from Brighton, England. They have released two EPs, Southern Blue, in 2008, and It's Starting, in 2009. Their split EP with Architects was also released in 2008. That same year, the band were nominated in the Best British Newcomer category at the Kerrang! Awards...
and The Blackout Argument.
Weight of the World (2010–present)
This Is Hell have mutually split with their label, Trustkill RecordsTrustkill Records
Trustkill Records was an American record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994...
, and are now on Rise Records. They released an EP through Think Fast! Records in 2009 called Warbirds
Warbirds
Warbirds is an extended play by American hardcore punk band This Is Hell. The album was released on August 18, 2009 through Think Fast! Records. Similar to This Is Hell's 2007 extended play, Cripplers, this release features unreleased new material in addition to cover songs...
. The EP featured covers and new songs, some of which would later be a part of their following full length. This Is Hell released their third studio album Weight of the World
Weight of the World (This Is Hell album)
Weight of the World is the third studio album by American punk band This Is Hell and was released on June 8, 2010. The album is the band's first release through Rise Records since leaving Trustkill Records. Weight of the World was recorded in February 2010...
on June 8, 2010 through Rise Records.
Current members
- Travis Reilly – vocals (2004 – present)
- Rick Jimenez – guitar (2004 – present)
- Pieter Vandenberg – bass (2010 – present)
- Mike Sciulara - drums (2011–present)
- Chris Mazella - guitar (2010–present)
Former members
- Jeff Tiu – bass (2004–2006)
- Joe Osolin – guitar (2004–2006)
- Chris Reynolds – guitar (2006–2008) (joined Kill The FrontmanKill The FrontmanKill the Frontman are a Oneonta, New York based punk rock alternative rock band. It is a side project featuring members of various bands whose members all grew up in and met in Upstate New York.-Members:...
) - Dan Bourke – drums (2004–2009) (joined Stray From The Path)
- John Moore - bass (2006–2009)
- Andrew Jones – bass (2009–2010)
- Benny Mead – drums (2009–2010)
Touring members
- Andrew Jones – drums (during winter 2004 tour)
- Dennis Wilson - drums (during spring 2009 European tour)
Studio albums
- 2006: SundowningSundowningSundowning is the debut full length album by Long Island hardcore punk band This Is Hell. The title refers to the sundowning associated with dementia that is common in Alzheimer's disease...
(TrustkillTrustkill RecordsTrustkill Records was an American record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994...
) - 2008: MisfortunesMisfortunesMisfortunes the second full length album by hardcore punk band This Is Hell. It was released on February 19th, 2008 through Trustkill Records. After extensive worldwide touring in 2007, the band managed to find time to write and record an album. An earlier version of "Infected" can also be found...
(Trustkill) - 2010: Weight of the WorldWeight of the World (This Is Hell album)Weight of the World is the third studio album by American punk band This Is Hell and was released on June 8, 2010. The album is the band's first release through Rise Records since leaving Trustkill Records. Weight of the World was recorded in February 2010...
(RiseRise Records-History:Rise was founded in 1991 by Craig Ericson in Roseburg, Oregon. He released a small number of 7" records before putting the label on hiatus to attend college. Ericson didn't release anything further until 1999, after moving to Portland, Oregon. He began issuing small-print 7" records, and...
) - 2011: Black MassBlack Mass (album)Black Mass is the fourth studio album by the American rock band This Is Hell. The album will be released on October 11, 2011 through Rise Records.-Marketing and promotion:In early August 2011, a viral marketing website titled was created...
(Rise)
EPs
- 2004: This Is Hell DemoThis is Hell DemoThis Is Hell Demo was the very first physical release of songs recorded by hardcore punk band This Is Hell. The album was untitled and released on both CD and 7" vinyl formats, also in Europe on Broken Glasses Records . All formats are out of print and difficult to find...
7" (Run For Cover) - 2005: This Is HellThis is Hell (This Is Hell album)This Is Hell is the first EP from the band This Is Hell. After quickly forming the band and releasing a demo ep, This Is Hell returned to the studio to work on their next release. For an early release, This is Hell generated a lot of hype and received good reviews. Some critics still argue that...
(State of Mind) - 2007: CripplersCripplersCripplers is a limited vinyl only 7" EP by the hardcore punk band This Is Hell. It features cover songs, unreleased songs, and one new song "Infected" later to be featured on their 2008 album Misfortunes...
7" (Trustkill) - 2009: WarbirdsWarbirdsWarbirds is an extended play by American hardcore punk band This Is Hell. The album was released on August 18, 2009 through Think Fast! Records. Similar to This Is Hell's 2007 extended play, Cripplers, this release features unreleased new material in addition to cover songs...
7" (Think Fast!)
Splits
- 2007: This Is Hell / Cancer BatsThis Is Hell / Cancer BatsThis Is Hell/Cancer Bats is a limited split vinyl only EP by Hardcore punk bands This Is Hell and Cancer Bats. Each band contributes one new song, and one cover song of the other band...
7" (Future Tense) - 2008: This Is Hell / Nightmare Of YouThis Is Hell / Nightmare Of YouThis Is Hell / Nightmare Of You is a split EP featuring hardcore punk band This Is Hell and alternative rock band Nightmare of You. Both bands contribute two unreleased songs to the album...
7" (Run For Cover)
Singles
- 2010: "Rat Race" (Rise)
- 2010: "Dawn Patrol" Megadeth cover recorded in 2008 by Rick Jimenez & Johny Moore, released as bandcamp.com exclusive
Compilation contributions
- 2006: Trustkill Takeover Vol. II (TrustkillTrustkill RecordsTrustkill Records was an American record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994...
)- Contributed song "Wreck Your Life"
- 2006: Smithtown & Friends Vol. II (Pride)
- Contributed song "Double Grave"
- 2007: Sounds of the Underground 2007 Compilation (Limited Hot TopicHot TopicHot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000...
exclusive)- Contributed song "Permanence"
- 2009: Carry The Torch: A Tribute To Kid Dynamite (Black Numbers)
- Contributed song "Troy's Bucket" (Kid DynamiteKid DynamiteKid Dynamite was a Philadelphia-based melodic hardcore band consisting of drummer Dave Wagenschutz, guitarist Dan Yemin, vocalist Jason Shevchuk, and bassist Michael Cotterman, who replaced original bassist Steve Farrell. The band put out two full-lengths before lead singer Jason Shevchuk left the...
cover)
- Contributed song "Troy's Bucket" (Kid Dynamite
- 2009: "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott tribute album (Metal HammerMetal HammerMetal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
exclusive)- Contributed song "Rise" (PanteraPanteraPantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
cover)
- Contributed song "Rise" (Pantera
External links
- This Is Hell on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....