Light the Torch (formerly Devil You Know) is an American

metalcore Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...

supergroup Supergroup or super group may refer to: * Supergroup (music), a music group formed by artists who are already notable or respected in their fields * Supergroup (physics), a generalization of groups, used in the study of supersymmetry * Supergroup ...

formed in Los Angeles in 2012. They are currently signed to

Nuclear Blast Nuclear Blast is a record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label mov ...

Records and have released four albums: two under the "Devil You Know" moniker ('' The Beauty of Destruction'' and ''

They Bleed Red ''They Bleed Red'' is the second studio album by American metalcore band Light the Torch, Devil You Know. It was released on November 6, 2015, through Nuclear Blast Records. The band released the single "Stay of Execution" on September 10, 2015, ...

'') and two under the "Light the Torch" name (''Revival'' and ''You Will Be the Death of Me'').

History

Devil You Know (2012–2017)

The band started when guitarist Francesco Artusato (

All Shall Perish All Shall Perish was an American deathcore band from Oakland, California, formed in 2002. The band was signed to Nuclear Blast and have released four full-length albums through the label. Their final album, '' This Is Where It Ends,'' was releas ...

, Hiss of Atrocities) and drummer John Sankey (

Devolved Devolution is the statutory delegation of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to govern at a subnational level, such as a regional or local level. It is a form of administrative decentralization. Devolved territories h ...

) began jamming and writing together in 2012. After 30 to 40 song ideas were written the two decided to look for a vocalist. A couple of early demo recordings were sent to Howard Jones (

Killswitch Engage Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbanding of Overcast (band), Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joe ...

Blood Has Been Shed Blood Has Been Shed was an American metalcore band based in Granby, Connecticut. The band came together in 1997 and has featured members of Killswitch Engage, Diecast, Light the Torch, Red Tide, Terror, Walls of Jericho, Bury Your Dead and ...

) who subsequently got interested and joined the band in late 2012. They named the band Devil You Know. In early 2013, the band started recording with producer and ex-

Machine Head A machine head (also referred to as a tuning machine, tuner, or gear head) is a geared apparatus for tuning stringed musical instruments by adjusting string tension. Machine heads are used on mandolins, guitars, double basses and others, and ar ...

guitarist Logan Mader ( Gojira,

Five Finger Death Punch Five Finger Death Punch, also abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American heavy metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2005. The band originally consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Moody, rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory, lead gui ...

). On October 23, 2013, it was announced the band signed to

. A day later the first demo song "Shut It Down" was released online through the band's Facebook page. On October 31, 2013, the demo was released officially through the label

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

channel. On December 19, 2013, it was announced that the band finished recording of the album and that bassist Ryan Wombacher (

Bleeding Through Bleeding Through is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California, formed in 1999. In 2004, ''Revolver'' magazine hailed Bleeding Through as one of eight bands ushering in the "Future of Metal" cover story, and '' Spin'' called Ble ...

) and guitarist Roy Lev-Ari (Hiss of Atrocities) joined the band. In February–March 2014, the band took part in Soundwave Festival in Australia. On March 5, 2014, the debut single "Seven Years Alone" was released. On March 27, 2014, the official music video for "Seven Years Alone" was released. The band's debut album '' The Beauty of Destruction'' was mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris and was released on April 24 (EU), April 28 (UK) and April 29, 2014 (US and the rest of the world) via

. It charted at No. 50 on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling nearly 6,000 units in the first week. In April–June 2014, the band took part in ''Revolver'' Golden Gods Tour with

Black Label Society Black Label Society is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1998 by guitarist/singer Zakk Wylde. To date, the band has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, one EP, and three vid ...

, Down and

Butcher Babies Butcher Babies is an American groove metal band from Los Angeles, consisting of frontwomen Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey, guitarist Henry Flury (Amen), bassist Ricky Bonazza, and drummer Chase Brickenden. Their debut album, ''Goliath'', was re ...

. On October 31, 2014, a music video for "It's Over" was released. On March 9, 2015, the band released an official music video for "As Bright as the Darkness". In June 2015, the band started recording the second album. On September 10, 2015, the band released "Stay of Execution", the first single off the second album titled ''

'' which was released on November 6, 2015, via Nuclear Blast.

Light the Torch (2017–present)

On July 26, 2017, the band announced via social media that they have changed their name to Light the Torch, without an explanation beyond stating "A full statement will be made soon and a new album is very close to being completed. It's a new beginning and we couldn't be more excited." Jones revealed in an interview on October 13, 2017, that the band had to change its name due to legal issues surrounding Sankey's departure from the band, and how the latter wanted to claim part copyright of the name. Light the Torch released their first studio album ''Revival'' on March 30, 2018. The band released their latest album, ''You Will Be the Death of Me'', on June 25, 2021. On April 9, 2021, the band released their single "Wilting in the Light" on

from their latest album ''You Will Be the Death of Me''. The music video features

Alex Rüdinger Alex Rüdinger (born November 18, 1991) is an American drummer. He started playing drums at the age of 13, and since then he has played for numerous metal bands including Conquering Dystopia, the Faceless and Threat Signal. He has also done a ...

from

Whitechapel Whitechapel is a district in East London and the future administrative centre of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is a part of the East End of London, east of Charing Cross. Part of the historic county of Middlesex, the area formed ...

as the band's new drummer. On June 4, 2021, they released another single titled "Let Me Fall Apart".

Band members

Current * Francesco Artusato – lead guitar (2012–present), rhythm guitar (2012–2013, 2015–present) * Howard Jones – lead vocals (2012–present) * Ryan Wombacher – bass, backing vocals (2013–present) *

– drums (2021–present) Touring musicians *

John Boecklin DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002, consisting of vocalist Dez Fafara, lead guitarist Mike Spreitzer, drummer Davier Pérez, bassist Jon Miller and rhythm guitarist Alex Lee. The band was ...

– drums (2016) *

Nick Augusto Nick Augusto (born August 4, 1986) is an American drummer, best known as the former drummer of heavy metal band Trivium, in which he played from 2009 until 2014. He was the former touring drummer for Light the Torch from 2016 to 2017. Career ...

– drums (2016–2017) * Aaron Stechauner - drums (2022) Former * John Sankey – drums (2012–2016) * Roy Lev-Ari – rhythm guitar (2013–2015) * Mike Sciulara – drums (2018–2019) * Kyle Baltus – drums (2019–2021)

Discography

as Devil You Know: *'' The Beauty of Destruction'' (2014) *''

'' (2015) as Light the Torch: *'' Revival'' (2018) *''You Will Be the Death of Me'' (2021)

Singles

Awards and nominations

Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards

, - , , 2014 , , ''Devil You Know'' , , Best New Band, , , -

References

External links

* {{Authority control 2012 establishments in California Heavy metal musical groups from California Metalcore musical groups from California Musical groups established in 2012 Nuclear Blast artists Musical quintets