He Is Legend is an American
hard rock
Hard rock or heavy rock is a loosely defined subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the garage, psychedelic and blues rock movements. Some of the earliest hard ...
/
heavy metal band from
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and the county seat of New Hanover County in coastal southeastern North Carolina, United States.
With a population of 115,451 at the 2020 census, it is the eighth most populous city in the state. Wilmington is the ...
, formed in the late 1990s but settled on the name "He Is Legend" in 2003. According to the aggregate of the listeners, He Is Legend's music is similar to that of
Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire (pronounced "Alexis on Fire") is a Canadian post-hardcore band formed in St. Catharines, OntarioRoss, Mike.Band is a scream", CANOE JAM!, April 30, 2004. Retrieved on July 17, 2007. in 2001. The band's members are George Pettit (vo ...
,
Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die was an American metalcore band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1998. For most of the band's career, the line-up was centred on brothers Keith (vocals) and Jordan Buckley (guitar), as well as rhythm guitarist Andy Williams wi ...
,
Norma Jean, and
Thrice
Thrice is an American rock band from Irvine, California, formed in 1998. The group was founded by guitarist/vocalist Dustin Kensrue and lead guitarist Teppei Teranishi while they were in high school.
Early in their career, the band was known ...
. The band's lineup is front man Schuylar Croom, guitarist Adam Tanbouz, bassist Matty Williams, and drummer Jesse Shelley.
History
Formation and beginnings
The band's roots reach back into the late 1990s when Adam Tanbouz, Steven Bache, Matt Williams, and vocalist Schuylar Croom began writing and performing around Wilmington, NC while still in high school. In 2003, having previously played under the names of Stronghold, No One Wins, and The Uriah Omen, the name He Is Legend was adopted by members Tanbouz, Bache, Bell, Croom, and Williams. The name He Is Legend is an adaptation of the 1954 book
I am Legend by Richard Matheson. After releasing their first
EP in June 2004 entitled ''
91025
He Is Legend is an American hard rock/ heavy metal band from Wilmington, North Carolina, formed in the late 1990s but settled on the name "He Is Legend" in 2003. According to the aggregate of the listeners, He Is Legend's music is similar to t ...
'', the band signed on with
Solid State Records
Solid State Records is a Christian metalcore record label, an imprint of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore punk and heavy metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, ...
and released their first full-length album in November, ''
I Am Hollywood
''I Am Hollywood'' is the first full-length studio album by American rock band He Is Legend. It was released November 2, 2004 on Solid State Records.
The album is a commentary on the darker side of the famous district of Hollywood, California ...
'', which was followed by almost two years of extensive touring in the United States and Europe, the band temporarily relocated to California to record their next release. However, the release almost never saw the light of day as the group would almost break up right after they had finished recording. ''
Suck Out the Poison
''Suck Out the Poison'' is the second full-length studio album by American rock band He Is Legend, released on October 3, 2006. It was produced and mixed by Steve Evetts. It received mixed reviews from long-time fans due to a major difference i ...
'' was released on October 3, 2006.
Departure of McKenzie Bell, Mitchell Marlow, and Worth Weaver
Soon after the release of Suck Out the Poison, guitarist McKenzie Bell left the band. He was replaced by guitarist Mitch Marlow (previously of
). During their tour with
Chimaira
Chimaira () is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in August 1998, the group was a member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal scene. The band's name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek myth ...
,
DragonForce
DragonForce are a British power metal band from London, England. The band was formed in 1999 by guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, and are known for their long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-themed lyrics and retro video game-influenced ...
, and
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 ...
in spring of 2007, the first few weeks were played as a 4-piece without Marlow. During the Peanut Butt Tour '07, a different second guitarist, Worth Weaver, was seen playing in Marlow's spot. At their show at the School of Rock in New Jersey, Bache stated that Marlow had accidentally booked himself to produce a record for another band back in North Carolina. The dates of recording coincided with much of the tour, so he was not able to tour with the band. Worth stepped in and was, by the account of Bache, excellent in his performance. At their final show before beginning their tour in Australia, Marlow performed with the band, confirming that at the time he was still a member of He Is Legend.
The band's performances throughout the 2009 SXSW festival featured them as a four-piece once again. After a Plano, Texas performance on March 17, Tanbouz stated that Weaver, not performing with the band that evening, is planning on getting married soon and he would be focusing more on his solo musical career with his personal studio and music. Worth Weaver had begun standing in on the 2007 "Peanut Butt Tour" with the band.
''It Hates You'' (2008–2009)
On April 24, 2008, He Is Legend posted four demo songs from their sabbatical, entitled "Decisions Decisions Decisions", "Stranger Danger", "Don't Touch That Dial", and "Everyone I Know Has Fangs" from the upcoming record.
On April 16, 2009, the band confirmed that their newest album, ''
It Hates You
''It Hates You'' is the third full-length studio album by American rock band He Is Legend, released July 13, 2009 in Europe and July 21, 2009 in the United States. It is their first album released via Tragic Hero Records.
Track listing
Misc ...
'' was being released through Tragic Hero records on July 21, 2009. (Originally set to be released on June 23). On May 27, 2009, the band posted "The Primarily Blues" and in early July "China White III", and "Future's Bright, Man" on their Myspace.
''
It Hates You
''It Hates You'' is the third full-length studio album by American rock band He Is Legend, released July 13, 2009 in Europe and July 21, 2009 in the United States. It is their first album released via Tragic Hero Records.
Track listing
Misc ...
'' was released on July 21, 2009, and produced by Mitchell Marlow and Allen Jacob at Warrior Sound in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with additional production by Kit Walters.
Hiatus and new projects
In September 2009, it was announced that He Is Legend is taking an "indefinite hiatus", although the band itself made no public announcement of their hiatus.
From September 2009 until February 2010, frontman Schuylar Croom filled in on vocals for
Dallas Taylor with
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster is an American heavy metal band from Birmingham, Alabama. The group were founded in 2004, shortly after vocalist Dallas Taylor's departure from Underoath. In 2005, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster signed to Mon ...
.
Reunion
On December 29, 2010, the band did a reunion show in Wilmington, North Carolina.
On October 16, 2011, it was announced that He Is Legend will be playing their first show since taking an indefinite hiatus in 2009. The show took place on October 31, 2011, at the Satellite Bar and Lounge in
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and the county seat of New Hanover County in coastal southeastern North Carolina, United States.
With a population of 115,451 at the 2020 census, it is the eighth most populous city in the state. Wilmington is the ...
. On December 22, 2011, frontman Schuylar Croom announced that there would be a new He Is Legend album released in 2012.
In January 2012 the band played two more shows in the
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...
area, and in March, the band embarked on a three-date tour of the
east coast
East Coast may refer to:
Entertainment
* East Coast hip hop, a subgenre of hip hop
* East Coast (ASAP Ferg song), "East Coast" (ASAP Ferg song), 2017
* East Coast (Saves the Day song), "East Coast" (Saves the Day song), 2004
* East Coast FM, a ra ...
, playing in
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...
,
Jermyn, Pennsylvania
Jermyn, known as "The Birthplace of First Aid in America", is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located on the Lackawanna River, it is northeast of Scranton. An anthracite coal field was in the region in 1900 when 2,56 ...
, and New York City. The band toured once more throughout November–December 2012, but no other news regarding the promised new album were announced.
''Heavy Fruit'' (2013–2015)
On June 1, 2013, He Is Legend stated on their
Facebook
Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin M ...
page, that Steve Bache had left the band, on good terms, after moving to a new city to pursue a higher education which would allow him a career in life. They compared finding a new drummer to "trying to find a kick ass drumming needle in a hay stack." Luckily, they came upon an acquaintance, Sam Huff, whom had previously played in a band with friends of theirs. He Is Legend stated that "within 15 minutes of rehearsing one of our newer ideas with Sam we realized that he was the perfect person for the position."
On July 14, 2013, the band announced 6 new tour dates, and stated it will be the band's last tour before entering the studio to record their fourth album.
On August 27, 2013, it was announced that He Is Legend had officially begun working on their fourth studio album, with producer Mitch Marlow (
Filter
Filter, filtering or filters may refer to:
Science and technology
Computing
* Filter (higher-order function), in functional programming
* Filter (software), a computer program to process a data stream
* Filter (video), a software component tha ...
,
A Skylit Drive
A Skylit Drive is an American post-hardcore band from Lodi, California. The band has released one DVD, one EP and five studio albums: '' Wires...and the Concept of Breathing'' (2008), '' Adelphia'' (2009), '' Identity on Fire'' (2011), ''Rise ...
), who was also the band's former rhythm guitarist. In September, the band announced a full US tour for October–November 2013, while taking a break from recording the album.
On January 29, 2014, the band announced new material via
Twitter
Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company Twitter, Inc., on which users post and interact with 280-character-long messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and ...
with the following statement, "Dudes and dude babes, we will be premiering our first song from our new album on Friday. Spread the word." The band's new single, "Something Witchy", premiered on February 2, 2014, on YouTube.
On February 19, 2014, the band announced on their official Facebook page that they had finished recording their new album. Though no release date was announced, it will be released through
Tragic Hero Records
Tragic Hero Records is an independent record label founded in Raleigh, North Carolina, in March 2005 to represent the growing metalcore and post-hardcore scene of North Carolina. The label was founded by Tommy LaCombe, David Varnedoe, and Jason G ...
.
On June 10, 2014, the band announced on their official Facebook page that they will be touring North America with
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster is an American heavy metal band from Birmingham, Alabama. The group were founded in 2004, shortly after vocalist Dallas Taylor's departure from Underoath. In 2005, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster signed to Mon ...
and Wilson. The band also announced August 23, 2014 as the release party for their new album at Ziggy's By The Sea in Wilmington, NC.
On June 17, 2014, He Is Legend announced on their official Facebook page that their new album, entitled ''
Heavy Fruit
''Heavy Fruit'' is the fourth full-length studio album by American rock band He Is Legend and their first since coming back from hiatus in 2011. It was released on August 19, 2014, through Tragic Hero Records. It is the band's second album rel ...
'', will be released August 19, 2014. They also premiered a new single, "Miserable Company".
''Few'' (2015–2018)
On November 2, 2015, He Is Legend announced on their official Facebook page that they are launching a crowdfunding campaign to fund their upcoming record. The crowdfunding proved successful, closing on December 2, 2015, having raised 124% of the stated goal, recording of the album would begin soon thereafter.
On March 28, 2017, He Is Legend premiered the music video for "Air Raid" on
Loudwire
''Loudwire'' is an American online media magazine that covers news of hard rock and heavy metal artists. It is owned by media and entertainment business Townsquare Media. Since its launch in August of 2011, ''Loudwire'' has secured exclusive ...
.
The album was mixed by Adam "Nolly" Getgood, who is known for previously being a bass player and co-producer for the American progressive metal band
Periphery
Periphery or peripheral may refer to:
Music
*Periphery (band), American progressive metal band
* ''Periphery'' (album), released in 2010 by Periphery
* "Periphery", a song from Fiona Apple's album '' The Idler Wheel...''
Gaming and entertainm ...
, who also mixed
"Empath" by
Devin Townsend
Devin Garrett Townsend (born May 5, 1972) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He founded extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad and was its primary songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist from 1994 to 2007. He has also ...
, "
Shaped by Fire
''Shaped by Fire'' is the seventh studio album by American metalcore band As I Lay Dying. It was released on September 20, 2019, through Nuclear Blast. The album was produced by the band themselves and is the follow-up to the group's sixth album, ...
" by
As I Lay Dying
''As I Lay Dying'' is a 1930 Southern Gothic novel by American author William Faulkner. Faulkner's fifth novel, it is consistently ranked among the best novels of 20th-century literature.The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classical Guide to Wor ...
, and "
The Joy of Motion
''The Joy of Motion'' is the third studio album by American instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. It was released on March 24, 2014, in Europe, March 25, 2014, in North America and on March 28, 2014, in Australia and New Zealand ...
" by
Animals as Leaders
Animals as Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band from Washington, D.C. It currently consists of guitarists Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka, having been formed by Abasi in 2007. They are a prominent band ...
.
''White Bat'' (2019)
On October 31, 2018, He Is Legend released the single "White Bat". Schuylar Croom wrote, "We are so stoked to finally be able to let you know we have a new record coming next year. Stay tuned for Preorder info... But for now enjoy the first single and title track White Bat".
On April 25, 2019, the band revealed the track listing for ''White Bat'', along with the second single "Boogiewoman".
''White Bat'' was released on June 28, 2019.
The album received a 9/10 rating from a popular metal music news outlet and editorial Metal Injection, which praised the album: "Simply put, ''White Bat'' is the perfect culmination of He Is Legend's career up to this point. Not only is it their catchiest and most cohesive record to date, but it also captures the raw energy of the band better than their past records have.", and highly positive reviews from lesser outlets such as Everything Is Noise and Soundfiction.
Schuylar Croom's Health & Endless Hallway (2022)
On January 14, 2022, He is Legend announced that they would be dropping off of ShipRocked due to Schuylar Croom having a "serious non covid related health issue." Croom later released via Instagram a video explaining the details surrounding his illness. He confirmed that their upcoming album was completed, outside of vocals. On September 23, 2022, the band released two singles “The Prowler” and “Lifeless Lemonade," and announced their seventh album, ''Endless Hallway''. The album scheduled to be released November 11 of that year.
Band members
Current members
* Schuylar Croom – lead vocals
(2003–present)
* Adam Tanbouz – lead guitar
(2003–present)
* Matty Williams – bass
(2003–present)
* Jesse Shelley – drums
(2016–present)
Former members
* McKenzie Bell – rhythm guitar, live backing vocals
(2003–2006, died: 2020)
* Steven Bache – drums, percussion
(2003–2013)
* Sam Huff – drums, percussion
(2013–2016)
Live musicians
* Zachary Nobles – rhythm guitar
(2020–present)
* Denis Desloge – rhythm guitar
(2014–2017)
* Joshua Snow – rhythm guitar
(2013–2014)
* Worth Weaver – rhythm guitar
(2007–2009, 2010–2013)
* Mitchell Marlow – rhythm guitar
(2006–2007)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
*2004: ''
I Am Hollywood
''I Am Hollywood'' is the first full-length studio album by American rock band He Is Legend. It was released November 2, 2004 on Solid State Records.
The album is a commentary on the darker side of the famous district of Hollywood, California ...
''
*2006: ''
Suck Out the Poison
''Suck Out the Poison'' is the second full-length studio album by American rock band He Is Legend, released on October 3, 2006. It was produced and mixed by Steve Evetts. It received mixed reviews from long-time fans due to a major difference i ...
'' (U.S. No. 158)
*2009: ''
It Hates You
''It Hates You'' is the third full-length studio album by American rock band He Is Legend, released July 13, 2009 in Europe and July 21, 2009 in the United States. It is their first album released via Tragic Hero Records.
Track listing
Misc ...
'' (U.S. No. 126)
*2014: ''
Heavy Fruit
''Heavy Fruit'' is the fourth full-length studio album by American rock band He Is Legend and their first since coming back from hiatus in 2011. It was released on August 19, 2014, through Tragic Hero Records. It is the band's second album rel ...
'' (U.S. No. 148)
*2017: ''
few'' (U.S. No. 170)
*2019:'' White Bat''
*2022:'' Endless Hallway ''
EPs
*2004: ''91025''
*2006: ''Black Unicorn Split''
Compilations
*2006: ''The Song Lives On: A Tribute to Third Eye Blind''
** contributed "Wounded" (
Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1993. After years of lineup changes in the early and mid-1990s, the songwriting duo of Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan signed the band's first major-label recor ...
cover)
*2006: ''This Is Solid State Vol. 6''
** contributed "Stampede"
Music videos
*2004: "The Seduction"
*2006: "Attack of the Dungeon Witch"
*2017: "Air Raid"
*2017: "Sand"
*2018: "White Bat"
*2019: "Boogie Woman"
References
External links
*
*
{{Authority control
Alternative rock groups from North Carolina
American hard rock musical groups
Heavy metal musical groups from North Carolina
American stoner rock musical groups
Musical groups established in 2003
Spinefarm Records artists
Century Media Records artists
Solid State Records artists
Tragic Hero Records artists
Metalcore musical groups from North Carolina