Hell Within

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Origin Lowell, Massachusetts, United States of America
Genre(s) Groove metal
Metalcore
Years active 1998 - present
Label(s) Lifeforce Records
Website Official Site
Members
JJ Long
Isaias Martinez
Tony Zimmerman
Froggy
Derek Jay

Hell Within is a metalcore band founded in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1998. After recording two albums as Twytch, the band changed their name to Hell Within and released Asylum of the Human Predator through Lifeforce Records in 2005. After extensive touring across the United States and some lineup changes, the band released Shadows of Vanity in 2007.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] 1998-2003

Hell Within began under the name Twytch in 1998, with guitarists Isaias Martinez and Tony Zimmerman, who met when they were music students at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Twytch started to develop quite a following in the Boston area. They released two independent albums, which were influenced by bands such as Slayer, Pantera, Anthrax, Deftones, Megadeth and Metallica. [1]

[edit] 2003-2005

At this time, European metal label Lifeforce Records was seeking to sign bands under their new American branch. After much regional success, Twytch's album Hatred found its way into the hands of Lifeforce German rep Stefan Ludicke, who offered the band a recording contract.

By now, the band had outgrown the name Twytch and wanted something more original and heavy-sounding. They agreed on the name Hell Within. In an interview with Decibel Magazine, the band discusses what led to the name change. [2]

In April of 2005, Hell Within's first worldwide release, Asylum of the Human Predator, was received with rave reviews. Metal Observer claimed, "Hell Within have a great sense for catchy and effective melodies, though they focus on sufficient heaviness." [3] First print editions contained a DVD of behind-the-scenes video of the band on tour. These have sold out and are now sought-after by collectors.

The first single off the album was "Bleeding Me Black." An accompanying music video was produced by Ian McFarland of Killswitch Productions. The video features the band playing in a warehouse, interspersed with shots of a young man who discovers his girlfriend is cheating on him. At the end of the video, the young man ties up his girlfriend's new boyfriend, and lights him on fire. [4]

On July 22, 2005, the opening track from Asylum of the Human Predator, "Godspeed to Your Deathbed," reached #1 on the Comcast Music Choice network, beating out such bands as Nevermore, As I Lay Dying and A Life Once Lost. [5]

In the fall of 2005, Hell Within embarked on the International Extreme Music Festival tour with accomplished bands like Nightrage, Atrocity, Leaves' Eyes, Lilitu, Manntis and God Dethroned. During the tour Hell Within played to audiences all across North America in places such as the legendary CBGB in New York City. [6]

[edit] 2006-Present

After returning from the IEMF tour, Hell Within went through several changes, not only in the band lineup, but musically as well. Longtime drummer Bubba Joyce resigned, and was replaced by Derek Jay, formerly of Trauma Concept.

In the fall of 2006, production on Hell Within's second full-length album Shadows of Vanity got underway. It was at this time that creative differences between the members became apparent. Making matters confusing was that vocalist Matt McChesney did guest vocals on The Autumn Offering's new album, since they were without a vocalist at the time. Rumors were swirling amongst fans that McChesney was no longer in Hell Within. On June 24, 2007, as production was wrapping up on Shadows of Vanity, McChesney released an even more bewildering statement to blabbermouth.net: "I'm devoting 100% of my time, for the immediate future, to The Autumn Offering. I am not leaving Hell Within." [7] However, the damage was done. Hell Within found a new vocalist and publicly introduced Brian Roy on July 16, 2007. [8]

Sensing that the screaming style of vocals was a trend and no longer relevant, Hell Within decided to embark upon a throwback sound reminiscent of late 80's thrash. Reviews for Shadows of Vanity were generally good. The album was produced by John Ellis and mixed by Mark Lewis of AudioHammer Studios (Trivium, Bury Your Dead, God Forbid.) Tartarean Desire claimed the album was "... a breath of fresh air... With amazing solos, tight and insane music." [9]

[edit] Current Lineup

[edit] Ex Members

[edit] Discography

[edit] External links

[edit] Sources

  1. ^ GarageBand.com : TWYTCH
  2. ^ Decibel Magazine
  3. ^ THE METAL OBSERVER - Review - HELL WITHIN - Asylum Of The Human Predator
  4. ^ BLABBERMOUTH.NET - HELL WITHIN: 'Bleeding Me Black' Video Available Online
  5. ^ LIFEFORCERECORDS.com > We Are The Enemy
  6. ^ Blabbermouth.Net - International Extreme Music Festival: More Tour Dates Announced
  7. ^ BLABBERMOUTH.NET - HELL WITHIN's MATT MCCHESNEY Is Dedicating '100%' Of His Time To THE AUTUMN OFFERING
  8. ^ BLABBERMOUTH.NET - HELL WITHIN Announces New Singer
  9. ^ Tartarean Desire - Hell Within - Shadows Of Vanity - review by Jason Thomas Weiss