Caligula's Horse (band)

Caligula's Horse
Origin Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Genres Progressive metal, progressive rock
Years active 2011-Present
Labels Welkin, Inside Out Music
Associated acts Arcane, Opus of a Machine, Quandary
Website caligulashorse.com
Members
  • Sam Vallen
  • Jim Grey
  • Adrian Goleby
  • Dave Couper
  • Josh Griffin
Past members
  • Geoff Irish
  • Zac Greensill

Caligula's Horse is an Australian progressive alternative rock band from Brisbane, Queensland. The band was formed by Sam Vallen and Jim Grey in early 2011. The current lineup consists of lead vocalist Jim Grey, lead guitarist Sam Vallen, guitarist Adrian Goleby, bassist and vocalist Dave Couper and drummer Josh Griffin.[1] Caligula's Horse achieved their first chart success with their 2015 album release Bloom, with it reaching number 16 on the Australian Albums ARIA Chart and number 75 on the overall album chart.[2] The album also reached number 73 on the Australian iTunes chart on 21 October 2015.[3]

Their first album Moments from Ephemeral City (2011) and follow up EP Colossus (2011) were released independently before signing with Welkin Records and releasing their sophomore album The Tide, the Thief & River's End (2013).[4] The band then signed with Inside Out Music for the release of their 2015 album Bloom.[5]

History

Formation and Moments from Ephemeral City / Colossus (2011)

In early 2011 Caligula's Horse was formed by Sam Vallen and Jim Grey. The band is named after the prized possession, Incitatus, of Roman Emperor Caligula by Grey, who is studying ancient history and classical languages at university.[6] Initially Caligula's Horse consisted of only Grey on vocals and Vallen playing multiple instruments. Their debut album Moments from Ephemeral City was independently released on April 2, 2011. Vallen is credited with the songwriting, guitars, production, audio engineering, mixing and mastering.[7] The band initially could not decide whether to continue or not, but after the online response for their album they decided they should expand their lineup for live shows.[8] The lineup expanded to include Zac Greensill, Geoff Irish and Dave Couper. To showcase their new lineup a two-track EP Colossus was released in September 2011.[9]

The Tide, the Thief & River's End (2013)

In mid 2012 the band entered the studio to commence their follow up LP. Their album The Tide, the Thief & River's End was released October 13, 2013 through Welkin Records. This was a concept album with each track listed in a chronological order to tell a story that refers to the uprising of rebels, called "The Tide", within the city of "River's End", and a journey of oppressed people finding a safe haven that has unfortunate similarities between the old and new city. "The Thief" is the only character who remains in the story from start to finish.[10]

The band undertook an intense touring schedule within Australia after the release of the album, and became known for their energetic live show and stage presence.[11] The band was part of Progfest Sydney 2013[12] and Progfest Melbourne 2014.[13] They toured with bands Opeth, Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Protest the Hero, The Ocean, Firewind, Twelve Foot Ninja, and Ne Obliviscaris.[1]

Bloom (2015)

After their second album they gained the interest of the recording label, Inside Out Music, and signed on to release their third album through them. Prior to the release of the album the band toured around Australia with TesseracT and played a mix of crowd favourites and unreleased songs off Bloom. Bloom was released October 16, 2015[5] and in its debut week on the ARIA charts it reached number 16 on the Australian band's chart and 75 on the overall chart.[2] It peaked at 73 on the iTunes Australian charts in its first week.[3] The album cover was designed by Chris Stevenson-Mangos who was given the aim of creating "something colourful and vibrant, somewhat circular in design (no hard edges) but perhaps suggesting stained-glass, and showing lots of nature imagery".[14]

An official music video was released for "Firelight" off the Bloom album.[15]

Caligula's Horse began their first European tour with Shining in October and November 2015.[16]

Sam Vallen and Zac Greensill were nominated on Total Guitar reader's poll for the best prog rock guitarist of 2015.[17]

On May 30 2016, it was announced that Geoff Irish had left the band.

On August 10 2016, Josh Griffin was announced as Irish's replacement.

Musical style and influences

The band labels themselves as 'progressive alternative rock' with them channeling elements of progressive rock[18] and progressive metal.[5]

Band members

Current Members

Past Members

Discography

Studio albums
Extended plays

References

  1. 1 2 "The Band". Caligula's Horse (Official Site). Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Caligula's Horse's 'Bloom' Reaches #16 on ARIA Australian Albums Chart!". Wild Thing Presents. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Caligula's Horse - 'Bloom': Australian iTunes Chart Performance". iTunes Charts. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "The Tide, The Thief & River's End". Caligula's Horse (Official Site). Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Caligula's Horse". Inside Out Music. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  6. ↑ Morrison, Robyn. "Things You Didn't Know About Caligula's Horse (But Should)". Heavy Magazine. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Moments from Ephemeral City (2011)". Caligula's Horse (Official Site). Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  8. ↑ Belling, Alasdair. "Caligula's Horse: Interview with Jim Grey". Kill Your Stereo.
  9. ↑ Charles, Tim. "The Tide, The Thief & River's End". Welkin Records (Bandcamp). Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "CALIGULA'S HORSE: Colourful, Energetic and Dynamic". Prog Sphere. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  11. ↑ "Caligula's Horse detail new album 'Bloom'". Bombshellzine.com. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  12. ↑ "Progfest Sydney lineup announced feat. Meniscus, Caligula’s Horse, Shanghai and more!". ozprog.com. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  13. ↑ "Progfest 2014 national tour and lineup announcement". ozprog.com. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  14. ↑ "Interview with Sam from Caligula's Horse". Tomatrax. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  15. ↑ Fireflight Official Video, retrieved 2015-12-02
  16. ↑ "Tour". Caligula's Horse (Official Site). Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  17. ↑ "Who is the best rock guitarist of 2015?". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  18. ↑ "Caligula’s Horse Premiere New Song, "Marigold" - Hard Rock & Heavy Metal News | Music Videos |Golden Gods Awards | revolvermag.com". www.revolvermag.com. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
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