Arma Angelus
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Defunct | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Metalcore music, albums, EPs |
Arma Angelus—initially known as Novena—was a metalcore group originating from Chicago, Illinois, active between 1998 and 2002. The lineup featured notable musicians such as Pete Wentz (vocals; later bassist and backing vocalist for Fall Out Boy), Tim McIlrath (bass guitar; subsequently lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Rise Against), Jay Jancetic (guitarist who went on to play with Chicago bands Holy Roman Empire and Harm's Way), Daniel Binaei (guitarist previously part of Racetraitor), Adam Bishop (guitarist who currently works as an English teacher), and Timothy Miller (drummer who later joined Last Action Zeros and became proprietor of Immortal Art Tattoo & Body Piercing).
History
Following Tim McIlrath’s departure to establish Rise Against, Christopher Gutierrez took over bass duties in 1999. Gutierrez is also recognized as a touring author and spoken word performer, as well as the founder of The Catcade in Chicago. During one tour, Joe Trohman—known for his work with Fall Out Boy and The Damned Things—temporarily played bass before Gutierrez returned for the latter half of the tour, which included a performance at the iconic CBGB's venue. At Arma Angelus’s concluding show, which also featured Fall Out Boy, Patrick Stump assumed drumming responsibilities, Pete Wentz performed vocals, Joe Trohman contributed on guitar alongside Adam Bishop, and Christopher Gutierrez played bass.
Musical style
The band's sound has been characterized by AllMusic as "dark and metallic hardcore." Verbicide Magazine’s Heather Weil identified Arma Angelus as one of the few hardcore bands effectively integrating metal influences into their music. Reviews from Under the Gun emphasized their dynamic live shows, highlighting Pete Wentz’s fervent vocal delivery with Joe Trohman on guitar and Patrick Stump behind the drums. TeethOfTheDevine.com commended their only studio album for fusing elements of death and thrash metal with rock and roll songwriting techniques, producing a heavy yet melodic hardcore experience. Upon disbanding, members underscored their intent to confront indifference within the punk and hardcore scenes.
The band acknowledged Damnation A.D. as their foremost inspiration.
Band members
Final lineup
- Pete Wentz – lead vocals (1998–2002)
- Joe Trohman – lead guitar (2002)
- Christopher Gutierrez – bass, backing vocals (2000–2002)
- Adam Bishop – rhythm guitar (2000–2002), lead guitar (1998–2000, 2000–2002)
- Patrick Stump – drums (2002)
Former members
- Daniel Binaei – rhythm guitar (1998–2002)
- Tim McIlrath – bass, clean vocals (1998–2000)
- Jay Jancetic – lead guitar (2000–2002)
- Timothy Miller – drums (1998–2002)
Discography
Studio albums
Extended plays
- The Personal Is Political (Demo) (2000)
- The Grave End of the Shovel EP (2000, Let It Burn Records / Happy Couples Never Last Records)
- Arma Angelus & Until The End (2001, Eulogy Recordings)
Guest appearances
- Eulogy Recordings / One Day Savior Recordings Sampler (2001, One Day Savior/Eulogy Recordings)
- Redline Distribution Volume 1 Fall 2001 (2001, Redline Distribution)
- Ascend From The Darkness (2001, Dark Vision Records)
- Chicago Arise From The Ashes (2001, Sinister Label)
- Things We Don't Like We Destroy (Let It Burn Records, 2002)
- Covered In Blood (Spook City Records, 2002)
- Transcend (Alveran Records/Eulogy Recordings, 2003)
- Ya Basta! A Benefit for Food for Chiapas (Powderkeg Records)
- Shit We Don't Like We Destroy (Join The Team Player Records / Let It Burn Records)
References