Himsa
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 in Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited in 2017 for limited live appearances |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs, DVDs |
Himsa was a metalcore group originating from Seattle, Washington, United States, established in 1998. Their name is inspired by the Sanskrit term himsa, which translates to "violence" or "harm". Throughout their career, they produced four studio albums, two EPs, and one DVD prior to disbanding in 2008.
History
Himsa came together in 1998 and independently released an EP along with a full-length album in 1999 through Revelation Records. Following another EP release with Revelation in 2001, they secured a contract with Prosthetic Records. Their 2003 album Courting Tragedy and Disaster was followed by extensive touring both domestically and internationally. Toward the end of 2005, the band recorded their next album, Hail Horror, in Denmark.
In November 2006, the band inked a deal with Century Media Records. Recording for Summon in Thunder began on April 23, 2007, with the album launching on September 18 of the same year. This release marked their sole collaboration with Century Media and showcased a pronounced melodic death metal style.
The band briefly reunited in 2016, performing under different monikers before officially returning for a show on October 31, 2016, at El Corazon. This reunion featured all the final lineup members except drummer Chad Davis. The group announced plans for limited live appearances confined to the Seattle region, including an appearance at Northwest Terror Fest from May 31 to June 2, 2018.
Touring
In early 2006, Himsa toured alongside Darkest Hour, The Acacia Strain, A Life Once Lost, and Dead to Fall. Later that year in November, they embarked on an Australian tour supporting Parkway Drive and Cry Murder.
Disbandment
The band declared their concluding performance would take place on August 16, 2008, at El Corazon in Seattle.
On June 20, 2008, bassist Derek Harn commented: "After more than a decade, four releases, numerous tours, and almost constant challenges, the past three years have been fairly steady. Having given everything possible for the band's continuation, it's time to move on. We produced an excellent record (Summon in Thunder/Century Media); many say it’s our finest work. We have a solid label. We're on good terms; we’ve toured well and things are fine. Everything is positive. We're ending on that note."
Vocalist John Pettibone announced he would concentrate on side projects such as The Vows and step away from touring. Subsequently, Pettibone joined Seattle’s Heiress, contributing to a self-titled 7-inch and a split 7-inch with Narrows.
Current lineup
- Derek Harn – Bass (1998–2008, 2017–present)
- Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar (2000–2008, 2017–present)
- John Pettibone – Vocals (2000, 2000–2008, 2017–present)
- Josh 'Sammi Curr' Freer – Guitar (2003, 2005–2008, 2017–present)
- Chad Davis – Drums (2003–2007, 2017–present)
Former members
- Xtian – Vocals (1998–1999)
- Brian Johnson – Vocals, Guitar (1998–2000, 2000–2002)
- Henry – Guitar (1998–1999)
- Aaron Edge – Guitar (1998–1999)
- Mike Green – Drums (1998–2000)
- EJ Bastien – Guitar (1999–2000, 2000)
- Chris LaPointe – Vocals (2000)
- John Harnett – Drums (2000)
- Tim Mullen – Drums (2000–2003)
- Clay Layton – Keyboard, Samples (2000–2001)
- Matt Wicklund – Guitar (2003, 2003–2005)
- Joe Frothingham – Drums (2007–2008)
| 1998–1999 | 1999 | 1999 | 1999–2000 |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 2000 | 2000 Asian Tour |
2000 | 2000–2001 |
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| 2001–2002 | 2002–2003 | 2003 | 2003 |
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| 2003 | 2003–2005 | 2005–2007 | 2007–2008 |
* Sammi Curr — Guitar * Kirby Charles Johnson — Guitar * Derek Harn — Bass * Chad Davis — Drums |
* John Pettibone — Vocals * Matt Wicklund — Guitar * Kirby Charles Johnson — Guitar * Derek Harn — Bass * Chad Davis — Drums |
* John Pettibone — Vocals * Sammi Curr — Guitar * Kirby Charles Johnson — Guitar * Derek Harn — Bass * Chad Davis — Drums |
* John Pettibone — Vocals * Sammi Curr — Guitar * Kirby Charles Johnson — Guitar * Derek Harn — Bass * Joe Frothingham — Drums |
Timeline
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Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards,_turntables id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album
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layer:back color:studio at:10/01/1999 at:06/17/2003 at:02/28/2006 at:09/18/2007
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bar:CS text:"Xtian" bar:JB text:"John Pettibone" bar:BJ text:"Brian Johnson" bar:SC text:"Sammi Curr" bar:MW text:"Matt Wicklund" bar:AE text:"Aaron Edge" bar:H text:"Henry" bar:EJ text:"EJ Bastien" bar:KJ text:"Kirby Charles Johnson" bar:CL text:"Chris Layton" bar:DH text:"Derek Harn" bar:MG text:"Mike Green" bar:TM text:"Tim Mullen" bar:CD text:"Chad Davis" bar:JF text:"Joe Frothingham"
PlotData=
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</timeline>
Discography
- Studio albums
- Ground Breaking Ceremony (1999)
- Courting Tragedy and Disaster (2003)
- Hail Horror (2006)
- Summon in Thunder (2007)
- EPs
- Himsa (1999)
- Death Is Infinite (2001)
- DVDs
- You've Seen Too Much (2005)