Ithaca (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2012 in London, United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Ithaca was a metalcore group originating from London, United Kingdom, established in 2012. The band's final roster featured vocalist Djamila Boden Azzouz, guitarists Sam Chetan-Welsh and Will Sweet, bassist Dom Moss, and drummer James Lewis; previous bass players included Drew Haycock and Red Sismey. Rooted in the London hardcore scene, Ithaca became known for their emotionally charged and stylistically varied sound. Their focus extended beyond music to include advocacy for social justice, community engagement, and cultural inclusivity.
Following the release of two EPs, Ithaca recorded their first full-length album, The Language of Injury, in 2017 amidst a challenging phase. Various setbacks delayed its release until February 2019 under Holy Roar Records. In 2020, after allegations of misconduct surfaced against Holy Roar's founder, the band parted ways with the label and signed with Hassle Records in 2021. Their sophomore and final album, They Fear Us (2022), was met with widespread praise and garnered nominations for "Best Production" and "Best Single" at the Heavy Music Awards in 2023. In October 2024, Ithaca announced their intention to disband following the release of one last single; their concluding live show took place at the ArcTanGent Festival in August 2025.
2012–2015: Formation and Early Releases
Ithaca came together in late 2012 in London through the collaboration of guitarists Sam Chetan-Welsh and Will Sweet along with drummer James Lewis, all acquaintances since their school days. Vocalist Djamila Boden Azzouz joined after answering a band advertisement, impressing the group at their initial rehearsal by spontaneously performing Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff" over their instrumentation. Their first live appearance occurred during an all-day event hosted at the New Cross Inn venue in London.
In 2014, Ithaca issued their first EP titled Narrow the Way and participated on the compilation False Metal Eternal. The next year saw the release of their second EP, Trespassers. Early performances showcased a blend of grindcore, death metal, black metal, and hardcore acts—highlighting an evolving musical identity—and included tours alongside Employed to Serve and Venom Prison. Throughout this era, the band encountered substantial prejudice and hostility from promoters, audiences, and peer bands alike. Reflecting on this period in a 2023 Kerrang! interview, Azzouz revealed feeling compelled to adopt an intensely aggressive stage presence to assert herself amid widespread antagonism.
2016–2020: Creation and Release of The Language of Injury
Work on Ithaca's debut album, The Language of Injury, commenced in 2016. In July that year, they briefly halted writing to embark on a short UK tour. Recording took place over five to six days in April 2017 at Manchester's Nø Studio with producer Joe Clayton. Vocalist Djamila Azzouz characterized the album as a product of "immense pain and suffering," drawing lyrical inspiration from the dissolution of a toxic relationship. Concurrently during recording sessions, guitarist Sam Chetan-Welsh was coping with his mother's recent passing, describing the album as an immediate emotional response to profound grief. Following completion of recording, bassist Drew Haycock was succeeded by Red Sismey. In August 2017, Ithaca toured across the UK supporting Let It Die. The album's release experienced nearly two years of postponements due to multiple delays.
On 1 February 2019, The Language of Injury was finally released through Holy Roar Records. Initially intended for release via Holy Roar was their Trespassers EP; however, scheduling conflicts prevented this. The album earned critical acclaim and appeared on several year-end best-of lists by publications such as Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, and Revolver. Post-release activities included headlining shows and support slots across the UK during early 2019, featuring a co-headlining tour with Leeched and a performance at ArcTanGent festival. Later that year they supported Jamie Lenman on tour. From February to March 2020, Ithaca toured Europe as support for Big Thief.
In September 2020, allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Alex Fitzpatrick, founder of Holy Roar Records. In response, Ithaca publicly condemned these accusations and promptly severed all ties with the label along with its associated artists and staff. The following month saw Ithaca contribute a cover version of Thrice's "Hold Fast Hope" for a tribute compilation celebrating Thrice’s album Vhiessu (2005), organized by the 2000trees festival. Proceeds from this release were donated to Rape Crisis England & Wales.
2021–2024: They Fear Us
In May 2021, Ithaca entered into a contract with Hassle Records, which re-released their debut album, The Language of Injury. By January 2022, the group started promoting their sophomore record, They Fear Us. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated remote collaboration for composing the album’s content before the band spent a month recording at The Ranch Production House alongside producer Lewis Johns. Released on 29 July 2022, the album received widespread critical praise and was recognized as one of the year's most celebrated metal releases, according to Matt Mills of The Guardian. Both Kerrang! and Metal Hammer placed it as the second and third top albums of 2022 respectively, with Metal Hammer naming it the best metalcore album of that year. At the Heavy Music Awards 2023, the album and its title track earned nominations for "Best Production" and "Best Single."
After a European tour supporting MØL was canceled in February 2022, Ithaca were scheduled to appear at the 2000trees festival, but had to pull out due to Azouzz’s visa complications following her move to Berlin. In August 2022, they embarked on a UK headline tour predominantly supported by Pupil Slicer. Subsequent performances included ArcTanGent festival and a European tour with Respire. In March 2023, Ithaca joined Get the Shot and Thrown for the Merciless Destruction Tour across Europe; however, their opening concert in Karlsruhe was canceled due to a hostage crisis nearby. July 2023 saw them return to headline the main stage at 2000trees. Their inaugural U.S. tour, dubbed the Y'All Fear Us Tour, took place from September to October 2023, featuring appearances at Louder Than Life and Aftershock Festival. On 25 November 2023, Ithaca hosted an exclusive London event titled "A Very Special Evening with Ithaca," performing the entirety of They Fear Us. In June 2024, the band withdrew from Download Festival as part of a boycott protesting the festival's association with Barclays and its connections to Israel.
2025: Disbandment
On 30 October 2024, Ithaca announced plans to disband in 2025 following a farewell concert called "The Cremation Party," scheduled for 8 February at the O2 Academy Islington. Alongside this final performance, they intended to release one last single. In a Metal Hammer interview in 2025, Azzouz explained that limited resources prevented them from investing in another record capable of advancing their career. She further told Stereoboard that forcing an additional album risked compromising quality; their decision focused on maintaining artistic integrity rather than disappointing fans.
"The Cremation Party," supported by Forlorn and Knife Bride, featured Haycock rejoining for a performance of "Ashes" as well as debuting a new song. On 13 February, Ithaca revealed an additional closing show set for the ArcTanGent Festival on 15 August. Their final single, "Ithaca," was released on 20 May 2025.
Musical style and influences
Ithaca’s sound has been categorized within metalcore, metallic hardcore, and post-hardcore. Their debut album, The Language of Injury, incorporated elements of melodic hardcore and screamo, while also drawing from genres such as post-metal, noise rock, doom metal, crust punk, and black metal. With They Fear Us, the band broadened their sonic palette beyond traditional hardcore boundaries into what has been described as "far beyond a genre designation," integrating influences from blackgaze, industrial metal, mathcore, power pop, new wave, shoegaze, djent, disco, gospel, jazz, 1970s prog music, and 1990s R&B.
Their inspirations include bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan, Meshuggah, The Chariot, Rolo Tomassi, Rivers of Nihil, Every Time I Die, and The Ghost of a Thousand. Frontman Sam Chetan-Welsh cited additional influences such as Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd; he also acknowledged his father’s role in exposing him to Lauryn Hill, Django Reinhardt, and classical music. Djamila Azzouz highlighted riot grrrl bands, Kittie, and Jack Off Jill as significant formative influences. The visual and thematic aesthetics of They Fear Us were shaped by the members’ Arab and Indian cultural backgrounds combined with camp sensibilities, "70s retro" art styles, as well as queer art and fashion.
Beyond their musical output, Ithaca have consistently addressed social issues including community building and diversity. In 2019, Azzouz expressed that the band stood firmly against sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexual assault, and abuse. By 2023 she disclosed that their outspoken views had resulted in substantial backlash such as doxxing and online harassment. Early in their career, following Azzouz wearing a t-shirt reading "Stop supporting racist bands" during a show, the band received death threats from neo-Nazi groups.
Band members
Last roster
- Djamila Boden Azzouz – lead vocals (2012–2025)
- Sam Chetan-Welsh – guitar (2012–2025)
- Will Sweet – guitar (2012–2025)
- Dom Moss – bass guitar (2020–2025)
- James Lewis – drums (2012–2025)
Former members
- Drew Haycock – bass guitar (2013–2017, 2025)
- Red Sismey – bass guitar (2017–2020)
Timeline
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominee / work | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The band | Best UK Breakthrough Band | Template:Nom |
| 2023 | They Fear Us | Best Production | Template:Nom |
| "They Fear Us" | Best Single | Template:Nom |
Discography
Albums
- The Language of Injury (2019)
- They Fear Us (2022)