Biography
Knights of the Abyss was formed in 2005 after drummer Andy Rysdam had left his former band
Job for a Cowboy. They have recorded two full-length albums, which were released by
Siege of Amida Records and
Ferret Records. Early songs featured the original vocalist Phil Noriega, and later his replacement, Mike Manheimer, but whilst recording their first album,
Juggernaut
, Manheimer injured his throat.
[1] Dustin Hadlock, a friend of the band who had provided some guest vocals on some older tracks, stepped in to record the rest of the album and toured with the band throughout January 2008, until Manheimer returned.
The band announced its signing to Ferret Records.
[2] A new song, titled "A New Darkened Faith", from their first Ferret albumt,
Shades
, was posted on the band's MySpace page in early April. All vocals on
Shades
were by Dustin Curtis of the band A Breath Before Surfacing from Tucson, Arizona. The band has toured in the
United States and the
United Kingdom, playing alongside bands such as
Elysia and
Arsonists Get All the Girls.
Elysia's vocalist, Zak Vargas, was featured on the song "Decaying Waste" from the album
Juggernaut
.
With the start of 2009, many of the original members of Knights of the Abyss had left, many to return to school. Dustin Hadlock was once again appointed vocalist, and drummer James Gillespie, guitarist Brian McNulty, and bass guitarist Griffin Kolinski were added as well. Kolinski and McNulty also play in the Arizona metal band The Blood Countess. Hadlock and Gillespie were recruited from Nick Florence's side project, entitled Decessus. Florence is currently the only original member of the band. Knights of the Abyss recently announced that they had returned to the studio to demo and record a follow-up to
Shades
.
On May 3rd, at 10:25 p.m., the band posted a new song in pre-production dubbed as Pandemic, as a sign they are now recording their newest album.
Band members
Current members
- Dustin Hadlock - vocals (2007-2008, 2009-present)
- Nick Florence - guitar (2005-present; founding member)
- Brian McNulty - guitar (2009-present)
- Griffin Kolinski - bass (2009-present)
- James Gillespie - drums (2009-present)
Former members
- Phil Noreiga - (vocals, 2005-2006): Founding member. Featured on the earliest material such as the original "Dragon Pie", "Unleash the Latrine Eating Leviathan", and the original "Megabrain".
- J.M. Campbell - (bass, 2005-2006): Backing vocals can also be heard on "Welcome to Camelot".
- John Seabury - (bass, 2006–2007): Went on to start an indie rock band with ex-Job for a Cowboy guitarist Andrew Arcurio, called American Dialect
- Mike Manheimer - (vocals, 2006-2007, 2008-2009): Left band in 2007 during the recording of Juggernaut because of an injured throat. Returned in early 2008.
- Andy Rysdam - (Drums, 2005-2009): Founding member.
- Aaron Stone - (bass, 2007-2009): Also provided live backing vocals.
- Cody Brechtel - (guitar, 2005-2009): Founding member.
Discography
Studio albums
- Juggernaut
(2007)
- Shades
(2008)