Contrarian
Background information
OriginRochester, New York, U.S.
GenresTechnical death metal, progressive metal[1]
Years active2012–present
LabelsWillowtip Records
MembersJim Tasikas
Brian Mason
Bill Bodily
Alex Cohen
Cody McConnell
Past membersGeorge Kollias
Leon Macey
Ed Paulsen
Patrice Hamelin
Bryce Butler
Websitecontrarianofficial.com

Contrarian is an extreme metal band from Rochester, New York, founded in 2012 by guitarist Jim Tasikas. The band is known for its progressive and catchy songwriting alongside a technical playing style. They are known as one of the front runners at introducing an authentic yet modern approach to the progressive style of the 1990s progressive death metal bands such as Atheist, Death, and Cynic. The band featured famed Nile drummer George Kollias for their first three albums.[2][3][4]

History

The band was originally formed in 2012 in Rochester, New York, by Jim Tasikas. Jim then enlisted his friend Ed Paulsen for bass duties, Brian Mason as lead guitar and George Kollias of Nile for drums. Contrarian roots came from the progressive and technical metal scene birthed in Rochester, NY in the mid-1990s which also brought to light bands such as Lethargy, Mastodon, Psyopus and Sulaco.[5][6][7][8] Contrarian recorded their first EP "Predestined" in 2014. This EP caught the attention of Jason Tipton at Willowtip Records and within one year the band released their first full-length album Polemic on November 20, 2015.[9][10][11] The band's latest album Only Time Will Tell was also released via Willowtip Records in 2020, mixed by famed record producer Neil Kernon.[12][13][14] Contrarian has had guest appearances from Paul Masvidal of Cynic and Leon Macey of Mithras UK and as of 2020, guitarists Jim Tasikas and Brian Mason are endorsed by ESP guitars.[15] Contrarian are known for their detailed album art covers and concept albums dealing with themes of philosophy and theology. Contrarian are also known for reviving an organic approach to recording technical metal in studio settings.[16][17][14][18][19]

Members

Current

Former

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

  • Predestined (2014)
  • Polemic (2015)
  • To Perceive Is to Suffer (2017)
  • Their Worm Never Dies (2019)
  • Only Time Will Tell (2020)
  • Sage of Shekhinah (2023)
  • Demos & Oddities 1995-1999 (2023)

[20][21][22][23]

References

  1. ↑ DaRonco, Mike; Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Biography of Atheist". AllMusic. Retrieved November 6, 2007.
  2. ↑ "Contrarian | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Ashley Talent International, llc Ashley Talent International, LLC". Ashley Talent International, llc. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Tech-Death Tuesday: CONTRARIAN Deliver Prog-Death Gold on "My Curse" – Metal Injection". metalinjection.net. January 29, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  5. ↑ "CONTRARIAN – Ink Deal with Extreme Management Group". Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Contrarian – Featuring George Kollias – Complete Second Full-length – To Perceive Is To Suffer". Sick Drummer Magazine. May 5, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  7. ↑ "CONTRARIAN – Ink Deal with Extreme Management Group". Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Contrarian Archives". NO CLEAN SINGING. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  9. ↑ Sacha, Vick (March 1, 2019). "March 2019's Featured Band is… Contrarian!". technicalmusicreview.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Contrarian – discography, line-up, biography, interviews, photos". www.spirit-of-metal.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Contrarian". BandMix.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  12. ↑ "AN NCS PREMIERE: CONTRARIAN — "EXORCISM"". www.nocleansinging.com. December 21, 2018. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Jim Tasikas (Contrarian) Reviews His Top 3 Favorite Guitars". Decibel Magazine. August 28, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  14. 1 2 Hinds, Thomas (March 15, 2019). "Progressively Technical: Contrarian's Seam-Busting "Their Worm Never Dies"". Invisible Oranges. Archived from the original on March 17, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  15. ↑ "CONTRARIAN's Jim Tasikas and Brian Mason showcase ESP 'M Series' Guitars in Playthrough Video – Kronos Mortus News". September 18, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Patrice Hamelin Joins Upstate NY Progressive Metal Band – Contrarian". Sick Drummer Magazine. March 31, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Contrarian – Metal Storm". www.metalstorm.net. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Tech Death Thursday: Contrarian – Their Worm Never Dies". The Toilet Ov Hell. February 14, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  19. ↑ "AN NCS ALBUM PREMIERE (AND A REVIEW): CONTRARIAN – "ONLY TIME WILL TELL"". NO CLEAN SINGING. November 17, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Willowtip | Releases > Contrarian – Polemic". www.willowtip.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Contrarian News, Tour Dates and Music". Metal Injection. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Interview: Contrarian". www.aversionline.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  23. ↑ "contrarian band". grizzlybutts.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
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