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Contrarian (band)

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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
George Kollias
Jakob Sin
Past membersCody McConnell
Alex Cohen
Ed Paulsen
Patrice Hamelin
Bryce Butler
Websitecontrarianofficial.com

Contrarian is an American extreme metal band from Rochester, New York, founded in 2012 by guitarist Jim Tasikas. The band is known for its progressive songwriting and technical playing style. They are influenced by progressive death metal of the 1990s from bands such as Death and Cynic, and combine it with modern technical death metal. The band has drummer George Kollias for their first three and most recent albums.[2][3][4]

History

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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 two latest album Only Time Will Tell and Sage of Shekhinah were also released via Willowtip Records, with mixing by producer Neil Kernon.[12][13][14] Contrarian has had guest appearances from Paul Masvidal of Cynic and Leon Macey of Mithras UK.

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

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Current

  • Jakob Sin - vocals (2022-present)
  • Brian Mason – guitars (2014–present)
  • Jim Tasikas – guitars (2014–present)
  • Bill Bodily – bass (2019–present) (Flotsam and Jetsam)
  • George Kollias – drums (2014–2019, 2023-present)

Former

  • Cody McConnell – vocals (2015, 2019–2021)
  • Leon Macey – guitars (2014–2016)
  • Ed Paulsen – bass (2014–2019)
  • Alex Cohen – drums (2022-2023)
  • Bryce Butler – drums (2019–2022) (Shadow of Intent, ex-Abigail Williams, ex-The Faceless)

Timeline

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Discography

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Studio albums

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

References

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  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. ^ a b 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". Aversion Online. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  23. ^ "contrarian band". grizzlybutts.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
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