Formed: 1998
From:
Seattle,
WA,
United States
Last Known Status: Disbanded
Background
Formed in 1998, Himsa has stood through intense beginnings that could only tear other bands apart. Having grown through many line-up changes, Himsa has progressed into an original metal-hybrid band that has its roots firmly planted in the hardcore scene. The combination of speed and technical precision in their music leads to mind-numbing changes and hints of harmonic thrash-metal not seen before in a band from this genre.
No stranger to determination or ambition, Himsa has seen parts of the world no-one would think of playing. Himsa has paved the way for touring bands in reaching the outskirts of an unrecognized fan base. Arranged by Himsa's bass player, Derek Harn, Himsa successfully toured and played in some of the most remote areas to be touched by hardcore. Many of the cities visited had never hosted a touring band of any kind, let alone a band from another country. China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan were some of the countries that graciously hosted and supported an amazing experience for the band.
The name Himsa is a Sanskrit word that has varied meanings in different cultures, mostly with violent or negative connotations. Derek offers his reasoning, "I don't want to give a strict definition because you may find it means something different to someone else and it kind of relates to how I want our music to be thought of." The band's focus is not as political or personal, as it is aggressive. "We look at our negative surroundings and expel our disgust through our music to cleanse our existence."
Look for Himsa on the West Coast with the new and improved line up and prepare for another lp entitled The Blind Strategy Of Transition out in the Spring of 2002.
Latest Himsa News
Below is our complete Himsa news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
Displaying records 41 - 60 of 90 1 2 3 4 5 Last
New Himsa and The Acacia Strain eCard
A new eCard is online to spread the word about Prosthetic Records label-mates Himsa and The Acacia Strain hitting the road for Darkest Hour's "Undoing Ruin 2006 Tour" alongside A Life Once Lost and Dead To Fall. Spanning 38 dates across the United States, the tour will begin February 17.
Himsa will embark on several headlining shows along the way to support the Feb. 7 release of Hail Horror before meeting up with the "Undoing Ruin" lineup in Latham, NY to kick the tour off. Hail Horror, the follow up to the critically-acclaimed Courting Tragedy And Disaster, has already been labeled as one of 2006's most anticipated releases by Decibel magazine, and sees the band heading in a thrashier direction while maintaining a commitment to tirelessly touring behind this album, maintaining their reputation as seasoned road warriors. The band will later head back to Europe to follow up its successful run of the continent with 3 Inches of Blood in December 2005.
Massachusetts' The Acacia Strain will be a part of the tour fresh out of recording tracks with veteran producer Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage) for the upcoming album The Dead Walk. A release date for the record has not been determined, but The Acacia Strain will nonetheless head out on the road with a handful of new live-worthy tracks, hand in hand with the same win-them-one-by-one mentality the band has built its base upon.
"Undoing Ruin 2006 Tour" (with Darkest Hour, Himsa, A Life Once Lost, The Acacia Strain, Dead To Fall): More...
Ex-Himsa Guitarist Comments On Departure
Ex-Himsa guitarist Matt Wicklund has released a statement regarding his June departure from the band:
"In the new March issue of Revolver there is a small Himsa spread that spends many of its lines saying unwarranted and fabricated lies about me and more specifically my departure from HIMSA. Nearly everything they said concerning me is false.
First of all, I quit the band in June simply because I was not happy playing with those guys anymore. I had a musical vision that I couldn't possibly achieve under the limitations of their musical abilities. I needed to be with players that could keep up with my ideas. I wanted to go much more technical and have a much more dynamic vocal approach including tonal singing involved with my music. I felt that they were holding me back. Yes, it is true that I had fallen in love with my wife Jasmin but that has nothing to do with me quitting. I'm sure it is just easier to blame it on that than it is to face the truth of the matter.
Next, they claim that I wanted immediate success and that I wanted my strings changed for me, etc. Etc. This is also false. I work very hard at what I do and have never been fed with a silver spoon nor have I wished for such. Also, I'm not sure where Himsa gets the notion that they were involved in a lawsuit with me. I NEVER SUED ANYONE! We may have had a dispute over royalties because I felt that they were trying to cheat me but there was never a lawsuit.
Unfortunately, Himsa decided to leave my name off of the upcoming release, Hail Horror on which I performed and co-wrote. Their unprofessionalism is astounding. Even in the Reolver article, it suggests that Sammi and Kirby were the masterminds to the music on this soundrecording. Well, when I was there in the studio recording these songs, Sammi wasn't in the room or even on the continent for that matter. I am responsible for co-writing Seminal and The Destroyer and for writing Pestilence and Send Down Your Reign in their musical entirity (excluding the lyrics and vocals, of course). Two other songs that I had written were removed from the final version of the record after I quit. These songs may appear reworked on a future recording by one of my bands. I believe in being paid for work done. I had never signed any contract with Prosthetic records at the time of the recording of Hail Horror. This was due to lack of good management. I was so busy touring and writing the record that I hadn't even thought about the contractual issues. I had requested that certain things get done by my manager and it was his fiduciary duty to oblige me. He didn't satisfy my requests in a timely fashion, so I contacted a lawyer to settle out the contractual agreements. I just wanted to be included in the contract just like all of the other members! And that was my right since I was not only playing on the whole record but co-writing it as well! Any person with a sound mind would have done the same thing!
Another thing HIMSA claimed was that I quit because I didn't want to tour anymore. This is also not true. Derek said 'the band is not their married life anymore' referring to the fact that I was recently married. Actually, my wife is very supportive of my musical life and helps me out with everything. She is just as involved in the music world as I am!
I am involved in two new bands now and will be recording in 2 weeks. You better believe you all will be seeing us on the road very soon in support of this new music! We are all very excited about this and can't wait to get back out there and make some noise! I will share more details about these bands in the near future. I have moved on from all of this in a very positive direction with some kick ass material that I know you all will enjoy! Until this new music comes out, pick up the new Himsa record and give it a spin. I hope you like what you hear!"
Demiricous Recruit Ex-Godbelow Drummer
Demiricous has announced Mike Rafferty as the touring drummer for the band. This will be a trial before making him the permanent band member. He has previously drummed for Godbelow and Brand New Sin. He has also recently done drum teching for Trivium. He's a killer guy and a killer drummer. The band is very happy so far. His first show with the band will be the CD release show.
After their release show, the band plan to hit the road. Demiricous will be touring with Himsa, Still Remains, and more. Tour dates are as follows:
1/24 Emerson Theater – Indianapolis, IN (CD release)
w/ Himsa, Ringworm, The Banner:
2/14 Ten Bells – Grand Rapids, MI
2/15 Alvin's – Detroit, MI
2/16 Forward Hall – Erie, PA
w/ Still Remains
3/20–5/06 dates forthcoming
The Acacia Strain Touring Update
Springfield, Massachusetts' THE ACACIA STRAIN are set to play a one-off show supporting Shadows Fall on Friday, Dec. 30. Meanwhile, The Acacia Strain finished recording the tracks that will become The Dead Walk with producer Adam Dutkiewicz earlier in December. The album will be released through Prosthetic Records in late March, and will be the follow-up to 3750, the band's Prosthetic debut.
Come February, the band will hit the road with Darkest Hour, Himsa, A Life Once Lost, and Dead To Fall for a string of US dates through March.
THE ACACIA STRAIN live dates: More...
Himsa Unveils New Song From "Hail Horror"
HIMSA and Prosthetic Records are proud to debut a brand new HIMSA song from the forthcoming Hail Horror, due out Feb. 7, 2006. The track can be found on the Prosthetic website. "Sleezevil" is the first song from the record to be selected for the video treatment, having been shot in Los Angeles over the Halloween weekend with director Derek Dale. Dale previously manned the helm for Himsa's "Rain To The Sound of Panic" video. The "Sleezevil" video is currently in post production, and will hit the airwaves around the time of the release of Hail Horror. In the meantime, Prosthetic is taking pre-orders (in exclusive pre-order packages) for Hail Horror on the Prosthetic website.
The band is currently touring Europe with 3 Inches of Blood, with a US tour scheduled to start in February alongside Darkest Hour and labelmates The Acacia Strain. For dates, check www.ProstheticRecords.com.
HIMSA tour dates are as follows: More...
Himsa and The Acacia Strain Plan US Tour In 2006
HIMSA and THE ACACIA STRAIN will be teaming out to tear through the United States this February and March. The Prosthetic label-mates will help round out the melting pot of sounds along a string of North American dates that also features Dead To Fall, A Life Once Lost, and headliners Darkest Hour. Running the gamut from hardcore-infused metal to melodic death metal and back, Seattle’s HIMSA will offer direct support on the bill, while THE ACACIA STRAIN will supply crowds with the chest-crushing heaviness they have all but trademarked.
HIMSA will be on the road supporting their latest melodic-thrash tour de force, Hail Horror, which will see a Feb. 7 release through Prosthetic. No strangers to the road, HIMSA was most recently a part of Danzig’s Blackest of the Black 2005 tour, and is currently gearing up for a December run through Europe alongside 3 Inches of Blood, showcasing tunes from the band’s new album.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts’ THE ACACIA STRAIN will be touring in support of Victims, the band’s new full-length, set for a March 2006 release. The band has been playing regional gigs throughout New England in recent weeks, in preparation to entering the studio Dec. 1 to record new songs with Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage, All That Remains), who was previously responsible for the bludgeoning sound of 3750, the band’s last record.
Darkest Hour, Himsa, The Acacia Strain, A Life Once Lost, Dead To Fall tour dates are as follows: More...
Darkest Hour, Himsa Tour Dates Being Unveiled
Dates are continuing to leak out for next year's highly anticipated metalcore all star tour featuring DARKEST HOUR, HIMSA, A LIFE ONCE LOST, THE ACACIA STRAIN, and DEAD TO FALL. Confirmed dates so far are:
February 17 - Latham, NY @ Saratoga Winners
February 18 - New York, NY @ Knitting Factory
February 19 - Poughkeepsie, NY@ The Loft
February 21 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
February 24 - Richmond, VA @ Alley Katz
February 27 - Saint Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre
Himsa Reveal Artwork For "Hail Horror"
HIMSA has revealed the final artwork for the band’s eagerly-anticipated upcoming album Hail Horror, and it can be seen online here. Artwork for the album was handled by Stephen Kasner, most known for his artwork for SUNN and Integrity, while Danish mix-master Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn) handled production duties.
The 10-song effort is set to be released through Prosthetic Records on Feb. 7, 2006, and the band has already completed a video shoot for the album’s second track, “Sleezevil” under the guidance of veteran video director Derek Dale (As I Lay Dying). Dale also manned the helm for HIMSA’s “Rain To The Sound of Panic” video from 2003’s critically-acclaimed Courting Tragedy and Disaster.
Having just completed the “Blackest of the Black Tour” alongside Chimaira, Behemoth, and Danzig, HIMSA is now preparing to head overseas to kick off a 19-day trek through Europe alongside 3 Inches of Blood on December 2.
Himsa Tour dates (with 3 Inches of Blood): More...
Himsa Complete Video Shoot For "Sleezevil"
HIMSA completed the shooting for “Sleezevil,” the second track from HAIL HORROR (due out Feb. 7, 2006) last weekend with Derek Dale (As I Lay Dying). Dale, also responsible for the “Rain To The Sounds of Panic” video from Courting Tragedy and Disaster, met up with the band and some friends over the Halloween weekend to shoot footage for the track in Los Angeles, the day after the “Blackest of the Black” tour ended. The “Sleazevil” video promises to show fans another side of the band and will surely reflect the members' dark sense of humor.
Himsa will be departing for a European tour with 3 Inches of Blood in December. Here are the tour dates: More...
Himsa Set Release Date, Video Shoot, Euro Tour
Prosthetic Records will be releasing the eagerly-awaited new HIMSA album, HAIL HORROR, worldwide on Feb. 7, 2006. HAIL HORROR is the follow up to 2003’s critically-acclaimed Courting Tragedy and Disaster. This time around, HIMSA enlisted producer Tue Madsen (The Haunted) to handle mixing and recording, ensuring a tight, intense recording that captures the band’s musical intensity.
The band has already recruited Derek Dale (As I Lay Dying) to shoot the debut video from HAIL HORROR as well. Dale, responsible for the “Rain To The Sounds of Panic” video from HIMSA’s last album, will be meeting up with the band over the Halloween weekend to shoot footage for the track “Sleazevil” in Los Angeles , the day after the “Blackest of the Black” tour ends. The “Sleazevil” video promises to show fans another side of the band and will surely reflect the members' dark sense of humor.
Until then, HIMSA is out on the road, continuing to support Danzig on this year’s “Blackest of the Black” tour. With dates scheduled across the country through the month of October, the band has been previewing a handful of tracks from HAIL HORROR live. Come December, HIMSA will be teaming up with 3 Inches of Blood to tear through Europe.
Here are the upcoming HIMSA tour dates: More...
Former Cradle of Filth/Himsa Members In Project
Matt Wicklund (guitar; ex-HIMSA), Martin Powell (keyboards; ex-CRADLE OF FILTH, MY DYING BRIDE) and James McIlroy (guitar; ex-CRADLE OF FILTH) have joined forces in a brand-new project called PREY. After leaving all of their former bands, Wicklund, Powell and McIlroy contacted each other and found that they shared a common musical vision. (Matt, Martin and James had become friends after spending several weeks touring together on the MTV2 "Headbanger's Ball" tour last winter.) This vision manifested itself early September in their London and Sheffield writing sessions. Several "melodic, thrashy, groove-driven, thick-sounding pieces of pure metal" have been written and "everyone is ecstatic," according to a press release. The rest of the band lineup will be announced in late December/early January.
New Himsa Release Bumped Back
Himsa's upcoming new album "Hail Horror" has been bumped back to a February release through Prosthetic
Final Schedule For Blackest of Black Tour
The finalized schedule has been released for the upcoming "Blackest of the Black" tour, which features DANZIG w/ DOYLE, CHIMAIRA, BEHEMOTH, HIMSA, MORTIIS, and THE AGONY SCENE: More...
Nokia Theatre Release Initial Show Lineup
New York City's newest venue the Nokia Theatre, a midsize theater located in Times Square, has released it's initial lineup of shows, which includes the following:
October 17 - DANZIG, CHIMAIRA, BEHEMOTH, HIMSA, MORTIIS, THE AGONY SCENE
October 21 - LES CLAYPOOL
October 26 - BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
October 30 - SLIPKNOT
October 31 - SLIPKNOT
November 1 - SLIPKNOT
The following is an excerpt from a Billboard.com article:
"New York's 2,100-capacity Nokia Theatre Times Square, AEG's newest concert venue, will open in September, with tickets for many shows set to go on sale Aug. 12. The venue is being developed and operated by AEG subsidiary AEG Live, who spent nearly $21 million renovating the old Loews Theatre at 1515 Broadway in Times Square.
Designer David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group are the architects and designers of Nokia Theatre Times Square. The auditorium will feature two VIP mezzanines with lounge seating, a state of the art in-house lighting system and an in-house sound system by JBL.
The Nokia Theatre Times Square marquee is an 85 foot long LED, high definition screen, capable of displaying both live and digital video. It is one of the largest marquees on Broadway, directly connected to the MTV marquee and is manufactured by Mitsubishi. It will have interactive text messaging capabilities with the fans and live events will be able to be broadcast from the stage directly to the marquee in real time."
Blackest Of Black Tour Dates
The first dates have been announced for the 2005 "Blackest of the Black" tour, which will kick off in San Diego at the end of September and end on the West Coast on Halloween. Joining headliners DANZIG will be the crème de la crème of the hardcore/dark/black metal bands — CHIMAIRA, BEHEMOTH, HIMSA, MORTIIS and THE AGONY SCENE.
DANZIG's performance on all dates of the "Blackest of the Black" tour will feature former MISFITS' guitarist Doyle Von Frankenstein for a special 30-minute set of MISFITS classics. Doyle joined DANZIG on a handful of tour dates last winter (New York, Philadelphia, Boston) for "the closest thing to a MISFITS reunion you're going to see."
"'The Blackest of the Black' tour is for extreme bands that sell out venues across the country, that sell records, but don't get radio play or get on MTV," said Glenn Danzig. "It's anti the corporate crap nu-rap-metal that gets shoved down fans' throats at other concerts." The "Blackest of the Black" festival was organized by Danzig and debuted in the summer of 2003 with DANZIG, SUPERJOINT RITUAL, OPETH, NILE, LACUNA COIL and BEHEMOTH on the bill. "I'd like to see this being an on-going event," Danzig added.
More...
Report
Dirty Black Summer Tour Report, Springfield, VA
Having not gone to a show in too long, I decided to check out the Dirty Black Summer Tour at Jaxx in Springfield, VA on Saturday, July 9. It was on a Saturday, a good price and a good location for a weekend show (no metro and no beltway traffic to speak of), so I figured why the hell not. Besides, I had heard a lot about all of these bands in the news, but never listened to any of their music (except for The Agony Scene, who I streamed a few songs only a week before in preparation for my interview with drummer Brent Masters). I am not big into the metalcore scene and generally I dislike pure hardcore, but I do enjoy quite a few metalcore bands such as Unearth, As I Lay Dying, Bloodsimple, and My Bitter End to name a few. The Dirty Black Summer tour featured The Esoteric, Scars of Tomorrow, Full Blown Chaos, The Agony Scene, and Himsa. Apparently Scars of Tomorrow split some dates with Full Blown Chaos, because the former were not on this stop. There were two local openers as well, for a total of six bands. More...
Behemoth's Nergal Reacts To Blackest of the Black
With the recent announcement of the second Blackest of teh Black Tour, including Danzig, Chimaira, Behemoth, Himsa, Mortiis and The Agony Scene, BEHEMOTH mainman Nergal has posted his reaction to the tour and announcement:
"We were honored to be a part of the first edition of 'Blackest of the Black' festivals in 2003. But back then we opened for the whole festival package and this time we will play a 30 minute long set right before Chimaira and Danzig. It's very exciting to be back to US again, I can tell you. But what thrills me the most is the fact that BEHEMOTH is going to share the stage with one of my all time favorite artists, Glenn Danzig. This tour is going to be HUGE, I can assure you!"
Shortly before joining the "Blackest of the Black" in the U.S., BEHEMOTH will start the fall leg of their European Demigod tour. The madness starts on the 2nd of September in Milton Keynes, England and will be spreading through most of Europe. Released in January of 2005, Demigod quickly surpassed what its predecessor did in two years in just two months. Heralded as "metal's best live band" by BW&BK, BEHEMOTH have toured with the likes of heavyweights Suffocation, Nile, King Diamond, Black Dahlia Murder, Halford, Testament, Opeth, Superjoint Ritual and Danzig. The band has been featured on the covers of BW&BK, Pit, Metal Bite, Metal Hammer and Metal Maniacs and has received regular airplay of "Conquer All" on "Headbangers Ball."
Danzig Announces Blackest of the Black Tour
Glenn Danzig, at the forefront of the hardcore/dark metal movement for more than 25 years, announces that the 2005 "Blackest of the Black" tour will kick off in San Diego at the end of September and end on the west coast on Halloween. For the sophomore year of this Fall traveling festival, Danzig has assembled a line-up of the crème de la crème of the hardcore/dark/black metal bands - Chimaira, Behemoth, Himsa, Mortiis (ex-Emperor), and The Agony Scene. Danzig will headline, of course.
Danzig's performance on all dates of the "Blackest of the Black" tour will feature former Misfits' guitarist Doyle Von Frankenstein for a special 30-minute set of Misfits classics. Doyle joined Danzig on a handful of tour dates last winter (New York, Philadelphia, Boston) for "the closest thing to a Misfits reunion you're going to see."
"'The Blackest of the Black' tour is for extreme bands that sell out venues across the country, that sell records, but don't get radio play or get on MTV," said Danzig. "It's anti the corporate crap nu-rap-metal that gets shoved down fans' throats at other concerts." The "Blackest of the Black" festival was organized by Danzig and debuted in the Summer of 2003 with Danzig, Superjoint Ritual, Opeth, Nile, Lacuna Coil and Behemoth on the
bill. "I'd like to see this being an on-going event," Danzig added.
In addition to organizing and headlining the "Blackest of the Black" tour, Glenn Danzig will see the release of the DVD "Il Demonio Nera" (evilive) on July 12. "Il Demonio Nera" is a collection of videos, video outtakes, alternative versions and previously unreleased music videos from the band's "Danzig 4" and "Danzig 5" CDs. His new CD, "Black Aria II," the follow up to 1993's "Black Aria," has been completed and will be released later this year, and Glenn is in the process of shooting his first feature film, "Gerouge," which he has written and will direct. "Gerouge" is based on one of the comic book titles distributed by his Verotik publishing company, and concerns Turn of the Century New Orleans Voodoo.
Confirmed dates for the "Blackest of the Black" will be announced shortly.
God Forbid Completes New Album, Embark On Tour
Ozzfest 2004 alumni God Forbid recently completed the recording process for their highly anticipated new album "IV:Constitution Of Treason," set for a September 20th release. The group tracked the new offering with Jason Suecof (Trivium) at Audiohammer Studios in Florida and with Eric Rachel (Atreyu, Dillinger Escape Plan) at Trax East in New Jersey. The mixing duties are currently being handled by Rachel and should be completed the end of the week.
Dallas Coyle (guitars, vocals) checks in with the following studio report:
Dallas here checking in from the studio where we're just about to put the final touches on the new album IV: Constitution Of Treason. Eric Rachel, Doc and I have been here mixing all the songs for the record and I'd have to say this is the most amazing stuff we've put to tape. For the first time I'd say this is exactly what God Forbid should sound like. Our friends who have heard the record say we sound like an entirely new band. This new material is many steps above Gone Forever and a new pinnacle us as a whole. Our evolution is complete.
God Forbid will also embark on a slew of headlining shows in July with Full Blown Chaos and Himsa, among others; the complete list of dates are below.
Jul. 01 Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom - Rescheduled date w/ Full Blown Chaos
Jul. 02 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection - w/ Full Blown Chaos
Jul. 03 Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground - w/ Full Blown Chaos
Jul. 04 Des Moines, IA @ Sleepy Hollow Sports Park - Iowa Metal Fest w/ Full Blown Chaos and others
Jul. 08 Latham, NY @ Saratoga Winners - w/ Himsa, Full Blown Chaos, The Agony Scene, and The Esoteric
Jul. 17 Sayreville, NJ @ The Starland Ballroom
Himsa Replaces Guitarist
Guitarist Matt Wicklund and Himsa have parted ways. Reasons for the move haven't been disclosed, but former member Sammi Curr has now rejoined the band. Curr was with the group for several years leading up to their 2003 album, Courting Tragedy And Disaster. Look for Curr on the road with Himsa during their Dirty Black Summer tour, which kicked off in Sacramento.
Tour Dates with The Agony Scene, Scars Of Tomorrow (select dates), Full Blown Chaos (select dates), the Esoteric: More...