Formed in 2007 by guitarist Tosin Abassi, Los Angeles native, Animals as Leaders’ music has become a staple among instrumental/instrumental guitar-based heavy Progressive Rock fans throughout the world. The collective chins of guitarists everywhere simultaneously hit the floor when their self-titled album hit the presses in 2009 which elevated Animals as Leaders into the spotlight as one of the premiere instrumental bands in the world. Upping their game in 2011, Weightless was released to critical and fan acclaim everywhere. Staying on schedule with an album release every three years, The Joy of Motion was released in 2014 which put them on the Billboard charts in position 23, a whopping jump of 69 spots from the previous album’s placing. An extremely impressive showing for any band, much less from a band sans vocalist and bass player. This successful run is about to continue with Animals as Leaders release of The Madness of Many on November 11, 2016 on Sumerian Records and also saves fans an additional year’s wait for more of what they have grown to love.
The Madness of Many was recorded in Los Angeles from March through July 2016, produced by Animals as Leaders and mixed by guitarist Javier Reyes. “Instead of enlisting a producer, we ended up doing everything ourselves for the first time. We were really influencing each other, and it’s the most collaborative effort so far.” He adds “The Madness of Many is an explorative and ambitious journey of harmony, rhythm, musical expression and emotion. It has been the most collaborative effort for the band and an evolution in each of the members’ musical path.” Mastering, however, was expertly handled by Ermin Hamidovic of System Productions in Australia who has also mastered Devin Townsend: Transcendence (2016), Periphery: Select Difficulty (2016), Plini: Handmade Cities (2016) and many, many other top shelf bands from around the globe. “This album feels like total synergy between the three of us,” says guitar player Tosin Abasi. “None of this music would have turned out the same way without the equal inclusion of all of our musical ideas and that feel special. We’re beyond thrilled with the result.” Drummer Matt Garstka, who joined the band in 2012 adds: “Although conceptually dense, it is the most natural sounding Animals As Leaders album yet…We’ve known each other’s processes for years, but we really melded here. Their approaches have become mine and vice versa. It was great to be a part of the creation as the record really reflects all of our voices.” Matt’s influence is immediately evident in the six minute opening track “Arithmophobia” (the exaggerated, constant and often irrational fear of numbers) which was written by Tosin and Javier in response to Garstaka’s drums, a first for the band. From here, Animals as Leaders continues with their other-worldly and unique amalgamation of Jazz, Fusion, Rock, Metal, Classical and just about everything in between, as demonstrated by their first three offerings. What is palpably different is the maturity of their song writing skills. Each song remains unbelievably complex in rhythm (often polymorphic), harmonies and in individual instrument mastery but flows effortlessly over almost constant change in texture and format. Not to take any shots at previous releases, but The Madness of Many elicits a much deeper emotional connection than before. Equally technical, to be sure, but more playful, whimsical and quite lovely at times. Any sense of sterility is gone. In addition ebb and flow between songs is incredibly clean and what defines this album’s masterful beauty. Javier explains: “What you’re hearing is the madness of the band, what happens in our heads, and what it sounds like when you put it all together. For us, that’s the sound of the new album. It’s simply the madness of these three individuals. We’re trying to create something that only we can do.” Don’t think that this is not Animals as Leaders though. Heavy doses of extended range guitar virtuosity still abound. Rhythms are often over-the-top heavy with leads and solos being understated or vise versa that keep the listener enthralled. The interesting use of slap guitar, more common among bass players, has also been perfected and adds a level of percussion to accompany the drumming skills Garstka bring to bear throughout. Just another weapon in the Animals as Leaders ever-growing musical arsenal. Almost piano-like acoustic and cleaning played Blues also take on a larger role on this new album. Super impressive and very easy on the ears. Even the electronics and synth machinations of Travis Stewart (aka Machinedrum) of Sepalcure, Jets and Dream Continuum grace “Inner Assassins” further expanding the unmistakeable Animals as Leaders sound. Really, really digging this album! Definitely worth a listen and one I will be listening to for the foreseeable future.
So, is The Madness of Many the best Animals as Leaders album? I think a lot of that comes down to perspective. If one is strictly a technical guitar freak, probably not. This group of fans will likely stick with one of the first two albums. In terms of overall package, which would include playing expertise, songwriting and raw, emotional feel, The Madness of Many would be the best by a long shot. I fall squarely in the middle so my favorite will change from day to day, depending on the color of my mood. I will continue to listen to all of them equally. In the progression of things, I really love the direction Animals as Leaders took with The Madness of Many.
Tracklist for The Madness of Many:
“Arithmophobia” (the fear of numbers)
“Ectogenesis” (a term, usually used in sci-fi for an embryo grown outside the body)
“Cognitive Contortions”
“Inner Assassins”
“Private Visions of the World”
“Backpfeifengesicht” (compound German word meaning “face that should be slapped”)
“Transcentience”
“The Glass Bridge”
“The Brain Dance”
“Aepirophobia” (the fear of eternity)
The Madness of Many Tour:
November 10 Scottsdale, AZ Livewire
November 11 Pomona, CA The Glass House
November 12 Las Vegas, NV Vinyl
November 14 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
November 15 Seattle, WA Studio Seven
November 16 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
November 18 Calgary, AB Macewan Ballroom
November 19 Edmonton, AB Union Hall
November 20 Saskatoon, SK O’Brian’s Event Centre
November 21 Winnipeg, MB The Garrick Centre
November 23 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Café
November 25 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge
November 26 Pontiac, MI The Crofoot Ballroom
November 27 Columbus, OH Park Street Saloon
November 28 Toronto, ON Opera House
November 29 Montreal, QC Corona Theatre
November 30 Boston, MA Royale
December 1 New York, NY Webster Hall
December 2 Philadelphia, PA The Trocadero
December 3 Millvale, PA Mr. Small’s Theatre
December 4 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
December 6 St. Petersburg, FL State Theatre
December 7 Atlanta, GA Terminal West
December 8 New Orleans, LA Republic New Orleans
December 9 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall
December 10 Austin, TX Mohawk
December 11 Dallas, TX Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
December 12 Kansas City, MO The Riot Room
December 15 Los Angeles, CA The Mayan
December 16 Orangevale, CA The Boardwalk
December 17 San Francisco, CA Social Hall SF
All things Animals as Leaders can be found on Web FaceBook Twitter Instgram
