*This is part of the “World’s Loudest Month” segment where we branch out and focus on bands that fans can see at the year’s biggest music festivals during the month of May 2018! This week, we’re checking out Toothgrinder, a progressive metal quintet from New Jersey who are geared up for another year at Carolina Rebellion, as well as others!*
Asbury Park, NJ natives, Toothgrinder, have been making waves in the metal scene for a while now, sharing the stage with huge names including Meshuggah, Killswitch Engage, Between The Buried and Me, Polyphia, and The Contortionist. The band consists of Justin Matthews (vocals), Jason Gross (guitar), Matt Arsendorf (bass/backing vocals), Willis Weller (drums) and Johnuel Hasney (guitar/backing vocals). With an extensive live show resume, and two successful albums, ‘Nocturnal Masquerade’ (2016) and ‘Phantom Amour’ (2017) via Spinefarm Records, one thing is predominantly clear – these guys know what they’re doing.
“Everybody calls us ‘a progressive metal band,’ but I think the most progressive thing you can do is surprise your audience and keep yourself happy…I feel like that’s exactly what we’re doing here. From jazz and classic rock to metal and experimental, everybody brings different flavors to the table. Then, we pour them into the same pot. That’s Toothgrinder in a nutshell.”
2018 is looking to be a very busy year for Toothgrinder already, as they are preparing for a 26-date tour with Norma Jean, Gideon, and Greyhaven spanning from February 27 to March 28, and are also slated to hit the road with Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium beginning May 1 in Knoxville, TN and wrapping up on May 18 in Stroudsburg, PA. As well as these tours, Toothgrinder are also making appearances at Rockville in Jacksonville, FL on April 27, Fort Rock in Fort Lauderdale, FL on April 29, and Carolina Rebellion on May 5. So if you’re planning on attending any or all of these events, Toothgrinder is definitely a show you don’t want to miss. With musical precision, hard-hitting riffs, and superb vocal melodies, it’s sure to be a big year for the band. Be sure to catch Toothgrinder at a show near you, and make sure to follow Toothgrinder on social media to stay up-to-date with announcements, releases, and band updates.
