After The — Burial Discography

djent movements. Their discography is a masterclass in blending inhuman technicality with massive, melodic hooks. Here is a breakdown of their evolution through the years: The Formative Years: Forge to Fable Forging a Future Self (2006): A raw, dual-vocal debut that showcased their technical ambitions. It leaned more toward melodic death metal but planted the seeds for their signature syncopated rhythms. Rareform (2008): This is the "Big Bang" for the band. With the arrival of the 8-string guitar, tracks like "Berzerker" and "Cursing Akhenaten" redefined what technical metal could be. It’s arguably one of the most influential albums in the modern djent era. Finding the Groove: Transition & Tragedy In Dreams (2010): A more melodic, experimental effort. It polarized some fans but proved the band could incorporate soaring leads and atmosphere without losing their bite. Wolves Within (2013): A return to relentless aggression. It felt like a refined version of

Report: After the Burial Discography – A Study in Evolution, Tragedy, and Technical Mastery 1. Introduction After the Burial (ATB) formed in 2005 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Emerging from the vibrant Twin Cities metal scene, the band—originally comprising guitarists Trent Hafdahl and Justin Lowe, vocalist Nick Wellner, drummer Dan Carle, and bassist Eric Jarrin—quickly distinguished themselves from their deathcore and metalcore peers. They did so by prioritizing intricate, polyrhythmic riffing, extended-range guitars (notably 7 and 8-string instruments), and a futuristic, almost electronic production aesthetic. Over nearly two decades, After the Burial’s discography charts a course from raw, unhinged aggression to polished, emotionally resonant technical metal. The band faced a catastrophic turning point in 2015 with the loss of founding guitarist Justin Lowe, yet their subsequent work stands as a powerful testament to resilience and brotherhood. This report analyzes each major release, tracing the evolution of their sound, lyrical themes, and technical contributions to modern heavy music. 2. Early Demos and Forging a Sound (2005–2006) Before formal studio albums, ATB released two demos that established their blueprint. The 2005 Demo and the 2006 Demo (sometimes referred to as This Life is a Test ) are raw artifacts. Even here, the hallmarks were present: downtuned, palm-muted syncopation, abrupt tempo shifts, and a relentless percussive attack from Dan Carle, one of metal’s most underrated drummers. These demos circulated on MySpace, earning the band a fervent local following and attracting the attention of Sumerian Records, the then-burgeoning label home to acts like The Faceless and Born of Osiris. 3. Forging a Future Self (EP, 2006) Before their debut LP, ATB released this standalone EP, which serves as a bridge between demo rawness and studio clarity.

Key Tracks: “The Forfeit,” “Fingers Like Daggers” Sound: The production, handled by guitarist Trent Hafdahl, is notably cleaner than the demos but still carries a live, unpolished energy. The band employs “thall” rhythms (a now-popular term for percussive, off-kilter chugs) before the aesthetic had a name. Significance: The EP’s title foreshadows a core theme of self-overcoming. The instrumental track “Ometh” (later re-recorded) first appears here, showcasing their melodic potential.

4. Rareform (2008) – The Blueprint Rareform is widely considered a landmark album in deathcore and progressive metalcore. It is the definitive statement of early After the Burial. This was also the first album to feature vocalist Anthony Notarmaso (ex-Ligeia), who replaced Nick Wellner. after the burial discography

Production: Mastered by Joel Wanasek, the sound is clinical yet crushing. The guitars are razor-sharp, the bass (often following the guitar in unison) is audible and punchy, and Dan Carle’s kick drums trigger with mechanical precision. Musical Highlights:

“Aspiration” : A masterclass in melodic sad-djent. The clean guitar intro gives way to a pummeling verse and a chorus of unexpected hopefulness. “Cursing Akhenaten” : Named after the Egyptian pharaoh, this track is a whirlwind of tempo changes and one of the earliest examples of the “thall” pause—a sudden, jarring silence before a crushing drop. “Rareform” (the title track): An instrumental that showcases Hafdahl and Lowe’s telepathic guitar harmonies and counter-rhythms.

Critical Reception: Rareform was hailed as a game-changer. It proved that deathcore could be intellectual without sacrificing brutality. The album has aged remarkably well; a 2019 re-recording (with improved mixing) brought it to a new generation. djent movements

5. In Dreams (2010) – The Leap into Atmosphere Following the tour cycle for Rareform , ATB signed with Sumerian Records and released In Dreams . This album saw the band expanding their sonic palette with cleaner production, more pronounced ambient synths, and a slightly slower, more groove-oriented approach.

Key Tracks: “Your Troubles Will Cease and Fortune Will Smile Upon You,” “Pendulum,” “To Carry You Away” Evolution:

The down-tuned chugs remain, but there is greater use of space and dynamics. The title track “In Dreams” features clean, melancholic guitar arpeggios that wouldn’t sound out of place on a post-rock record. Anthony Notarmaso began experimenting with clean singing (heavily processed) and a wider range of low-to-mid growls. It leaned more toward melodic death metal but

Critique: While some purists missed the frantic energy of Rareform , In Dreams is arguably their most atmospheric and emotionally nuanced record. “Pendulum” became a live staple due to its hypnotic, bouncing riff.

6. Wolves Within (2013) – Aggression Regained With Wolves Within , After the Burial responded to any notion that they had softened. This album is jagged, angry, and technically ferocious. It represents a perfect balance between the complexity of Rareform and the atmosphere of In Dreams .