American Heritage

American Heritage is a hardcore/metal band formed in 1997 in Chicago, Illinois, known for their hard-hitting blend of progressive sludge riffs. The band originally started as an instrumental group and was often categorized as art-metal until 2003 when they introduced vocals, marking a significant shift in their sound. This change coincided with lineup shifts, including Adam Norden moving from bass to guitar and stepping up as vocalist, which allowed them to create a more straightforward and vocal-driven approach, as heard on their record *Millenarian*. Throughout their career, they have been recognized for their intense and complex music style, and they shared a split 7-inch with Mastodon, highlighting their presence in the metal scene.

The band's lineup originally included Andrei Cabanban, Adam Norden, and Scott Shellhamer, with Shellhamer starting as the drummer. Over time, American Heritage became known for their evolving sound and strong live performances, carrying influence from the metal and hardcore scenes in Chicago and beyond. Their music combines heavy riffs with intricate progressions, making them a notable act within their genre.