Animals As Leaders is an American instrumental band hailing from Washington, D.C., acclaimed for their innovative blend of progressive metal, jazz fusion, and djent. Formed in 2007 by virtuoso guitarist Tosin Abasi upon the dissolution of his previous band, Reflux, the project took off as a solo endeavor after Abasi was approached by Prosthetic Records to create a solo album. The resulting self-titled debut, "Animals as Leaders," released in 2009, served as a foundational cornerstone for the modern progressive metal movement, showcasing Abasi's complex guitar techniques and compositional prowess.

Over time, Animals As Leaders evolved into a formidable trio with the addition of guitarist Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka, propelling the band to new creative heights. Their subsequent albums, including "Weightless" (2011), "The Joy of Motion" (2014), and "The Madness of Many" (2016), saw the band push the boundaries of instrumental music, gathering critical and fan acclaim for their technical mastery and dynamic songwriting. Known for their energetic live performances, the band also released "Animals As Leaders Live 2017," capturing their onstage prowess. In 2022, the band's highly anticipated album "Parrhesia" further showcased their dedication to musical evolution and technical refinement, featuring standout tracks such as "Gordian Naught" and "Monomyth," which continue to expand the lexicon of progressive metal for audiences worldwide.

Genres

Djent

Instrumental Djent

Instrumental Rock

Jazz Metal

Progressive Jazz Fusion

Progressive Metal

Related Artists

Plini

Polyphia

Intervals

TesseracT

Chon

Between The Buried And Me

Scale The Summit

The Contortionist

Meshuggah

ERRA

Born Of Osiris

Veil Of Maya

Latest Release

Parrhesia

Animals As Leaders

Album - 9 Tracks - Released March 25, 2022