ARSIS

Arsis was started by James Malone and Mike Van Dyne in 2000, who met while attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston. The band's main composer, singer/songwriter James Malone, wrote and performed all the guitar, vocal, and bass work on the first studio album A Celebration of Guilt. He has cited King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Racer X, Iron Maiden, Emperor, Morbid Angel, Death, Dimmu Borgir and Dissection as being influential to him. Mike Van Dyne performed drums on the band's first four releases up until early 2007, when he temporarily departed to complete his degree in the medical field. The band signed to Nuclear Blast around the same time and added Noah Martin, who performed bass on the United in Regret record, Ryan Knight, and Darren Cesca to their lineup to record We Are the Nightmare. Darren Cesca was let go in 2008. His dismissal was cited as to differences in musical direction among him and the other members of Arsis. He was replaced on tour by Alex Tomlin of Battlemaster and later by Shawn Priest. Noah Martin quit the band in the fall of 2008. He left the band to finish his college degree. In late 2008, Nick Cordle and David Kinkade joined the band for bass and drum duties, respectively. On December 21, 2008, Ryan Knight announced his departure from Arsis to join The Black Dahlia Murder. On March 18, 2009, James Malone issued a statement explaining and apologizing for recent tour cancellations and lineup changes citing personal reasons. Soon after, it was announced that original drummer Mike Van Dyne would return, although due to career commitments he may not participate on long tours. In July, 2009, it was announced that work was ongoing for their next record Starve for the Devil. In September, recording sessions began with Nathaniel Carter performing bass and production being handled again by Chris "Zeuss" Harris. The record is slated for release on January 15, 2010.