Allegaeon

Allegaeon is an American melodic death metal band from Fort Collins, Colorado, founded in 2008. They have released one EP and three studio albums.

History
Allegaeon was formed in the early summer of 2008. They initially played small shows, at bars and houses in and around Fort Collins. In August 2008 they independently released a self-titled EP. Soon after, they signed with Metal Blade Records. In January 2010, Allegaeon entered the studio to record their debut album Fragments of Form and Function. The album was released in July 20 of 2010 through Metal Blade. In January 2012, Allegaeon went to Lambesis Studios in December 2011, in San Diego, California to record their second full-length album Formshifter. Formshifter was released May 8 of 2012 through Metal Blade. In 2013, founding guitarist Ryan Glisan collaborated on a project with Tim Lambesis, and left the band shortly thereafter. He was replaced by Michael Stancel. Their third full-length album, titled Elements of the Infinite, was released June 24 of 2014 through Metal Blade. The album has been heavily praised, with Gregory Heaney of allmusic calling it a "creative breakthrough" and praising "the dazzling guitar work" and "epic orchestral flourishes". In 2015, original vocalist Ezra Haynes departed Allegaeon, not citing a specific reason, though it is clear it wasn't because of internal band issues. Riley McShane was immediately selected to take over as vocalist, and has received a positive reaction from the fans. In June 2016, Allegaeon will release their fourth studio album, according to a response on Twitter.

Musical style and lyrical themes
Allegaeon plays an amalgamation of styles. They are often referred to as technical melodic death metal. They play death metal and incorporate melody and technicality without losing heaviness. They take influence from classical music, progressive metal and thrash metal as well. Lyrically, they deal with scientific themes, exploring things like the theory of evolution and biology, physics, cryonics, dyson spheres, the probability of alien life in the universe, and stem cell research. Allegaeon is also noted for their technicality, boasting some of the best musicians in the world. In fact, their earlier work was criticized for being almost too technical, but by the time "Elements of the Infinite" was released, critics noted a near-perfect balance of technicality and catchy songs.

Tours
Allegaeon has toured and played shows with other prominent bands, such as Job for a Cowboy, Darkest Hour and in 2014, they had their most intense touring schedule to date. In August, they embarked on a nationwide tour entitled "The Artery Metal Tour" supporting Chimaira and The Plot in You. Immediately after, in September 2014, Allegaeon played a string of shows directly supporting Arsis on the band's 10th Anniversary Tour. In 2015 they will toured with Product of Hate and play SXSW with Norma Jean. In 2015, Allegaeon co-headlined a large tour with Act of Defiance, a metal supergroup featuring members of Megadeth, including guitarist Chris Broderick.

Other projects
Former guitarist Ryan Glisan formed Pyrithion with Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying in 2013, and the band released one EP prior to Lambesis' subsequent incarceration. Glisan is now working with Wes Hauch, formerly of The Faceless. In addition, guitarist Greg Burgess concurrently performs in The Combustion Mechanism and Cryogen.

Band members

 * Current members
 * Greg Burgess – lead/rhythm guitar (2008–present)
 * Corey Archuleta – bass (2008–present)
 * Michael Stancel – lead/rhythm guitar (2013–present)
 * Brandon Park – drums (2013–present)
 * Riley McShane – vocals (2015–present)


 * Former members
 * Ezra Haynes – vocals (2008–2015)
 * Ryan Gilsan – rhythm guitar (2008–2013)
 * James Cummings – vocals
 * Mikey Papajohn – bass
 * Aaron Donoho – bass
 * Jordon Belfast – drums


 * Former live members
 * J.P. Andrande – drums (2011–2013)