Animals as Leaders

Animals as Leaders

Animals as Leaders is an instrumental progressive metal group from Washington, D.C., formed by guitarist Tosin Abasi in 2007. The project begins after the breakup of Abasi’s previous band, Reflux, and after Prosthetic Records asks him to make a solo album following interest in his guitar work. Abasi initially declines the idea, but later accepts it when Reflux ends.

Formation and name

The name Animals as Leaders comes from Daniel Quinn’s 1992 novel Ishmael, which examines anthropocentrism. Abasi uses it as a reminder that people are essentially animals. The group is active from 2007 to the present.

Recording and releases

The debut album, Animals as Leaders, is recorded in early 2008 and released in April 2009 by Prosthetic Records. On that album, Abasi records all guitar and bass parts, while engineer Misha Mansoor programs the drums and other synthesised effects.

The second album, Weightless, is released in November 2011 and adds Javier Reyes on rhythm guitar and Navene Koperweis on drums. After touring for the album, Koperweis leaves the group and Matt Garstka takes over drum duties for later touring.

In late 2012 the group signs to Sumerian Records, which releases its next album in 2013. Misha Mansoor produces that album. The Madness of Many follows in 2016, and Parrhesia appears in 2022.

Members and instrumentation

The group’s listed members include Tosin Abasi, Javier Reyes and Matt Garstka, with Chebon Littlefield, Matt Halpern and Navene Koperweis also associated with the act. Abasi plays 7-, 8- and 9-string guitars, Reyes plays 7- and 8-string guitars, and Garstka plays drums.

Style

The group is associated with djent, experimental, instrumental and progressive metal.