Periphery

Periphery is a US progressive metal band active since 2005. It forms in Washington, D.C., and is associated with Bethesda, Maryland. Its sound sits across progressive metal, alternative metal, djent, metalcore, progressive metalcore, math metal and mathcore, and it runs as a group project rather than a solo act.

Formation and early development

Guitarist Misha Mansoor forms the band in 2005 and develops an early reputation online through regular posts and releases, including material under the Bulb name. He also builds a profile for self-production, working largely from a home computer and Pod XT during the band’s early period. Mansoor continues to move songs between Bulb and Periphery and remains involved in other musical projects.

Between 2005 and 2009, the band works with several vocalists, including Jake Veredika, Casey Sabol and Chris Barretto. Over this period the music shifts from a nu metal-influenced approach towards a more experimental style with an emphasis on production.

Line-up and membership

Periphery’s members include Travis Orbin, Alex Bois, Tom Murphy, Misha Mansoor, Casey Sabol, Jake Bowen, Chris Barretto, Matt Halpern, Spencer Sotelo, Mark Holcomb and Adam “Nolly” Getgood. Mansoor and Jake Bowen handle guitars and programming, Mark Holcomb joins on guitars, Spencer Sotelo provides lead vocals, Matt Halpern plays drums and percussion, and Getgood plays bass. Former members include Tom Murphy, Alex Bois, Chris Barretto, Travis Orbin, Casey Sabol and Jake Veredika.

Jake Veredika is an early vocalist, followed by Casey Sabol and Chris Barretto before Spencer Sotelo becomes the band’s singer in 2010. The split with Barretto is later described as not acrimonious. Barretto continues with Haunted Shores, a project with Mansoor and Mark Holcomb. Mansoor and Jake Bowen also perform electronic ambient music together in Four Seconds Ago.

Recordings and label activity

In 2009 the band announces a one-record deal with Sumerian Records for its debut full-length release. Its self-titled debut album, Periphery, appears in 2010 through Sumerian Records in the United States, Distort Records in Canada and Roadrunner Records in Australia and the rest of the world. The album reaches number 128 on the Billboard Top 200 and number 2 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.

The band later uses its own label, Periphery Band. It remains active from 2005 to the present.

Touring and wider context

Periphery tours extensively from 2008, supporting DevilDriver, Emmure, Veil of Maya, Animals as Leaders, God Forbid, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Fear Factory. The band also announces an Australian tour in support of The Dillinger Escape Plan around the time of the debut album cycle.