SHVPES

SHVPES are a Birmingham, United Kingdom band active from 2009 to 2020. They begin in late 2009 under the name Cytota, with a line-up of singer Joby Fitzgerald, bassist Oliver Pike, drummer Harry Jennings, and guitarists Ryan Hamilton and Youssef Ashraf. In that earlier form, the group plays a mix of post-hardcore and metalcore and releases an EP in 2012.

Style and development

The band later shifts from a metalcore base towards a heavier alternative rock sound with post-hardcore, nu metal, hip hop, and alternative metal influences. Their material also includes sections of rapping and DJ-style record scratching. SHVPES are described as mixing post-hardcore with elements of nu metal and hip hop.

Name change and line-up

In 2014, Fitzgerald leaves and Griffin Dickinson joins as vocalist. After this change, the band adopts the name SHVPES. The line-up also changes when Oliver Pike leaves and Grant Leo Knight takes his place. The members associated with the group are Youssef Ashraf, Griffin Dickinson, Ryan Hamilton, Harry Jennings, and Grant Leo Knight.

Releases

As SHVPES, the band starts releasing singles with “Shapes” in 2015. Their debut full-length album, Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair., arrives in 2016 and marks the point where their sound moves further towards aggressive alternative hard rock with hip hop touches. A second album, Greater Than, follows in 2018. The band is associated with Spinefarm Records.

End of activity

SHVPES tour in Europe and the United States before ending activity in 2020.