B A T T L E F I E L D S
Bio / Discography / Information
Members::
Rusty Steele :: Vocals
Rob Schmidt :: Percussion
Mathew Ricigliano :: Guitar
James Kreags :: Guitar
Dan Jansen :: Bass
*Casey Loren :: Bass
((touring bassist))
Past Contributors::
Andrew Wallin
((original guitarist, writing))
Ryan Cofer
((bass, Strong Like Bear))
Dylan Desmond
((bass, Samothrace))
Zander Ness
((bass, Host))
Erik Torkelson
((bass, Examantion of the...))
Rusty Steele :: Vocals
Rob Schmidt :: Percussion
Mathew Ricigliano :: Guitar
James Kreags :: Guitar
Dan Jansen :: Bass
*Casey Loren :: Bass
((touring bassist))
Past Contributors::
Andrew Wallin
((original guitarist, writing))
Ryan Cofer
((bass, Strong Like Bear))
Dylan Desmond
((bass, Samothrace))
Zander Ness
((bass, Host))
Erik Torkelson
((bass, Examantion of the...))
2005 - Present
The band was formed in 2006 by Rusty Steele (Dispensing of False Halos), Rob Schmidt, Andrew Wallin, Matt Ricigliano and with an open door to contributing guest bassist, Dylan Desmond (Samothrace/Lethe), Ryan Cofer (Strong Like Bear), Zander Ness(Høst), Erik Torkleson (examination of the…) and current touring bassist Casey Loren (Ricky Fitts) and finally a solid bassist to help us write and play local shows. Battlefields play a mixture of dark ambient metal, post-hardcore and sludge. Critically claimed to be at the “top of the tier in the genre”.
Battlefields have been touring relentlessly since 2006 and accruing massive accolades for their brutally honest music and astounding live performances and their two previous records, both released on indie label Init Records. BATTLEFIELDS have definitely stepped up to the plate and created an instant classic in “Thresholds of Imbalance” that encompasses a new direction in extreme and epic mind-expansive music.
BATTLEFIELDS’ Translation Loss debut “Thresholds Of Imbalance” was recorded at The Devil’s Workshop in Minnesota with drummer and engineer Rob Schmidt and was mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance Audio (Torche, Jesu, Battle of Mice) with art direction and concepts by Paul Romano for Workhardened.com (Mastodon, Godflesh, Dead to Fall).
On top of sharing the stage with the likes of Red Sparowes, Wolves in the Throne Room, Tombs, Minsk, Kylesa, Pelican, Baroness, A Storm of Light, High on Fire, Akimbo, Cephalic Carnage, Planes Mistaken for Stars, Big Business, Russian Circles, Coliseum, Genghis Tron, This Will Destroy You and Murder by Death, as well as, toured extensively with Rosetta, Irepress, Amen Ra, Across Tundra, Overmars, Across Tundras, Adai, Junius, Lye by Mistake, City of Ships they have also appeared the last three years at SXSW playing highly successful showcases. Battlefields not only have toured the U.S. in its entirety on several occasions, they have also toured in the U.K. and Europe.
The band was formed in 2006 by Rusty Steele (Dispensing of False Halos), Rob Schmidt, Andrew Wallin, Matt Ricigliano and with an open door to contributing guest bassist, Dylan Desmond (Samothrace/Lethe), Ryan Cofer (Strong Like Bear), Zander Ness(Høst), Erik Torkleson (examination of the…) and current touring bassist Casey Loren (Ricky Fitts) and finally a solid bassist to help us write and play local shows. Battlefields play a mixture of dark ambient metal, post-hardcore and sludge. Critically claimed to be at the “top of the tier in the genre”.
Battlefields have been touring relentlessly since 2006 and accruing massive accolades for their brutally honest music and astounding live performances and their two previous records, both released on indie label Init Records. BATTLEFIELDS have definitely stepped up to the plate and created an instant classic in “Thresholds of Imbalance” that encompasses a new direction in extreme and epic mind-expansive music.
BATTLEFIELDS’ Translation Loss debut “Thresholds Of Imbalance” was recorded at The Devil’s Workshop in Minnesota with drummer and engineer Rob Schmidt and was mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance Audio (Torche, Jesu, Battle of Mice) with art direction and concepts by Paul Romano for Workhardened.com (Mastodon, Godflesh, Dead to Fall).
On top of sharing the stage with the likes of Red Sparowes, Wolves in the Throne Room, Tombs, Minsk, Kylesa, Pelican, Baroness, A Storm of Light, High on Fire, Akimbo, Cephalic Carnage, Planes Mistaken for Stars, Big Business, Russian Circles, Coliseum, Genghis Tron, This Will Destroy You and Murder by Death, as well as, toured extensively with Rosetta, Irepress, Amen Ra, Across Tundra, Overmars, Across Tundras, Adai, Junius, Lye by Mistake, City of Ships they have also appeared the last three years at SXSW playing highly successful showcases. Battlefields not only have toured the U.S. in its entirety on several occasions, they have also toured in the U.K. and Europe.
Discography:
4 Song Debut EP
INIT RECORDS
2006
Artwork:
Josh Graham
ORDER HERE
INIT RECORDS
2006
Artwork:
Josh Graham
ORDER HERE
5 Song Debut LP
*Bonus Track
SAW HER GHOST REC
2007
Artwork:
Josh Graham
ORDER HERE
*Bonus Track
SAW HER GHOST REC
2007
Artwork:
Josh Graham
ORDER HERE
1 Song / 1-Sided LP
Screen Printed Covers
Limited to 300
INIT RECORDS
2007
Artwork:
Heath Rave
ORDER HERE
Screen Printed Covers
Limited to 300
INIT RECORDS
2007
Artwork:
Heath Rave
ORDER HERE
1 Song / Clear Fan Disc
Limit to 500
INIT RECORDS
2006
Artwork:
A. Crashaw
*SOLD OUT
Limit to 500
INIT RECORDS
2006
Artwork:
A. Crashaw
*SOLD OUT
9 Song Full Length CD
TRANSLATION LOSS REC.
2009
Artwork:
Paul Romano
ORDER HERE
TRANSLATION LOSS REC.
2009
Artwork:
Paul Romano
ORDER HERE
9 Song / Double LP
MANIYAX REC (europe)
2010
ORDER HERE
MANIYAX REC (europe)
2010
ORDER HERE
Reviews:
Punknews.org:
"Even when quiet, there is rage.
Building, festering, slowly approaching the inevitable crescendo which will cause everything to come crashing down. Those more reserved moments aren't so much a reprieve as an opportunity to brace yourself for the coming onslaught; pounding drums and riffs so heavy they could bring down a building are never very far behind.
The loud/soft dynamic done so well by bands like Buried Inside, Angel Eyes, and the Minor Times is what helps elevate Stained with the Blood of an Empire to a much more revered status, as the flow that these four tracks ride on is one defined by unexpected action. The songs course through such a path that anticipation is impossible, leaving tracks like "Tides Up the Crescent City" in a place that requires attention to each drum pattern, each riff, each bass bridge.
There's no telling when this four-piece will combust into a cathartic musical explosion, and often there's instances where it seems for a few minutes that they're on the cusp, only to have the chord progressions peak and louden just a little bit more. That tactic is worked to perfection in the aforementioned track, as the first five minutes is spent in a tense pattern of increasing the volume as much as possible without hitting the edge, until finally the Circle Takes the Square-esque screams enter the fray and create a storm of passion only quelled by the crashing cymbals behind it. Singer and guitarist Andrew Wallin is able to build off his bandmates and adjust his vocal patterns to whatever is being played; no matter how loud or soft, no matter how fast or slow, he matches and intensifies the rhythm to create an even more chaotic situation than was present before.
MORE REVIEWS HERE
Punknews.org:
"Even when quiet, there is rage.
Building, festering, slowly approaching the inevitable crescendo which will cause everything to come crashing down. Those more reserved moments aren't so much a reprieve as an opportunity to brace yourself for the coming onslaught; pounding drums and riffs so heavy they could bring down a building are never very far behind.
The loud/soft dynamic done so well by bands like Buried Inside, Angel Eyes, and the Minor Times is what helps elevate Stained with the Blood of an Empire to a much more revered status, as the flow that these four tracks ride on is one defined by unexpected action. The songs course through such a path that anticipation is impossible, leaving tracks like "Tides Up the Crescent City" in a place that requires attention to each drum pattern, each riff, each bass bridge.
There's no telling when this four-piece will combust into a cathartic musical explosion, and often there's instances where it seems for a few minutes that they're on the cusp, only to have the chord progressions peak and louden just a little bit more. That tactic is worked to perfection in the aforementioned track, as the first five minutes is spent in a tense pattern of increasing the volume as much as possible without hitting the edge, until finally the Circle Takes the Square-esque screams enter the fray and create a storm of passion only quelled by the crashing cymbals behind it. Singer and guitarist Andrew Wallin is able to build off his bandmates and adjust his vocal patterns to whatever is being played; no matter how loud or soft, no matter how fast or slow, he matches and intensifies the rhythm to create an even more chaotic situation than was present before.
MORE REVIEWS HERE