Himsa

Himsa
Himsa
Origin	Seattle, Washington, United States
Genres	Metalcore, melodic death metal
Years active	1998–2008, 2017–present
Labels	Revelation, Prosthetic, Century Media
Past members	Personnel

Himsa was an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1998, their band name is from the Sanskrit word himsa, which means "harm" or "violence".^[1]

The group released four full-length studio albums, two EPs and one DVD before their disbandment in 2008.

History

The band formed in 1998 and released an independent EP and full-length album in 1999 on Revelation Records. Before being signed to Prosthetic Records, the band released one more EP in 2001, which was also on Revelation.^[1]

2003 saw Himsa record and release their album Courting Tragedy and Disaster.^[1] Following the release of the album the band toured extensively throughout the US and other parts of the world. They spent the latter half of 2005 in Denmark, recording their follow-up album, Hail Horror.^[2]

In November 2006, Himsa announced that they have signed with Century Media Records.^[3]

On April 23, 2007, Himsa entered the studio to work on their new album, Summon in Thunder, which was released on September 18, 2007.^[4]^[5] This was their only studio album released on Century Media Records. This album added a more melodic death metal sound to the band.

In the summer of 2016 they reunited and played a few practice shows opening for other bands. They played under various names including Crushpile and Metalmucil. Their official reunion show was October 31, 2016, at El Corazon. They are set to play Northwest Terror Fest May 31-June 2, 2018. The reunion lineup is all of the final lineup except Chad Davis on drums. John Pettibone has stated the band won't do any touring other than playing in the Seattle area.

Touring

In early 2006, Himsa toured with Darkest Hour, The Acacia Strain, A Life Once Lost, and Dead To Fall. During November 2006, Himsa toured Australia with Parkway Drive and Cry Murder.

Disbandment

Himsa advertised that their August 16, 2008, at El Corazon in Seattle was to be their last show ever.^[6]

On June 20, 2008, bassist Derek Harn issued a statement as follows: "After 10+ years, four releases, countless tours and almost incomprehensible (yet constant) upheaval, the last three years of the band have been relatively stable. Having sacrificed everything we had in order to ensure the band's survival it's time to let it go. We made a great CD (Summon in Thunder/Century Media); reportedly, our best. We've got a great label. We're getting along, we've toured and we're fine. It's all good. We're leaving it at that."^[6]

Vocalist John Pettibone said that he will devote all his time to side bands such as The Vows and has said he is done with touring. Pettibone has since joined Seattle band Heiress, which has released a self-titled 7-inch and a split 7-inch with Narrows.

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Himsa (1999)
Death Is Infinite (2001)

DVDs

You've Seen Too Much (2005)

Band members

Current lineup

Derek Harn - Bass (1998–2008, 2017–present)
Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar (2000–2008, 2017–present)
John Pettibone - Vocals (2000, 2000–2008, 2017–present)
Josh 'Sammi Curr' Freer - Guitar (2003, 2005–2008, 2017–present)
Chad Davis - Drums (2003–2007, 2017–present)

Former members

Xtian - Vocals (1998–1999)
Brian Johnson - Guitar (1998–2000, 2000–2002)
Henry - Guitar (1998–1999)
Aaron Edge - Guitar (1998–1999)
Mike Green - Drums (1998–2000)
EJ Bastien - Guitar (1999–2000, 2000)
Chris LaPointe - Vocals (2000)
John Harnett - Drums (2000)
Tim Mullen - Drums (2000–2003)
Clay Layton - Keyboard, Samples (2000–2001)
Matt Wicklund - Guitar (2003, 2003–2005)
Joe Frothingham - Drums (2007–2008)

1998–1999	1999	1999	1999–2000
Xtian - Vocals Brian Johnson - Guitar Aaron Edge - Guitar Henry - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Mike Green - Drums	Xtian - Vocals Brian Johnson - Guitar Aaron Edge - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Mike Green - Drums	Xtian - Vocals Brian Johnson - Guitar EJ Bastien - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Mike Green - Drums	Brian Johnson - Vocals, Guitar EJ Bastien - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Mike Green - Drums
2000	2000 Asian Tour	2000	2000–2001
John Pettibone - Vocals Brian Johnson - Guitar EJ Bastien - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Mike Green - Drums	Chris LaPointe - Vocals Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Mike Green - Drums	John Pettibone - Vocals Brian Johnson - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar EJ Bastien - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Tim Mullen - Drums	John Pettibone - Vocals Brian Johnson - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Clay Layton - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Tim Mullen - Drums
2001–2002	2002–2003	2003	2003
John Pettibone - Vocals Brian Johnson - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Tim Mullen - Drums	John Pettibone - Vocals Sammi Curr - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Tim Mullen - Drums	John Pettibone - Vocals Sammi Curr - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Matt Wicklund - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Chad Davis - Drums	John Pettibone - Vocals Sammi Curr - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Chad Davis - Drums
2003	2003–2005	2005–2007	2007–2008
John Pettibone - Vocals Sammi Curr - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Chad Davis - Drums	John Pettibone - Vocals Matt Wicklund - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Chad Davis - Drums	John Pettibone - Vocals Sammi Curr - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Chad Davis - Drums	John Pettibone - Vocals Sammi Curr - Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson - Guitar Derek Harn - Bass Joe Frothingham - Drums

Timeline

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Henderson, Alex. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
^ Wiggins, Kevin. "Matthew Wicklund (ex-Himsa) Interview". Rocknworld. Archived from the original on 22 February 2006. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
^ "HIMSA Sign Worldwide Deal With Century Media Records; Added To Third Annual Christmas Balls". BraveWords. 30 November 2006. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
^ "Himsa recording new album". Lambgoat. 30 April 2007. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Summon in Thunder - Himsa". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Himsa calls it quits". Lambgoat. 20 June 2008. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
^ "Ground Breaking Ceremony". Encyclopaedia Metallum. 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2024-05-11.