Animals as Leaders is the debut studio album by American instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. It was released on April 28, 2009 by Prosthetic Records. In 2015, a reissue titled Animals as Leaders – Encore Edition was released with bonus tracks.
Background
Before Animals as LeadersTosin Abasi was a member of metalcore band Reflux that had been disbanded.[1] Reflux's former record label Prosthetic Records saw Abasi's guitar work and asked him to create a solo album for them. Abasi initially declined, feeling such an endeavor would be "egotistical and unnecessary".[2] Afterwards, Abasi enrolled in the Atlanta Institute of Music which helped give him new creative ideas for music composition.[1] Abasi later changed his mind saying that "doing a solo album seemed to make a lot more sense", and decided to take the label's offer.[1] However, he did not want the project's new album to just represent the idea of one person.[3] Abasi's school experience aided him in developing ideas for the album. While at school he learned fundamental harmony, jazz playing standards, and improved on playing classical guitar.[4]
Composition, recording and production
Animals as Leaders was recorded in early 2008. Abasi recorded all guitar and bass tracks on the album; drums and various synthesized effects were programmed by engineerMisha Mansoor (Periphery, Haunted Shores).[2]
Abasi and Mansoor are credited for composing the music for all tracks on Animals as Leaders.[3] All twelve tracks on the album are guitar driven instrumentals that are intended to showcase Abasi's guitar skills.[3] Abasi uses techniques such as tremolo picking, sweep-picking, two-handed tapping, fingerpicking, and slapping throughout the album.[3]
The album was released on April 28, 2009 by Prosthetic Records,[7] and was met with positive reviews. It was also called "the 12th best album of 2009" by metalsucks.net[8]
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