Erra (band)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Erra
Erra performing in 2018
Erra performing in 2018
Background information
OriginBirmingham, Alabama, U.S.
GenresProgressive metalcore
Years active2009–present
Labels
Members
  • Alex Ballew
  • Jesse Cash
  • J.T. Cavey
  • Conor Hesse
  • Clint Tustin
Past members
  • Adam Hicks
  • Garrison Lee
  • Alan Rigdon
  • Ian Eubanks
  • Sean Price

Erra (stylized as ERRA) is an American progressive metalcore band from Birmingham, Alabama, formed in 2009.[1][2][3] The band was named after the homonymous Akkadian god of war and plague. The band has released six studio albums and three EPs to date. Their latest album, titled Cure, was released on April 5, 2024.[4] They have toured with bands such as As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, TesseracT, Born of Osiris, Ice Nine Kills, Glass Cloud, Within the Ruins, Bad Omens, I See Stars, and Texas in July.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

History

Early years and Impulse (2009–2011)

Erra was formed in 2009 by high school friends Alex Ballew, Jesse Cash, Adam Hicks, Garrison Lee and Alan Rigdon in Birmingham, Alabama. The band wrote and self-released two EPs: a self-titled in 2009 and Andromeda in 2010. This gained the attention of Tragic Hero Records, which had signed them in 2011.[11] Later that year, the band released their first studio album Impulse and toured with bands such as Born of Osiris and Upon a Burning Body.

Augment and line-up changes (2012–2014)

In 2012, Adam Hicks left the band to pursue other career options and the band began writing their second studio album with Cash tracking both guitar and bass for the album.[12] Augment was released and gained the band considerably more attention from touring bands, and they began touring more extensively. Hicks was replaced by guitarist Sean Price, who was included in the "Hybrid Earth" music video. The band toured the following year to promote their second release. Vocalist Garrison Lee and guitarist Alan Rigdon announced their departure from the band in 2014 and left on good terms.[13]

Moments of Clarity and Drift (2014–2017)

Following the end of their record deal with Tragic Hero, Erra signed to

Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.[15] Throughout 2015, Erra opened up for bands such as August Burns Red on their Frozen Flame Tour and TesseracT on their 2015 Polaris album tour. In late 2015, Eubanks parted ways with the band, citing an impact on his health as the main reason.[16]

In 2016, vocalist J.T. Cavey, a former member of Texas in July, joined the band to replace Ian Eubanks's position.[17] Cavey and the band entered the studio and wrote and released their third studio album Drift. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.[15] The band toured on the Sumerian 10-year tour, along with Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, After the Burial and Bad Omens.[18] By the end of the year, bassist Conor Hesse was added full time as the band's new bassist.

Neon (2018–2019)

On June 12, 2018, the band issued the first single from their album Neon. The album was released on August 10, 2018, and is the band's third release on the label Sumerian Records, and the second album to feature J.T. Cavey on vocals. It peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200's Heatseekers Albums chart.[15] In September 2018, the band departed on tour with After the Burial and The Acacia Strain.[19]

On August 8, 2019, the band released a new single titled "Eye of God"; it was made available to

pre-save.[20] In August 2019, Erra went on the Neon/Alien tour through North America with Northlane, Crystal Lake and Currents.[21] On October 10, the band released their cover of Queens of the Stone Age's "You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire" on streaming music services.[22]

Self-titled fifth album (2020–2022)

On August 27, 2020, the band announced that they had parted ways with Sumerian Records and signed with UNFD, and they released a new single "Snowblood" along with a corresponding music video.[23][24] On November 19, the band released another single "House of Glass".[25][26]

On January 13, 2021, the band released the third single "Divisionary" along with an accompanying music video. That same day, the band revealed the tracklist, album's official artwork and announced that their new upcoming self-titled fifth studio album is set for release on March 19, 2021.[27][28] On February 3, one and a half months before the album's release, the band unveiled the fourth single, "Scorpion Hymn".[29][30] On March 11, the band released the fifth single, "Shadow Autonomous".[31][32] On September 10, just under six months after the album's original release, the band released an instrumental version of the album.[33][34]

On October 7, the band unveiled a new version of the song "Vanish Canvas" featuring Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox along with its music video.[35][36] On January 21, 2022, the band released the seventh single "Nigh to Silence" while also announcing the deluxe edition of the album which is set to be released on March 18. At the same time, the band officially revealed the album cover and the track list.[37][38] On February 23, one month before the release, the band released their cover of Muse's "Stockholm Syndrome" on streaming music services.[39][40] On March 28, the band announced that guitarist Sean Price departed from the band on good terms.[41]

On July 7, the band released a new single titled "Pull from the Ghost", shortly before the band's headlining tour throughout July and August of the same name with bands Alpha Wolf, Thornhill, and Invent Animate.[42] On December 1, Erra featured on PhaseOne's single "World Unknown".[43]

Cure (2023–present)

In March 2023, the band played a headlining tour in Europe with bands Silent Planet, Invent Animate and Sentinels. Following their European headline tour, the band entered the studio with Dan Braunstein to record new material.[44] The band would add Clint Tustin as the secondary guitarist to the band after touring with the band for a year. On August 16, the band released the first single "Pale Iris" and its corresponding music video.[45]

On February 1, 2024, Erra announced that their sixth studio album, Cure, would be released on April 5, 2024. At the same time, they released the title track and video for "Cure", whilst also revealing the album cover and the track list.[46] On February 22, the band unveiled the third single "Blue Reverie" along with an accompanying music video.[47] On March 14, one month before the album release, the band premiered the fourth single "Crawl Backwards Out of Heaven".[48]

Musical style and influences

The band has been referred to as "the spearhead of the whole modern/progressive metalcore movement"[49][1][2] and have referred to their own style as "melodic-ambient."[50]

They have cited August Burns Red, Misery Signals, Born of Osiris, and Saosin as musical influences.[50]

Members

Current

  • Alex Ballew – drums, percussion (2009–present)
  • Jesse Cash – guitars, clean vocals (2009–present); bass (2014–2016)
  • J.T. Cavey – lead vocals (2016–present)
  • Conor Hesse – bass (2016–present)
  • Clint Tustin – guitars (2023–present; touring member 2022–2023)

Touring

  • Trey Celaya – bass (2015)
  • Blakeley Townson – bass (2015–2016)
  • Dustin Davidson – guitars (2021)

Former

  • Adam Hicks – bass (2009–2012)
  • Garrison Lee – unclean vocals (2009–2014)
  • Alan Rigdon – guitars, backing vocals (2009–2014)
  • Ian Eubanks – unclean vocals (2014–2015)
  • Sean Price – guitars (2014–2022); bass (2012–2016)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details and peak chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[51]
US Heat
[15]
AUS
[52]
Impulse
Augment
  • Released: October 29, 2013
  • Label: Tragic Hero
  • Format: CD, digital download
117 1
Drift
  • Released: April 8, 2016
  • Label: Sumerian
  • Format: CD, digital download
101 1
Neon
  • Released: August 10, 2018
  • Label: Sumerian
  • Format: CD, digital download
152 1
Erra
  • Released: March 19, 2021
  • Label: UNFD
  • Format: CD, digital download
4 52
Cure
  • Released: April 5, 2024
  • Label: UNFD
  • Format: CD, digital download
91
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title EP details Peak chart positions
US Heat
[15]
Erra
  • Released: May 4, 2009
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Andromeda
  • Released: December 21, 2010
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, digital download
Moments of Clarity
  • Released: November 10, 2014
  • Label: Sumerian
  • Format: CD, digital download
4
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Singles

Title Year Album
"White Noise" 2011 Impulse
"Pulse" 2013 Augment
"Hybrid Earth"
"Dreamcatcher" 2014
Moments of Clarity
"Luminesce" 2016 Drift
"Drift"
"Orchid"
"Hourglass"
"Disarray" 2018 Neon
"Breach"
"Eye of God" 2019 Non-album singles
"You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire"
(Queens of the Stone Age cover)
"Snowblood" 2020 Erra
"House of Glass"
"Divisionary" 2021
"Scorpion Hymn"
"Shadow Autonomous"
"Vanish Canvas"
(New version; featuring Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox)
"Nigh to Silence" 2022
"Stockholm Syndrome"
(Muse cover)
"Pull from the Ghost" Non-album single
"Pale Iris" 2023 Cure
"Cure" 2024
"Blue Reverie"
"Crawl Backwards Out of Heaven"

As featured artist

Song Year Album
"World Unknown"[43]
(PhaseOne featuring Erra)
2022 Non-album single

References

  1. ^ a b "Erra | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 29, 2017. Precise and adventurous progressive metalcore from ambitious Alabama-based five-piece." ... " Erra are a progressive technical metalcore band from Birmingham, Alabama.
  2. ^ a b "REVIEW: ERRA – 'Augment' | Under the Gun Review". Under the Gun Review. Retrieved May 29, 2017. They are a five piece progressive metalcore outfit hailing from Birmingham, Alabama.
  3. ^ Mark Deming. "ERRA - Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Erra - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  5. ^ Tyler Sharp. "August Burns Red announce winter headlining tour with Miss May I, Northlane, Erra". Alternative Press. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  6. ^ Greg Kennelty (18 August 2015). "TESSERACT To Tour North America With THE CONTORTIONIST, ERRA And SKYHARBOR!". Metal Injection. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  7. ^ Robert Pasbani (22 December 2015). "BORN OF OSIRIS, VEIL OF MAYA, AFTER THE BURIAL Headline Sumerian 10 Year Tour, Dates Announced". Metal Injection. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  8. ^ Matt Crane. "Glass Cloud, Scale The Summit announce co-headlining tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  9. ^ Brian Kraus. "Born Of Osiris announce fall tour with Thy Art Is Murder, Betraying The Martyrs, Within The Ruins and Invent Animate". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  10. ^ "Texas in July U.S. headline tour announced". Equal Vision Records. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  11. ^ "Tragic Hero Records - Erra". Tragic Hero. Archived from the original on January 12, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  12. ^ "Erra part ways with bassist Adam Hicks". Got Djent. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  13. ^ "Alan Rigdon Leaves ERRA". New Transcendence. 30 April 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  14. ^ "Erra announces new lineup, records new EP". Lambgoat. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Erra Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  16. ^ "Erra to part ways with vocalist". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  17. ^ "Ex-Texas In July Frontman JT Cavey Joins ERRA, New Song "Luminesce" Available". ThePRP News. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  18. ^ "Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, After the Burial Headline Sumerian 10 Year Tour, Dates Announced". Metal Injection. 22 December 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  19. ^ "After The Burial and the Acacia Strain announce North American tour". Alternative Press. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  20. ^ "ERRA on Instagram: "Eye of God • pre-save now via the link in our bio"". Instagram. July 26, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  21. ^ "Northlane, ERRA, Currents & Crystal Lake Tour Rumored". The PRP. April 28, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  22. ^ "NEWS: ERRA cover 'You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar…' by Queens Of The Stone Age!". Dead Press!. October 12, 2019. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  23. ^ "ERRA Sign With UNFD Records, Debut "Snowblood" Music Video". ThePRP. August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  24. ^ "ERRA Sign to UNFD + Drop New Song 'Snowblood'". Wall of Sound. August 28, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  25. ^ "ERRA Premiere New Song "House Of Glass"". ThePRP. November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  26. ^ "Erra release new song 'House of Glass'". Distorted Sound. November 21, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  27. ^ "This Is Everything You Need To Know About ERRA's New Self-Titled Album". Rock Sound. January 13, 2021. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  28. ^ "ERRA Announce Album Release Date + Drop New Single 'Divisionary'". Wall of Sound. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  29. ^ "ERRA Premiere "Scorpion Hymn"". ThePRP. February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  30. ^ "ERRA Drop New Song 'Scorpion Hymn'". Wall of Sound. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  31. ^ "ERRA Premiere New Song "Shadow Autonomous"". ThePRP. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  32. ^ "NEWS: ERRA share new song, 'Shadow Autonomous'!". Dead Press!. March 11, 2021. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  33. ^ "ERRA Release Instrumental Version Of Their Self-Titled Album". ThePRP. September 9, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  34. ^ "News: ERRA Release Instrumental Version of 'Snowblind' Album with Tab Book". New Noise Magazine. September 14, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  35. ^ "ERRA Surprise Fans with New Version of 'Vanish Canvas' feat. Courtney LaPlante". Wall of Sound. October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  36. ^ "ERRA Premiere Updated Version Of "Vanish Canvas" Featuring Spiritbox's Courtney LaPlante". ThePRP. October 7, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  37. ^ "ERRA Announce Deluxe LP With Three Covers + Single 'Nigh to Silence'". Wall of Sound. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  38. ^ "ERRA Have Released A Brilliantly Exploratory New Track 'Nigh To Silence'". Rock Sound. January 21, 2022. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  39. ^ "ERRA Reveal Crushing Muse Cover 'Stockholm Syndrome,' Announce Deluxe Edition of Self-Titled Album". Loudwire. February 23, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  40. ^ "WATCH: ERRA Have Covered Muse's Classic 'Stockholm Syndrome'". Rock Sound. February 24, 2022. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  41. ^ "Erra guitarist Sean Price quits band". Lambgoat. March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  42. ^ "ERRA Premiere New Single "Pull From The Ghost"". theprp. July 6, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  43. ^ a b "Hear ERRA & PhaseOne Team Up On New Single "World Unknown"". ThePRP. December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  44. ^ @rachellereacts (May 5, 2023). "Erra in the studio with Dan Braunstein I repeat Erra in the studio with Dan Braunstein this is not a drill" (Tweet). Retrieved May 17, 2023 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Erra present official music video for new single, "Pale Iris"". Lambgoat. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  46. ^ "Erra Launch Music Video For "Cure", New Album Due In April". theprp. February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  47. ^ "Erra Premiere "Blue Reverie" Video". theprp. February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  48. ^ "ERRA Premiere "Crawl Backwards Out of Heaven"". theprp. March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  49. ^ "12 Reasons Why Metalcore Isn't Dying". www.itdjents.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  50. ^ a b Dodderidge, Tim (February 11, 2015). "Interview: Erra". Mind Equals Blown. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  51. ^ "Erra History". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  52. ^ Peaks in Australia:
    • Erra: "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 29 March 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1621. Australian Recording Industry Association. March 29, 2021. p. 6.
    • Cure: "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 15 April 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1780. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 15, 2024. p. 6.