Leviathan are a Heavy Metal and Punk Rock band that were formed in New York City, New York in 2002 and played until 2005, and has recently reformed in 2008. During our time, we've played with Glenn Danzig, The Exploited, Nuclear Assault, Body Count, Jello Biafra, Clutch, Michale Graves, Deicide, The Misfits, Hirax, Hank III, Six Feet Under, and Testament, to name a few. While we were on the road, Caustic Truths Magazine named Leviathan alongside Sum 41 and The Hellacopters as one of the fifty "hardest touring bands in the USA" in 2004. By mixing traditional metal with punk, and paying attention to only our own rules in what we think sounds the way it should, our sound is unique with a heavy edge to it. Lyrically, the best made-up word to describe our content would be "sociopoliticaloccultism", a melding of social, political, and cultural issues.
Leviathan formed after lengthy auditions for a guitarist and drummer beginning in July 2001, and ending in March of 2002, since it was especially hard to organize a group after the September 11th attacks in New York. After practicing with Mike Otero and Danny Rivera for three months, the band decided to record a demo at Spike Recording with the help of engineer/producer Matt Chiravalle, who had worked with Kittie and Warren Zevon. This recording was released as their self-titled debut EP in August of 2002. The band donated 20% of the money made from this record to benefit the West Memphis Three defense fund, a truly great cause that deserves your support. Check out www.WM3.org for more info.
In late 2003, the Leviathan again began the recording process, this time at Smash Studios in New York City, with tensions from touring and monetary pressures running high. This recording was to be the band's only full-length record, titled "Internal Inferno", it was released at their performance at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas in March 2004, where the band opened for Alternative Tentacles Records, Jello Biafra's label.
The band lineup has seen some changes through the years, but Shane and Chris were always constant members, and now with Tommy Stubenvoll on guitar, there is a feeling by the band that a long-missing piece of the puzzle has at last been located.
One of the Leviathan's main marketing campaigns was done through old school concert posters, and were a very big part of their notoriety. These posters, illustrated by JayJay Jackson (Marvel Comics, Valiant Comics, Broadway Comics), still can be seen on online auction sites like Ebay, due to their limited number and collectability.
The band's label was the independent Judas Cradle Productions, founded by Shane Tierney, and later renamed to Seventh Level Records, which now features many unbelievably talented bands from the NY metropolitan area. Most recently, 7th Level Records, and Leviathan in particular had their material featured in the 2007 major motion picture "Reign Over Me" starring Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle.
In late 2007, Shane & Chris got back together, seeking not to rekindle the past as much as march forward with a new vision and new blood, but still keeping the history of Leviathan alive. With Tommy Stubenvoll on guitar, they are in the process of playing key showcase appearances, opening for AGENT ORANGE and THE MISFITS in 2008, while holding auditions for a full-time drummer. When the right person is found, a brand new, full length recording will be made, and released sometime in 2009, with an extensive tour to compliment the CD!
While Leviathan may be gone, the music is still available from Seventh Level Records, both on CD and on iTunes. Click the links below to listen & buy!
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