The Armed

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The Armed
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U. S.
Genres
Years active2009–present
Associated actsKurt Ballou
Websitewww.thearmed.com

The Armed (often iconized as ⋈) are an American anonymous hardcore punk collective formed in Detroit, Michigan in 2009.[1] They often feature guests including instrumentalists on their releases. These include Chris Pennie, Nick Yacyshyn, Ben Koller, and Urian Hackney.

History[]

Formation and These Are Lights (2009)[]

Most of the members of The Armed previously played in another band, Slicer Dicer, which, according to Tony Wolski, became The Armed.[2]

The Armed released their debut album These Are Lights, mixed by Kurt Ballou,[2] for free in 2009.[3] Wolski explained the album's free release in an interview with Thrash Hits: "Wanting people to actually hear the music made us give it away for free. We’ve all played in other bands for a while now, and whether it is good or not, it is undeniable that for the most part young people do not place the same sense of monetary value on recordings as they once did. People can argue about the ethics, but that is the fact. So you might as well try to adapt to that and control the situation on your own terms. Why let someone posting a horribly compressed torrent of your material dictate what most people are going to hear? Releasing it on our own allowed us to exercise some level of quality control. Also, we’re able to reach a lot further this way…for example, I doubt you guys would’ve heard our album if we were just shelling out half a dozen CDs at shows back in the States. And people actually hearing this stuff is by far the most important goal."[4]

EPs (2010–2013)[]

The Armed released their first EP Common Enemies, which featured a guest performance by Chris Pennie,[2] on 16 July 2010.[5] The Armed released their second EP Young & Beautiful on 11 October 2011.[6] The EP was mixed by Ballou and featured a guest performance by Pennie.[7] The Armed released their third EP Spreading Joy on 11 December 2012; Pennie performed on all the songs on the EP.[8] The Armed released a split EP with Tharsis They on 17 December 2013.[9]

Untitled (2015–2016)[]

The Armed released their second album Untitled on 23 June 2015.[10] The Armed went to "great lengths" to disguise who worked on what aspect of the new record with the exception of guest drummer Nick Yacyshyn and engineer Kurt Ballou.[11]

The Armed released their first live album Unanticipated on released 16 June 2016.[12]

Only Love (2018–2020)[]

On 27 April 2018 The Armed released Only Love, with Ben Koller providing drums.[13] Koller explained in an interview with Modern Drummer that he was only sort of familiar with the band and knew they were "mysterious and total weirdos." Koller was informed by Ballou that the band was recording a new album and would love for Koller to track drums for it. Koller has said the request was short notice, and that the recording would take place right in the middle of tracking drums for a new Converge album, which seemed "[like it would be] pretty stressful." However, Koller heard that Rob Trujillo would be playing bass on the album, which was "the selling point" to him. In fact, Trujillo was never involved in any capacity with the album. Koller was also told by fellow Converge bandmate and Only Love's producer Kurt Ballou that the demos he was sent for this album were Converge songs, spurring him to learn them. Koller went on to say "...essentially, I was conned into playing on this album. I was so taken aback by these weird tactics that I just went with it."[13]

The Armed contributed the song "Night City Aliens" to Cyberpunk 2077 under the pseudonym "Homeschool Dropouts".[14]

Ultrapop (2021-present)[]

In April 2021, The Armed released Ultrapop, their fourth full-length album. It received highly favourable reviews from critics, garnering "universal acclaim" according to review aggregator Metacritic;[15] Paste Magazine gave it a rating of 8.6/10,[16] and Pitchfork gave it 8.2/10.[17]

Musical style[]

The band have primarily been described as a hardcore punk,[13][18] as well as metalcore,[11] post-hardcore[19] and experimental hardcore.[1][13]

Members[]

The Armed has a central core of members while featuring a rotating line-up of collaborators.[11] The band has stated that the line-up is "ever-changing."[1] They have gone to lengths to misdirect, deceive, and toy with their audience when it comes to who is a member of the band.[20] To achieve this, the band has avoided printing names of its members,[1] had actors pretend to be members of the band[21] and toured in secret, often performing at open mic nights under fake names.[21] To promote their 2021 album Ultrapop, The Armed officially announced their lineup of the band for the first time but it is unknown whether or not the personnel listed are actually members of the band.[22]

Known contributors

  • Chris Pennie – drums on Spreading Joy (2012)
  • Nick Yacyshyn – drums on Untitled (2015)
  • Ben Koller – drums on Only Love (2018) and Ultrapop (2021)[22]
  • Urian Hackney - drums on Ultrapop (2021)[22]
  • Adam Vallely - guitar/vocals on Ultrapop (2021)[23]
  • Clark Huge - synthesizers on Ultrapop (2021)[24]
  • Dan Greene - guitar/vocals on Ultrapop (2021)[25]
  • Chris Slorach - guitar/vocals on Ultrapop (2021)[26]
  • Dan Stolarski - guitar/vocals on Ultrapop (2021)[27]
  • Johnni Randall - bass/vocals on Ultrapop (2021)[28]
  • Cara Drolshagen - vocals on Ultrapop (2021)[29]


Discography[]

Full lengths[]

List of studio albums
Title Album details
These Are Lights
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
Untitled
  • Released: 23 June 2015
  • Label: No Rest Until Ruin
  • Formats: Digital download, vinyl
Only Love
  • Released: 27 April 2018
  • Label: No Rest Until Ruin
  • Formats: Digital download, vinyl
Ultrapop
  • Released: 16 April 2021
  • Label: Sargent House
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, vinyl

Live albums[]

Title Album details
Unanticipated
  • Released: 17 June 2016
  • Label: No Rest Until Ruin
  • Formats: Digital download

Compilation albums[]

Title Album details Additional information
09-11[30]
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: self-released
  • Formats: Vinyl
 09-11 was limited to 100 copies and is a compilation of the band's previously released music from 2009 till 2011, this includes the band's debut These Are Lights and first two EPs Common Enemies and Young & Beautiful.

Extended plays[]

List of extended plays
Title Extended play details Additional information
Common Enemies
  • Released: 11 May 2010
  • Label: No Rest Until Ruin
  • Formats: Digital download, vinyl
Young & Beautiful
  • Released: 25 September 2011
  • Label: No Rest Until Ruin
  • Formats: Digital download
Spreading Joy
  • Released: 11 December 2012
  • Label: No Rest Until Ruin
  • Formats: Digital download, vinyl
The Armed / Tharsis They
  • Released: 17 December 2013
  • Label: No Rest Until Ruin
  • Formats: Digital download, vinyl
 Split EP with Tharsis They

Singles[]

Music videos[]

List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director
"Liar" 2010 Uncredited[34]
"Mujahoudini" N/A[35]
"No Rest Until Ruin" 2012 Dave Graw[36]
"Sterling Results" 2013 Uncredited[37]
"Forever Scum" 2015 The Armed[38]
"Paradise Day" Uncreditied[39]
"Polarizer" N/A[40]
"Future Drugs (Live)" 2016 N/A[41]
"Witness" 2018 Tony Wolski[42][43][44][45]
"Role Models"
"Nowhere to be Found"
"Heavily Lined"
"Ft. Frank Turner" 2019
"All Futures"[46] 2021

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "10 New Artists You Need to Know Now". Rolling Stone. 25 June 2015. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "MAKE 'ENEMIES' WITH THE ARMED | MetalSucks". MetalSucks. 27 August 2010. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  3. ^ "The Armed – These Are Lights". Invisible Oranges - The Metal Blog. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  4. ^ "The Armed: "We want the airwaves back"". Thrash Hits. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Common Enemies, by The Armed". The Armed. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Young & Beautiful, by The Armed". The Armed. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  7. ^ Kam, Chee. "THE ARMED Release New EP 'Young & Beautiful' for Free Download Online". puregrainaudio.com. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Spreading Joy, by The Armed". The Armed. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  9. ^ "The Armed / Tharsis They Split, by The Armed". The Armed. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Untitled, by The Armed". The Armed. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c Platt, Hugh (23 January 2016). "The Armed's untitled record was the best album of 2015". Medium. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Unanticipated, by The Armed". The Armed. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Ben Koller on the Armed's Only Love". Modern Drummer Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  14. ^ "CONVERGE, TOMB MOLD & THE ARMED Stream New Songs From Cyberpunk 2077". Metal Injection. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ^ "The Armed: Untitled Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Lavin, Will (6 June 2019). "The Armed troll Frank Turner with new single 'FT. FRANK TURNER', which features Frank Carter on the cover". NME. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Getting to Know The Armed, the Most Unknowable Band in Hardcore". Noisey. 14 June 2018. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "America's Most Unpredictable Band, The Armed, Are Back With Converge's Ben Koller Smashing The Drums!". Metal Injection. 15 February 2018. Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b c "The Armed Announce New Album Ultrapop". Metalsucks. Archived from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  23. ^ http://www.destroyexist.com/2021/02/the-armed-all-futures.html
  24. ^ http://www.destroyexist.com/2021/02/the-armed-all-futures.html
  25. ^ http://www.destroyexist.com/2021/02/the-armed-all-futures.html
  26. ^ http://www.destroyexist.com/2021/02/the-armed-all-futures.html
  27. ^ http://www.destroyexist.com/2021/02/the-armed-all-futures.html
  28. ^ http://www.destroyexist.com/2021/02/the-armed-all-futures.html
  29. ^ http://www.destroyexist.com/2021/02/the-armed-all-futures.html
  30. ^ "The Armed - 09-11". Discogs. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  31. ^ "THE ARMED Leave The Chaos and Provide "Luxury Themes" For Their Mind Blowing Latest Single". Metal Injection. 27 March 2018. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  32. ^ Listen to "All Futures" by The Armed, archived from the original on 4 February 2021, retrieved 6 February 2021
  33. ^ Yoo, Noah (2 March 2021). "Watch the Armed's Video for New Song "Average Death"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  34. ^ thearmed (30 August 2010), The Armed - "Liar", archived from the original on 20 November 2020, retrieved 4 October 2018
  35. ^ NoRest UntilRuin (28 June 2016), The Armed - Mujahoudini (Official Music Video), archived from the original on 10 November 2020, retrieved 4 October 2018
  36. ^ thearmed (6 December 2012), The Armed - "No Rest Until Ruin", archived from the original on 5 July 2020, retrieved 4 October 2018
  37. ^ thearmed (1 August 2013), The Armed - Sterling Results, archived from the original on 18 June 2020, retrieved 4 October 2018
  38. ^ thearmed (20 April 2015), The Armed - Forever Scum (4K), archived from the original on 4 July 2020, retrieved 4 October 2018
  39. ^ thearmed (23 June 2015), The Armed - Paradise Day, archived from the original on 5 January 2019, retrieved 4 October 2018
  40. ^ NoRest UntilRuin (14 May 2015), The Armed - Polarizer, archived from the original on 25 June 2020, retrieved 4 October 2018
  41. ^ thearmed (6 June 2016), The Armed - Future Drugs (LIVE), archived from the original on 19 December 2020, retrieved 4 October 2018
  42. ^ thearmed (15 February 2018), The Armed - Witness, archived from the original on 8 December 2018, retrieved 4 October 2018
  43. ^ thearmed (24 May 2018), The Armed - Nowhere to be Found, archived from the original on 6 September 2018, retrieved 4 October 2018
  44. ^ thearmed (15 November 2018), The Armed - Heavily Lined, archived from the original on 22 April 2021, retrieved 15 November 2018
  45. ^ Sargent House (6 June 2019), The Armed - FT. FRANK TURNER, archived from the original on 13 August 2019, retrieved 7 June 2019
  46. ^ Minsker, Evan. "The Armed Announce New Album ULTRAPOP, Share Song". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.


External links[]

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