Animals as Leaders
Instrumental progressive metal band from Washington D.C.
Animals as Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band from Washington D.C., formed in 2007 as a solo project by guitarist Tosin Abasi. Since 2012, the band has consisted of Tosin Abasi (lead guitar), Javier Reyes (rhythm guitar), and Matt Garstka (drums). They are a prominent band within the djent scene, known for their complex, genre-blending instrumental music and the absence of a bass player, replaced by two eight-string guitarists.
- origin
- Washington D.C., United States
- years_active
- 2007–present
- genre
- Instrumental progressive metal, djent
- label
- Prosthetic Records, Sumerian Records
- current_members
- Tosin Abasi, Javier Reyes, Matt Garstka
- notable_albums
- Animals as Leaders (2009), The Joy of Motion (2014), Parrhesia (2022)
Lore & Background
The band toured extensively in 2010, including the Summer Slaughter Tour, and later toured with Circa Survive, Dredg, and Underoath. In 2011, they released their second album, Weightless. Drummer Navene Koperweis left in March 2012, and Matt Garstka joined that month. The band's third album, The Joy of Motion, was released via Sumerian Records on March 25, 2014. Subsequent albums include The Madness of Many (2016) and Parrhesia (2022). In a February 2025 interview, Abasi said the band plans to begin pre-production of a new album. Animals as Leaders will support Steve Vai and Joe Satriani on their 2026 North American 'SATCHVAI' tour.
Reader's Guide
Animals as Leaders is significant for pioneering instrumental progressive metal within the djent scene, blending progressive rock, jazz fusion, funk, and electronica. Their use of two eight-string guitarists without a bass player created a distinctive, low-end-heavy sound. The band's technical proficiency and complex compositions have influenced modern metal and guitar playing. Their debut album, released on Prosthetic Records, established them as a key act in the genre. Subsequent albums like The Joy of Motion and Parrhesia expanded their reach, with singles such as 'Monomyth' being sampled by JPEGMafia. The band's longevity and continued touring, including support slots for guitar legends Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, underscore their legacy as a leading instrumental metal act.
Did You Know?
- The band's name was inspired by Daniel Quinn's 1992 novel Ishmael, which addresses anthropocentrism.
- Animals as Leaders has no bass player; the role is filled by two eight-string guitarists.
- Drummer Matt Garstka joined the band in March 2012 after Navene Koperweis left.
- The single 'Monomyth' was sampled by rapper JPEGMafia for the song 'END CREDITS!' on his album LP!.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Animals as Leaders?
Animals as Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band based in Washington D.C., originally launched in 2007 as a solo guitar project by Tosin Abasi before evolving into a full group.
Who are the members of Animals as Leaders?
The current three-piece lineup, in place since 2012, is Tosin Abasi on lead guitar, Javier Reyes on rhythm guitar, and Matt Garstka on drums.
Why don't Animals as Leaders have a bassist?
The band intentionally drops the traditional bass role and instead relies on two eight-string guitarists to cover the low-end frequencies, letting both players share the rhythmic and harmonic ground a bassist would normally occupy.
What albums has Animals as Leaders released?
Their studio catalog includes the self-titled debut (2009), The Joy of Motion (2014), and Parrhesia (2022), each pushing their genre-blending instrumental sound further.
What scene or genre is Animals as Leaders associated with?
They are widely regarded as a flagship act in the djent movement, known for fusing progressive metal with complex, multi-genre instrumental compositions and dense, polyrhythmic guitar work.
More in American progressive metal musical groups 1-24
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