Himsa was an American metalcore band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1998, their band name is from the Sanskrit word himsa, which means "harm" or "violence".
The group released four full-length studio albums, two EPs and one DVD before their disbandment in 2008.
Loudwire compared them to Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive and Unearth.
History The band formed in 1998 and released an independent EP and full-length album in 1999 on Revelation Records. Before being signed to Prosthetic Records, the band released one more EP in 2001, which was also on Revelation.
2003 saw Himsa record and release their album Courting Tragedy and Disaster. Following the release of the album the band toured extensively throughout the US and other parts of the world. They spent the latter half of 2005 in Denmark, recording their follow-up album, Hail Horror.
In November 2006, Himsa announced that they have signed with Century Media Records.
On April 23, 2007, Himsa entered the studio to work on their new album, Summon in Thunder, which was released on September 18, 2007. This was their only studio album released on Century Media Records. This album added a more melodic death metal sound to the band.
In the summer of 2016 they reunited and played a few practice shows opening for other bands. They played under various names including Crushpile and Metalmucil. Their official reunion show was October 31, 2016, at El Corazon. They are set to play Northwest Terror Fest May 31 – June 2, 2018. The reunion lineup is all of the final lineup except Chad Davis on drums. John Pettibone has stated the band won't do any touring other than playing in the Seattle area.
Touring In early 2006, Himsa toured with Darkest Hour, The Acacia Strain, A Life Once Lost, and Dead to Fall. During November 2006, they toured Australia with Parkway Drive and Cry Murder.
Disbandment Himsa advertised that their August 16, 2008, at El Corazon in Seattle was to be their last show ever.
On June 20, 2008, bassist Derek Harn issued a statement as follows: "After 10+ years, four releases, countless tours and almost incomprehensible (yet constant) upheaval, the last three years of the band have been relatively stable. Having sacrificed everything we had in order to ensure the band's survival it's time to let it go. We made a great CD (Summon in Thunder/Century Media); reportedly, our best. We've got a great label. We're getting along, we've toured and we're fine. It's all good. We're leaving it at that."
Vocalist John Pettibone said that he will devote all his time to side bands such as The Vows and has said he is done with touring. Pettibone has since joined Seattle band Heiress, which has released a self-titled 7-inch and a split 7-inch with Narrows.
Band members
Current lineup Derek Harn – Bass (1998–2008, 2017–present) Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar (2000–2008, 2017–present) John Pettibone – Vocals (2000, 2000–2008, 2017–present) Josh 'Sammi Curr' Freer – Guitar (2003, 2005–2008, 2017–present) Chad Davis – Drums (2003–2007, 2017–present)
Former members Christian "Xtian" Schmitt – Vocals (1998–1999) Brian Johnson – Vocals, Guitar (1998–2000, 2000–2002) Henry – Guitar (1998–1999) Aaron Edge – Guitar (1998–1999) Mike Green – Drums (1998–2000) EJ Bastien – Guitar (1999–2000, 2000) Chris LaPointe – Vocals (2000) John Harnett – Drums (2000) Tim Mullen – Drums (2000–2003) Clay Layton – Keyboard, Samples (2000–2001) Matt Wicklund – Guitar (2003, 2003–2005) Joe Frothingham – Drums (2007–2008)
1998–1999 1999 1999 1999–2000Xtian – Vocals Brian Johnson – Guitar Aaron Edge – Guitar Henry – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Mike Green – DrumsXtian – Vocals Brian Johnson – Guitar Aaron Edge – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Mike Green – DrumsXtian – Vocals Brian Johnson – Guitar EJ Bastien – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Mike Green – DrumsBrian Johnson – Vocals, Guitar EJ Bastien – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Mike Green – Drums 2000 2000Asian Tour 2000 2000–2001John Pettibone – Vocals Brian Johnson – Guitar EJ Bastien – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Mike Green – DrumsChris LaPointe – Vocals Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Mike Green – DrumsJohn Pettibone – Vocals Brian Johnson – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar EJ Bastien – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Tim Mullen – DrumsJohn Pettibone – Vocals Brian Johnson – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Clay Layton – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Tim Mullen – Drums 2001–2002 2002–2003 2003 2003John Pettibone – Vocals Brian Johnson – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Tim Mullen – DrumsJohn Pettibone – Vocals Sammi Curr – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Tim Mullen – DrumsJohn Pettibone – Vocals Sammi Curr – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Matt Wicklund – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Chad Davis – DrumsJohn Pettibone – Vocals Sammi Curr – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Chad Davis – Drums 2003 2003–2005 2005–2007 2007–2008John Pettibone – Vocals Sammi Curr – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Chad Davis – DrumsJohn Pettibone – Vocals Matt Wicklund – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Chad Davis – DrumsJohn Pettibone – Vocals Sammi Curr – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Chad Davis – DrumsJohn Pettibone – Vocals Sammi Curr – Guitar Kirby Charles Johnson – Guitar Derek Harn – Bass Joe Frothingham – Drums
Timeline
Discography Studio albums Ground Breaking Ceremony (1999) Courting Tragedy and Disaster (2003) Hail Horror (2006) Summon in Thunder (2007)
EPs Himsa (1999) Death Is Infinite (2001)
DVDs You've Seen Too Much (2005)
References
External links