Periphery is considered to be a leader in the metal subgenre djent. The group’s music is defined by its futuristic, often heavy sound, which incorporates intense melodies and polyrhythmic patterns within the guitar riffs.
The band was formed by Misha Mansoor in 2005, but the group has seen many line up changes over the last decade. Mansoor had found early internet fame due to his Soundclick account which he kept constantly populated with his music and various projects. Mansoor’s internet following certainly helped give the band the boost it needed and aided in forming the group’s earliest fan base.
Periphery has been associated with various record labels including Sumerian, Distort, Roadrunner and Century Media. The band has released all of its studio albums through the Sumerian and Century Media labels.
The group’s debut offering, “Periphery”, was released in 2010 and peaked at number 128 on the US Billboard 200 chart but got to number two on the US Heatseekers Chart. This early buzz was bolstered by Periphery’s extensive tour around North America and Europe where they played alongside TesseracT and Monuments.
In 2012 the band unleashed their second studio album, “Periphery II: This Time It's Personal”. This album bested it’s predecessor by hitting the number 44 spot on the US Billboard 200 chart, giving the band their first top 50 hit. “Periphery II: This Time It's Personal” also peaked at number six on the US Indie chart.
Always excited to experiment and push boundaries, the band released the EP “Clear” in 2014. The release generated a lot of buzz and excitement from fans due to its unique format: each track from the EP was assigned to one individual band member who took on the role of creative director for that track. The 30 minute EP certainly demonstrated each member of the band’s immense talent and integrity.
In addition to “Clear” Periphery has been working on a concept album called “Juggernaut”. The band has steadily been building anticipation for the work over the years and fans know that once it drops, it will almost certainly be an epic aural event.
No exaggeration, progressive djent metal pioneers Periphery are one of the most incredible live acts you could ever hope to witness. Having seen this powerhouse of raw, riff-driven talent a few times in the last few years, I can attest that however epic their thrusting basslines, intricate guitar-weaving and singer Spencer Sotelo’s chill-inducing mix of clean vocals and throat-aching screams sound on their albums, it is even more amazing live. Every time I’ve seen the Maryland-based six-piece, I’ve been blown away by their polyrhythmic prowess, and at just how talented and inventive each member is- true masters of their respective instruments. The band was first formed by musical maverick Misha Mansoor back in the Myspace days of the early 2000s, and has since then (with a few line-up changes in between) spawned into the creativity-fuelled, thrashy, intricate, incredibly progressive metal band of today. Periphery’s self-titled debut in 2010 made the band a success, with hauntingly heavy singles like ‘Icarus Lives’ and ‘Jetpacks Was Yes!’. Their follow-up ‘Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal’, only skyrocketed them further, with tracks like ‘Scarlet’, ‘Ragnarok’ and my personal favourite, ‘Mile Zero’, all of which take the listener on a journey of epic proportions. Their music is so intricately melodic, while at the same time being as hard-hitting as a sledgehammer on steroids, which translates into awesome albums and even better live shows. If you have a rock or metal-loving bone in your body, do not miss the chance to see these guys live!