Animus

Craig Vanderweide

Tony Morales

Joseph Moody

**Animus** is an American rock band formed in Dallas, Texas. They are perhaps best known for launching the career of founding vocalist, Ryan Cabrera, who left the band in 2002 to focus on his solo career. Despite this, the band continued on with their rhythm guitarist taking over on vocals. The band's bestselling album, 2003's *Cybernated*, has sold over 1 million copies worldwide.

## History

Animus was formed in 1999 under the name *Rubix Groove* by five high school friends, vocalist Ryan Cabrera, lead guitarist Chris Chapman, rhythm guitarist Erik Christensen, bassist Joseph Moody, and drummer Tony Morales. In 2000, the band came to the attention of Epic, who offered to sign them. When the band's new manager suggested they make their music and image a bit edgier, to capitalize on trends at the time, they changed their name to *Animus*.

The band's self-titled debut was released in 2001. Headlined by the singles *Don't Look Away* and *Inside of Me*, the album performed fairly well. Around this time, Cabrera began to pursue a solo career as a pop rock musician. "I didn't really like to write sad or angry stuff all of the time," he later recalled. "I prefer to write songs that are more upbeat." After the band concluded a tour across the Southwest, Cabrera announced his departure from the band, citing creative differences and to focus on his growing solo career. This seemed to be the right call, as he was signed to Atlantic shortly thereafter, and scored a top 20 hit with his song *On the Way Down*.

With Cabrera gone, the rest of the band decided to continue forwards, with Christensen taking up the position of lead vocalist as well as rhythm guitarist. The band's first album as a quartet, *Cybernated*, was released in 2003. This album proved to be a massive success, and three of it's singles (*Walk Away*, *Gravity* and *Truthful Lie*) managed to chart on the mainstream rock charts. The band toured across America in support of this album, and was ready to record a followup in 2005. Shortly before they were to begin work on this album, Moody departed the band due to personal issues. Just like before, Christensen took up the departed band member's role.

In 2006, the band released their third album, *Hollow*. Although the lead single, *Bullets*, performed decently on the charts, this album wasn't nearly as successful as it's predecessor. Nevertheless, the band would tour across the country, opening for various other acts until 2008, when they returned to the studio to record another album. By this point, the band had grown weary and were beginning to contemplate whether or not they should continue.

Eventually, though, they would release their fourth album, *Atmosphere*. This album was panned by critics, and received a lukewarm reception from fans. As such, the album produced no charting singles. With the band performing sporadically throughout the next two years, rumors of a breakup were running rampant until 2011, when the band confirmed that they would be going on an indefinite hiatus. For the next three years, the band members went their separate ways, and fans began to wonder when - or if - the band would return.

In 2014, it was revealed by Christensen that Animus would indeed be returning later that year, and that the band was already working on their next project. Chapman and Moody both declined to rejoin the band, so two new musicians - lead guitarist Blake Faulkner and bassist Craig Vanderweide - joined forces with the two original members to round out the new lineup. The band's first show after the reunion featured a guest appearance from Cabrera; his first time performing with the band in over 10 years.

In 2016, the band finally released their fifth album, *Breaking the Habit*. This album sold decently well, and scored two more hits for the band; *Nemesis* and *Bursting Out (Of My Skin)*. This album was also the band's first with their new label, Earache. The band continued to tour and play at festivals for the next few years. In 2019, the band announced that they were going to release their next album that summer. However, it was delayed to February of 2020. This album, *Black Sun Brotherhood*, is a concept album about a dystopian post-apocalyptic society. It was received positively, and a tour in support of the album was announced shortly thereafter. Like many other events, though, it was delayed until the following year due to the COVID pandemic.

## Members

### Current

Erik Christensen - lead vocals (2002-2011; 2014-); rhythm guitar (1999-2011; 2014-); bass (2005-2011)

Blake Faulkner - lead guitar, backing vocals (2014-)

Craig Vanderweide - bass, backing vocals (2014-)

Tony Morales - drums (1999-2011; 2014-)

### Former

Ryan Cabrera - lead vocals (1999-2002; 2014 [one-off guest appearance])

Chris Chapman - lead guitar, backing vocals (1999-2011)

Joseph Moody - bass, backing vocals (1999-2005)

### Touring members

Mason Bright - bass, backing vocals (2005-2008)

Holli Lucas - bass, backing vocals (2008-2011)

## Discography

*Animus* (2001)

*Cybernated* (2003)

*Hollow* (2006)

*Atmosphere* (2009)

*Breaking the Habit* (2016)

*Black Sun Brotherhood* (2020)