ArchMayhem

**ArchMayhem** are a American nu metal band formed in Boise, Idaho in 2000 by the former four members of Avenger along with lead vocalist Caleb Xyon. The band has seen tremendous success over the years.

## ArchMayhem

### Genres

Nu metal, Alternative metal, Shoegaze, Noise rock, Emo, Melodic hardcore

## Members

### Current members

Caleb Xyon, Kevin Lavee, Lexi Prince, Erik Palmer

### Past members

Brennan Wilkins, CJ Dylan, Adam Rylan, Grant Bushnell

## History

Avenger broke up due to creative differences in 1999. In 2000 the band saw Caleb Xyon performing vocals at a metal band open mic at a Boise, Idaho Discovery Zone (months before that location closed in June, now is a Subway/government owned Family Video) which they were impressed by his vocal range ranging from low walrus growls to high pitched shrieks and clean singing. With a lineup fully confirmed, ArchMayhem as they were now called recorded a 6 track extended play/demo called Death of the Y2K Fear which caught the eye of Christina England, the only representative from her mother's label Horse Lick Records who later signed the band. In late 2000 the band recorded their debut album, An American Tragedy which would release in 2001 which was received positively but sold poorly due to the 9/11 attacks. In 2002 the band opened for Hatbox for their USA tour. On July 19th 2003 the band released their sophomore album *Inner Circle* which was originally scheduled for release on May 30th but was deemed too threatening for Pixar due to the release of Finding Nemo. In 2004 the band donated $15,000,000 to The Owen Hart Foundation and donated $15,000,000 more to the National Autism Society of America. In 2005 the band got the honorary nickname of "The Heart and Soul of Heavy Metal". In 2007 the band released their third self-titled effort. In 2008 the band performed at the Grammy Awards which they also won for Album of the Year. In mid-2008 rumors were beginning to circulate on Myspace that the members were in the studio making a new album scheduled for release in 2009. These rumors were confirmed with their fourth album *Tyranny and Anarchy*. In 2010 the band went on tour with Damnation as the supporting act. In 2011 the band recorded their fifth effort. This album, 2012's Olympus was most successful in 2013 with the radio hit Violent Havoc. Olympus was the first album with female lead guitarist Lexi Prince as Adam Rylan would leave due to retiring from music. In 2014 the band was apart of Knotfest and the first Aftershock in 2014. In mid-2014 the band released a 9 song EP called Car Decals which was inspired by the My Little Pony fan short of the same name. In 2017 the band released their sixth album called *6IX*. In 2018 through 2019 the band went on tour with Spiritbox as the opening act. In 2022 the band released Smells Like Darkness, their seventh album. Also in 2022, Brennan Wilkins, CJ Dylan and Grant Bushnell quit the band due to Morgan Archer passing away saying in a Louder than Grunge interview "If she's gone, then we're gone". Kevin Lavee and Erik Palmer were Brennan and Grant's replacements while Caleb Xyon became the rhythm guitarist.

## Members

### Current

Caleb Xyon-lead vocals (2000-present) \*currently has 8 different Yamaha microphones\*, rhythm guitar (2022-present) \*plays a Gibson Cobalt Fade Firebird guitar with a Ibanez Tube Screamer Steel Panther 1987 Delay-Distortion pedal (Distortion side only)\*

Kevin Lavee-bass (2022-present) \*currently plays a Schecter Gloss Black Corsair Bass\*

Lexi Ryan-lead guitar (2012-present) \*currently plays a Jackson Dinky Cobalt Blue Crackle guitar with Ibanez Tube Screamer, BOSS Mega Distortion and Behringer Super Fuzz pedals\*

Erik Palmer-drums (2022-present) \*currently plays a 8 piece drum set by Pearl and Meinl\*

### Former

Adam Rylan-lead guitar (2000-2011) \*played a Ibanez Iceman guitar with EHX Big Muff pedal\*

Brennan Wilkins-bass (2000-2022) \*played a Gibson Thunderbird Ebony bass with Supersonic Gun Fuzz pedal\*

CJ Dylan-rhythm guitar (2000-2022) \*played a Charvel Pro-Mod DK CJ Dylan Signature Rainbow Bengal guitar with Boss Blues Driver, Digitech Grunge and Devi Ever Shoegazer Fuzz pedals\*

Grant Bushnell-drums (2000-present) \*played a double bass 9 piece drum set by Ludwig and ZBT\*

## Discography

*Death of the Y2K Fear (2000, EP/Demo)*

*An American Tragedy (2001)*

*Inner Circle (2003)*

*ArchMayhem (2007)*

*Tyranny and Anarchy (2009)*

*Olympus (2012)*

*Car Decals (2014, EP)*

*6IX (2017)*

*Smells Like Darkness (2022)*

## Musical Style and Influences

ArchMayhem are considered Nu metal, Alternative metal, Shoegaze, Noise rock, Emo and Melodic hardcore. According to Brennan Wilkins, bands such as Korn, Helmet, Lush, The Velvet Underground, Jawbreaker, Bad Religion, Machine Head, Pantera, Ride, Sonic Youth, The Promise Ring, Strike Anywhere, Zebrahead, Deftones, My Bloody Valentine, Lightning Bolt, American Football and NOFX are big influences on ArchMayhem. Other influences according to Brennan include Coal Chamber, Tool, Slowdive, Shellac, Mineral, Pennywise (band), Limp Bizkit, Type O Negative, The Verve, White Zombie, Sugarcult and Kid Dynamite.