ARKAZA

Progressive Metal • United States

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Arkaza biography

Arkaza is a progressive metal band based in Richmond, Virginia. It began in March 2008 with Curtis Lewis and Brandon Barnes practicing out of an old garage. They developed melodies that could dynamically merge with a heavier sound. Between 2008 and 2014 they addressed a range of issues from finding viable practice space to improving their skills to realize their vision of the band. After several drummers had played with the project, Ralston Mims agreed to join in February 2014. He brought experience from several previous bands as well as a love for hard-hitting and dynamic music. The trio began writing new material, processing older ideas and started building toward a full-length concept album.

Zach Morton joined in 2015 followed by Aron De Simone that same year. Relatively new to the bass, Zach picked up the material quickly and focused on bringing a unique intonation to his sound. Aron wrote the bulk of the first album's lyrics and used his major in English to capture the emotion and imagery that the content demanded. In 2016 Kristin Partin Lewis stepped in for a vocal feature on one Arkaza track, which snowballed into her becoming an integral member later in the band's development (photography, social media and more). In 2016 Arkaza co-creator Brandon Barnes departed the band and after multiple auditions Rendell Gary emerged as the perfect fit for lead guitarist in 2017. Rendell's style added depths and dimensions to the music that no one could have accurately predicted (not even Ralston, who recruited him from a previous band).

Aron De Simone departed Arkaza in January 2019 and Kevin Finklea initially stepped in to substitute in for a show, but ended up serving in the lead vocal capacity for a time. After it was determined that Kevin was not the right fit for band in early 2020, the search commenced. Zach reached out to Caleb Brooks who was excited to engage with the band after hearing multiple released singles. In October 2020 Caleb was asked to join after only a brief period of audition. He was able to take the existing lyrics and melodies that had been crafted over the years and make them his own.

Having the final piece in place, Arkaza set out to make the album The Seven Year Plan (named in 2019) a reality. Arkaza's first full-length concept album / The Seven Year Plan / was released on May 1st, 2021 and Arkaza is excited for you to experience the sonic product of our journey.

-----Bio written by Arka...
Arkaza is a progressive metal band based in Richmond, Virginia. It began in March 2008 with Curtis Lewis and Brandon Barnes practicing out of an old garage. They developed melodies that could dynamically merge with a heavier sound. Between 2008 and 2014 they addressed a range of issues from finding viable practice space to improving their skills to realize their vision of the band. After several drummers had played with the project, Ralston Mims agreed to join in February 2014. He brought experience from several previous bands as well as a love for hard-hitting and dynamic music. The trio began writing new material, processing older ideas and started building toward a full-length concept album.

Zach Morton joined in 2015 followed by Aron De Simone that same year. Relatively new to the bass, Zach picked up the material quickly and focused on bringing a unique intonation to his sound. Aron wrote the bulk of the first album's lyrics and used his major in English to capture the emotion and imagery that the content demanded. In 2016 Kristin Partin Lewis stepped in for a vocal feature on one Arkaza track, which snowballed into her becoming an integral member later in the band's development (photography, social media and more). In 2016 Arkaza co-creator Brandon Barnes departed the band and after multiple auditions Rendell Gary emerged as the perfect fit for lead guitarist in 2017. Rendell's style added depths and dimensions to the music that no one could have accurately predicted (not even Ralston, who recruited him from a previous band).

Aron De Simone departed Arkaza in January 2019 and Kevin Finklea initially stepped in to substitute in for a show, but ended up serving in the lead vocal capacity for a time. After it was determined that Kevin was not the right fit for band in early 2020, the search commenced. Zach reached out to Caleb Brooks who was excited to engage with the band after hearing multiple released singles. In October 2020 Caleb was asked to join after only a brief period of audition. He was able to take the existing lyrics and melodies that had been crafted over the years and make them his own.

Having the final piece in place, Arkaza set out to make the album The Seven Year Plan (named in 2019) a reality. Arkaza's first full-length concept album / The Seven Year Plan / was released on May 1st, 2021 and Arkaza is excited for you to experience the sonic product of our journey.

-----Bio written by Arkaza (Change only with band's permission)-----

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