Like a Butterly?

Uh, sure

As music evolves and things change, so too can change the name of a band.  I’m not talking about Prince, Snoop Dog/Lion/That Guy that Likes Gin and Juice (laid back), or Sean Combs StayPuft Daddy, I’m talking about when bands go through lineup changes or stylistic changes so much that they feel it’s necessary to recreate an identity.  In this segment, I will be discussing a few of these bands that have undergone such changes and perhaps even exploring the methodology behind those changes.

FESTERDAY/…AND OCEANS/HAVOC UNIT (FINLAND)

From death metal to symphonic black metal to industrial, this band underwent a lot of changes in sound.  …And Oceans is definitely my favorite incarnation of this band but I am also a decent fan of Havoc Unit.  I mostly enjoy the atmospheric effects of …And Oceans and their attention to intelligently crafted lyrical content.  The band was moving toward an industrial sound in the early 2000s and that’s probably what prompted the birth of Havoc Unit as a separate entity.  I’m curious to see what the future holds for this Finnish band.  Eight years since their last release but there’s bound to be one soon, right?

AT THE DRIVE-IN/THE MARS VOLTA (UNITED STATES)

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Cedric and Omar were the defining forces of both bands.  At the Drive-In was about to breakout and become extremely famous and the band was unable to continue.  Thank God, because I wasn’t really into their sound but the followup band The Mars Volta is fucking genius.  It took the best parts of At the Drive-In and made this stoner rock, progressive fusion that has yet to be duplicated.

A CANOROUS QUINTENT/THIS ENDING (SWEDEN)

This band didn’t change a whole lot as far as sound goes.  Their sound has become more polished and a little industrial in essence but death metal has been a consistent sound they have had from the beginning.  This Ending definitely has the edge due to stronger production quality and the speed of their music.

RHAPSODY/RHAPSODY OF FIRE (ITALY) not to be confused with LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY

Here is a band that hasn’t really changed a whole lot in sound but instead was forced to changed their name because of copyright issues.  The band could have been real shitty about it, but embraced the new name and kept their awesome guitarwork and singing present in the music.  Some people still retroactively call them Rhapsody in honor of their original name.  Kind of like how I will call Dragon Quest Dragon Warrior.

MIRRORTHRONE/UNHOLY MARTIMONY/WEEPING BIRTH (SWITZERLAND)

This one is unique as it is not technically part of my theme.  Basically, there is a dude in Switzerland named Vlad Cochet and he is the only person involved in making music for three different projects.  As each one if decisively different in sound, he felt it was appropriate to create a different name for each sound.  Thus we have this…even though it’s the same fucking guy.
Next week we’re getting a look at the new Borknagar album followed by a 70,000 Tons of Metal exclusive!