The Acaci Strain is an American deathcore band from Chicopee, Massachusetts, that formed in 2001 and are currently signed to Rise Records. The band has released six studio albums and one dvd; releasing their debut album, ...And Life Is Very Long, in 2001 followed by their sophomore album, 3750, on June 13, 2004. The band's third album, The Dead Walk, was released on June 13, 2006 and their fourth album, Continent, August 19, 2008. The band's fifth album, Wormwood, was released on July 20, 2010 and the band's sixth and latest album, Death Is the Only Mortal, released on October 9, 2012. On November 27, 2012, the band was involved in a rollover accident, which prevented them from touring with Veil of Maya thereafter.
History[]
Formation and Debut Album (2001 - 2004)[]
The Acacia Strain formed in 2001 by Vincent Bennett, Daniel Laskiewicz, Karrie Whitfield, Daniel Daponde, Christopher Daniele and Ben Abet. The band upon formation had incorporated the use of three guitarist, which would last until 2005. The band signed to Devil's Head Records in 2002 and released their debut album, ...And Life Is Very Long. Before the release of their debut album The Acacia Strain the band released a five track demo which featured their first version of the track, "All She Wrote".
In 2003 original bassist Karrie Whitfield left the band and was replaced by Jeanne Sagan who left later that year to join the metalcore band All That Remains.
In 2004 bassist Seth Coleman joined the band as Jeanne Sagan's replacement and drummer Ben Abert departed from the band. In his absence drummer Mark Callisto of Emmure began touring with the band.
3750 and The Dead Walk (2004 - 2006)[]
On July 13, 2004 the band released their sophomore album, 3750, which featured the band it's trademark sound and launched their careers attracting the attention of Prosthetic Records. The band released two music videos for the album one for "Smoke Ya Later" in 2004 and another for "3750" in 2006.
In 2005 the band's third guitarist Christopher Daniele left and the band found a replacement drummer; Kevin Boutot. The band would not find a permanent bassist till 2006 when Jack Strong joined the band.
The band released their third studio album, The Dead Walk on June 13, 2006 through Prosthetic Records. The band released one music video from the album for the song, "Angry Mob Justice" in 2006. After the release of the album guitarist Daniel Daponde departed from the band making a quartet.
Continent (2008 - 2010)[]
The band began recording their fourth album on April 13, 2008 with a release date for the album on August 19, 2008. The band released their fourth album titled Continent on August 19, 2008 and it debuted at No. 107 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart with first week sales of almost 5,600. Vocalist Vincent Bennett spoke to MTV News commenting on their fourth album as the band's "darkest" effort yet. The band released one music video from the album for the song, "Skynet" in 2009.
In December 2009, The Acacia Strain toured as direct support for Hatebreed as part of the Stillborn Fest alongside Crowbar, The Casualties, and Thy Will Be Done.
In 2009 touring drummer Mark Castillo left the band and continued his work with Emmure. David Sroka joined the band as a touring guitarist and guitarist Daniel Laskiewicz stopped touring with the band but continued to work on recording new music with the band.
Not long after being with The Acacia Strain Sroka left the band as a touring member and Mike Casavant replaced him. In 2010 Laskiewicz touring replacement was found when Antonio Diaz joined the band. Not much later the band made another touring member change when Casavant left the band and was replaced by Tim Cavallari.
The Most Known Unknown and Wormwood (2010 - 2012)[]
The band released a dvd containing the band playing live at the Palladium and the Waterfront. The dvd titled The Most Known Unknown was released on February 16, 2010.
The band released their fifth studio album, Wormwood on July 20, 2010 and the album reached #67 on the US Billboard Top 200 chart. Two music videos were made for the album one for the song, "The Hills Have Eyes" in 2010 and another one for "The Impaler" in 2011.
The band performed at Warped Tour 2011 on the Advent Clothing stage along with We Came As Romans, Set Your Goals, Winds of Plague, Miss May I and others.
Signing to Rise Records and Death Is the Only Mortal (2012 - present)[]
In April 17, 2012, it was announced that The Acacia Strain signed to Rise Records, announcing plans for a new album in October 2012.
On April 25, 2012, a new song, titled "Servant in the Place of Truth", was released digitally, and at the time was also in anticipation of their upcoming album, which will be released in the fall
On July 18, 2012, The Acacia Strain announced the title of their new upcoming album, Death is the Only Mortal. It is set for release on October 9, 2012.
On August 10, 2012, The band announced the track listing for Death is the Only Mortal and released the album art via their Facebook page. In it however, the single "Servant in the Place of Truth" is not listed on the album, as it could have been a pre-production track. Later on that day, guitarist Daniel Laskiewicz confirmed that it was just a single on its own.
On September 6, 2012, an official single off Death is the Only Mortal was released titled "Victims of the Cave" as a lyric video on Rise Records' YouTube channel.
On November 27, 2012, The Acacia Strain was involved in a rollover accident, which prevented them from touring with Veil of Maya thereafter.
Band Members[]
Current Members[]
- Vincent Bennett - lead vocals (2001 - present)
- Jack Strong - bass guitar and backing vocals (2006 - present)
- Kevin Boutot - drums and percussion (2005 - present)
Former Members[]
- Daniel Laskiewicz - lead guitar (2001 - 2009)
- Seth Coleman - bass guitar (2004 - 2006)
- Jeanne Sagan - bass guitar (2003)
- Karrie Whitfield - bass guitar (2001 - 2003)
- Daniel Daponde - rhythm guitar (2001 - 2006)
- Christopher Daniele - rhythm guitar (2001 - 2005)
- Ben Abert - drums and percussion (2001 - 2004)
Touring Members[]
- Antonio Diaz - lead guitar (2010 - present) and rhythm guiar (2012 - present)
- Tim Cavallari - rhythm guitar (2010 - 2012)
- Mike Casavant - rhythm guitar (2009 - 2010)
- David Sroka - rhythm guitar (2009)
- Mark Castillo - drums and percussion (2004 - 2009)
Studio Only[]
- Daniel Laskiewicz - lead guitar (2009 - present)
Discography[]
Studio Albums[]
- ...And Life Is Very Long (Devil's Head, 2002)
- 3750 (Prosthetic Records, July 13, 2004)
- The Dead Walk (Prosthetic Records, June 13, 2006)
- Continent (Prosthetic Records, August 19, 2008)
- Wormwood (Prosthetic Records, July 20, 2010)
- Death Is the Only Mortal (Rise Records, October 9, 2012)
DVD[]
- The Most Known Unknown (Prosthetic Records, February 16, 2010)