After The Burial

Band History

After the Burial is an American metal band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 2004. Over nearly two decades, they have released six studio albums and helped shape modern metal through their technical approach to songwriting and innovative use of extended-range guitars. The band records with Sumerian Records, where they have released five of their six full-length albums.

Formation and Early Years (2004-2007)

After the Burial began when high school friends Nick Wellner, Trent Hafdahl, Justin Lowe, and Greg Erickson united over their shared interest in heavy music. The initial lineup wasn’t complete until they found bassist Lee Foral through a Twin Cities hardcore message board. Before Foral joined, Dave Coleman briefly filled in on bass while they searched for a permanent member.

The band spent their early days developing their sound and building a following in the Minneapolis metal scene. Their technical proficiency and innovative approach to songwriting quickly set them apart from their contemporaries. This culminated in the recording of their debut album “Forging a Future Self” in late 2005.

Released on March 1, 2006, “Forging a Future Self” showcased the band’s early sound, combining technical metal with hardcore elements. While Corrosive Records handled the album’s distribution, no official record deal existed between the band and label. This independence allowed the band creative control but limited their promotional reach.

Rise to Recognition (2008-2009)

The year 2007 brought significant changes to After the Burial’s lineup. Original members Greg Erickson (drums) and Nick Wellner (vocals) departed the band. Grant Luoma, previously of the local act Nostalia, took over vocal duties, while Eric Robles stepped in as drummer. These changes coincided with the band signing to Sumerian Records, marking their first official label partnership.

The recording of their second album “Rareform” in 2008 presented unique challenges. With no permanent drummer at the time, rhythm guitarist Justin Lowe handled all drum programming. Lead guitarist Trent Hafdahl took on lyric writing responsibilities due to limited input from then-vocalist Luoma. Despite these obstacles, the album represented a significant step forward in the band’s sound.

Shortly after “Rareform’s” release, more lineup changes followed. Anthony Notarmaso replaced Luoma as vocalist, and Dan Carle, also formerly of Nostalia, joined as permanent drummer. This lineup proved more stable, and the band made the decision to re-record “Rareform” with Notarmaso’s vocals, releasing this version in September 2009. The re-release included bonus content, featuring footage from a sold-out concert.

Growth and Development (2010-2014)

After the Burial’s third album “In Dreams” arrived in late 2010, continuing their evolution. The band supported this release with extensive touring, including The December Decimation Tour with Winds of Plague and their own headlining run on the Crush Em’ All Tour 2 in 2011. During this period, they also released an extended mix of their song “Pi (The Mercury God of Infinity).”

In 2013, the band celebrated the seventh anniversary of “Forging a Future Self” by releasing “This Life Is All We Have,” an EP featuring re-recorded versions of three songs from their debut: “A Steady Decline,” “Fingers Like Daggers,” and “Redeeming the Wretched.” These tracks featured current vocalist Anthony Notarmaso, offering fans a fresh take on the band’s early material.

Later that year, After the Burial began previewing new material at live shows, including songs “A Wolf Amongst Ravens” and “Anti-Pattern.” These songs would appear on their fourth full-length album “Wolves Within,” released in December 2013. The album’s release coincided with the band re-signing to Sumerian Records, solidifying their relationship with the label.

Tragedy and Perseverance (2015-2016)

The band faced its greatest challenge in 2015. On June 24, founding guitarist Justin Lowe posted a lengthy statement on social media announcing his departure from the band. The post, described by media outlets as “barely-coherent,” included accusations against the band, their record label, and others in his life. The next day, After the Burial responded with a statement confirming Lowe was experiencing severe mental health issues and requesting fan support during his recovery.

Tragedy struck when Lowe was reported missing on July 20, 2015. The following day, a hiker found his body beneath the Soo Line High Bridge. His car was discovered on the Minnesota side of the bridge. Authorities determined his death was consistent with a fall, though the circumstances remain unclear. Lowe was 32 years old.

The band canceled their planned appearances on the Summer Slaughter tour to process this loss. They returned to performing later that year, releasing the track “Lost in the Static” in October. Their fifth album “Dig Deep” followed in February 2016, marking their first release without Lowe.

Recent Years (2016-Present)

More changes came in June 2016 when bassist Lee Foral announced his departure to focus on family life. After touring with the band throughout 2016, Adrian Oropeza officially joined as permanent bassist in December. This lineup has remained stable since.

The band’s sixth album “Evergreen” arrived in April 2019, supported by tours with Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage, and As I Lay Dying. They continued touring through 2021, supporting The Black Dahlia Murder on their “Up From the Sewer” tour alongside Carnifex, Rivers of Nihil, and Undeath.

In 2022, After the Burial released an instrumental version of “Dig Deep” to mark its sixth anniversary. The following year brought new music in the form of “Embrace the Infinity,” a two-song release featuring “Nothing Gold” and “Death Keeps Us from Living.”

Musical Style

After the Burial’s sound draws from various metal subgenres, including progressive metal, metalcore, and deathcore. Their technical approach to composition, use of extended-range guitars, and complex rhythmic patterns have contributed to the development of the djent subgenre. The band’s evolution across their releases shows their willingness to experiment while maintaining their core sound.

Current After the Burial Members

– Trent Hafdahl – Lead guitar, backing vocals (2004-present); rhythm guitar, programming (2015-present)
– Anthony Notarmaso – Lead vocals (2008-present)
– Dan Carle – Drums (2008-present)
– Adrian Oropeza – Bass (2016-present)

Discography

Studio Albums

– Forging a Future Self (2006)
– Rareform (2008, re-recorded 2009)
– In Dreams (2010)
– Wolves Within (2013)
– Dig Deep (2016)
– Evergreen (2019)

EPs

– This Life Is All We Have (2013)
– Embrace the Infinity (2023)

Chart Performance

After the Burial’s albums have achieved increasing commercial success over time. “Dig Deep” marked their first entry on the Billboard 200, reaching number 50, while also hitting number 1 on both the Hard Rock Albums and Independent Albums charts. Their latest album “Evergreen” reached number 183 on the Billboard 200.

Today, After the Burial continues to tour and create new music, maintaining their position in modern metal through technical innovation and consistent output. As one of the few bands to successfully blend progressive elements with extreme metal, they have established a unique place in the contemporary metal landscape.