He Is Legend may not be a household name, but for fans of hard rock and metal, they're an iconic band that has been making music for over 15 years. Their sound defies easy categorization, blending elements of heavy metal, punk, hardcore, and Southern rock into a style all their own. In this blog post, we'll take a deep dive into the musical biography of He Is Legend, from their beginnings to their most famous albums and songs.
He Is Legend was formed in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2003 by vocalist Schuylar Croom, guitarist Adam Tanbouz, bassist Matt Williams, and drummer Steven Bache. Their early sound was a mix of punk and metal, with a strong Southern influence that can be heard in their guitar riffs and Croom's drawling vocals. Their debut album, I Am Hollywood, was released in 2004 on Solid State Records, and quickly gained a following in the underground metal scene.
Over the next few years, He Is Legend continued to tour and release new music, gradually evolving their sound to include more diverse influences. Their 2006 follow-up album, Suck Out the Poison, featured more clean vocals and experimental song structures, while still retaining the band's trademark heaviness. It included standout tracks like The Seduction and Attack of the Dungeon Witch.
In 2009, He Is Legend released their third album, It Hates You, which marked another shift in their sound. The album was produced by Matt Goldman (Underoath, Anberlin) and featured a wider variety of musical styles, including acoustic ballads and psychedelic rock. The album is perhaps best known for its lead single, Doenier, a catchy and melodic song that showcases Croom's vocal range.
After a hiatus of several years, He Is Legend returned in 2014 with their fourth album, Heavy Fruit. The album was produced by Joe Barresi (Tool, Queens of the Stone Age) and showcased the band's most diverse musical palette yet. From the brooding opener No Visitors to the anthemic The Carpet and the darkly atmospheric ABRACADABRA, Heavy Fruit was a tour de force of heavy rock that established He Is Legend as a band that refused to be pigeonholed.
Most recently, He Is Legend released their fifth album, White Bat, in 2019. Produced by Mitchell Marlow (Papa Roach, Butcher Babies), the album is perhaps their most accessible yet, with catchy hooks and singalong choruses that have garnered the band new fans. Standout tracks include Burn All Your Rock Records, Boogiewoman, and the haunting title track.
As you can see, He Is Legend has had a storied career that has seen them evolve from a punk/metal outfit to a band that defies easy classification. Their music is heavy and intense, but also melodic and often experimental. If you're a fan of hard rock and metal, or just appreciate musicians who follow their own path, He Is Legend is a band worth checking out. Their albums I Am Hollywood, Suck Out the Poison, It Hates You, Heavy Fruit, and White Bat showcase a band in constant evolution, always pushing the boundaries of what heavy music can be.
