View source for Killer Be Killed

{{Short description|American heavy metal band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Killer Be Killed
| image           = Killer_Be_Killed_-_Band_Photo_2014.png
| landscape       = yes
| caption         = From left to right: former drummer Dave Elitch, [[Max Cavalera]], [[Greg Puciato]], and [[Troy Sanders]]
| origin          = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| genre           = [[Groove metal]],<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Essential Bands to Get Into Groove Metal|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/10_essential_bands_to_get_into_groove_metal-161797|website=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|date=31 January 2024|accessdate=31 January 2024|first=Jorge|last=Martins|archive-date=31 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131152256/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/10_essential_bands_to_get_into_groove_metal-161797}}</ref> [[alternative metal]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Album Review: Killer Be Killed – Reluctant Hero |url=https://www.kerrang.com/album-review-killer-be-killed-reluctant-hero/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[Kerrang!]] |date=November 18, 2020}}</ref>
| years_active    = 2011–present
| label           = [[Nuclear Blast Records|Nuclear Blast]]
| spinoff_of      = {{flatlist|
*[[Soulfly]]
*[[The Dillinger Escape Plan]]
*[[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]]
*[[The Mars Volta]]
*[[Torche (band)|Torche]]
*[[Converge (band)|Converge]]
*[[All Pigs Must Die (band)|All Pigs Must Die]]
}}
| website         = {{url|killerbekilled.com}}
| current_members = *[[Greg Puciato]]
*[[Max Cavalera]]
*[[Troy Sanders]]
*[[Ben Koller]]
| past_members    = *Dave Elitch
}}
'''Killer Be Killed''' is an American [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] founded by [[The Dillinger Escape Plan|Dillinger Escape Plan]] vocalist [[Greg Puciato]] and [[Soulfly]] frontman [[Max Cavalera]] in early 2011. The lineup also features [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]] bassist and co-vocalist [[Troy Sanders]] and [[Converge (band)|Converge]] drummer [[Ben Koller]]. The band had slowly been working on material before announcing its name in October 2013, along with their signing to [[Nuclear Blast]].<ref name=metalsucks>[http://www.metalsucks.net/2013/10/15/max-cavaleragreg-puciatotroy-sanders-supergroup-finds-label-home/ Max Cavalera/Greg Puciato/Troy Sanders Supergroup Finds a Label Home] [[MetalSucks]]. October 15, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.</ref> The group's [[Killer Be Killed (album)|self-titled debut record]] was released in 2014. In September 2020, the group returned with a new single, and released their second album ''[[Reluctant Hero]]'' in November of that year.
==History==
=== Formation, early years and self-titled (2011–2015) ===
The band was first announced in February 2011, when [[Metal Hammer]] reported news of Puciato and Cavalera planning a new project in the vein of Cavalera's [[Nailbomb (band)|Nailbomb]] band with Alex Newport in the mid 1990s.<ref>[http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/greg-puciato-max-cavalera-team-up-for-nailbomb-inspired-project/ Greg Puciato & Max Cavalera Team Up For Nailbomb Inspired Project] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021064707/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/greg-puciato-max-cavalera-team-up-for-nailbomb-inspired-project/ |date=October 21, 2013 }} [[Metal Hammer]]. February 22, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2013.</ref> Shortly afterwards, Mars Volta's Dave Elitch and Mastodon bassist Troy Sanders were announced to be part of the project.<ref>[http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/10/31/mastodons-troy-sanders-is-joining-max-cavalera-and-greg-puciatos-supergroup/ Mastodon's Troy Sanders is Joining Max Cavalera and Greg Puciato's Supergroup] [[MetalSucks]]. October 31, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2013.</ref> [[Converge (band)|Converge]] bassist [[Nate Newton (musician)|Nate Newton]] was originally eyed to be included in the project, but was unable to join, so Cavalera reached out to Sanders instead.<ref>{{cite web| last = Adams| first = Gregory| title = Sepultura, Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan Supergroup Killer Be Killed Prep LP for 2014| work = [[Exclaim!]]| date = October 23, 2013| url = http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/sepultura_mastodon_dillinger_escape_plan_supergroup_killer_be_killed_prep_lp_for_2014| access-date = February 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = Watson| first = Ross| title = Murder Ballads: Dillinger Escape Plan's Greg Puciato unveils Killer Be Killed| work = [[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]| publisher = Radge Media| date = April 30, 2014| url = http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/murder-ballads-dillinger-escape-plans-greg-puciato-unveils-killer-be-killed| access-date = February 22, 2015}}</ref> Despite not yet having a name, the group entered the Fortress Studio in Los Angeles in September 2013 with producer Josh Wilbur.<ref>[http://www.metalsucks.net/2013/09/06/max-cavaleragreg-puciatotroy-sanders-supergroup-begins-recording-debut/ Max Cavalera/Greg Puciato/Troy Sanders Supergroup Begins Recording Debut] [[MetalSucks]]. September 6, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.</ref>
In October 2013, the band revealed Killer Be Killed as their name and announced that their first album would be released through Nuclear Blast.<ref name="blabbermouth1">[http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/project-featuring-max-cavalera-greg-puciato-troy-sanders-gets-name/ Project Featuring MAX CAVALERA, GREG PUCIATO, TROY SANDERS Gets Name] [[Blabbermouth.net]]. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.</ref> In March 2014, an announcement confirmed that the band's debut album would be self-titled, ''[[Killer Be Killed (album)|Killer Be Killed]]'', and would be released on May 13, 2014.<ref name="blabbermouth2">[http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/killer-be-killed-featuring-cavalera-puciato-sanders-debut-album-cover-artwork-revealed/ Killer Be Killed Featuring Cavalera, Puciato, Sanders: Debut Album Cover Artwork Revealed] [[Blabbermouth.net]]. March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.</ref> On March 14, 2014, two songs from the upcoming eponymous debut, "Wings of Feather and Wax", and "Face Down" were made available for streaming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2014/03/14/killer-killed-released-first-two-songs/|title=Killer Be Killed Have Released Their First Two Songs!|publisher=[[MetalSucks]]|first=Axl|last=Rosenberg|date=March 14, 2014|access-date=March 26, 2014}}</ref>
[[Converge (band)|Converge]] drummer [[Ben Koller]] joined for the band's live debut at [[Soundwave (Australian music festival)|Soundwave Festival]] and was announced as a full-fledged member that summer, replacing Elitch.<ref name=ATSG>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/killer-be-killed-add-koller-to-lineup|title=Killer Be Killed add Koller to lineup|publisher=Metal Hammer|date=July 31, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2020}}</ref>
=== ''Reluctant Hero'' (2016–present) ===
In an interview with Full Metal Jackie, Cavalera said he'd love to do another Killer Be Killed album; "I'd love to do a little bit with Killer Be Killed … We did one record and it was very well received, and I think we can do a better one than that. I think we can really — if we work hard on it — we can make a kick ass second Killer Be Killed album."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/max-cavalera-wants-to-do-another-killer-be-killed-mastodon-converge-etc-record|title=Max Cavalera Wants To Do Another KILLER BE KILLED (MASTODON, CONVERGE, Etc.) Record - Metal Injection|date=December 13, 2016|website=Metalinjection.net|access-date=June 23, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> In a 2016 [[Facebook]] update Koller announced there is "whispers in the dark of a new Killer Be Killed album".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/converge-to-begin-working-on-new-album|title=CONVERGE To Begin Working On New Album - Metal Injection|date=January 2, 2017|website=Metalinjection.net|access-date=June 23, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2018, Max Cavalera confirmed that the band were convening in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] to write and rehearse new material in [[Soulfly]]'s rehearsal space, with the aim of releasing a new album in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.herokuapp.com/news/killer-be-killed-featuring-cavalera-puciato-sanders-second-album-in-the-works/|title=KILLER BE KILLED Featuring CAVALERA, PUCIATO, SANDERS: Second Album In The Works|date=April 4, 2018|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=October 11, 2020}}</ref>
On Friday, September 4, 2020, the band released a brand new song called "Deconstructing Self-Destruction" which features Max, Greg, Troy and Ben credited as writers. The song is the first single off their second album ''Reluctant Hero'' which is set for release on November 20, 2020, via [[Nuclear Blast|Nuclear Blast Records]]. Wall of Sound broke the news after digging up the album's artwork and tracklisting.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=brownypaul |date=September 3, 2020 |title=Killer Be Killed Debut New Song 'Deconstructing Self-Destruction' + Reluctant Hero Album Info |url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2020/09/04/killer-be-killed-debut-new-song-deconstructing-self-destruction-reluctant-hero-album-info/ |access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=Wall Of Sound |language=en-US}}</ref>
On October 9, 2020, the band released their second single from the album called "Dream Gone Bad".<ref>{{Cite web|last=brownypaul|date=October 8, 2020|title=Get Your First Taste Of Killer Be Killed's Brand New Single 'Dream Gone Bad'|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2020/10/09/get-your-first-taste-of-killer-be-killeds-brand-new-single-dream-gone-bad/|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Wall Of Sound|language=en-US}}</ref>
In an interview with ''Wall of Sound'', bassist [[Troy Sanders]] explained why the second album's recording process was kept a secret; "I mentioned to my guys 'every time we get together and work on something, let's just keep it to ourselves' so we don't create any type of buzz or excitement to our small handful of fans."<ref>{{Cite web|last=brownypaul|date=October 27, 2020|title=Troy Sanders – Killer Be Killed The Chemistry And Comradery Of A Supergroup'|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2020/10/27/troy-sanders-killer-be-killed-the-chemistry-and-comradery-of-a-supergroup/|access-date=October 27, 2020|website=Wall of Sound}}</ref> ''[[Reluctant Hero]]'' was released in November 20, 2020.
==Musical style==
Commenting on the writing process of their first album, Cavalera told ''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]'' that the record will be "politically charged" and that the composition will be a merging of styles of each of its members.<ref name="Decibel">{{cite journal|last=Norton|first=Justin M.|title=Studio Report|journal=[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel Magazine]] |volume=110|date=December 2013|page=20}}</ref> In a press release, Puciato characterizes the style, "It's a bit of [[Black Sabbath|Sabbath-y]] [[Doom metal|doom]], a bit of [[Thrash metal|thrash]], a bit of [[Hardcore punk|hardcore]] and [[Punk rock|punk]]" continuing, "Of any of our bands, it sounds the furthest away from mine...",<ref name="loudwire">{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/soulfly-dillinger-escape-plan-mastodon-mars-volta-killer-be-killed-album/|title=Soulfly, Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon + Mars Volta Members Announce Killer Be Killed Album|publisher=[[Loudwire]]|first=Graham|last=Hartmann|date=October 25, 2013|access-date=October 28, 2013}}</ref> whereas critics have described the band's sound as a [[progressive metal|progressive]] form of [[groove metal]], incorporating elements of [[melodic metalcore]], [[hardcore punk]], [[crossover thrash]] and [[progressive rock]].<ref name="Metal Descent - Killer Be Killed">{{Cite web|url=http://metaldescent.com/killer-be-killed-killer-be-killed-album-review/|title=Killer Be Killed: Killer Be Killed – Album Review|date=May 14, 2014|website=Metaldescent.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312204544/http://metaldescent.com/killer-be-killed-killer-be-killed-album-review/|archive-date=March 12, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Members==
;Current members
*[[Greg Puciato]] – vocals, rhythm guitar <small>(2011–present)</small>
*[[Max Cavalera]] – vocals, rhythm guitar <small>(2011–present)</small>
*[[Troy Sanders]] – bass, vocals <small>(2012–present)</small>
*[[Ben Koller]] – drums, percussion <small>(2015–present)</small>
;Live/session members
*Juan Montoya – lead guitar <small>(2013, 2015, 2020–present)</small>
;Former members
*Dave Elitch – drums, percussion <small>(2012–2015)</small>
;Timeline
{{#tag:timeline|
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Alignbars =justify
DateFormat =dd/mm/yyyy
Period =from:01/01/2011 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}}
ScaleMajor  = increment:2  start:2011
ScaleMinor  = increment:1  start:2012
TimeAxis =orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend =orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3
Colors =
id:Vocals   value:red         legend:Vocals
id:Lead     value:teal        legend:Lead_guitar
id:Rhythm   value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:Bass     value:blue        legend:Bass
id:Drums    value:orange      legend:Drums,_percussion
id:Albums   value:black       legend:Studio_album
id:Bars     value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors=bars:bars
LineData =
at:09/05/2014 color:black layer:back
at:20/11/2020 color:black layer:back
BarData =
bar:Greg text:"Greg Puciato"
bar:Max text:"Max Cavalera"
bar:Juan text:"Juan Montoya"
bar:Troy text:"Troy Sanders"
bar:Dave text:"Dave Elitch"
bar:Ben text:"Ben Koller"
PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
bar:Greg from:start      till:end        color:Vocals
bar:Greg from:start      till:end        color:Rhythm width:3
bar:Max  from:start      till:end        color:Vocals
bar:Max  from:start      till:end        color:Rhythm width:3
bar:Juan from:01/01/2015 till:31/12/2015 color:Lead   width:3
bar:Juan from:01/01/2020 till:end        color:Lead   width:3
bar:Troy from:01/01/2012 till:end        color:Bass
bar:Troy from:01/01/2012 till:end        color:Vocals width:3
bar:Dave from:01/01/2012 till:01/01/2015 color:Drums
bar:Ben  from:01/01/2015 till:end        color:Drums
}}
==Discography==
=== Studio albums ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details
! scope="col" colspan="7" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Sales
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Billboard 200|US]]<br /><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6092439/killer-be-killed/chart|title=Killer Be Killed Billboard Albums Chart|website=Billboard.com|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref>{{cite web| url=http://australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Killer+Be+Killed&cat=a|title=Killer Be Killed Australian Albums Chart|website=Australian-charts.com|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Ultratop|BEL]]<br /><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?search=Killer%20Be%20Killed&cat=a|title=Killer Be Killed Belgian Albums Chart|website=Ultratop.be|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[GfK Entertainment charts|GER]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche?artistId=Killer+Be+Killed|title=Discographie von Killer Be Killed|publisher=GfK Entertainment|access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Oricon Albums Chart|JPN]]<br /><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/618929/ranking/cd_album/|title=Killer Be Killed Japanease Albums Chart|website=Oricon.co.jp|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]<br /><ref>{{cite web| url=http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=Killer%20Be%20Killed&cat=a|title=Killer Be Killed Swiss Albums Chart|website=Hitparade.ch|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br /><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/32344/killer-be-killed/|title=Killer Be Killed UK Albums Chart|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=September 8, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Killer Be Killed (album)|Killer Be Killed]]''
|
* Released: May 9, 2014
* Label: [[Nuclear Blast]]
* Formats: CD, DL
| 58 || 47 || 113 || 90 || 192 || 91 || 71
|
* US: 5,500+<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/killer-be-killed-debut-album-first-week-sales-revealed/|title=KILLER BE KILLED: Debut Album First-Week Sales Revealed|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=May 21, 2014|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Reluctant Hero]]''
|
* Released: November 20, 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/supergroup-killer-be-killed-announce-new-album-reluctant-hero/|title=Supergroup Killer Be Killed Announce New Album, Reluctant Hero|website=Kerrang.com|date=September 4, 2020 |access-date=October 11, 2020}}</ref>
* Label: [[Nuclear Blast]]
| — || 45 || — || 52 || — || 69 || —
|
|}
=== Singles and music videos ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Album
|-
|rowspan=2|2014
|"Wings of Feather and Wax"
|rowspan=2|Thomas Mignone<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/killer-be-killed-wings-of-feather-and-wax-video-released/|title=Killer Be Killed: 'Wings Of Feather And Wax' Video Released|work=Blabbermouth|date=June 4, 2014|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
|rowspan=3|''Killer Be Killed''
|-
|"Snakes of Jehovah"
|-
|2015
|"Curb Crusher"
|Neal Walters<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Killer Be Killed: 'Curb Crusher' Video Released|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/killer-be-killed-curb-crusher-video-released/|work=Blabbermouth|date=March 19, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3|2020
|"Dream Gone Bad"
|rowspan=2|Jim Louvau & Tony Aguilera
|rowspan=3|''Reluctant Hero''
|-
|"Inner Calm from Outer Storms"
|-
|"From a Crowded Wound"
|Costin Chioreanu
|}
==Accolades==
'''Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2015 || Killer Be Killed || Best Live Band<ref>{{cite news |author=Wookubus|date=June 15, 2015|title=2015 Metal Hammer 'Golden Gods Awards' Winners Revealed|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/06/15/news/2015-metal-hammer-golden-gods-awards-winners-revealed/|work=Theprp|access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref> || {{nom}}
{{end}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.killerbekilled.com Official website]
*{{allmusic}}
{{Soulfly}}
{{The Dillinger Escape Plan}}
{{Mastodon}}
{{The Mars Volta}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2011 establishments in California]]
[[Category:American alternative metal musical groups]]
[[Category:American groove metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Heavy metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:American heavy metal supergroups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2011]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Musical quintets from California]]
[[Category:Political music groups]]