7% Mind Usage
7% Mind Usage (also stylized as Seven Percent Mind Usage) is a progressive metalcore band, formed in Tel Aviv, Israel in 2001. The band is known for its unique MusicAL style which is mainly known as metalcore with influences from punk, heavy metal, jazz, surf music and more.
History
The band was formed in 2001 in Tel Aviv by singer Tal Baltuch and guitarist Idan Epstein, who decided to form a unique band playing music hard to define, with influences ranging from jazz to metal and from hardcore to surf music, all within the frame of the alternative rock scene.
In 2001, the band recorded a self-titled demo, which was only sold for a number of limited copies at their live shows. When all the copies were sold, the band decided to stop producing the demo as it wasn't representing best their style at the time.
In the beggining of 2002, the band already recorded a new single "At Least Your Eyes Tell The Truth", which was recorded to represent their musical direction at the time. In 2004, they recorded two more songs: "While Paint for a Black Future" and "Weapon of Choice", with a music video produced for the later.
In 2006, the band started recording its first full-length album, which they decided to turn into an EP, eventually. The EP was recorded at the Groove Studios in Hod HaSharon, Israel, with Guy Webb. It was produced by the band's bassist Assa Raviv And Co-produced by the band itself and Jamie King, who mixed and mastered the EP at the Basement Studios. King has previously worked with such bands as Between the Buried and Me and He Is Legend. The self-titled EP was finally released through High Fiber Productions on January 1, 2007, to mainly positive reviews in Israel and abroad.
The band on went to perform many shows in Israel in support of the EP, including playing at the Hallelujah Metalfest, along with such bands as Betzefer, The Fading and This Means You and Tel Aviv "Beer City" Festival and also supporting such bands Useless ID and Yidcore on their shows.
In 2007, drummer and screamer Ran Eliahu left the band to focus on his other bands This Means You and Matricide. Guy Fleisher was chosen to replace him.
In July 2007, the band started recording material for their first full-length studio album, Fertilize the Sun at the Tzolelet Studios, with Guy Webb as engineer and co-producer and again with producer Jamie King collaborating as co-producer from his Basement Studios in the U.S. King also mixed and mastered the album. The band flew to North Caroline in mid 2008 to work on the mixing and mastering of the album with producer/engineer Jamie King.
In late 2008, the band released a digital promo EP for free, to promote the upcoming album. The digital release featured 4 songs from the upcoming full-length album: "Four Armed Girl", "The Windshield Massacre", "Not Coming Back" and "Swimming in Honey". Another track, "No Harm No Foul" was released for free on the band's Myspace page.
On October 12, 2009, the band uploaded the full-length album, Fertilize the Sun for free listen to their Facebook profile. An actual physical and digital release is to follow soon in 2010.
Musical style and influences
The band is mostly defined as a progressive metalcore, mathcore and experimental metal band, being compared to such bands as The Dillinger Escape Plan, SikTh, Mr. Bungle and Meshuggah, leading to various sources citing them as an avant-garde metal and progressive metal act. The band is known to take influences from various genres, including punk, hardcore, heavy metal, jazz, surf music and more, and has been given the title as the "Israeli Dillinger Escape Plan".
Band members
Current members
- Tal Baltuch - lead vocals (2001–present)
- Idan Epshtein - guitar (2001–present)
- Assa Raviv - bass, synth, piano (2001–present)
- Guy Fleisher - drums, percussion (2007–present)
Former members
- Ran Eliahu - drums, percussion, screamed vocals (2001–2006)
Discography
- 2007 - Seven Percent Mind Usage
- 2010 - Fertilize the Sun