Black Tusk (band)

Black Tusk
Black Tusk in 2024
Black Tusk in 2024
Background information
OriginSavannah, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Years active2004–present
Labels
MembersAndrew Fidler
James May
Chris "Scary" Adams
Derek Lynch
Past membersJonathan Athon
Corey Barhorst
Websiteblacktuskband.com

Black Tusk is an American heavy metal band from Savannah, Georgia. Active since 2004,[1] the band is closely associated with Baroness and Kylesa for their shared hometown and sludge metal sound.[2][3]

History

Black Tusk began in late 2004[1] and early 2005,[4] when its members were all living on the same street in Savannah.[2] Guitarist Andrew Fidler previously played bass in Unpersons and later founded the independent record label Hyperrealist Records.[5] Fidler and bassist Jonathan Athon were in a crust punk band called HammÜrd Shit,[6] while drummer James May was in a street punk band named The Bricks.[7] After the dissolution of both groups, Fidler and Athon went down the street to May's house and asked him if he wanted to play music with them.[8] They jammed during the next few days and began touring together within a few months.[8] In January 2005, Black Tusk recorded their debut extended play, When Kingdoms Fall, which was released by Wrecked Signal Records.[9]

After distributing an untitled demo in 2006,[10] the band self-released another EP, The Fallen Kingdom, in 2007.[11] Their debut studio album, Passage Through Purgatory, was released the following year through Fidler's Hyperrealist label.[9][3] In 2009, Black Tusk released a series of split EPs with bands such as ASG, The Holy Mountain, and Fight Amp, before signing to Relapse Records in November.[12] The band's debut for Relapse, Taste the Sin, was released in May 2010.[13] A song from the album, "The Take Off", was remixed by RZA of Wu-Tang Clan for the RZA Vs. Nike 6.0 video series.[14] The remix was available for download from Nike's website.[15] In 2011, Relapse re-issued a remastered edition of Passage Through Purgatory[16] and released Black Tusk's third full-length album, Set the Dial.[17] Over the next few years, the band released a split 7" with Savannah punk band Dead Yet? (through Hyperrealist),[18] an EP titled Tend No Wounds (via Relapse),[19] and a 7" titled Vulture's Eye (Hyperrealist).[20]

Black Tusk in 2012

On November 9, 2014, band member Jonathan Athon died due to injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident.[21] He was placed in a medically induced coma and, per his wishes, was pulled from life support after it was determined that he had irreparable brain damage.[22] On December 10, 2014, Black Tusk announced a 2015 European tour with Black Label Society, and that Corey Barhorst (formerly of Kylesa) would fill in on bass duties.[23] The band also confirmed that they had finished recording their next album before Athon's death.[24] In November 2015, Black Tusk shared "God's On Vacation" from their upcoming album.[25] The song was later featured in the launch trailer for Mortal Kombat XL.[26] Black Tusk's fourth studio album, Pillars of Ash, was released on January 29, 2016, via Relapse.[27] In support of the album, the band toured with Royal Thunder, Holy Grail, and Bask.[10] “Seeing Visions”, a leftover track from the Pillars of Ash recording sessions, was released with issue #24 of New Noise Magazine as part of their flexi disc series.[26]

Black Tusk recorded a theme song for an episode of the Viceland documentary television series Weediquette,[28] which aired in May 2017.[29] In March 2018, it was reported that the band signed to Season of Mist and was recording a new album, which would be the first to feature bassist Corey Barhorst.[30] The album, T.C.B.T., was released on August 17, 2018.[31] In October 2019, the band shared a new song called "Gallows Hill".[32] Released on the Graveface Records compilation Beyond Human, it was the first song written with longtime collaborator Chris "Scary" Adams, who had joined Black Tusk as a second guitarist.[33] The track was later included on the B-sides and rarities compilation album Years in Black,[34] which was released in November 2020.[35] Corey Barhorst left the band during the COVID-19 pandemic and was replaced by bassist Derek Lynch.[36]

In February 2024, Black Tusk announced their sixth studio album, The Way Forward, which was released on April 26 via Season of Mist.[37] It is their first album to feature Chris Adams and Derek Lynch as official members of the band.[38] Adams contributed guitar and vocals, and also recorded, mixed, and produced the album at his studio, Hidden Audio.[39] In 2025, Black Tusk contributed to the Nine Inch Nails tribute album The Downward Spiral Redux, with a cover version of "Mr. Self Destruct".[40] Longtime collaborator and touring musician Tanner Hamilton played drums on the track.[41] On June 10, 2026, Black Tusk released a new EP titled Systems of Solitude.[42] In July, the band canceled their remaining 2026 tour dates due to "health issues and personal matters," but announced plans to return to the studio to work on a new record.[43]

Musical style

Black Tusk's members refer to their music as "swamp metal", a style that AllMusic described as "the murkiest, dirtiest sludge to come out of Savannah since Kylesa".[13] The term is a reference to the climate of Savannah in relation to the music that the band creates.[8] Pitchfork Media said that the band's blend of hardcore punk and stoner metal "works to capitalize on the immediacy of its chosen genres and not to bend them into obscurity."[44] Revolver called their output "insistent, immediate music that, despite its frequently rapid tempos and punk-ish vocals, was widely referred to as 'swamp metal' due to its muddy distortion and repetitive riffs."[45] Black Tusk acknowledges its punk rock origins, but prefer not to cite a list of bands that influence them because they are not "trying to emulate any one band's style or any one genre's sound."[8]

Visual artwork

Baroness frontman John Baizley has created much of Black Tusk's artwork.[46] He and the band developed "Agatha", a recurring female figure who is often featured on their album covers.[8] When asked about the character, drummer James May cited Iron Maiden mascot Eddie as an inspiration. "We wanted to have a character that you would instantly recognize without seeing the band name. For me, Agatha represents the beauty and ugliness of the band. There’s something very sexual about her, even if she’s put in these disgusting settings."[47] The figure appears in the band's music video for “God’s on Vacation”, which was directed by Alixandra Petrovich.[48] Other artists who have made album covers for Black Tusk include Jeremy "Hush" Clark[49] and Brian Mercer,[37] both of whom created their own illustrations of the Agatha character.[6]

Members

Current
  • Andrew Fidler – guitar, vocals (2004–present)
  • James May – drums, vocals (2004–present)
  • Chris "Scary" Adams – guitar, vocals (2018–present)
  • Derek Lynch – bass, synthesizer, vocals (2021–present)
Former
  • Jonathan Athon – bass, vocals (2004–2014; his death)
  • Corey Barhorst – bass, synthesizer, vocals (2014–2020)
Session/touring
  • Tanner Hamilton – drums, bass, guitar[41]

Discography

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and director(s) names
Title Year Director(s) Album Ref.
"Triumph of the Wolves" 2007 The Fallen Kingdom [50]
"Facedriver" Alixandra Petrovich [51]
"Fixed in the Ice" Passage Through Purgatory [52]
"Mind Moves Something" 2008 Jay Reiter [53]
"Red Eyes, Black Skies" 2010 Kevin Custer Taste the Sin [54]
"In Days of Woe" 2013 Tend No Wounds [55]
"Truth Untold" Brad Kremer [56]
"God's on Vacation" 2016 Alixandra Petrovich Pillars of Ash [57]
"Seeing Visions" 2020 Years in Black [58]
"Dance on Your Grave" 2024 Chris "Scary" Adams The Way Forward [59]
"Breath of Life" Alixandra Petrovich [60]

References

  1. 1 2 Jim Reed (November 10, 2004). "Music & Clubs – Connect Recommends". connectsavannah.com. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Welsh, Margaret (November 19, 2009). "Black Tusk brings its Savannah swamp-metal to 31st Street Pub this Sunday". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Peisner, David (December 2009). "Metal in the Garden of Good and Evil". Spin. 25 (12): 65–70. ISSN 0886-3032.
  4. ↑ The Demos and the Demons (Media notes). Black Tusk. 2005. CD liner notes ("all songs property of blackusk. 2004-05").{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ↑ "Split Interview & Stream: Black Tusk and Dead Yet?". Invisible Oranges. April 19, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Sarah (May 4, 2024). "Interview // 2024-05-04 Black Tusk". everysongsucks.com. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  7. ↑ BadWolf (January 11, 2012). "AN NCS INTERVIEW: JAMES MAY (BLACK TUSK)". nocleansinging.com. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Kampen, William (May 2010). "Black Tusk interview". Lords of Metal. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Heaney, Gregory. "Black Tusk biography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  10. 1 2 Tony Shrum (January 26, 2016). "Black Tusk Streams New Album 'Pillars of Ash'". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  11. ↑ Jim Reed (July 25, 2007). "BlackTusk on the rise: Local metal band releases collectible EP". connectsavannah.com. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Black Tusk sign to Relapse Records". BW&BK. November 24, 2009. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  13. 1 2 Heaney, Gregory. "Taste the Sin review". AllMusic. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Black Tusk track remixed by RZA". themusic.com. November 7, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  15. ↑ "BLACK TUSK's 'The Takeoff' Remixed By RZA". Blabbermouth.net. November 5, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Black Tusk Streaming "Passage Through Purgatory" Reissue". theprp.com. May 18, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  17. ↑ "BLACK TUSK "Set The Dial" (Relapse Records 2011)". theheavychronicles.com. October 26, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  18. ↑ Lee Edwards (January 22, 2013). "BLACK TUSK / DEAD YET? Split 7″ Now Available Via Hyperrealist Records". thesleepingshaman.com. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  19. ↑ "BLACK TUSK announce release date for their blazing new EP "Tend No Wounds" !". theheavychronicles.com. May 31, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Exclusive: Stream Black Tusk's New 7″, Vulture's Eye!!!". metalsucks.net. June 24, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  21. ↑ "BLACK TUSK Bassist Jonathan Athon Reportedly Passed Away". Metal Injection. November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Black Tusk's Jonathan Athon passes away after accident". connectsavannah.com. November 9, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Black Tusk Will Continue on Without Jonathan Athon, Announce European Tour with Black Label Society". MetalSucks. December 10, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Empire of Sound: Black Tusk makes tough decision to continue after bassist's death". savannahnow.com. December 24, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  25. ↑ Gregory Adams (November 17, 2015). "Black Tusk Reveal 'Pillars of Ash'". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  26. 1 2 Tony Shrum (March 8, 2016). "Black Tusk Streaming B-Side "Seeing Visions", Song Featured In 'Mortal Kombat XL' Trailer". theprp.com. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  27. ↑ Greg Kennelty (January 27, 2016). "BLACK TUSK Reveals Pillars Of Ash In Its Entirety". Metal Injection. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Best Local Metal Band". Connect Savannah. May 24, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  29. ↑ Black Tusk (May 3, 2017). "Tonight at 10pm, you can check out the new episode of WEEDIQUETTE that we did the theme for! Only on VICELAND!!". Facebook. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Black Tusk sign with Season Of Mist, recording new album". Lambgoat.com. March 14, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Black Tusk announce new album, premiere song". Lambgoat.com. May 23, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  32. 1 2 "Stream Black Tusk - Gallows Hill by Graveface Records". SoundCloud. Graveface Records. October 18, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  33. ↑ Greg Kennelty (October 22, 2019). "BLACK TUSK Steamrolls All On New Song "Gallows Hill"". Metal Injection. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Years in Black – Black Tusk". Bandcamp. Black Tusk. November 6, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Black Tusk Premiere New Music Video For "Seeing Visions" From Upcoming B-Sides & Rarities Compilation "Years In Black"". metalinvader.net. 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  36. ↑ Christopher Berinato (November 22, 2023). "Black Tusk and ASG headline Two Tides Metal Fest". savannahnow.com. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
  37. 1 2 Viam Hull (February 15, 2024). "Black Tusk announce new album 'The Way Forward' with lead single 'Brushfire'". grimmgent.com. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  38. ↑ Addison Herron-Wheeler (May 2, 2024). "Interview: Andrew Fidler of Black Tusk Talks 'The Way Forward'". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  39. ↑ "News / Black Tusk Premiere New Single". Season of Mist. April 8, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  40. 1 2 "Hear Two New Nine Inch Nails Covers Albums Featuring Between The Buried And Me, Author & Punisher, Black Tusk And More". theprp.com. November 27, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  41. 1 2 Madz Dizon (July 11, 2026). "Beloved Metal Band Cancels 2026 North America Tour". Parade.com. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  42. ↑ Akhenaten (July 16, 2026). "EP Review: Black Tusk – Systems of Solitude". wherestridesthebehemoth.wordpress.com. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  43. ↑ Madz Dizon (July 11, 2026). "Beloved Metal Band Black Tusk Cancels 2026 North America Tour Amid Injuries and Family Commitments". Yahoo. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  44. ↑ Currin, Grayson (July 7, 2010). "Taste the Sin review". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  45. ↑ Jon Wiederhorn (August 24, 2018). "How Black Tusk Channeled Grief From Bandmate's Death Into Raw New Album 'T.C.B.T.'". Revolver. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  46. ↑ Johnathan A. Carbon (June 5, 2011). "Swamp Things: CoC talks with Andrew Fidler of Black Tusk". chroniclesofchaos.com. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  47. ↑ Chris Aitkens (March 15, 2016). "Interview with Black Tusk : On the Road and Remembering Athon". montrealrampage.com. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  48. ↑ John Hill (March 28, 2016). "Black Tusk Get Very NSFW in Their New Video for "God's on Vacation"". Vice. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  49. ↑ Joshua Peacock (February 4, 2016). "Empire of Sound: Black Tusk's 'Pillars of Ash' keeps Athon's legacy alive". savannahnow.com. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Black Tusk - Triumph Of The Wolves OFFICIAL". YouTube. July 29, 2012. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Black Tusk - Facedriver (Official Music Video)". YouTube. May 1, 2025. Retrieved August 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  52. ↑ "Blacktusk - Fixed in the Ice". YouTube. October 16, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  53. ↑ "Mind Moves Something". YouTube. March 24, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  54. ↑ "BLACK TUSK - "Red Eyes, Black Skies" (Official Music Video)". YouTube. July 13, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  55. ↑ "BLACK TUSK - "In Days of Woe" (Official Music Video)". YouTube. June 19, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  56. ↑ "BLACK TUSK - "Truth Untold" (Official Music Video)". YouTube. July 24, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  57. ↑ "Black Tusk - God's on Vacation". YouTube. March 28, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  58. ↑ ""Seeing Visions" from Years in Black - Black Tusk". YouTube. November 2, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  59. ↑ "Black Tusk - "Dance on Your Grave" (Official Music Video) 2024". YouTube. March 13, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  60. ↑ "Black Tusk - "Breath of Life" (Official Music Video) 2024". YouTube. April 8, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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