Animals As Leaders

A Washington DC outfit active since 2007, Animals As Leaders — featuring guitarists Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka — are among the most prominent names in the djent scene spawned by Meshuggah, blending extreme metal, progressive, synthetic textures and instrumental virtuosity. The trio is also appreciated by listeners not particularly well-versed in the genre, thanks to a formula leaning heavily toward jazz fusion and the considerable melodic flair of their compositions. Signed first to Prosthetic and, since 2014, to Sumerian, they have shown a stylistic evolution toward increasingly intricate forms. Good entry points into their music are the self-titled debut (2009) and “The Joy Of Motion” (2014).