Draft:Elitist (band)

Elitist is an American progressive metalcore band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2010, the band rose to prominence with their unique blend of progressive metal, djent and metalcore. In 2014, the band signed with Equal Vision Records.

In September 2015, the band announced their breakup via Facebook after members decided to pursue school and other creative ventures.

In March 2021, after a 6-year hiatus, the band independently released a standalone single "Ctrl Alt Del."

In January 2024, Elitist announced a formal reunion comprising their pre-hiatus lineup with guitarist Julian Andre Rodriguez, vocalist Chris Balay, drummer Ben Kazenoff, and bassist Brian McGraw. The band released the single "DARK" and hinted at a full-length album due later in 2024 with live performances to follow.

To date, the band has released three EPs and two full-length albums, including 'Reshape Reason' (2012) and 'Between the Balance' (2013), both of which charted on the Billboard New Artist, Hard Rock and Independent Album charts. Elitist has previously toured with Misery Signals, ERRA, Texas In July, Volumes, Like Moths to Flames, and The Color Morale, among others.

Formation and Caves (2010-2011)
Elitist was founded in April 2010 by guitarist Julian Rodriguez and Jacob Katz, after both departed from the band Another Day In Vain. They recorded a demo titled "Principles" and subsequently recruited bassist Mike Danese, drummer Robert Platz and second guitarist Sean Hall (also a member of another pre-Elitist project called The Fortune Teller). The band recorded and released the five-song EP "Caves," which received widespread acclaim among the online djent, metalcore and progressive metal community.

Earth (2011)
In early 2011 vocalist Jacob Katz left the band and was replaced by Alex DeHeart. The band signed to Blkheart Group, an independent label and management group, and recorded their second EP "Earth".

In January 2012, guitarist Sean Hall left the band to pursue a tattooist career. Thereafter, Elitist went on to tour with Impending Doom, Volumes, Molotov Solution, and Scale the Sumit. During the Scale the Summit tour, drummer Robert Platz left the band to join punk rock group Drive-A. The band continued the rest of the tour in part with programmed drums and with ERRA drummer Alex Ballew on select dates.

On their return from tour, the band parted ways with vocalist Alex DeHeart and their label Blkheart Group. The band sought to regroup with new members and continue writing their full-length album with a modified lineup.

Reshape Reason (2012)
In early 2012, Elitist recruited longtime friend Chris Balay for vocal duties. Balay and Rodriguez had also worked together on the melodic metalcore project Forever Orion. The band also recruited New York-native drummer Ben Kazenoff after finding him through YouTube. The band announced in early spring that they would release a new album entitled Reshape Reason, which was released on September 25, 2012 via The Anti Campaign. The band co-produced the record with Dan Braunstein. In its first week, Reshape Reason ranked number 4 on the iTunes Metal and Hard Rock Charts.

Between The Balance (2013)
In February 2013, Elitist released four studio updates that featured drum, guitar, bass and vocal tracking. Rodriguez mentioned it will be the first release to feature clean vocals from both himself and Balay. The official announcement of a new five-song EP to be released in June 2013 entitled "Between The Balance". The band also advertised Rodriguez's studio business named "Parallel Focus Studios" for production services, where the EP was co-produced.

In July 2013, Elitist toured the west coast and Canada with, among other bands, Misery Signals and The Color Morale.

Signing to Equal Vision Records, Self-Titled, Breakup (2014-2015)
Sometime in early 2014, Brian McGraw replaced bassist Mike Danese for undisclosed reasons. In February 2014, Elitist released an acoustic version of the single "Return To Sender" from 2013 EP "Between The Balance" featured on Alternative Press. On April 21, 2014, the band signed to Equal Vision Records and announced a release of their self-titled album later that year. The band co-produced the record under Rodriguez's Parallel Focus Studios and again with Dan Braunstein.

During April and May 2014, the band toured the US in support of Texas In July, ERRA, and Structures. In August, the band toured the midwest in support of Like Moths to Flames and Palisades.

On July 2, 2015, the band released its self-titled LP via Equal Vision Records.

On September 7, 2015, only two months after the release of their Equal Vision debut, Elitist announced their breakup via Facebook. The members expressed they were parting ways to return to school and pursue other creative endeavors.

Reformation (2021-Present)
In March 2021, after a 6-year hiatus, the band independently released a standalone single "Ctrl Alt Del."

In January 2024, Elitist announced a formal reunion comprising their pre-hiatus lineup with guitarist Julian Andre Rodriguez, vocalist Chris Balay, drummer Ben Kazenoff, and bassist Brian McGraw. The band released the single "DARK" and hinted at a full-length album due later in 2024 with live performances to follow.

Current Lineup:

 * Julian Rodriguez - guitars (2010–2015, 2021-present)
 * Chris Balay - lead vocals (2012–2015, 2021-present)
 * Ben Kazenoff - drums (2012–2015, 2021-present)
 * Brian McGraw - bass (2014-2015, 2021-present)

Former Members:

 * Robert Platz - drums (2010–2012)
 * Jacob Katz - vocals (2010–2011)
 * Sean Hall - guitar (2010–2012)
 * Alex DeHeart - vocals (2011–2012)
 * Zack Jones - guitar (touring) (2012)
 * Nick Meehan - guitar (touring) (2012, 2014)
 * Mike Danese - bass (2010–2014)

Additional Personnel:

 * Gus Farias - guest vocals on "Principles"
 * Michael Barr - guest vocals on "Odeon"
 * Garrison Lee - guest vocals on "Life Lost"
 * Diego Farias - Production on "Caves" and "Earth"
 * Daniel Braunstein - Production on Self-Titled and "Reshape Reason"

Timeline

Music videos

 * "Caves" (2010)
 * "Unto the Sun" (2012)
 * "Numbered" (2015)
 * "Idle Hands" (2015)
 * "DARK" (2024)