This Is Hell

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Hometown:: Long Island, New York, United States
Founded:: 2004
Genre:: Hardcore
Label(s):: Rise Records
Trustkill Records

Website:

http://www.myspace.com/thisishell

Members:

Travis Reilly (Vocals) [2004-present]
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Andrew Jones (Bass) [2009-present]
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Rick Jimenez (Guitar) [2004-present]
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Ben Mead (Drums) [2009-present]

FORMER Members:

Joe Osolin (Guitar) [2004-2006]
Jeff Tiu (Bass) [2004-2005]
Dan Bourke (Drums) [2004-2009]
Chris Reynolds (Guitar) [2006-2008]
John Moore (Bass) [2006-2009]

Biography

Long Island, New York’s This Is Hell are in a good place. We’re not talking about the heights of Billboard charts or having Hollywood celebs on speed dial: Since forming in 2004, TIH have maintained the spirit that inspired them to come together, while having the courage and wherewithal to cut through the more extraneous aspects of hardcore culture to forge their own path. Founding members Travis Reilly (vocals) and Rick Jimenez (guitar) started the band alongside Joe Osolin (guitar), Jeff Tiu (bass) and Dan Bourke (drums), releasing their debut EP through State Of Mind Recordings the following year. The band signed with Trustkill in 2006 to release their debut album, Sundowning, which was embraced by America’s metalcore minions. TIH’s sound and tireless work ethic got them slots on both Taste Of Chaos in 2006 and the more metal-centric 2007 package Sounds Of The Underground, thereby supporting the band’s ability to appeal to different audiences. Both Osolin and Tiu left the band that year, and were replaced by John Moore and Chris Reynolds. The extensive touring made This Is Hell a fist-tight unit, a characteristic that colored the making of their next album, 2008’s Misfortunes. After touring the U.S. and Europe in support of the record, Reynolds left the band, leaving TIH to carry on as a quartet. The psychic revolving door in their practice space didn’t stand still for long; both Moore and Bourke left the band in 2009, and were replaced by Andrew Jones and Dennis Wilson. In addition, the band also ended their association with Trustkill that year, choosing to sign with Rise Records. Their debut for the label, 2010’s Weight Of The World, finds Reilly, Jimenez, Jones and drummer Ben Mead (also of Dead Swans) at the top of their game, forging a sound that’s hardcore fury and rock ’n’ roll soul. When Jimenez spoke to AP about This Is Hell’s participation on the AP Tour Fall, he wasn’t interested in his band being the poster-boys for hardcore. “The main thing is we get to go up there and play,” he said, “which is sick.”