Origin Montreal, Canada | Years active 2012–present | |
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Genres Metalcore, Melodic Metalcore Members Karl Dufresne
Ramzi Benamara
Jonathan Gagné
Lawrence Leylekian
Donny Baldassare Past members Steve Dupuis
Denis Potapov
Jean-Christophe Dagenais
Francis Belisle | ||
Of Atlantis is a Metalcore band from Montreal QC, Canada formed in 2012 by members Ramzi Benamara and Jonathan Gagné. Their current lineup consists of Karl Dufresne (Lead Vocals), Ramzi Benamara (Guitar/Clean Vocals), Jonathan Gagné (Guitar), Lawrence Leylekian (Bass Guitar), and Donny Baldassare (Drums). To date, the band has released 2 singles and is currently working on their first EP.
Contents
Formation, and First Releases (2012–2013)
Of Atlantis was founded by guitarist/clean vocalist Ramzi Benamara and guitarist Jonathan Gagné during early 2012 in Montreal QC, Canada. The two had previously played in several punk/rock projects together but their desire to play hardcore music drove them to form Of Atlantis. Soon after forming, they encountered Francis Belisle through a YouTube vocal cover and contacted him about starting a post-hardcore band. After Belisle joined, the group met Jean-Christophe Dagenais, who was a guitarist but agreed to fill in at bass guitar seeing as the band did not need another guitarist.
Throughout the formation of the band, guitarist/clean vocalist Ramzi Benamara had begun composing what would become the band's first single Hopeless. After the completion of Hopeless, the band decided to announce its formation with this single. They recorded Hopeless at Bird Wazo studio in June 2012 and released it on the June 28, 2012. The lyric video for Hopeless was made by the band's own lead vocalist Francis Belisle and was released with the single on June 28, 2012. Soon after the release, lead vocalist Francis Belisle decided to part ways, and was replaced by the band's then bassist Jean-Christrophe Dagenais. The move from bass guitar to lead vocals left the band without a bassist as well as still looking for a drummer. In July 2012, they were introduced to drummer Denis Potapov through a contact at Bird Wazo studio and to bassist Steve Dupuis through their new lead vocalist Jean-Christophe Dagenais.
Immediately after the release of their first single, Ramzi Benamara began composing the band's latest single even though the band was going through some lineup changes. Once the band completed composing Perceptions they recorded it at Bird Wazo studio in September 2012. Upon completion of the recording, they planned to shoot a music video to release the song with, however, in December 2012 their lead vocalist Jean-Christophe Dagenais decided to part ways for personal reasons. As a result, the plans for the music video were delayed and ultimately cancelled in favour for a lyric video. In February 2013, Karl Dufresne became the new lead vocalist of the band, and shortly after his induction, bassist Steve Dupuis and drummer Denis Potapov were parted from the band. In March 2013, bassist Lawrence Leylekian joined the band. Shortly after, on March 31, 2013, Perceptions was officially released with its lyric video that was designed by Neighborkid Productions via the BryanStars YouTube channel. Following the release, drummer Donny Baldassare joined the band to complete the lineup in April 2013.
Chapter I: Origins (2013–Present)
Of Atlantis is currently at Bird Wazo studio recording their first studio EP, Chapter I: Origins. This album has not yet been set for a release date but it is speculated that it will be released either late 2013 or early 2014. This album is a concept album based on the French quote "L'Homme naît naturellement bon, c'est la société qui le corrompt" - J. J. Rousseau, which literally translates to "Man is born naturally good, it is society that corrupts". The album lyrics describe a fictional story in which the main character develops a complex based on a troublesome childhood that leads to trust issues, existential questioning, bitterness, hostility, and ultimately the development of a deeply rooted hatred.
Band Name
The name Of Atlantis was brought together by former lead vocalist Francis Belisle and guitarist/clean vocalist Ramzi Benamara. Francis Belisle had suggested to use Atlantis as part of the name, but it did not feel complete solely with Atlantis, so Ramzi Benamara proposed to add the preposition Of in front and from then on the name Of Atlantis was permanent.