Chris Cannella, Anthony DeJesus, El

AUTUMN'S END: A band within a family, and a family within a band. A band of brothers united by bonds thicker than blood, guitarist/vocalist Chris Cannella, guitarist Anthony DeJesus, bassist El and drummer Joey Kamka unified in the sun scorched desert heat of Phoenix, Arizona under a banner of shared conviction, passion and musical vision to establish AUTUMN'S END, a band devoted to crafting a sound and style sorely under-represented in the North American Metal scene. Driven by a diversity of influence, the resultant collage of ravaging Death Metal, hauntingly passionate acoustic passages and an undying love for the almighty riff found its first true incarnation in the form of the band's 2004 self titled LP. As represented in tracks like "Bleed My Name", "Darkness Of Words" and "Chaos Within", the band displayed a clarity of purpose and solidity of songwriting which belied the fact that this was their first album, and a self financed one at that. Lurking within the folds of this release was every indicator that we were dealing with a band that bore immediate potential, bearing the prospect of becoming one of the most distinguishable bands in the world's modern Metal scene. In one fell stroke the foundation was laid for AUTUMN'S END to build a legacy destined for immortality.

With an unwavering devotion to their collective creation, a forceful work ethic and unparalleled ambition, AUTUMN'S END immediately set about the intimidating task of solidifying their sound and proving what they already knew within their hearts: that what they had to offer was real, that their vision was true, and that the unfathomable depth of their brotherhood knew no boundaries, musical or otherwise. And so "Act Of Attrition" was given life, and with it came the certainty that there was nothing this band could not achieve. Considerably more diverse, with a starker contrast between menace and melody and yet a more fluid integration of each, "Act Of Attrition" represented a more clarified grasp and elaboration on the nuances and stylish integrations that defined the band. The contrasting range yet equally effective impact between tunes like "To Carry The Burden" and "Integrity" posed a sterling example of the inherent magnificence of all that the music of AUTUMN'S END embodies, and at the same time offered further hints at what most fans had already learned in the span of just two albums: AUTUMN'S END was only just beginning to scratch the surface of potential, and this band within a family were seeing their hopes and aspirations come into rightful fruition.

But it was shortly after the release of "Act Of Attrition" that AUTUMN'S END proved it was their mettle, not Metal, that would reinforce that more than anything, they are a family within a band. On January 27th, 2007 drummer and brother Joey Kamka was struck by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle, severing his brain stem and fracturing his skull, leaving him comatose and on the verge of death. Devastation rippled throughout the band and left loyal fans and a devoted local music scene reeling in stunned disbelief and sorrow. True to their integrity and even truer to their stricken brother, the rest of AUTUMN'S END rallied around Joey in unwavering vigilance and support as death itself was knocking at the door. Rallied by his own unbreakable will and the endless support of family and friends, in early February Joey defied all odds by beginning an incredible recovery from an unthinkable tragedy. For AUTUMN'S END, this was not a miracle-it was inevitable. The same tenacity and driven purpose that fueled them as a band propelled them as a family from the depths of despair to sheer elation as they watched and helped their brother climb back from the brink of death step by incredible step. In the span of a few months that seemed to envelop eternity, June of 2007 found Joey rehabilitated and back in his rightful home behind his drum kit and beside his brothers, who through it all never lost hope and never failed to give their heart and soul to his recovery.

And thus comes 2008, with the band-and more important, the family-fully intact, and more pissed off, driven and inspired than ever before. As if the potential before wasn't enough, it's best if you take a step back, run for cover and find shelter, because AUTUMN'S END is cocked and loaded and ready to blow this whole thing up like never before. New tracks have been written with more on the way, their sound and direction have been honed and refined to keen, razor sharp perfection, and the musical translation of their trials and tribulations will be a spectacle truly incredible to behold. Their story itself is enough to articulate the obvious: This band is family, and this family is AUTUMN'S END.

Brian Davis – METALEATER.com