Summary
Mt. Helium, formerly known as the Apex Theory, was an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, that was known for playing Mediterranean music[1][2][3] mixed with progressive rock.[3][4] The band has released three studio albums and three extended plays to date.
Mt. Helium | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Apex Theory (1999–2004) |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1999–2008 |
| Labels |
|
| Past members | David Hakopyan Art Karamian Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian Sammy J. Watson |
History edit
The Apex Theory was formed in 1999 by Armenian-American musicians Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian, Art Karamian and David Hakopyan (first drummer and bass player of Soil / System of a Down respectively), following Khachaturian's injury and subsequent departure from System of a Down. Sammy J. Watson joined the band after they were unable to find a committed drummer.[1] The band released its first extended play, Extendemo, in 2000. The following year, they signed with DreamWorks Records,[5] releasing their second EP The Apex Theory on October 9, 2001.[1] The band performed at the main stage during the 2001 Warped Tour,[6][7] and as co-headliners at the 2002 MTV2 tour.[1]
On April 2, 2002, the band released its first album, Topsy-Turvy. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 157 on the Billboard 200.[8] Months after the album's release, Khachaturian left the band,[5] and they began to audition new vocalists before deciding that Karamian would take over as the band's vocalist, shifting the band from a quartet to a power trio.[9][10] The band released an EP in 2004 entitled inthatskyissomethingwatching. After changing the name to Mt. Helium, the band released its second album, Faces, as a digital download on June 3, 2008.[11]
Musical style edit
Former vocalist Ontronik Khachaturian described the band's sound as a "heavy Mediterranean groove".[1][2] The Michigan Daily writer Sonya Sutherland wrote, "The Apex Theory combines a heavy drum support, melodic guitars and honey sweet vocals to provide an entertaining and emotional message."[2] The band's musical style was influenced by Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Near Eastern music.[2] PopMatters described Topsy-Turvy as "an energy-filled fusion of progressive and modern rock."[4]
The MTV News writer Jon Wiederhorn wrote that "the Apex Theory's multi-textured music [...] combines metal, prog-rock, Mediterranean music and even jazz. And the off-kilter rhythm, skittering drums, whirlpool guitars and aggressive vocals of 'Shhh ... (Hope Diggy)' are a perfect taster for the band's debut album".[3] Deseret News said that "Apex Theory's progressive punk mixed exotic music signatures with psychedelic rock".[12] Mt. Helium's style has also been described as alternative metal,[1] nu metal[13] and post-grunge.[1]
Band members edit
- David Hakopyan — bass guitar[1] (1999–2008)
- Art Karamian — guitar, vocals[10] (1999–2008)
- Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian — vocals[9] (1999–2002)
- Sammy J. Watson — drums[1] (1999–2008)
Discography edit
Albums edit
- Topsy-Turvy (2002) (as The Apex Theory)
- Faces (2008) (as Mt. Helium)
Extended plays edit
- Extendemo (2000) (as The Apex Theory)
- The Apex Theory (2001) (as The Apex Theory)
- Inthatskyissomethingwatching (2004) (as The Apex Theory)
- Lightpost (2007) (as The Apex Theory)
Promotional releases edit
- Random Bursts (2001) (as The Apex Theory)
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Wilson, MacKenzie. "Biography of The Apex Theory". Allmusic. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Sutherland, Sonya (November 12, 2001). "World music collides in Apex Theory". Michigan Daily. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c Wiederhorn, Jon (March 1, 2002). "Apex Theory Offer 'Hope' To Metal — Diggy-Da". MTV News. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b "The Apex Theory: Topsy Turvy". PopMatters.com. January 14, 2003. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- ^ a b Iannini, Tommaso (2003). "The Apex Theory". Nu metal (in Italian). Giunti. pp. 22–23. ISBN 88-09-03051-6.
- ^ MacDonald, Patrick (June 29, 2001). "Punk rock and extreme sports collide at Vans Warped Tour". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ Burr, Ramiro (September 7, 2002). "Apex Theory set for Ozzfest Quartet mixes hard rock, funk". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "Charts and awards for Topsy Turvy". Allmusic. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ a b "For The Record: Quick News On Limp Bizkit, Wes Borland, Apex Theory, Coal Chamber, Rival Schools, Kiss & More". MTV News. November 19, 2002. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b "For The Record: Quick News On Mary J. Blige, Guided By Voices, Kid Rock, Elephant Man, Metallica, Billy Joel & More". MTV News. April 26, 2004. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "ASIN: B001A660KW". Amazon. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ Iwasaki, Scott (March 18, 2002). "Adema emerges as Sno-Core favorite". Deseret.com. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- ^ Massey, Bob (July 2002). "Noise live". Spin. Vol. 18, no. 7. p. 44. ISSN 0886-3032.
