Biography
Metal supergroup Killer Be Killed took shape in the early 2010s, uniting Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato, Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera, Mastodon bassist Troy Sanders, and former Mars Volta drummer Dave Elitch. Their sound fused aggressive yet melodic sludgy metal with hardcore punk, while Elitch's jazz-trained, expansive drumming—honed through work with artists ranging from Miley Cyrus to M83—added further breadth, drawing strong interest from followers of the members' primary bands. In 2014 the quartet issued its searing self-titled debut album; six years later the punishing sophomore release Reluctant Hero appeared.
Puciato and Cavalera first connected at an L.A. benefit show for the late Deftones bassist Chi Cheng. After collaborating on the Soulfly track "Rise of the Fallen," the pair developed a friendship and frequently discussed making an album together in the spirit of Cavalera's earlier Nailbomb project with Fudge Tunnel's Alex Newport. They finally convened to record a demo in 2011. Pleased with the results, Puciato recruited longtime friends Elitch and Sanders for the sessions, and Killer Be Killed was formed. Once the name was chosen, the group developed material through extended rehearsal-studio jam sessions throughout 2013 before tracking the album with producer Josh Wilbur.
After signing with Nuclear Blast, the band released Killer Be Killed in May 2014. Merging Soulfly's raw hardcore and thrash elements with Mastodon's progressive sludge and doom leanings, the record appealed not only to existing fans but also earned praise across wider segments of the metal community. The members subsequently focused on their numerous other commitments until resurfacing in 2020 with Reluctant Hero.
Puciato and Cavalera first connected at an L.A. benefit show for the late Deftones bassist Chi Cheng. After collaborating on the Soulfly track "Rise of the Fallen," the pair developed a friendship and frequently discussed making an album together in the spirit of Cavalera's earlier Nailbomb project with Fudge Tunnel's Alex Newport. They finally convened to record a demo in 2011. Pleased with the results, Puciato recruited longtime friends Elitch and Sanders for the sessions, and Killer Be Killed was formed. Once the name was chosen, the group developed material through extended rehearsal-studio jam sessions throughout 2013 before tracking the album with producer Josh Wilbur.
After signing with Nuclear Blast, the band released Killer Be Killed in May 2014. Merging Soulfly's raw hardcore and thrash elements with Mastodon's progressive sludge and doom leanings, the record appealed not only to existing fans but also earned praise across wider segments of the metal community. The members subsequently focused on their numerous other commitments until resurfacing in 2020 with Reluctant Hero.