Biography
Polyphia, an instrumental guitar ensemble, have positioned themselves as prog rock outliers whose approach merges the rapid precision of metal guitar heroes with straightforward pop sensibilities. The 2013 track “Impassion” first drew widespread notice after circulating widely online. Subsequent full-lengths Muse in 2014 and Renaissance in 2016 refined this technically demanding instrumental palette, pairing elaborate pop hooks with searing guitar lines. Later projects New Levels New Devils in 2018 and Remember That You Will Die in 2022 broadened the range further by folding in hip-hop, EDM, and jazz textures.
The quartet formed in 2011 amid Plano, Texas’s suburban surroundings, originally featuring dual lead guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage, bassist Clay Gober, and drummer Brandon Burkhalter. Their first two EPs appeared as Resurrect in 2011—the sole release to include vocals—and Inspire in 2013, after which the band recorded its 2014 debut album Muse. An online fundraising drive financed the recording and production of Muse, with supporters contributing substantially. The self-released set reached the Top 100 of Billboard’s album chart, prompting Equal Vision to sign the group and reissue the album in 2015.
Randy Methe had already stepped in temporarily for Burkhalter by the time of that reissue. Burkhalter returned to record Renaissance, released by Equal Vision in March 2016 and co-produced by Nick Sampson with Henson and LePage; the album marked the first effort by the band as a trio and deepened its integration of pop and R&B elements. After its release Burkhalter departed once more, succeeded on drums by Clay Gober. The six-track EP The Most Hated arrived the following year, propelled by the buoyant single “40 oz.,” which again mixed technical guitar work with influences drawn from jazz, R&B, electronic, and hip-hop. In 2018 Polyphia delivered its third album New Levels New Devils, produced by Judge and Y2K and featuring the tracks “Yas” and “G.O.A.T.” The 2022 release Remember That You Will Die continued the emphasis on trap percussion and hip-hop while exploring bubblegum pop and bossa nova, with guest contributions from Sophia Black, Steve Vai, and Brasstracks, among others.
The quartet formed in 2011 amid Plano, Texas’s suburban surroundings, originally featuring dual lead guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage, bassist Clay Gober, and drummer Brandon Burkhalter. Their first two EPs appeared as Resurrect in 2011—the sole release to include vocals—and Inspire in 2013, after which the band recorded its 2014 debut album Muse. An online fundraising drive financed the recording and production of Muse, with supporters contributing substantially. The self-released set reached the Top 100 of Billboard’s album chart, prompting Equal Vision to sign the group and reissue the album in 2015.
Randy Methe had already stepped in temporarily for Burkhalter by the time of that reissue. Burkhalter returned to record Renaissance, released by Equal Vision in March 2016 and co-produced by Nick Sampson with Henson and LePage; the album marked the first effort by the band as a trio and deepened its integration of pop and R&B elements. After its release Burkhalter departed once more, succeeded on drums by Clay Gober. The six-track EP The Most Hated arrived the following year, propelled by the buoyant single “40 oz.,” which again mixed technical guitar work with influences drawn from jazz, R&B, electronic, and hip-hop. In 2018 Polyphia delivered its third album New Levels New Devils, produced by Judge and Y2K and featuring the tracks “Yas” and “G.O.A.T.” The 2022 release Remember That You Will Die continued the emphasis on trap percussion and hip-hop while exploring bubblegum pop and bossa nova, with guest contributions from Sophia Black, Steve Vai, and Brasstracks, among others.
Albums
Singles
Ego Death
2022
ABC
2022
Euthanasia Pack
2022
Neurotica
2022
Playing God
2022
Inferno
2019
Look But Don't Touch
2019
LIT
2017
Live
