The Faceless

The Faceless emerged as a progressive/technical death metal outfit based in Los Angeles and tied to the Sumerian Records roster. Guitarist Michael Keene and bassist Brandon Giffin established the group, whose roster also came to include vocalist Jeff Ventimiglia (aka Demon Carcass), guitarist Steve Jones, and drummer Lyle Cooper. The band issued its debut full-length, Akeldama, on Sumerian in 2006; the album’s intricate approach prompted comparisons with Chuck Schuldiner’s later output in Death. Sumerian followed with Planetary Duality in 2008, an album promoted through extensive touring that encompassed runs alongside Meshuggah and appearances on the Summer Slaughter Tour. Subsequent personnel shifts left Keene as the only remaining original member. Autotheism arrived in 2012 with a lineup of Keene, vocalist Geoff Ficco, guitarist Wes Hauch, bassist Evan Brewer, and drummer Lyle Cooper, earning strong notices. In Becoming a Ghost appeared in 2017 under the names of Keene, vocalist Ken Sorceron, guitarist Justin McKinney, and drummer Chason Westmoreland and included the single “Black Star.”