Kublai Khan (band)

Kublai Khan[N 1] is an American metalcore band from Sherman, Texas. The group formed in the summer of 2009[5] and has released four albums.

Kublai Khan
Background information
Also known asKublai Khan TX
OriginSherman, Texas, U.S.
GenresMetalcore,[1][2] heavy hardcore[3]
Years active2009–present
LabelsRise, Artery
Members
  • Matt Honeycutt
  • Nolan Ashley
  • Eric English
  • Isaac Lamb
Websitekublaikhantx.com

Career

Kublai Khan self-released their first EP, Youth War, in 2010.[6] In February 2014, Kublai Khan signed to Artery Recordings.[7] On April 29, 2014, the band released their debut full-length album titled Balancing Survival and Happiness.[8] The album was listed in Alternative Press' "The Best Albums of 2014 so far" list.[9][10] On November 27, 2015, Kublai Khan released their second album titled New Strength.[11][12][13] In July 2017, Kublai Khan signed to Rise Records, and on September 29, 2017, they released their third full-length album titled Nomad.[14] In 2019, the band released their fourth full-length album Absolute, gathering critical acclaim across the genre for the crushing vocals of the bands vocalist Matthew Honeycutt, the winning heavy riff formula and powerful lyrical themes.

In February 2022, the band announced the upcoming release of their new EP Lowest Form of Animal, which was later released on April 1, 2022.

Musical style and lyrics

Kublai Khan play a style of metalcore reminiscent of the early 1990s metallic hardcore scene (Integrity, Earth Crisis, All Out War, Hatebreed). The band employs heavy, slow breakdowns, heavily downtuned guitars and raspy vocals.

They also touch on socially conscious issues such as racism ("Color Code", "No Kin"), human rights, violent police profiling/police brutality ("True Fear"), organized religion ("B.C."), depression ("Belligerent"), social anxiety ("The Hammer"),[15] and violence against women/the sex trade ("Swan Song").[16]

Band members
Kublai Khan in 2015
  • Matt Honeycutt – vocals[17]
  • Nolan Ashley – guitar/vocals[17]
  • Eric English – bass/vocals[17]
  • Isaac Lamb – drums[17]
  • Jayson Braffett – touring guitar(2017-2018)[17]
  • Tom Reyes - Touring Guitarist (2023)
  • Andy Marsh - Touring Guitarist (2023) [Australian Dates]
  • Sean Delander - Touring Bassist (2023) [Australian Dates]

Discography

Studio albums
  • Balancing Survival and Happiness (2014, Artery)
  • New Strength (2015, Artery)
  • Nomad (2017, Rise)
  • Absolute (2019, Rise)[5]

EPs
  • Youth War (2010, self-released)[5]
  • Lowest Form of Animal (2022, Rise)

Notes
  1. The band is referred to as Kublai Khan TX in released and promotional material following a conflict with the Minnesota 80s thrash metal band of the same name.[4]

References
  1. Valentovich, Alex (January 10, 2018). "Album Review : Kublai Khan – "Nomad"". Thenewfury.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  2. Young, Nick (September 8, 2017). "Kublai Khan – Nomad album review". TeamRock.com. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  3. Kraus, Brian. "KUBLAI KHAN (ARTERY RECORDINGS) RELEASE VIDEO FOR "SMOKE AND MIRRORS"". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  4. "Report: Legal Dispute Brewing Between Two Different Bands Named Kublai Khan". The PRP. October 28, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  5. "Kublai Khan | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  6. Stagg, David (October 31, 2015). "Kublai Khan announces new album, 'New Strength,' releases music video for 'Smoke and Mirrors'". HM Magazine. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  7. Kraus, Brian (February 17, 2014). "Kublai Khan sign to Artery Recordings". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  8. Kraus, Brian. "Kublai Khan (Artery Recordings) stream new song, "Ghost Pains"". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  9. Sharp, Tyler (August 13, 2014). "Kublai Khan release "Balancing Survival And Happiness (Part 1)" music video". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  10. Pettigrew, Jason (June 30, 2014). "The Best Albums Of 2014 so far". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  11. "Kublai Khan announce new album, premiere song". Lambgoat.com. October 3, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  12. Kraus, Brian (November 28, 2015). "Kublai Khan (Artery Recordings) stream battering sophomore album, 'New Strength'". Altpress.com. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  13. "Kublai Khan to release 'New Strength' on November 27 — Check out new song/video "Smoke and Mirrors"". Immusicmag.com. November 2, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  14. "Kublai Khan sign with Rise Records, announce tour". Lambgoat.com. July 17, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  15. "Kublai Khan – Nomad album review". Sputnikmusic.com. October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  16. "Kublai Khan Announce "Lowest Form Of Animal" EP, Debut "Swan Song" With Terror's Scott Vogel Guesting". THEPRP. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  17. Rowe, Riley (December 3, 2015). "Album Review: KUBLAI KHAN New Strength". Metalinjection.com. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
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