Periphery

Based in Washington D.C., Periphery are one of the leading bands on the progressive metal scene and are widely considered one of the pioneers of the djent movement. Formed in 2005, things started happening for them with a nomination for the 2013 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, a career boost that metastisised into worldwide success with over half a million followers on social media. Masterminded by Misha Moor, Periphery offers Meshuggah-inspired chugging, memorable clean-to-harsh vocal melodies and an electronic component that always adds something to the music and never gets in the way of the overall aggressive feel. Periphery’s double effort ‘Juggernaut: Alpha’ and ‘Juggernaut: Omega’ (2015) features a mature band whose members are not given to flaunting their individual prowess: impressive as Spencer Sotelo’s extensive vocal range and the intricate guitar harmonies may be, it’s obvious that Periphery have matured into a band that appeals to more than just avid prog metal fans. Featuring some of the strongest musicianship of their career, ‘Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre’ (2023) is classic Periphery: extremely technical and unapologetically genre-bending. Djent and metalcore lovers will put a checkmark next to Periphery’s name. (#GMM26)