Urizen Information

Band
Dallas, TX, USA

Biography:
URIZEN is an electronic-influenced 8-bit-style heavy rock band based in Dallas, Texas. The band is well known for their entertaining and highly involved stage shows. Fixtures of their stage shows include the appearance of a giant, 8-foot-tall URIZEN Robot; a 12-foot inflatable cycloptic goo monster; a custom-created silicone conjoined twin creature; electrifying mind-control helmets; and much more!
Since 2004, URIZEN has been storming stages in their native Texas and beyond, embarking on extensive US tours in 2011 and 2012. URIZEN is also well known outside of the club circuit, with performances at Arlington's Six Flags Over Texas amusement park, three consecutive years of live sets at Addison's All-Con fan convention, and a 2010 performance at Atlanta's Dragon*Con, touted as the "world's largest" science fiction/fantasy convention, with over 40,000 attending annually.

URIZEN is well-represented on the airwaves, featuring in both internet and terrestrial radio, including an on-air feature and interview with American Forces Network radio in Heidelberg, Germany. The band has even hit the small screen, courtesy of the JackFM-sponsored live music television show All Jack'd Up.
URIZEN's musical style employs the use of heavy, distorted guitars; speedy drums; and clean, rock-style vocals. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of URIZEN's sound is the dominant presence of synth and keyboards, specifically the use of orchestral strings and 8-bit Nintendo-style electronic sounds. In his book, "Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal," former Metal Maniacs editor Jeff Wagner says of URIZEN, "These Texans resemble everything from Arcturus and Solefald to the even weirder electronic-based material by Ulver and Manes."

The band was formed in early 2003 by brothers Thomas and Daniel Drinnen (guitar/vocals and keyboards, respectively) and drummer Julio Escamilla. They were joined by bassist Rustin Luther in 2012. URIZEN has released three albums, autocratopolis (2005), Universe EP (2007), and Universe:Red (2010), as well as a Universe:Red chiptune remix album called 8-Bit Universe (2011). A new single, "Boxmakers," was released in May 2012 with a new LP expected for the fall.