Making metal disturbing again...

Emerging from Pennsylvania in 2018 and combining the percussive force of second-generation drummer Max Portnoy with the pure, war-torn fury of vocalist and YouTube sensation Justin Bonitz, nu-core quartet TALLAH formed with a singular and unifying mission.

Intent on revamping the much-loved sound of popular nu-metal sensations of the early 2000s, Tallah draw influence from the likes of Slipknot, Korn and Linkin Park while simultaneously fusing it with a modernised, hardcore edge as displayed by current sensations Code Orange, Vein, Candy and Fire From The Gods.

Having followed Justin’s popular YouTube channel for some time - which boasts “How to Scream (10 Different Techniques”, perhaps the most popular scream tutorial at approximately 3m views - Max approached Justin to join a new project with guitarist Derrick Scheider and bassist Andrew Cooper, both of whom Max had formed previous relationships with on the Philadelphia music scene.

The resulting explosion of chaos, controversy and metal innovation birthed the band’s first EP, ‘No One Should Read This’, which was recorded at Spin Studios (GOJIRA, LAMB OF GOD) in 2018 and released to critical acclaim.

Drawing inspiration from darker territories may have been a natural descent for the members of Tallah, but the band - Justin in particular - has cited everything from horror movies to Disney villains as a framework for their high-octane studio delivery and live performances. The vocalist comments that this is both a natural reflection of his own personality traits as well as a conscious decision to be seen as a diverse, heterogeneous act.

““I grew up enjoying the sassy, almost feminine evil of cartoon characters - that’s how I carry myself on stage. The evil villain thing is fun, but it does result in people thinking I’m a huge douche! They’re quite surprised when they meet me off-stage and I’m just a normal guy having fun. The whole “evil villain” thing isn’t always planned, but it comes quite naturally to me.”

These mischievous characteristics have led Tallah to some controversy in the past, most notably with Justin’s arrest at Chameleon Club in Pennsylvania. Strangely, it wasn’t the singer’s mounting of the stage’s rigging or the scuffle that ensued with a plain-dressed security guard (during which the band continued to play) that caused his arrest - it was his proclamation to a police officer, when asked, that his name was “Carls Jr” - the name of a popular US fast food chain.

Following the release of ‘No One Should Read This’, Max Portnoy received the Modern Drummer Award for “Best Up and Coming Drummer 2019”, with the band performing at Boomtown Festival in the same year. Having now signed to Earache Records, Tallah recorded their debut album ‘Matriphagy’ with producer Josh Shroeder.

Due for release on October 2nd 2020, ‘Matriphagy’ expands upon the concept outlined in ‘No One Should Read This’, armed with a disturbingly graphic tale that is to be taken as a series of both literal and metaphorical events.

Without publicly alluding to whether or not the story emanated from any real life events, Max Portnoy details the horrifying drama that unfolds throughout the album’s concept to give fans a small insight about the innermost thoughts and workings of Tallah.

 "Matriphagy is a concept album about how an overprotective mother pushes her son to the edge of insanity through psychological and physical abuse. Having spent two decades trapped inside a glorified prison, and after some failed rescue/escape attempts, the son, in a state of heavy delirium, does the unforgivable to free himself from his mother's wicked hold." 

Set to a pleasurably harrowing backdrop of brutally heavy and talented musicianship, Tallah’s closing words on their forthcoming album state their intentions in a clear and concise fashion.

“It might feel like we’re at the point where everything’s already been done, and there are no surprises left. We’re not sure that’s true, but whatever you think, we’re going to take what we love about metal and do it in our own way.”