Mike D'Antonio

Last updated

Mike D'Antonio
2016 RiP Killswitch Engage - Mike D Antonio - by 2eight - DSC9705.jpg
D'Antonio with Killswitch Engage in 2016
Background information
Born
Michael D'Antonio

(1973-05-19) May 19, 1973 (age 52)
Genres
OccupationMusician
InstrumentBass
Years active1991–present
Member of

Michael D'Antonio (born May 19, 1973) is an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist and founder of the metalcore band Killswitch Engage. He is also the founder and bassist of the bands Overcast and Death Ray Vision.

Contents

Career

D'Antonio's writing influences include old New York Hardcore bands like Cro-Mags, Leeway, Madball and Agnostic Front, and he cites Cliff Burton of thrash metal band Metallica and Harley Flanagan of the Cro-Mags as personal influences.

D'Antonio's formed his first band Overcast in 1990 in Boston. [1] Overcast's first 7-inch, Bleed Into One, was released in 1992 through Exchange Records. The band's first full-length, Expectational Dilution, was released in 1994 and is considered a groundbreaking effort as many claim that Overcast are the pioneers of the metalcore scene. Their final full-length, Fight Ambition To Kill, was released in 1997. This release was followed by nationwide touring with Shai Hulud and Disembodied. However Overcast eventually split up in November 1998. [2] [3]

Following the demise of Overcast D'Antonio collaborated with Aftershock guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz. Dutkiewicz, now playing drums, recruited guitarist Joel Stroetzel from Aftershock and vocalist Jesse Leach to Form Killswitch Engage in 1999. [4] The groups self titled album was shortly released a year later in 2000. But their big break came in 2002 with their sophomore album Alive or Just Breathing . [5] The group then continued with success with their next two albums The End of Heartache (2004) and As Daylight Dies (2007). [6] The group have been considered one of the more influential bands in the Metalcore genre and have released 9 total albums, along with being nominated for 3 Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance. [7] [8] [9]

All of Killswitch Engage's album artwork and tour merchandise is designed by D'Antonio, who is a graphic artist. D'Antonio's company, DarkicoN design, produces artwork for bands such as Shadows Fall, Unearth, All That Remains, New England Metal and Hardcore Fest and Crowbar. [10]

On April 29, 2006, D'Antonio reunited with his former Overcast bandmates to play at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival. The band then announced and re-recorded archive material and two new tracks, produced by metal producer Nick Raskulinecz, under the name Reborn to Kill Again . [11]

D'Antonio's latest side project band is Death Ray Vision, [12] which he formed in 2010 alongside former Overcast bandmate Brian Fair. Their first EP was released in 2011. They have since released 3 albums. [13]

Equipment

D'Antonio uses his signature Ibanez basses and an EBS bass rig.

Discography

Overcast

Killswitch Engage

Death Ray Vision

References

  1. ↑ MetalSucks (October 16, 2018). "Every Metalcore Musician in the World Save for Alex Varkatzas Agrees: Atreyu Didn't "Invent Metalcore"". MetalSucks. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ MetalSucks (February 17, 2011). "DEATH RAY VISION: NOT QUITE AN OVERCAST REUNION, BUT PRETTY CLOSE". MetalSucks. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Overcast (3)". Discogs. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Wayback Machine". www.killswitchengage.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2001. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Review of Killswitch Engage - Alive Or Just Breathing - Reissued (2 Discs) | Metal Review". www.metalreview.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  6. ↑ True (January 30, 2025). "Melodic Metal Masters: The Legacy of Killswitch Engage". KenTamplinVocalAcademy.com. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Happy 20 Years to Killswitch Engage. – Heavy NYC | The Official Website for All Heavy Metal News in the NYC Area" . Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  8. ↑ Singer, Quentin Thane. "Jesse Leach Talks 'This Consequence' And 25 Years Of Killswitch Engage". Forbes. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Mike D'Antonio Grammys.com".
  10. ↑ "Mike D'Antonio: From Bassist to Graphic Designer, From Killswitch Engage to Baptized in Blood". Archived from the original on August 8, 2016.
  11. ↑ Blabbermouth (April 28, 2006). "KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Bassist Talks About OVERCAST Reunion". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Comb Magazine – Exclusive Interview: Mike D'Antonio of Killswitch Engage & Death Ray Vision". www.combmagazine.com.
  13. ↑ "Death Ray Vision". Discogs. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.