| Danava | |
|---|---|
 The band's logo and cover for their eponymous debut. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Portland, Oregon |
| Genres | Psychadelic Rock, Stoner Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock |
| Years active | 2003 - Present |
| Labels | Kemado, Tee Pee Records, RidingEasy Records |
| Associated acts | Lecherous Gaze, Earthless, Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats, Witchcraft |
| Website | Danava Official |
| Current members | Gregory Meleney,
Dominic Casciato, Matthew Oliver, Peter Hughes |
Danava (pronounced Dawn-uh-vuh) are a psychedelic hard rock band based out of Portland, Oregon. Heavily influenced by early hard rock, progressive rock and proto-metal, Danava would convoke a sound that fit into all of those categories, with a psychedelic nucleus. To date the band has released three critically acclaimed albums and toured throughout North America and Europe.
The band's name itself derives from a race descending from Dakṣa in Hindu mythology, along with a dynasty that is part of the Culture of Assam.
History[]
Danava was formed in 2003 by Gregory Meleney, Monte Mattsson, Zachariah Dellorto-Blackwell and Ben Vargas.
Meleney and Mattsson had been friends in their youth; growing up in Quincy, Iowa, together. They met Dellorto-Blackwell in Iowa as well before moving to Portland. In Portland they met Vargas, and Danava was formed. They released a demo together into 2004, but soon after in 2005, Vargas left the band. He was replaced on synthesizer by Jared Rockwell, just before the band was signed by New York label Kemado Records. The band began touring extensively, recording their first album, Danava, in 2006 and their sophomore album, UnonoU, in 2008. Both albums would attain critical acclaim and the band would make an appearance at Roadburn Festival surrounding a tour supporting the latter album.
A video for the song "Where Beauty and Terror Dance," (UnonoU 2008) was released and shown on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.
In summer 2008, Rockwell left the band for other musical pursuits on the east coast. In September 2009, Mattsson left the group to pursue his studies in biology and was replaced by Matthew Oliver. Andrew Forgash, a rhythm guitarist, also joined at this time.
In 2011 they released their third full length album Hemisphere of Shadows, supported by a tour of Europe. Throughout the years Danava had toured with the likes of Down, Voivod, Melvins, Acid Mothers Temple, Witchcraft, Uncle Acid and the deadbeats Thrones, Weedeater and many other bands in a wide range of genres.
In 2013, bass player Dellorto-Blackwell left the band. He joined the Portland-based experimental rock band Serpent's Caul, reuniting with ex-Danava drummer Monte Mattsson. Shortly after, Forgash left to pursue a career in a different field and was replaced by rhythm guitar player Peter Hughes. In 2015 the band would sign with RidingEasy Records for a series of re-issues and put out a new single entitled At Midnight You Die via Tee Pee Records the next year.
Discography[]
Studio Albums[]
- Danava (2006, Kemado)
- UnonoU (2008, Kemado)
- Hemisphere of Shadows (2011, Kemado)
Other Releases[]
- Danava (Demo) (2004, Self-Released)
- Quiet Babies Astray in a Manger (12" Single) (2006, Kemado)
- Where Beauty & Terror Dance (7" Single) (2007, Kemado)
- White Nights Of Murder / I'll Cut You Down (Split 7" with Uncle Acid and the deadbeats) (2011, Kemado)
- Danava/Earthless/Lecherous Gaze (Split 12" with Earthless, Lecherous Gaze) (2011, Kemado)
- Heavy Devil Star-Crash: The 2004 Demos (2013, Unseen Forces)
- At Midnight You Die (7" Single) (2016, Tee Pee Records)
Members[]
Current Members[]
- Gregory Meleney - Guitar, Synthesizer, Vocals (2003 - Present)
- Matthew Oliver - Drums (2009 - Present)
- Dominic Casciato - Bass (2014 - Present)
- Peter Hughes - Guitar (2014 - Present)
Past Members[]
- Zachariah Dellorto Blackwell - Bass (2003 - 2013)
- Monte Mattsson - Drums (2003 - 2009)
- Rosy Cross - Synthesizer (2003)
- Ben Vargas - Synthesizer (2003 - 2005)
- Jarred Rockwell - Synthesizers (2005 - 2008)
- Daniel Kim - Synthesizer (2008 - 2011)
- Andrew Forgash - Guitar (2009 - 2014)