Danava | |
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Danava in 2014.
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Background information | |
Origin | Portland, Oregon, United States |
Genres | Hard rock, psychedelic rock, stoner rock, heavy metal |
Years active | 2003–present |
Labels | Kemado |
Website | [1] |
Members | Gregory Meleney Dominic Casciato Matthew Oliver Peter Hughes |
Past members | Zachariah Dellorto-Blackwell Monte Mattsson Andrew Forgash Ben Vargas Jarred Rockwell Sean Ongley |
Danava (pronounced DON-UH-VUH) is an American hard rock band from Portland, Oregon. Its music fits into the categories of heavy metal, progressive rock and psychedelic rock. Danava is influenced by early hard rock, progressive rock and heavy metal.
Danava was formed in 2003 by Gregory Meleney, Monte Mattsson, Zachariah Dellorto-Blackwell and Ben Vargas. Meleney and Mattsson had known each other as teenagers in Quincy, Illinois. They met Dellorto-Blackwell later and moved to Portland, Oregon, where they met Vargas. They released a demo together in 2004. In 2005 Vargas left the band and was replaced by Jarred Rockwell on synthesizers just before the band signed with Kemado Records. This four piece toured extensively and recorded their self-titled album in 2006 and UnonoU in 2008. Meleney plays 98% of all the keyboards on both records.
A video for the song "Where Beauty And Terror Dance" (UnonoU, 2008) was released and played on MTV2's Headbangers 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 the album Hemisphere of Shadows was released leading to several European tours.
Danava have toured with Down (twice), Voivod, Melvins, Acid Mothers Temple, Witchcraft(3X), Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats, Lecherous Gaze, Thrones, Weedeater, Gentlemans Pistols and played at the 2008 Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands and Muskelrock in Sweden, 2013.