Tourniquet (band)

Tourniquet
Ted Kirkpatrick, the drummer and main songwriter of Tourniquet
Background information
Also known as	The Tourniquet Ark
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Christian metal,death metal,thrash metal, neoclassical metal, progressive metal, power metal, speed metal
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Metal Blade, Intense, Benson
Associated acts	Trouble, Echo Hollow
Website	www.tourniquet.net
Members	Ted Kirkpatrick Aaron Guerra
Past members	Guy Ritter Gary Lenaire Victor Macias Erik Mendez Vince Dennis Steve Andino Luke Easter

Tourniquet is a Christian metal band that was formed in 1989 by Ted Kirkpatrick, Guy Ritter and Gary Lenaire in Los Angeles, California, United States. The band primarily performs a mixture of thrash, neoclassical and progressive metal, and is influenced by additional, non-rock forms of music such as classical and world music. It has earned six GMA Dove Award nominations and won multiple recognitions from the readers of HM Magazine, including "Favorite Band of the 1990s" and "Favorite Album of the 1990s" for Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance. It has released seven studio albums, one compilation album, one EP, one acoustic album, five video releases and three DVDs, and sold more than 300,000 albums. In addition to its use of classical music, the band is known for frequently using medical terminology in its album and song titles and lyrics.

The current Tourniquet lineup is Ted Kirkpatrick (drums), and Aaron Guerra (guitar, vocals, bass). The band's 2003 release, Where Moth and Rust Destroy, features special guests Marty Friedman, formerly of Megadeth, and Bruce Franklin, of Trouble, both on lead guitar. Tourniquet members are outspoken against animal abuse, and have appeared in publications such as The Vegetarian Times, United Animal Nations and Animal Agenda.