Animals As Leaders in Providence
409 users on tonedeaf are tracking Animals As Leaders
Never miss another Animals As Leaders show near Providence.
About Animals As Leaders
Animals As Leaders is Tosin Abasi's instrumental progressive metal project that basically redefined what guitar-centric metal could be. Starting as a solo endeavor in 2007, the band evolved into a full unit with bassist Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka, creating some of the most technically demanding and rhythmically complex music in modern metal. Their self-titled debut introduced a sound built on extended-range guitars, polyrhythmic foundations, and zero reliance on vocals—just pure instrumental storytelling. Albums like "Weightless" and "The Joy of Motion" cemented them as the thinking person's metal band, pulling equally from jazz fusion, prog rock, and metal traditions. Tracks like "Cafo" and "An Infinite Regression" showcase their ability to balance inhuman technical precision with actual emotional weight. They're the kind of band that makes you realize how limiting conventional song structures are. Their influence on progressive music over the last 15 years is hard to overstate.
Animals As Leaders shows are dense, focussed experiences. The crowd tends toward musicians and serious listeners who actually track the time signatures. There's an intensity that comes from watching people execute this level of technical material live without a net. Energy builds through precision rather than spectacle.
Known for Tempting Time, An Infinite Regression, The Brain, Cafo, Lippincott
Animals As Leaders + Providence
Animals As Leaders have a measured presence in Providence's touring circuit. They last graced The Strand Ballroom & Theatre back in 2017, bringing their intricate instrumental prog-metal to a room that's seen its share of technically demanding acts. The band's mathematics-heavy compositions don't demand a packed history here to impress.
Animals As Leaders in Providence News
- Animals as Leaders and Periphery announce co-headlining tour The Prog Report · Jul 25, 2017
- Periphery and Animals as Leaders Announce Co-Headlining Tour Loudwire · Jul 25, 2017
- BTBAM, Animals As Leaders, The Contortionist tour Lambgoat · Mar 17, 2015
- Tours: Between the Buried and Me / Animals As Leaders / The Contortionist Punknews · Mar 17, 2015
- Between The Buried And Me Going On A Summer Tour For Coma Ecliptic With Animals As Leaders And The Contortionist Heavy Blog is Heavy · Mar 17, 2015
Live Music in Providence
Providence has a solid reputation for supporting experimental and progressive music. The city's DIY ethos and college radio presence (WBRU) have created space for bands that don't fit neatly into mainstream categories. Animals As Leaders should find receptive ears here—the kind of audience that respects musicianship and complexity without needing vocals to justify the listen.
Providence road trip to see Animals As Leaders?
Stay in College Hill, where you can actually walk around without feeling like you're in a dead zone—the neighborhood has real restaurants and bars. Eat at Chez Pascal or Oberlin for something serious. Before the show, spend an afternoon at the RISD Museum, which is legitimately excellent and free if you're a student or cheap enough if you're not. The museum's collection is small enough to actually process in a couple hours, which beats most cities. Walk down Benefit Street afterward. It's the kind of place that reminds you why people actually used to settle in New England intentionally.
Stop missing shows.
tonedeaf. reads your music library and emails you when artists you actually listen to have shows near Providence. No app. No ads. No noise.
Sign Up Free