About this artist
Kublai Khan are a metalcore quartet from North Texas with an aggressive, punishing sound that combines monstrous riffs and thrashing blastbeats with thoughtful lyrics that address issues such as racism, depression, and addiction. Not to be confused with the ’80s speed metal band of the same name, Kublai Khan issued their punishing debut full-length, Balancing Survival and Happiness, in 2014. The band inked a deal with Rise Records ahead of the release of 2017′s Nomad, and continued to explore hardcore sub-genres on subsequent efforts Absolute (2019) and Lowest Form of Animal (2022).
The group consists of guitarist/vocalist Nolan Ashley, vocalist/lyricist Matt Honeycutt, bassist Eric English, and drummer Isaac Lamb. After forming in 2009, they self-released their debut EP, Youth War, in January of 2011. The group built up a fan base through solid regional and national touring, and eventually opened for bands such as the Acacia Strain, Fit for a King, and Texas in July. The group signed to Artery Recordings in early 2014, releasing their debut full-length, Balancing Survival and Happiness, that spring. Kublai Khan toured Europe with Obey the Brave in the spring of 2014, and appeared at the Impericon Festival in Germany. The group’s second album, New Strength, appeared on Artery the following year. In 2017, the band signed with Rise Records and issued their third studio long-player, Nomad. Now operating under the more region-specific moniker Kublai Khan TX, the band continued to push against the sonic boundaries of metalcore on 2019′s Absolute and 2022′s Lowest Form of Animal EP, both of which added elements of electronicore and alternative metal to their uncompromising sound. ~ Paul Simpson