Once Human

Once Human is a Los Angeles-based melodic death, djent, and groove metal band composed of singer Lauren Hart, guitarist Logan Mader, guitarist Skyler Howren, guitarist Max Karon, bassist Damien Rainaud, and drummer Dillon Trollope. Their music features rapid drumming, tuneful riffs, and Hart’s fearsome growled vocals. The band formed in 2014 after Mader — who had played guitar with Soulfly and Machine Head and produced albums by groups like Gojira and DevilDriver — met Hart. The two musicians started writing together and quickly recruited the other members of the group. In 2015, Once Human released their debut album, The Life I Remember, and toured with influential industrial metal band Fear Factory. Once Human’s 2017 sophomore album, Evolution, hit number 15 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. 2021 saw the release of the fiery single “Deadlock,” which featured a guest appearance from Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn. The track appeared on the band’s third long-player, 2022′s Scar Weaver. ~ Benjamin Schulz