How a heavy metal supergroup kept their second album a secret from the world
In short: When members of Dillinger Escape Plan, Soulfly, Mastodon, and Converge formed the supergroup Killer Be Killed, they intentionally avoided the typical hype cycle. By keeping their creative process private, the band aimed to protect their artistic focus, eventually delivering a second record that surprised even their most dedicated listeners.
The origins of Killer Be Killed trace back to early 2011, when Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan and Max Cavalera of Soulfly began discussing a project inspired by Cavalera's mid-1990s work with Nailbomb. The lineup eventually solidified to include Mastodon bassist Troy Sanders and Converge drummer Ben Koller. Although Nate Newton was initially considered for the bass role, Cavalera ultimately recruited Sanders to complete the ensemble. The group’s collaborative nature allowed them to blend diverse sonic influences, ranging from doom and thrash to hardcore punk, resulting in a sound that critics often classify as a progressive take on groove metal.
The band’s debut, self-titled album arrived in 2014 following a period of studio work in Los Angeles. While the first record was well-received, the path to their second release was marked by deliberate secrecy. In 2018, the members began meeting in Phoenix to compose new material, but they chose to withhold information about their progress. As Sanders later noted, the goal was to avoid generating premature excitement or external pressure, allowing the group to work in isolation for their small, loyal fanbase.
This clandestine approach culminated in the release of their second album, Reluctant Hero, in November 2020. The project was preceded by the September 2020 single "Deconstructing Self-Destruction," which highlighted the collective songwriting contributions of Puciato, Cavalera, Sanders, and Koller. By the time the album was officially announced, the band had successfully managed to curate their own narrative, proving that even in an era of constant digital updates, a group of established musicians could still orchestrate a quiet, controlled return to the stage and studio.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Killer Be Killed
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