HMLTD

HMLTD
HMLTD, live at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 2023
HMLTD, live at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 2023
Background information
OriginLondon, England, UK
Genres
Years active2015–present
Labels
Members
  • Henry Spychalski
  • Duc Peterman
  • Achilleas Sarantaris
  • Nico Mohnblatt
  • Seth Evans
Websitehmltd.org

HMLTD are a British art punk band from London, formed in 2015. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Henry Spychalski, guitarist Duc Peterman, bassist Nico Mohnblatt, drummer Achilleas Sarantaris and keyboardist Seth Evans. On 7 February 2020, they released their debut album, West of Eden. On 7 April 2023, they released their second album, The Worm.

History

HMLTD was formed in London as Happy Meal Ltd. in early 2015. Singer Henry Spychalski was born and raised in Torquay before moving to London.[2] Spychalski met Duc, who had played in a band with Nico in Paris, at a bar in London, which helped foster a friendship and the formation of the band.[2][3] James originates from Ipswich and shared a house in Elephant and Castle with friends, including Henry. Zac, from Bristol, met Duc through Reddit and "less vile corners" of 4chan, and Vincent from Hong Kong; when he returned home in late 2015, he was replaced by Achilleas, originally from Athens. Late in 2019, Zac left the band to focus on his education. He was replaced by Seth Evans, a friend of the band who they met in London.

On 20 July 2018, HMLTD released their debut EP, Hate Music Last Time Delete.[4]

On 7 February 2020, HMLTD released their debut studio album West of Eden.[5]

On 7 April 2023, HMLTD released their second album, The Worm.[6]

Musical style and imagery

Critics have categorized HMLTD's music as post-punk,[7] art rock,[8] experimental rock[9] and glam rock.[10][11]

Their image and sound can be seen as influenced by the Ziggy Stardust era of David Bowie and the New Romantic period in the 1980s. Their sound has been compared to various acts, such as The Prodigy and Peaches.[12] They have also been regarded as avant-garde for their infusion of EDM and experimental pop with their guitar-oriented sound.[13]

HMLTD has been criticised for using queer and/or gender-bender aesthetics as heterosexual men, including cross-dressing, make-up, and flamboyant performances.[14] According to Spychalski, the band is "trying to challenge toxic masculinity, and we’re doing that from the perspective we can do that from, as the human beings we were born into being, which is predominantly straight cis men. But I don’t think having that role should exclude or prohibit you from taking on that political perspective and from taking on what is probably the most violent, toxic, cruel force in our society. We learn from queer methods and always try to express that indebtedness."[15]

Members

Current members

  • Henry Spychalski – vocals (2015–present)
  • Duc Peterman – guitar (2015–present)
  • Nicolas Mohnblatt – bass, keyboards (2015–present)
  • Achilleas Sarantaris – drums (2015–present)
  • Seth Evans – keyboards – (2021–present)

Former members

  • Zacharie Cazes – keyboards (2015–2019)
  • James Donovan – guitar (2015–2022)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

  • Hate Music Last Time Delete (2018)
  • Don't Leave Me (2021)

Singles

  • "Stained" / "Is This What You Wanted?" (2016)
  • "To The Door" / "Music!" (2017)
  • "Satan, Luella & I" / "Kinkakuji" (2017)
  • "Death Drive" (2018)
  • "Flex" (feat. Xvoto.Delete) (2018)
  • "LOADED" (2019)
  • "The West Is Dead" (2019)
  • "Why?" (2019)
  • "Blank Slate" (2020)
  • "Wyrmlands" (2023)
  • "The End Is Now" (2023)
  • "The Worm" (2023)
  • “Days” (2023)

References

  1. ^ a b Bassett, Jordan (7 November 2019). "HMLTD on how it all went wrong: "Our label gave us parkas and said, 'You should appeal to people in the north of England'"". NME. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b Connick, Tom (29 November 2017). "Whatever rock is, HMLTD is changing it". Interview. Nikic Media. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  3. ^ Whitehouse, Matthew (3 May 2017). "hmltd are the glitter kids ripping up london's music scene". i-D. Vice Media. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  4. ^ Murray, Robin (6 July 2018). "HMLTD Drop New EP 'Hate Music Last Time Delete'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  5. ^ Hann, Michael (7 February 2020). "HMLTD: West of Eden review – riotous rock and grand guignol glam". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  6. ^ Thirwell, Elvis (7 April 2023). "HMLTD - The Worm". DIY. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  7. ^ "HMLTD / Shows / Colston Hall". Colstonhall.org. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Are HMLTD Queerness Tourists or Guitar Music's Greatest Hope?". Vice. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  9. ^ Manno, Lizzie (13 February 2018). "The 15 New British Bands You Need to Know in 2018". Paste. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  10. ^ Hann, Michael (10 June 2017). "Glam is back". The Spectator. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  11. ^ Slimane, Hedi (24 May 2018). "HMLTD, the British rock sensation through the eyes of Hedi Slimane". Vogue. Retrieved 26 October 2018. With rock'n'roll running through their veins and a punk spirit in their DNA, glam rock group HMLTD sit somewhere between a Bowie on acid and electronic Nirvana.
  12. ^ Beaumont, Mark (22 March 2017). "HMLTD: The UK's most thrilling new band interviewed". NME. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  13. ^ Bromwich, Kathryn (23 April 2017). "One to watch: HMLTD". The Guardian. GMG. Retrieved 23 September 2018. This guitar band with a taste for the avant-garde are the latest outfit to be hailed as rock's saviours
  14. ^ Hall, Jake (15 May 2017). "Are HMLTD Queerness Tourists or Guitar Music's Greatest Hope?". Noisey. Vice Media. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Dances with the Devil: HMLTD". 2 March 2020.