finetune artist: Downset

These fierce and confrontational metal-rappers (usually titled downset.), from the San Fernando Valley/Sylmar area of Los Angeles, originally formed under the name Social Justice in 1986. Immersed in the 90s US independent underground scene, Rey Anthony Oropeza (b. 2 June 1970; "Messenger"), James Morris (b. 11 April 1974; bass) and Chris Lee (b. 27 January 1975; drums) were the founding members, later joined by guitarists Rogelio "Roy" Lozano and Brian "Ares" Schwager (b. 12 December 1973) as they slowly evolved into downset. Typically, the band began by recording and releasing a series of singles and cassettes on a variety of labels, with "Angel"/"Ritual" (Theologian Records) and "Our Suffocation" (Abstract Records) being among the best known. Having established a formidable fanbase, the band inevitably attracted major label interest. By early 1993 the band had to compromise their hardcore ethics in order to reach a wider audience; adopting their current name, they opted for Mercury Records. In autumn 1993, they entered Silver Cloud Studios with their friend, mentor and confidant Roy Z as their producer, with the intention of recording an EP. The resultant tracks were so intensely powerful and emotionally charged that they decided to record a full album. The self-titled result was one of the most brutally heavy and intelligent albums to emerge from the Los Angeles underground, with socially aware lyrics rapped in raging hip-hop style; their formative years in LA's violent and poverty-stricken neighbourhoods finally found full release. So impressive was their debut that they were invited to take part on a European tour with Biohazard and Dog Eat Dog, covering 42 shows in 15 countries. Unfortunately, the gruelling schedule proved too much; Lozano eventually left and the band recorded the 1996 follow-up do we speak a dead language? as a four-piece. Once again, the music was as uncompromising as the hip-hop, hardcore and graffiti art scenes that inspired it, mirroring their personal growth and cultivated from personal experience. By the time Universal was released at the end of 2004, their particular brand of rock sounded dated.

Listen to Downset at Finetune.

Anger
Empower
Downset
Breed The Killer
Fire