LANDMVRKS

Mixing elements of metalcore, pop-punk, and even some light hip-hop, LANDMVRKS have built a solid following as one of Europe’s heavy bands, coming into their own with the energetic Lost in the Waves in 2021. A favorite on the live circuit, they’ve also amassed a considerable following in Germany, where Waves and The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been hit the upper reaches of the local album charts. Hailing from Marseille, France, the band was the brainchild of Hate in Front singer Florent Salfati and drummer Nicolas Soriano. Initially working under the name Coldsight in 2014, Salfati intended to play only the guitar, but couldn’t find a vocalist that matched his vision. The rest of the band gelled with the addition of bassist Rudy Purkart and guitarists Thomas Lebreton (rhythm) and Nicolas Exposito (lead); the group soon changed their name to Landmarks, but amended the spelling within the year. Amid a series of singles and well-received performances, including sets at England’s Deadbolt Festival and France’s Hellfest, LANDMVRKS released their debut album Hollow in 2016. The follow-up Fantasy arrived two years later, with new rhythm guitarist Paul Cordebard replacing Lebreton. Soriano was next to leave in 2019, with Kévin D’Agostino taking his place on the drum kit. During this period, the group toured even higher-profile dates, supporting Australian metalcore act Polaris on a trek through Japan and sharing bills with similar ensembles like While She Sleeps, Any Given Day, and Stray from the Path. After waiting out the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, LANDMVRKS reconvened for their third album, Lost in the Waves. It proved to be their most accessible release without sacrificing what made them unique, and reached the Top 20 in Germany (where their label, Arising Empire, is headquartered). The de facto title track “Lost in a Wave” attracted new fans, and a 2022 reissue added a live set plus well-received new tracks including “Suffocate,” featuring vocals from Bertrand Poncet of Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, and “Death,” with a guest appearance by Drew York of Stray from the Path. The success of Lost in the Waves primed the pump for its follow-up, The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been, which outpaced its predecessor, peaking at number six on the German charts. ~ Mike Duquette, Rovi