"Who are DYSRHYTHMIA and why are they playing amped-up avant garde instrumental prog-metal jazz? I don't know, but I sure hope they'll keep doing it. This local trio have made the record SONIC YOUTH would make if they cared more about heavy metal, the record SLAYER would do if they were art school nerds. — PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER
Progressive rock, heavy metal, indie-rock, avant-jazz and ambient mesmerism are combined through the high-energy music of Philadelphia-based trio, DYSRHYTHMIA.
Formed in August 1998, DYSRHYTHMIA represents the vision of founding member guitarist Kevin Hufnagel and original bassist Clayton Ingerson The line-up was solidified six months later with the addition of drummer Jeff Eber. The goal of the band from the very beginning has been to write music that is strictly instrumental, yet high in both emotional and cerebral impact. The band wasted no time writing what was to be their first self-released CD 'Contradiction' in early 2000. Like all of DYSRHYTHMIA's recordings, this album was done completely live in the studio with very few overdubs. In 2001 came the 'No Interference' record, viewed by the band and many others as a large advancement over 'Contradiction' in every aspect; from the writing, to the playing, to the production. Realizing their music is best experienced live, DYSRHYTHMIA purchased a used van for $1,000 and set out booking their own tours throughout the East Coast, Midwest, and South. In 2002 came two more releases in the form of a split 10" with the amazingly innovative XthoughtstreamsX and a split 7" with Philadelphia noise-rockers Technician.
DYSRHYTHMIA’s hard work and dedication was beginning to show serious results. Relapse Records offered to sign the band and DYSRHYTHMIA went into Electrical Audio Studios with engineer Steve Albini to record their third release 'Pretest'. 2003 was an extremely busy and productive year for the band as they toured relentlessly with labelmates Mastodon, Cephalic Carnage, Burnt by the Sun, and many others. Notable performances included stops at The Relapse Contamination Festival, The Relapse SXSW Showcase in Austin, and The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival where they were profiled by both MTV 2 and Fuse's Uranium Program. Despite not easily fitting in with the label's primarily "extreme-metal" roster, audiences new to the band were instantly converted by the band's high energy, wild enthusiasm, musical proficiency and honesty. Press response was rather kind to the band with Metal Hammer Magazine naming 'Pretest' one of the "Top 10 Essential Mathcore Albums of All Time". Revolver Magazine named 'Pretest' one of the "Top 20 Albums of 2003" alongside albums by Radiohead, Metallica, Killing Joke, and others.
In 2004, DYSRHYTHMIA continued to tour in support of 'Pretest' doing dates with Clutch as well as partaking in the Relapse Contamination tour with labelmates High on Fire and Zeke. However, by the summer the band needed to take a break. This break ended with original bassist Clayton Ingerson leaving the band. Despite what was viewed by most as a shock and massive setback, DYSRHYTHMIA quickly rebounded with new bassist Colin Marston [also of Black Market Activties/Metal Blade Records recording artists Behold... the Arctopus]. No less than a month later the band was offered a week of dates with Isis.
In May of 2006 Dysrhythmia released 'Barriers and Passages' recorded by Martin Bisi [Sonic Youth, SWANS, Helmet] and toured throughout the year with The Dillinger Escape Plan, Behold... the Arctopus, Yakuza, and Psyopus. The fall of 2007 brought a split CD with London's soundscape artisans Rothko called 'Fractures'. Currently, the band is hard at work writing their fifth full-length studio album.