Animals as Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band from Los Angeles, California. Since 2012, the band has consisted of Tosin Abasi, Javier Reyes, and Matt Garstka (drums), having originated in 2007 as a solo project by Abasi. They are a prominent band within the djent scene. Prosthetic Records released the band's eponymous debut album in 2009. They have since released the albums Weightless (2011), The Joy of Motion (2014), The Madness of Many (2016), and Parrhesia (2022).
Animals as Leaders in 2014 L–R: Matt Garstka, Javier Reyes, Tosin Abasi
Javier Reyes playing guitar
Tosin Abasi in 2011
Progressive metal is a broad fusion music genre melding heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified guitar-driven sound of the former with the more experimental, cerebral or quasi-classical compositions of the latter.
Dream Theater live in 2015
Opeth live in 2015
Haken live in 2014
Orphaned Land live in 2019