Contrarian is an American extreme metal band from Rochester, New York, founded in 2012 by guitarist Jim Tasikas. The band is known for its progressive and catchy songwriting alongside a technical playing style. They are known as one of the front runners at introducing an authentic yet modern approach to the progressive style of the 1990s progressive death metal bands such as Atheist, Death, and Cynic. The band featured famed Nile drummer George Kollias for their first three albums.

Giorgos "George" Kollias is a Greek heavy metal drummer best known for his work with American technical death metal band Nile. He is the first Nile drummer to perform every song on more than one full-length album. His sponsors include Zildjian cymbals, Evans, Vic Firth, and Axis Pedals; the last with whom he released his signature bass drum pedals. In addition to being the drummer of Nile, he also teaches drums at the Modern Music School in Athens.