Burnt by the Sun are an American technical hardcore and metal band from New York, formed in November 1999 by drummer Dave Witte (ex-Human Remains) and guitarist John Adubato. The lineup was soon completed by vocalist Mike Olender (ex-For the Love of…) and bassist Ted Patterson, creating a group known for its ferocious blend of metal, hardcore, and grindcore.
From the outset, Burnt by the Sun built a reputation for precision, speed, and intensity, combining complex guitar work, punishing rhythms, and unrelenting vocals. Their sound pushed the boundaries of hardcore and extreme metal, delivering music that was both technically intricate and brutally direct.
The band quickly established themselves on the East Coast underground circuit, gaining recognition for explosive live performances and uncompromising recordings. Across their career, Burnt by the Sun refined their approach without sacrificing intensity — blending elements of technical metal, grindcore, and hardcore while exploring themes of chaos, personal struggle, and societal tension.
The band’s final lineup consisted of Mike Olender on vocals (1999–2004, 2007–2011), John Adubato on guitar (1999–2011), Nick Hale on guitar (2007–2011), Dave Witte on drums (1999–2004, 2007–2011), and Ted Patterson on bass (1999–2011).
In 2016, former members Mike Olender, John Adubato, and Dave Witte formed a new band called River Black, continuing their work within aggressive and technically driven heavy music.
Burnt by the Sun’s official releases capture their intense and technically precise approach to hardcore and metal:
Burnt by the Sun (2001, EP) – raw and explosive debut release
Soundtrack to the Personal Revolution (2002) – blistering full-length introduction to their technical hardcore style
The Perfect Is the Enemy of the Good (2003) – tighter songwriting with increased complexity
Heart of Darkness (2009) – a crushing return with refined production and relentless intensity
Each release highlights the band’s ability to merge chaotic energy with precise musicianship and uncompromising aggression.
All Burnt by the Sun releases we carry are high-quality official CD and vinyl, sourced from Relapse Records and trusted distributors. We stock audio formats only — CD and vinyl.
We are also keeping an eye out for official Burnt by the Sun T-shirts, hoodies, and accessories, and hope to add them to the store if they become available through approved channels.
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Availability can change as pressings rotate, so if a title appears, it’s usually wise not to leave it too long.
Fans of Converge, Integrity, or Napalm Death will likely find Burnt by the Sun comfortably aligned with that same uncompromising strain of technically driven hardcore and extreme metal.
Burnt by the Sun created a catalogue defined by speed, precision, and controlled chaos — music that remains as intense and challenging today as when it first emerged from the underground.
This band has been a key part of Relapse Records - browse the full roster here.
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