Between The Screams were a British progressive metal band from Southend-on-Sea, UK. Considered one of the bands at the forefront of the relatively short-lived ambient metal movement in the late 2000s that combined elements of metalcore, ambient Shoegazing and post metal.
History
Between The Screams were formed in February 2006 by Daniel Waterhouse, Adam Wolf and Mark Ravinet. Upon replying to an advert, Terry Blake was brought in on bass and Chris Froment was later introduced. After much debate, the band name was eventually taken from the lyrics of a Cult of Luna song, originally one of the band's biggest influences. The band's first show was at the Camden Underworld in August 2006, which was later followed by the band's first demo. After six months of writing and rehearsing, Between The Screams recorded two new tracks with Mark Williams at Criterion/Battery Studios in February 2007. After playing many shows during the summer of 2007, the band recorded another two tracks, again with Mark Williams. Three of the four recorded songs became the foundations of the debut EP Embryo. Although in circulation beforehand, Embryo was officially self-released in May 2008 and received much acclaim, with Chrysalis receiving airtime on BBC Radio One, Time featuring on the covermount CD of Metal Hammer and the highly coveted Rocksound KBY Band of the Month award. In 2008, drummer Mark Ravinet left the band to pursue further education. Chris Horton filled the position and took over from May 2008. In the summer of 2008, Between The Screams began to write their debut album with new drummer Chris while playing shows locally. The band spent two weeks in the Welsh countryside recording with producer Joe Gibb at Mighty Atom Studios and named the albumOur Last Days On Earth. After receiving positive feedback for the Embryo EP, Basick Records agreed to release the album in spring 2009. Our Last Days On Earth was released on 5 October 2009, and featured eleven tracks, with a total duration of 45:08. The album displayed an advancement of sound, incorporating a heavier, more aggressive influence, while still maintaining their signature progressive ambient soundscapes. The album received high praise from popular music press, including 4/5 from Kerrang, 8/10 from Rocksound and 9/10 from Metalhammer. The online community was kind to BTS about the release, with soundshock stating "Our Last Days On Earth is the soundtrack to the heavens collapsing and the fires beneath the earth raging. 8/10" Whilst Subbaculture stated that OLDOE is "Some of the most beautiful metal of the year". The album made many end of year 'best of' lists and spawned one single, the title track 'Our last days on earth'. The single proved a surprise hit on alternative TV Channel's 'Scuzz TV' and Kerrang. On 21 May 2011, Between the Screams announced that with immediate effect the band was go on indefinite hiatus and despite infrequent appearances have remained largely inactive since.
