Self-proclaimed hardcore band Abandon All Hope combines metal, punk and a hint of blues to create a driving, melodic sound that is entirely original.
"Pretty much everyone can enjoy our music," guitarist Roger Pacheco said. "Metal kids like us, punk kids like us - we pretty much fall in between those lines."
Bassist Yuri Pryor said his favorite band is Death by Stereo and it, along with Judas Priest, Bad Brains and European black metal, has been a huge influence on AAH's unique but strikingly familiar style.
Pryor started playing with Pacheco in high school. They recruited drummer Eben Travis after seeing him perform with another band. Kendal Fortson, who also plays guitar with AAH, joined last December after the band's original guitarist quit.
Pryor and Pacheco said their biggest show was at last summer's Warped Tour. They played on the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands stage for an enormous Las Cruces crowd.
Pryor said another one of his favorite shows was at the Launchpad, when all four members were too drunk to recognizably play their songs.
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He said he never joined any music programs in school, but did steal his high school's bass amp once. Pacheco's quest for fun fills his schedule so much, he hasn't made time to cut his shoulder-length dreadlocks.
Pryor takes his band seriously, and has an opinion about what makes good music.
"Anything that's fast and angry that doesn't talk about stupid stuff," he said.
COMING ATTRACTION
Abandon All Hope
CD release party
Cell Theater
7 p.m.
