HMLTD

HMLTD
HMLTD, live at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 2023 HMLTD, live at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 2023
Background information
Origin	London, England, UK
Genres	Post-punk art rock experimental rock glam rock
Years active	2015–present
Labels	Ltd Ltd Ouroboros RCA Sony Lucky Number
Members	Henry Spychalski Duc Peterman Achilleas Sarantaris Nico Mohnblatt Seth Evans
Website	hmltd.org

HMLTD are a British art punk band from London, formed in 2015. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Henry Spychalski, guitarist Duc Peterman, bassist Nico Mohnblatt, drummer Achilleas Sarantaris and keyboardist Seth Evans. On 7 February 2020, they released their debut album, West of Eden. On 7 April 2023, they released their second album, The Worm.

History

HMLTD was formed in London as Happy Meal Ltd. in early 2015. Singer Henry Spychalski was born and raised in Torquay before moving to London. Spychalski met Duc, who had played in a band with Nico in Paris, at a bar in London, which helped foster a friendship and the formation of the band. James originates from Ipswich and shared a house in Elephant and Castle with friends, including Henry. Zac, from Bristol, met Duc through Reddit and "less vile corners" of 4chan, and Vincent from Hong Kong; when he returned home in late 2015, he was replaced by Achilleas, originally from Athens. Late in 2019, Zac left the band to focus on his education. He was replaced by Seth Evans, former keyboardist for band Black Midi and a friend of the band who they met in London.

On 20 July 2018, HMLTD released their debut EP, Hate Music Last Time Delete.

On 7 February 2020, HMLTD released their debut studio album West of Eden.

On 7 April 2023, HMLTD released their second album, The Worm.

Musical style and imagery

Critics have categorized HMLTD's music as post-punk, art rock, experimental rock and glam rock.

Their image and sound can be seen as influenced by the Ziggy Stardust era of David Bowie and the New Romantic period in the 1980s. Their sound has been compared to various acts, such as The Prodigy and Peaches. They have also been regarded as avant-garde for their infusion of EDM and experimental pop with their guitar-oriented sound.

HMLTD has been criticised for using queer and/or gender-bender aesthetics as heterosexual men, including cross-dressing, make-up, and flamboyant performances. According to Spychalski, the band is "trying to challenge toxic masculinity, and we’re doing that from the perspective we can do that from, as the human beings we were born into being, which is predominantly straight cis men. But I don’t think having that role should exclude or prohibit you from taking on that political perspective and from taking on what is probably the most violent, toxic, cruel force in our society. We learn from queer methods and always try to express that indebtedness."

Members

Current members

• Henry Spychalski – vocals (2015–present)
• Duc Peterman – guitar (2015–present)
• Nicolas Mohnblatt – bass, keyboards (2015–present)
• Achilleas Sarantaris – drums (2015–present)
• Seth Evans – keyboards – (2021–present)

Former members

• Zacharie Cazes – keyboards (2015–2019)
• James Donovan – guitar (2015–2022)

Timeline

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id:Vocals         value:red          legend:Vocals
id:Guitar         value:green        legend:Guitar
id:Keyboards      value:purple       legend:Keyboards
id:Bass           value:blue         legend:Bass
id:Drums          value:orange       legend:Drums
id:Studio         value:black        legend:Studio_album
id:bars           value:gray(0.95)

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  at:02/07/2020
  at:04/07/2023

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bar:Henry      text:"Henry Spychalski"
bar:James      text:"James Donovan"
bar:Duc        text:"Duc Peterman"
bar:Zach       text:"Zacharie Cazes"
bar:Seth       text:"Seth Evans"
bar:Nico       text:"Nicolas Mohnblatt"
bar:Achilleas  text:"Achilleas Sarantaris"

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Discography

Studio albums

• West of Eden (2020)
• The Worm (2023)

EPs

• Hate Music Last Time Delete (2018)
• Don't Leave Me (2021)

Singles

• "Stained" / "Is This What You Wanted?" (2016)
• "To The Door" / "Music!" (2017)
• "Satan, Luella & I" / "Kinkakuji" (2017)
• "Death Drive" (2018)
• "Flex" (feat. Xvoto.Delete) (2018)
• "LOADED" (2019)
• "The West Is Dead" (2019)
• "Why?" (2019)
• "Blank Slate" (2020)
• "Wyrmlands" (2023)
• "The End Is Now" (2023)
• "The Worm" (2023)
• “Days” (2023)

External links

• Official Website