Anamorph’s James Agusta: 5 Albums That Changed My Life

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Raleigh, North Carolina-based progressive metal group Anamorph recently released their ambitious full-length album Lucid. The 57-minute LP — which was recorded by renowned prog producer Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, the Contortionist) — fuses elements of tech-death, math-rock, post-rock, folk and more. Before its release we caught up with drummer James Agusta to find out what albums changed his life. “I could go on and on, but I’ll keep the list short,” he told us. Read below for his list and commentary on the key LPs that helped shape his musical outlook and continue to serve as inspiration for his playing.

Between the Buried and Me – The Great Misdirect

I had heard Colors and Alaska, but The Great Misdirect was really the thing that grabbed me immediately when it came out. I then went back over Colors and Alaska and fell in love. Getting into Between the Buried and Me completely blew up my musical taste and is responsible for the mindset that drove me to listen to all the different stuff I do now.

Cloudkicker – Subsume

So well-written, poetic, a whirlwind of moving emotion. So inspirational and crucial to Anamorph.

Animals As Leaders – Animals As Leaders

Just because it was the first record and opened me up to brand new ways of playing.

uneXpect – Fables of the Sleepless Empire

Another album that continued me down the path of sprawling, diverse music.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Yanqui U.X.O.

This was the first album of theirs I gave a listen. This band has been hugely influential on my life. Their live show is incredible. The thoughtfulness of their music and compositions is so visceral and theatrical. It’s something like classical music and a film score had a baby with rock instruments.