Ithaca (band)

Lore & Background

Ithaca were formed in London in late 2012 by guitarists Sam Chetan-Welsh and Will Sweet and drummer James Lewis, who had known each other since school. Vocalist Djamila Boden Azzouz joined after responding to an advertisement on Join My Band; at their first rehearsal, she impressed the band by improvising Limp Bizkit's 'Break Stuff' over a song they had written. The band released their debut EP Narrow the Way in 2014 and a second EP Trespassers in 2015, playing shows with grindcore, death metal, black metal, and hardcore bands. During this period, they faced bigotry and negativity from promoters and audiences, which Azzouz said made her feel the need to be 'hyper-aggressive' on stage.

Their debut album The Language of Injury was recorded in 2017 amidst personal turmoil—Azzouz wrote lyrics during a toxic relationship's collapse, and Chetan-Welsh was grieving his mother's death. The album was not released until February 2019 through Holy Roar Records, due to 'various reasons'. After the label's founder was accused of sexual misconduct in 2020, Ithaca severed ties and signed to Hassle Records in 2021. Their second album They Fear Us (2022) received critical acclaim, earning nominations for Best Production and Best Single at the Heavy Music Awards 2023. The band announced their disbandment in October 2024 and played their final show at the O2 Academy Islington in February 2025.

Reader's Guide

Ithaca's significance lies in their fusion of metalcore with diverse influences—including post-metal, noise rock, and crust punk—and their outspoken commitment to social issues. Their debut album The Language of Injury was listed among the year's best by Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, and Revolver, while They Fear Us was ranked the second best album of 2022 by Kerrang! and the third best by Metal Hammer. The band's response to the Holy Roar Records scandal demonstrated a principled stance within the metal scene. Their final single 'Ithaca' was released in May 2025, and guitarist Sam Chetan-Welsh launched a new project, Moksha, in 2026. Ithaca's legacy includes a reputation for emotional intensity and a focus on community and diversity, as well as a career that navigated personal hardship, industry challenges, and a final disbandment driven by a desire to avoid creating subpar work.

Did You Know?

• Vocalist Djamila Boden Azzouz joined Ithaca after responding to an advertisement on the website Join My Band.
• The band's debut album The Language of Injury was recorded in five to six days in 2017 but not released until February 2019.
• Ithaca severed ties with Holy Roar Records in 2020 after the label's founder was accused of sexual misconduct.
• Their final performance took place at the O2 Academy Islington in February 2025.