The Acacia Strain

{{Short description|American deathcore band}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Acacia Strain | image = 2014-08-30 Turock The Acacia Strain 15.jpg | landscape = yes | caption = The Acacia Strain in 2014 | origin = Chicopee, Massachusetts, U.S. | genre = {{hlist|Metalcore|deathcore}} | years_active = 2001–present | label = {{hlist|Rise|Closed Casket Activities|Prosthetic|Devil's Head}} | current_members = * Vincent Bennett * Devin Shidaker * Griffin Landa * Mike Mulholland * Matt Guglielmo | past_members = * Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz * Christopher Daniele * Daniel "Outhouse" Daponde * Karrie Whitfield * Jeanne Sagan * Seth Coleman * Ben Abert * Kevin Boutot * Jack Strong * Richard Gomez * Tom Smith Jr. }} {{Missing information|the band's history|date=March 2026}} '''The Acacia Strain''' is an American metalcore band that was founded in 2001 and originally based in Chicopee, Massachusetts, but now based in Albany, New York. The group is currently signed to Rise Records<ref name="MusicMight">{{cite web |url=http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+states/massachusetts/chicopee/the+acacia+strain1 |title=The Acacia Strain |publisher=MusicMight |access-date=April 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711141535/http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+states/massachusetts/chicopee/the+acacia+strain1 |archive-date=July 11, 2012 }} </ref> and initially consisted of high school friends Vincent Bennett, Christopher Daniele, and Ben Abert, Karrie Whitfield, Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz, and Daniel Daponde joining shortly after. They recorded and released their debut album ''...And Life Is Very Long'' in 2002 via Devil's Head records. The band has released thirteen full-length albums throughout their tenure. thumb|The Acacia Strain in 2010

== Touring == The band has taken part in several tours and festivals over the years. In 2023, the band supported Dying Fetus on tour in North America along with Despised Icon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2023-07-11 |title=DYING FETUS Announces New Album, Fall 2023 Tour |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dying-fetus-announces-new-album-fall-2023-tour |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> In February 2026, the band was announced as part of the lineup for the Louder Than Life music festival in Louisville, scheduled to take place in September.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=Louder Than Life 2026 lineup: Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance, Tool, Danzig, Circa Survive, Megadeth & more |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/louder-than-life-2026-lineup-iron-maiden-my-chemical-romance-tool-danzig-circa-survive-megadeth-more/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Artistry == === Musical style === The Acacia Strain's music has been primarily described as deathcore<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/the_acacia_strain_drop_bitter_pill_from_upcoming_new_albumlisten/ |title=Hear the Acacia Strain's brutal new song "Bitter Pill" |work=Alternative Press |date=March 27, 2017 |access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/death-is-the-only-mortal/563013510 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124194219/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/death-is-the-only-mortal/563013510 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 24, 2017 |title=Death Is the Only Mortal by The Acacia Strain on Apple Music |date=October 9, 2012 |publisher=iTunes |access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref> and metalcore,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/the-acacia-strain-and-guitarist-dl-laskiewicz-part-ways |title=The Acacia Strain and guitarist DL Laskiewicz part ways |work=Guitar Player |date=June 11, 2013 |access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref> and has been noted to include heavy influences from sludge,<ref name=AllMusic /> doom metal<ref name=AllMusic /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_acacia_strain_slow_decay_album_review|title=The Acacia Strain Are Unafraid of Reinvention on 'Slow Decay'|author=Mark Tremblay|work=Exclaim!|date=July 22, 2020|accessdate=May 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2023/05/04/review-the-acacia-strain-mines-the-depths-of-doom-with-failure-will-follow/|title=Review: The Acacia Strain Mines the Depths of Doom with Failure Will Follow|author=Max Heilman|website=www.metalsucks.net|date=May 4, 2023|accessdate=May 21, 2023}}</ref> and death metal<ref>[https://www.metalsucks.net/2019/07/23/lets-talk-about-knocked-loose/ Lets Talk About Knocked Loose] MetalSucks</ref> along with some punk rock-style aesthetic and sensibilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2011/02/28/the-acacia-strain-is-my-favorite-band-w-interview/|title=THE ACACIA STRAIN IS MY FAVORITE BAND [W/ INTERVIEW]|date=February 28, 2011|website=MetalSucks}}</ref>

AllMusic characterizes the band's musical style as "utiliz[ing] a bone-crushing rhythm section, apocalyptic samples, and a unique triple-guitar assault to deliver their signature blend of hardcore punk, noise, death metal and doom metal."<ref name=AllMusic>{{cite web |last=Monger |first=James Christopher |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-acacia-strain-p665591 |title=The Acacia Strain |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=August 7, 2011}}</ref> The site's review of ''Wormwood'' elaborates on the band's sound as "an inelegant and unstoppable juggernaut fueled by memories of the unchecked aggression unleashed on the world by the likes of Sepultura and Pantera."<ref>{{cite web |last=Heaney |first=Gregory |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/wormwood-r1826467 |title=Wormwood – The Acacia Strain |publisher=Allmusic |access-date=August 7, 2011}}</ref>

Vocalist Vincent Bennett has denied that The Acacia Strain is of the "deathcore genre", going as far as expressing dislike for the label,<ref name="ExclusiveInterviewVincentBennett">{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/12/30/exclusive-interview-with-the-acacia-strains-vincent-benett/|title=Exclusive Interview with The Acacia Strain's Vincent Bennett|last=Bee Roth|first=David|date=December 30, 2008|publisher=MetalSucks|access-date=August 7, 2011}}</ref><ref name=SickDrummer /> though Bennett was later more ambivalent towards it, stating "sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellino |first=Vince |date=2019-12-26 |title=Interview: Acacia Strain Vocalist Vincent Bennett Discusses New Album 'It Comes in Waves' |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/12/26/interview-acacia-strain-vocalist-vincent-bennett-discusses-new-album-it-comes-in-waves/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Acacia Strain's influences include Candiria, Integrity, Dismember, Crowbar, Meshuggah, Hatebreed, Slayer, Arch Enemy, and Overcast.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/acacia_strain_we_keep_stuff_like_that_really_tasteful.html |title=Acacia Strain: 'We Keep Stuff Like That Really Tasteful' |publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.com |last=Rosen |first=Steven |date=March 7, 2009 |access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref><ref name=SickDrummer>{{cite web |url=http://sickdrummermagazine.com/the-drummers/metal-hardcore/interview-with-kevin-boutot-of-the-acacia-strain-summer-2011/ |title=Interview With Kevin Boutot of The Acacia Strain – Summer 2011 |work=Sick Drummer |last=Smart |first=Noel |date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hardcoretimes.net/the-acacia-strain/ |title=The Acacia Strain |work=Hardcore Times |last=Doyle |first=Alan |date=December 30, 2003 |access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref>

The Acacia Strain's music videos were also known for being humorous, and generally not taking the deathcore scene seriously.{{Citation needed|date=February 2026}}

=== Lyrics === Written by lead vocalist Vincent Bennett, the band's lyrics generally center around misanthropy<ref name="HardTimesInterviewVincentBennett">{{cite web |url=http://hardtimes.ca/acacia_written |title=The Acacia Strain – 2009 Interview with Vincent Bennett |publisher=hardtimes.ca |date=March 28, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817171934/http://hardtimes.ca/acacia_written |archive-date=August 17, 2011 }}</ref> and nihilism.<ref name="sickdrummermagazine1">{{cite web |url=http://www.sickdrummermagazine.com/index.php/features/off-beat-interviews/1400-interview-with-vincent-bennett-of-the-acacia-strain.html |title=Interview with Vincent Bennett of The Acacia Strain |publisher=Sick Drummer Magazine |date=May 15, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725183640/http://www.sickdrummermagazine.com/index.php/features/off-beat-interviews/1400-interview-with-vincent-bennett-of-the-acacia-strain.html |archive-date=July 25, 2011 }}</ref> Bennett employs misogynistic and sexually deviant imagery in his lyrics, but usually only as metaphors to help get his points across while keeping the songs' overall meanings open for interpretation.<ref name="HardTimesInterviewVincentBennett" /><ref name="sickdrummermagazine1" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drivenfaroff.com/2006/05/26/the-acacia-strain-interview/ |title=The Acacia Strain Interview |publisher=Driven Far Off |date=May 26, 2006 |access-date=August 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919065046/http://www.drivenfaroff.com/2006/05/26/the-acacia-strain-interview/ |archive-date=September 19, 2011 }}</ref>

== Band members == [[File:2014-08-30 Turock The Acacia Strain 06.jpg|thumb|Drummer Kevin Boutot was the second-longest remaining member of the band behind vocalist Bennett.]] '''Current''' * Vincent Bennett – lead vocals (2001–present) * Devin "Big Slime" Shidaker – lead guitar, backing vocals (2013–present) * Griffin Landa – bass (2015–present) * Mike Mulholland – rhythm guitar (2022–present) * Matt Guglielmo – drums (2023–present)

'''Former''' * Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz – lead guitar, programming, backing vocals (2001–2013); rhythm guitar (2007–2013) * Daniel Daponde – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2001–2006) * Christopher Daniele – third guitar (2001–2005) * Ben Abert – drums (2001–2004) * Karrie Whitfield – bass (2001–2003) * Jeanne Sagan – bass (2003) * Seth Coleman – bass (2004–2006) * Kevin Boutot – drums (2005–2023) * Jack Strong – bass (2006–2015) * Richard Gomez – rhythm guitar (2013–2016) * Tom Smith Jr. – rhythm guitar (2016–2022)

'''Touring''' * Mark Castillo – drums (2004) * John Preston – bass (2003) * David Sroka – rhythm guitar (2009) * Mike Casavant – rhythm guitar (2009–2010) * Tim Cavallari – lead guitar (2010–2012) * Tony Diaz – rhythm guitar (2010–2012) * Matt Guglielmo – drums (2018) * Terrance Pettitt – drums (2023)

=== Timeline === {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:22 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:80 top:10 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2001 till:{{#time: m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2001 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2001

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PlotData = width:11 bar:Vincent from:01/01/2001 till:end color:lvocals bar:DL from:01/01/2001 till:05/18/2013 color:LG bar:DL from:01/01/2004 till:05/18/2013 color:Bvocals width:3 bar:DL from:01/01/2004 till:09/01/2004 color:bass width:7 bar:DL from:11/01/2006 till:05/18/2013 color:RG width:7 bar:Chris from:01/01/2001 till:03/01/2005 color:RG bar:Dan from:01/01/2001 till:11/01/2006 color:RG bar:Dan from:01/01/2004 till:09/01/2004 color:bass width:7 bar:Dan from:01/01/2001 till:11/01/2006 color:bvocals width:3 bar:Richard from:05/18/2013 till:07/11/2016 color:RG bar:Devin from:05/18/2013 till:end color:LG bar:Devin from:05/18/2013 till:end color:bvocals width:3 bar:Tom from:07/11/2016 till:03/06/2022 color:RG bar:Mike from:06/24/2022 till:end color:RG bar:Karrie from:01/01/2001 till:07/01/2003 color:bass bar:Jeanne from:07/01/2003 till:01/01/2004 color:bass bar:Seth from:09/01/2004 till:11/01/2006 color:bass bar:Jack from:11/01/2006 till:05/22/2015 color:bass bar:Griffin from:05/22/2015 till:end color:bass bar:Ben from:01/01/2001 till:09/01/2004 color:drums bar:Kevin from:03/01/2005 till:07/16/2023 color:drums bar:Matt from:09/05/2023 till:end color:drums }}

== Discography == === Studio albums === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="5" | Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US <ref name="Billboard 200">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the acacia strain|chart=Billboard 200}} | title=The Acacia Strain – Chart History: Billboard 200 | magazine=Billboard | access-date=December 29, 2013}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US Heat. <ref name="US-Heatseekers-albums">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the acacia strain|chart=Heatseekers Albums}} | title=The Acacia Strain – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums | magazine=Billboard | access-date=December 29, 2013}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US Indie. <ref name="US-Independent-albums">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the acacia strain|chart=Independent Albums}} | title=The Acacia Strain – Chart History: Independent Albums | magazine=Billboard | access-date=December 29, 2013}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US Rock <ref name="US-Rock-albums">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the acacia strain|chart=Rock Albums}} | title=The Acacia Strain – Chart History: Top Rock Albums | magazine=Billboard | access-date=December 29, 2013}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US Hard Rock <ref name="US-Hard Rock-albums">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the acacia strain|chart=Hard Rock Albums}} | title=The Acacia Strain – Chart History: Hard Rock Albums | magazine=Billboard | access-date=December 29, 2013}}</ref> |-

! scope="row" | ''...And Life Is Very Long'' | * Released: {{dts|2002-09-02}} * Label: Devil's Head * Formats: CD, digital download | — || — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row" | ''3750'' | * Released: {{dts|2004-07-13}} * Label: Devil's Head, Prosthetic * Formats: CD, digital download | — || — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row" | ''The Dead Walk'' | * Released: {{dts|2006-06-13}} * Label: Prosthetic * Formats: CD, digital download | — || 40 || 47 || — || — |- ! scope="row" | ''Continent'' | * Released: {{dts|2008-08-19}} * Label: Prosthetic * Formats: CD, digital download | 107 || 2 || 13 || — || 18 |- ! scope="row" | ''Wormwood'' | * Released: {{dts|2010-07-20}} * Label: Prosthetic * Formats: CD, digital download | 67 || — || 6 || 21 || 8 |- ! scope="row" | ''Death Is the Only Mortal'' | * Released: {{dts|2012-10-09}} * Label: Rise * Formats: CD, digital download | 51 || — || 10 || 21 || 5 |- ! scope="row" | ''Coma Witch'' | * Released: {{dts|2014-10-14}} * Label: Rise * Formats: CD, digital download | 31 || — || 4 || 8 || 1 |- ! scope="row" | ''Gravebloom'' | * Released: {{dts|2017-6-30}} * Label: Rise * Formats: CD, digital download | 146 || — || 4 || 29 || 8 |- ! scope="row" | ''It Comes in Waves'' | * Released: {{dts|2019-12-26}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-the-acacia-strain-to-drop-ninth-album-it-comes-in-waves/|title=NEWS: The Acacia Strain to drop ninth album, ''It Comes In Waves''!|website=Dead Press!|date=December 21, 2019}}</ref> * Label: Closed Casket Activities * Formats: CD, digital download | — || — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row" | ''Slow Decay'' | * Released: {{dts|2020-07-24}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiVita |first1=Joe |title=The Acacia Strain Debut Two New Songs, Detail 'Slow Decay' Album |url=https://loudwire.com/acacia-strain-new-songs-slow-decay-album/ |website=Loudwire |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> * Label: Rise * Formats: CD, digital download | 87 || — || 1 || 1 || 1 |- ! scope="row" | ''Step Into the Light'' | * Released: {{dts|2023-05-12}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Andrew Sacher|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-acacia-strain-announce-new-lp-step-into-the-light-new-song-exclusive-swirl-vinyl/|title=The Acacia Strain announce new LP 'Step Into the Light' (new song & exclusive swirl vinyl)|magazine=BrooklynVegan|access-date=February 14, 2023|date=February 14, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Rise * Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl | — || — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row" | ''Failure Will Follow'' | * Released: {{dts|2023-05-12}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Sam Taylor|url=https://upsetmagazine.com/news/the-acacia-strain-album-failure-will-follow/|title=The Acacia Strain have announced a second new album for May|magazine=Upset|access-date=March 15, 2023|date=March 15, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Rise * Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl | — || — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row" | ''You Are Safe from God Here'' | * Released: {{dts|2025-10-24}} * Label: Rise * Formats: CD, digital download || — || — || — || — || — |- | colspan="10" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

===Live albums=== *''The Most Known Unknown'' (2010)

===EPs=== *''When Angels Shed Their Wings Volume 3'' with Loyal to the Grave (2003) *''Money for Nothing'' (2013) *''The Depression Sessions'' with Thy Art Is Murder and Fit for an Autopsy (2016)

===Singles=== *"Jonestown" (2010) *"Servant in the Place of Truth" (2012) *"Above" / "Below" (2013) *"Bitter Pill" (2017) *"Big Sleep" (2017) *"D" (2020) *"E" (2020) *"C" (2020) *"A" (2020) *"Y" (2020) *"Untended Graves" (2022) *"Fresh Bones" (2023) *"Chain" (feat. Jacob Lilly) (2022)

===Demos=== *''Demo 2001'' (2001) *''Demo 2002'' (2002)

===DVDs=== *''The Most Known Unknown'' (2010)

==Music videos== *"Smoke Ya Later" (2004) *"3750" (2005) *"Angry Mob Justice" (2006) *"Skynet" (2009) *"The Hills Have Eyes" (2010) *"The Impaler" (2011) *"Cauterizer" (2014) *"Send Help" (2015) *"One Thousand Painful Stings" (2020)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.theacaciastrain.com/}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Acacia Strain, The}} Category:2001 establishments in Massachusetts Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Massachusetts Category:Metalcore musical groups from Massachusetts Category:American deathcore musical groups Category:Musical groups established in 2001 Category:Musicians from Chicopee, Massachusetts Category:Musical groups from Springfield, Massachusetts Category:American musical quintets Category:Rise Records artists