# The Austerity Program > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Austerity_Program > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Austerity_Program.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Austerity_Program > Source revision: 1330091827 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Austerity Program | image = | image_size = | landscape = | alt = | caption = | alias = | origin = [New York City](/source/New_York_City), [New York](/source/New_York_(state)), U.S. | genre = {{flatlist| * [Alternative metal](/source/Alternative_metal) * [noise rock](/source/noise_rock) * [industrial rock](/source/industrial_rock) * [post-hardcore](/source/post-hardcore) * [post-metal](/source/post-metal) }} | years_active = {{start date|1997}}–present | label = [Hydra Head](/source/Hydra_Head_Records), Controlled Burn | website = {{URL|austerityprogram.com}} | current_members = *Thad Calabrese *Justin Foley | past_members = }} '''The Austerity Program''' is a [noise rock](/source/noise_rock) and [alternative metal](/source/alternative_metal) band that formed in [New York City](/source/New_York_City) in 1997, founded by guitarist Justin Foley and bassist Thad Calabrese. The band has a distinct sound; due to their use of a [drum machine](/source/drum_machine), the band's categorized as an [industrial rock](/source/industrial_rock) outfit, and comparisons to other bands such as [Big Black](/source/Big_Black) are made by critics and fans alike.{{cite web|title=Tinymixtapes Review ((( ''Beyond Calculation'' review )))|url=http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/the-austerity-program-beyond-calculation|publisher=[Tiny Mix Tapes](/source/Tiny_Mix_Tapes)|author=Hemmerling, Joe|accessdate=February 16, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Hydra Head Blogspot(((New Records & Merch from Godflesh & The Austerity Program!)))|url=http://hydraheadlines.blogspot.com/2014/06/new-records-and-merch-from-godflesh.html|publisher=Hydra Head Records|author= Cox, Andrew|accessdate=February 16, 2015}} The duo has a warm reputation within the American underground music scene since their formation, and their 2014 album ''[Beyond Calculation](/source/Beyond_Calculation)'' was ranked as #12 on ''[Rolling Stone's](/source/Rolling_Stone)'' 20 Best Metal Albums of 2014.{{cite web|title=Rolling Stones ((( 20 Best Metal Albums of 2014 )))|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/20-best-metal-albums-of-2014-20141211|publisher=[The Rolling Stones](/source/The_Rolling_Stones)|author1=Curin, Grayson |author2=Epstien, Dan |author3=Giest, Brandon |author4=Gross, Joe |author5=Grow, Kory |author6=Harris, Keith |author7=Weingarten, Christopher R. |date=11 December 2014 |accessdate=February 16, 2015}} ==History== The project initially started during the mid-early 1990s after guitarist Justin Foley and bassist Thad Calabrese met in college in New York City. The duo then formed a band called Polonium, which was named after what they believed was the heaviest metal on the [periodic table](/source/periodic_table).{{cite web|title=The Austerity Program ((( The Austerity Program Biography )))|url=http://www.austerityprogram.com/biography/index.htm|publisher=The Austerity Program|author=Foley, Justin|accessdate=February 16, 2015}} In 1997, the band renamed themselves as The Austerity Program. After sending out multiple, creatively packaged [demos](/source/Demo_(music)), the band was picked up by [Hydra Head Records](/source/Hydra_Head_Records) in 2002, and they released their debut [extended play](/source/extended_play), ''[Terra Nova](/source/Terra_Nova_(EP))'', in 2003. In 2007, the duo released their first full-length [studio album](/source/studio_album) titled ''[Black Madonna](/source/Black_Madonna_(album))'', which, according to the Hydra Head [bandcamp](/source/bandcamp) page, has nothing to do with the singer [Madonna](/source/Madonna_(entertainer)).{{cite web|title=Hydra Head Bandcamp((( Black Madonna )))|url=http://hydrahead.bandcamp.com/album/black-madonna|publisher=[Hydra Head Records](/source/Hydra_Head_Records)|accessdate=February 16, 2015}} During spring of 2008, the duo toured with [post-metal](/source/post-metal) band [Isis](/source/Isis_(band)).{{cite web|title=Decibel magazine((( Tour Diary: The Austerity Program )))|url=http://www.decibelmagazine.com/magazine/judas-priest-46-aug-2008/tour-diary-the-austerity-program/|publisher=Decibel Magazine|author= Foley, Justin|accessdate=February 16, 2015}} In 2010, the band released a follow-up EP, titled ''[Backsliders and Apostates Will Burn](/source/Backsliders_and_Apostates_Will_Burn)''. As a way to market the disc, the band decided to write a humorous press release for it, imitating an irate staff member of Hydra Head complaining about the short run time of the record.{{cite web|title=Noisecreep.com((( hydra Head Doesn't Hate The Austerity Program )))|url=http://noisecreep.com/hydra-head-doesnt-hate-the-austerity-program/|publisher=Noise Creep|author= Villanueva, Justina|date=23 March 2010 |accessdate=February 16, 2015}} In 2012, after Hydra Head announced that they were financially unable to release more records, the band left the label{{cite web|title=Noisy.vice.com((( No, The Austerity Program Doesn't Want A Goddamn Drummer )))|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-austerity-program-interview/|publisher=Vice|author= Cook, Brian|date=29 May 2014 |access-date=February 16, 2015}} and created their very own label titled Controlled Burn Records.{{cite web|title=Controlled burn Records(((The Austerity Program Biography)))|url=http://controlledburnrecords.com/bands/austerity-program|publisher=Controlled Burn Records|author= Foley, Justin|accessdate=February 16, 2015}} In 2014, they released their second full-length record, titled ''[Beyond Calculation](/source/Beyond_Calculation)''. The record received warm reception among critics, and it was even listed in Rolling Stone's 20 Best Metal Albums of 2014. In 2016, the duo re-recorded their early material under the Polonium moniker and issued ''Seriphim'', and album which collects these new recordings, on April 4 of that year.{{cite web |last1=n/a (2016-04-04) |title=Exclusive Full Album Stream: Seriphim by Polonium (AKA The Austerity Program) |url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2016/04/04/exclusive-track-premiere-seraphim-polonium-k-austerity-program/ |website=metalsucks.net |date=4 April 2016 |publisher=Metal Sucks |accessdate=2019-06-16}} The pair's third full-length as The Austerity Program, ''Bible Songs 1'', was released on June 14, 2019 after a lengthy production process. The album, largely inspired by the darker aspects of Biblical stories, was followed by a short European tour.{{cite web |last1=n/a (2019-06-10) |title=Exclusive Full-Album Stream: The Austerity Program's Bible Songs 1 |url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2019/06/10/exclusive-full-album-stream-the-austerity-programs-bible-songs-1/ |website=metalsucks.net |date=10 June 2019 |publisher=Metal Sucks |accessdate=2019-06-16}}{{cite web |last1=Kennelty |first1=Greg (2019-06-11) |title=THE AUSTERITY PROGRAM Invokes The Wrath Of God On New EP Bible Songs 1 |url=https://metalinjection.net/av/new-music/the-austerity-program-invokes-the-wrath-of-god-on-new-ep-bible-songs-1 |website=metalinjection.net |date=11 June 2019 |publisher=Metal Injection |accessdate=2019-06-16}} ==Members== *Thad Calabrese – bass *Justin Foley – guitar, vocals ==Discography== ===Studio albums=== *''[Black Madonna](/source/Black_Madonna_(album))'' (2007, [Hydra Head](/source/Hydra_Head_Records)) *''[Beyond Calculation](/source/Beyond_Calculation)'' (2014, Controlled Burn) *''Bible Songs 1'' (2019, Controlled Burn) ===Extended plays=== *''[Terra Nova](/source/Terra_Nova_(EP))'' (2003, Hydra Head) *''[Backsliders and Apostates Will Burn](/source/Backsliders_and_Apostates_Will_Burn)'' (2010, Hydra Head) ===Demos=== {| class="wikitable" width="100%" |- ! style="width:10%" | Title ! style="width:5%" | Year ! style="width:30%" | Details |- || ''November 2000 Demo'' || 2000 ||Packaged with a box of firecrackers, a friction strip, and a match |- || ''Practice 7-27-02'' || 2002 ||[CD-R](/source/CD-R) packaged in an airtight paper sleeve. Came with a razor blade that the owner could use to open the sleeve. |} ===Compilation contributions=== {|class="wikitable" ! Year ! Track ! Album |- | 2003 | "Song 10" | ''The Champions of Sound 2003''{{citation needed|reason=full ref never entered, ref given as ref name=TAP-audio|date=June 2018}} |- | 2004 | "Song 9" | ''2XH vs. HHR, Vol. 1 - Where Is My Robotic Boot?''{{cite web| title = ''2XH vs. HHR, Vol. 1 - Where Is My Robotic'' – Overview| work = [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic)| url = http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hjfqxqualdhe| accessdate = May 4, 2010}} |- | 2011 | "Song 6" | ''NYC Sucks: Volume 2''{{cite web| title = Free Download for Your Listening Pleasure: ''NYC Sucks Volume 2'', Featuring the Best of New York City's Metal Scene| work = MetalSucks| date = February 22, 2011| url = http://www.metalsucks.net/2011/02/22/free-download-for-your-listening-pleasure-nyc-sucks-volume-2-featuring-the-best-of-new-york-city%E2%80%99s-metal-scene/| accessdate = February 25, 2011}} |- |} ==References== {{Reflist}} {{The Austerity Program}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Austerity Program}} Category:Post-hardcore musical groups from New York Category:American alternative metal musical groups Category:American noise rock music groups Category:American rock music duos Category:Musical groups established in 1997 Category:Musical groups from New York City Category:American post-metal musical groups --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Austerity Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Austerity_Program) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Austerity_Program?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.