The Vista-based quintet known as Burning the Masses is a deathcore metal band founded by teen guitarists Chris Valenzuela and his friend Arde. Original singer Dane Reinhart came from the Oceanside death metal band Ends with an Enemy.
“Even though I started it, they kicked me out. I didn’t like to carry equipment.” He joined Burning the Masses in late 2006. “We toured all over California, Arizona, and New Mexico.” They drew the attention of Baron Bodnar, founder of Mediaskare, an L.A.-based label that features metal bands such as As Blood Runs Black, Bury Your Dead, and Silent Civilian.
Bodnar discovered the band at an unsigned-artist showcase at Chain Reaction in Anaheim. He signed Burning the Masses to Mediaskare, which released two albums -- Mind Control (2009) and Offspring of Time (2010) -- and helped them tour the U.S. and Europe.
But Reinhart says Bodner only wanted Burning the Masses with two conditions: “He told the [two guitarists and bassist] ‘I will sign you, but the drummer and the singer have to go.’ He said that I would never make it in this industry. I was pissed.” Reinhart turned to hip-hop. Performing as Solus, he freestyles and writes his own lyrics.
Burning the Masses, lacking a lead singer, used guest singer Cameron Argon for the Offspring of Time CD, which was recorded In Portland, Oregon. Argon also did one European tour with the group, before the vocalist slot was filled by Brian Kulikoff.