The Florida-based metal band, Into the Moat, was started by band drummer Matthew Gossman in 2001. Initially, Gossman started the band as a one-man project, recording all the instruments on several demo tracks in an attempt to hone the yet-to-be-formed bands' general sound before recruiting its actual members. After a brief recruiting process, Gossman brought on Kit Wray (guitar), Rob Shaffer (guitar), Earl Ruwell IV (vocals) and Joshua Thiel (bass) to the bands' ranks. Citing the sounds of Candiria and Dillinger as early influences, after formation, the band hit the road almost immediately ...
Full Biography
The Florida-based metal band, Into the Moat, was started by band drummer Matthew Gossman in 2001. Initially, Gossman started the band as a one-man project, recording all the instruments on several demo tracks in an attempt to hone the yet-to-be-formed bands' general sound before recruiting its actual members. After a brief recruiting process, Gossman brought on Kit Wray (guitar), Rob Shaffer (guitar), Earl Ruwell IV (vocals) and Joshua Thiel (bass) to the bands' ranks. Citing the sounds of Candiria and Dillinger as early influences, after formation, the band hit the road almost immediately after, serving up their neck slapping blast beats and brutal break downs to crowds across the country.
In January of 2002, the band's sound and focus was honed as then bassist, Kit Wray, moved onto guitar and assumed the role as band's song writer. In May of 2003, the band released the EP Means by Which the End is Justified, on Lovelost Records and received rave reviews from the underground and subsequently garnered the attention of Metal Blade Records. After several cross-country tours, the band finished their second record, Design, which was released on Metal Blade Records in March of 2005.
