Cognizance

Cognizance is a progressive Technical death metal band from Leeds, founded in 2012. They released their debut album, Malignant Dominion, in September 2019 and their sophomore album, Upheaval, in September 2021 through Prosthetic Records. The band's third album, Phantazein, was released in January 2024 through Willowtip Records. In May 2026 the band released their fourth full-length album titled In Light, No Shape marking their second release through Willowtip Records. Throughout the years the band has received coverage by various online and print publications, such as Terrorizer (magazine), Revolver (magazine) and Decibel (magazine). The band was initially formed as a studio project by guitarist Alex Baillie and vocalist Henry Pryce in 2012. They self-released their first EP Inquisition in 2013 followed by their second EP _Inceptum in 2014, which included session drummer Alex Rüdinger. In 2016, they were joined by drummer David Diepold and self-released their third EP, Illusory. In 2018 they were joined by bassist Chris Binns and after signing with Prosthetic Records, released their debut full-length album Malignant Dominion. In early 2020, Apostolis Karydis (aka Paul Yage) joined as their second guitarist and in 2021 the band released their second full-length album Upheaval. The band took a more intense approach with this album and is known for its technical guitar work and high tempos, with some tracks reaching as high as 280 bpm. In 2023 the band announced that they had ended their relationship with Prosthetic Records and that they would release their next album through Willowtip Records. Phantazein, the band's third full-length album, was released through Willowtip Records in January 2024. This time the band took a slightly different approach again, choosing to focus more on Groove (music), Harmony and creating a more intricate sonic soundscape with the production of the album. In early 2026 a statement was released by the band stating that vocalist Henry Pryce had left the band and that guitarist Alex Baillie would step in to handle the vocal duties on the upcoming album. In May of 2026 the band released their fourth album titled In Light, No Shape through Willowtip Records with the artwork being provided by Jef Whitehead of Leviathan (musical project). Alex Baillie - vocals, guitar Apostolis "Paul Yage" Karydis - guitar Chris Binns - bass David Diepold - drums Henry Pryce - vocals Philip Archbold - bass Alex Rüdinger - drums Romain Goulon - drums Inquisition (2013) _Inceptum (2014) Illusory (2016) "NEW COGNIZANCE SINGLE, 'AEON SICKNESS', PREMIERING NOW". Prosthetic Records. Retrieved 2025-06-19. "COGNIZANCE ALBUM STREAM VIA PROSTHETIC RECORDS DISCORD". Prosthetic Records. Retrieved 2025-06-19. Cognizance - Malignant Dominion, 2019, retrieved 2025-06-19 "Willowtip | Bands > Cognizance". willowtip.com. Retrieved 2025-06-19. wonderboxmetal, Author (2026-04-26). "Cognizance – In Light, No Shape (Review)". Wonderbox Metal. Retrieved 2026-04-29. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help) Fisher, Carl (2026-04-27). "Album Review: Cognizance – In Light, No Shape (Willowtip Records)". GAMES, BRRRAAAINS & A HEAD-BANGING LIFE. Retrieved 2026-04-29. "Willowtip | Releases > Cognizance - In Light, No Shape". www.willowtip.com. Retrieved 2026-04-29. "Cognizance - Phantazein". Metal Temple Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-19. Weaver, James (2023-12-13). "Cognizance announce new album 'Phantazein'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-19. Various - Fear Candy 163, 2017, retrieved 2025-06-19 "Various - Terrorizer Magazine - Lost Souls Domain". www.zenial.nl. Retrieved 2025-06-19. Staff, Revolver. "Hear Cognizance's New Tech-Death Ripper Featuring Job for a Cowboy Singer". Revolver. Retrieved 2025-06-19. Andrew, J. (2021-08-04). "Video Premiere: Cognizance - "Aeon Sickness"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-19. wonderboxmetal, Author (2014-02-22). "Cognizance – Inquisition (Review)". Wonderbox Metal. Retrieved 2025-06-20. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help) "COGNIZANCE". DAN MUMFORD. Retrieved 2025-06-19. Alex Rüdinger (2015-01-22). Alex Rudinger - Cognizance - "The Succession Of Flesh". Retrieved 2025-06-19 – via YouTube. Weber, Austin (2016-08-16). "Tech-Death Tuesday: COGNIZANCE Strike Gold Yet Again on Illusory". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2025-06-19. Weber, Austin (2019-09-17). "Tech-Death Tuesday: COGNIZANCE's Long-Awaited Album Is A Malignant Dominion Worth Getting Lost Inside". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2025-06-19. Noizze (2021-09-22). "Cognizance - Upheaval | Album Review". Noizze UK | Live Music | Reviews | Interviews | Podcasts. Retrieved 2025-06-19. "Cognizance - Upheaval". Metal Temple Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-20. "VoS | Cognizance - Upheaval". veilofsound.com. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2025-06-20. "Willowtip | Releases > Cognizance - Phantazein". willowtip.com. Retrieved 2025-06-20. Blabbermouth (2024-01-25). "Phantazein". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2025-06-20. "COGNIZANCE Releasing Concept Album 'Phantazein' in January on Willowtip!". PlanetMosh. Retrieved 2025-06-20. Kennelty, Greg (2024-01-23). "COGNIZANCE Streams Crushing, Blindingly Technical New Album Phantazein". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2025-06-20. themetalepidemic (2026-04-28). "Cognizance - In Light, No Shape". Metal Epidemic. Retrieved 2026-04-29. "Cognizance – In Light, No Shape". Metal Temple Magazine. Retrieved 2026-04-29. Clement, Keith (2026-02-28). "COGNIZANCE Return with 'In Light, No Shape' on Willowtip in May!". Metalheads Forever Magazine. Retrieved 2026-04-29. Cognizance - Malignant Dominion, 2019-09-06, retrieved 2025-06-19 Cognizance - Upheaval, 2021-09-24, retrieved 2025-06-19 Cognizance - Phantazein, 2024-01-26, retrieved 2025-06-19