downset. reveal lineup change and European headlining tour

Veteran rap metal band downset. has once again restructured its lineup. Guitarist Rogelio Lozano remains the central member of the ensemble. The group has reintroduced their original drummer, Christopher “Krasp” Lee, into the lineup. New members include Loki, who officially joins as the vocalist after previously performing the role live. Additionally, Liam Dunne of Countime and other projects has joined the band, likely in the capacity of bassist. This revised roster is scheduled to tour across Europe early in the upcoming year. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

• Tuesday, March 02, 2027 – Kufa Haus, Braunschweig, Germany
• Wednesday, March 03, 2027 – Bastard Club, Osnabrück, Germany
• Thursday, March 04, 2027 – Goldgrube, Kassel, Germany
• Friday, March 05, 2027 – Kemphe Ondestroom, Malle, Belgium
• Saturday, March 06, 2027 – Het Bolwerk, Sneek, Netherlands
• Sunday, March 07, 2027 – Brasserie De La Mule, Brussels, Belgium
• Monday, March 08, 2027 – Schoppche Keller, Frankfurt, Germany
• Tuesday, March 09, 2027 – Weberknecht, Vienna, Austria
• Wednesday, March 10, 2027 – Barba Negra, Budapest, Hungary
• Friday, March 12, 2027 – Musigburg, Aarburg, Switzerland
• Saturday, March 13, 2027 – Treppenhaus, Rorschach, Switzerland
• Sunday, March 14, 2027 – Pitcher, Düsseldorf, Germany

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The band was initially named Social Justice and originated as a hardcore punk ensemble. The original configuration included Rey Oropeza on vocals, Jesse Garcia and Steve Sain on guitars, David Acosta on bass, and Luis Garcia on drums. Their debut album, titled “Unity Is Strength”, was released in 1989. In the subsequent year, the group disbanded, leaving Oropeza as the sole remaining member.

Oropeza reassembled the band with new members: Don Ward and Rogelio Lozano on guitars, James Morris on bass, and Christopher Lee on drums. This revised lineup issued the mini-album “I Refuse to Lose” in 1992. The band gained recognition for being among the pioneering hardcore groups to integrate hip hop and funk elements into their musical style.

In 1992, Ward departed from the band, and he was succeeded by guitarist Brian Schwager. The band, originally known as Social Justice, rebranded as Downset and issued the “Our Suffocation” demo in 1993. The album addressed various social issues, including the death of lead singer Oropeza’s father at the hands of the LAPD, and received critical acclaim. During this period, their musical style evolved to heavily feature elements of rap metal and funk metal.

In 1994, Downset signed a recording contract with Mercury Records, a subsidiary of PolyGram, and released their eponymous album within the same year. The band began to gain recognition in Europe after touring there with Biohazard and Dog Eat Dog, followed by additional performances with Pantera and The Almighty later that year.

In early 1995, Downset embarked on a substantial headlining tour across Europe with Sullen. During that year, they also performed at prominent rock festivals such as Roskilde and Dynamo across the continent. In 1996, the band released their most commercially successful album, “Do We Speak a Dead Language?”, through Mercury Records.