Contagin

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Melodic groove metal / Burlington, North Carolina

Contagin

Fifty original songs. Two live room takes online. The first studio album is being tracked now.

Hear the band Follow the noise
Formed
21 June 1997
Home
Burlington, NC
Originals
50+
Next show
29 Aug, Applefest

Band room transmissions

Both takes were captured mid-rehearsal on room mics. No mix, no fixes, no pretending.

2 onlineAbout 48 more have only been played in a room.

Twenty-nine years. Thirteen silent.

The line from the first audition to the album being tracked now.

  1. 1989

    Todd Ritchie starts playing covers

    The cover circuit is crowded and going nowhere.

  2. 1997

    Ricky Allison auditions with "Cowboy From Hell" and "N.I.B."

    He tells Todd he is not interested in covers and wants to write. The band forms on 21 June around that answer.

  3. 2000

    Wilson County Fairgrounds Metalfest

    Then the first heavy metal band to play the Depot in downtown Burlington.

  4. 2006

    Two nights that got filmed

    Someone pointed a camera at the stage twice that year. It is the only footage of this band before the lights went out.

    The Raven 24 Aug 2006
    Somewhere Else Tavern, Hellfest 22 Sep 2006
  5. 2011 to 2024

    Thirteen years of silence

    Lineups scattered. Nothing recorded, nothing played. Founding member Ray Barbour is lost during the gap.

  6. 2024

    Back in the room

    The band reunites and starts rehearsing the catalogue again. On 30 July, founding guitarist Todd Ritchie dies.

  7. Now

    Tracking the album

    Allison, Baker, Gerner and Benitez are recording the songs Todd started.

Four channels. One wall of sound.

  • VoxRicky AllisonVocalsFounding member, 1997
  • GtrTyler BenitezGuitarCarrying Todd's parts
  • BassDylan GernerBass, drumsSwaps with Josh
  • DrmJosh BakerDrums, bassSwaps with Dylan
Empty heavy metal stage with a drum riser, amplifiers, blue lightning, and fog

The 2026 run

Seven dates booked. Two still ahead.

  1. May30A Piece of Cake Metal FestivalWinston-SalemPlayed
  2. Jun6Tricky Ricky RideBurlington 3:30 PM, outdoor fundraiserPlayed
  3. Jun26Lucky'sBurlingtonPlayed
  4. Jun27Lucky's BenefitBurlingtonPlayed
  5. Jul18The DenWinston-SalemPlayed
  6. Aug29ApplefestNext
  7. Oct10Lucky'sBurlingtonUpcoming

Put Contagin on your stage.

Run a room in the Piedmont and need a bill filled? The band travels.

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