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Critical Failure is a hard rock / "nerd metal" band from Bossier City, Louisiana. The band strives to mix different styles and moods within their music, with strong melodies and dynamic vocals, making for an eclectic mix that doesn't normally find its way into the hard rock and metal scene. Their love for geek culture and nerdy hobbies presents itself throughout their body of work, from the name and logo, to various aspects of their presentation, and through song themes ranging from fantasy adventures to epic sci-fi and post apocalyptic struggles.
The band formed in mid 2013, largely out of the remnants of the 6+ year old band Eye of Anger, with 3/4 of the members carrying over from the previous band. The lineup consists of Joseph "I-Con" Benfield on lead vocals, the former singer for Eye of Anger; "Filthy Rich" Kelham on Guitar and Vocals, notable for his involvement in local bands such as The Moulin Dudes, Eye of Anger and a variety of acoustic acts and cover bands; James "Helfyre" Harrison on Bass Guitar and Backup Vocals, known from numerous other local projects including Kulture Kill, The Moulin Dudes, Tyrants of Steel, Southview and others; JayBee Friday on drums, known for The Moulin Dudes, Eye of Anger, and a variety of other acoustic acts and cover bands.
In 2014 Critical Failure released their debut album, the full length LP titled "Roll Initiative", and followed up with an EP titled "Crit Happens" in 2016. Their second full length LP, a concept album titled "Divided As One", had a soft release in late 2024 with the official release in 2025. The band is currently working on their second EP, a concept album which will tie into the title track from the Crit Happens EP.
H I G H L I G H T S
Critical Failure has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with many national recording artists such as Drowning Pool, Halestorm, Otherwise, Devour the Day, Trapt, Avatar, September Mourning, among others.
The band has been featured on multiple editions of 98.9 FM's Homegrown local music program, have been a part of multiple music festivals in Shreveport including X-Fest, and has hosted multiple official after parties for a variety of events in the area.
Owing to the unique nature of nerd, geek, and pop culture influences, Critical Failure has been a part of multiple "Comic-Con" like events in Shreveport and Bossier City.
S O C I A L M E D I A
F E A T U R E D S O N G S
D I S C O G R A P H Y
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Roll Initiative
Release Date: 09/20/2014
1. My Favorite Game [4:26]
2. Conviction (Crucifixion) [3:25]
3. Ascend [3:49]
4. Tower of Cowards [3:56]
5. A Perfect Dissonance [4:13]
6. Cracks Will Form [7:03]
7. Did the Wolf Catch the Crow? [4:45]
8. Has the Veil Lifted? [5:23]
9. The Heart Lies [3:48]
10. The Wall Has Fallen [3:45]
11. Don't Get Me Wrong [3:54]
12. The Color Bled Out [5:11]
Crit Happens
Release Date: 04/22/2016
1. Crit Happens [3:59]
2. Insatiable [3:00]
3. Dis[appear] [4:53]
4. The Heart Lies (Acoustic) [3:42]
5. The Game [1:50]
Divided As One
Release Date: 09/27/2024
1. Corpocracy [4:02]
2. Weakness in Numbers [3:00]
3. Sound of Blood [3:19]
4. conTRAPtions [3:34]
5. Fly Toward the Sun [4:41]
6. Remember the Day [6:20]
7. Wake Up [1:53]
8. Teeth Rise [4:12]
9. Fade into Echoes [5:56]
10. RUN [2:27]
11. Freak of Nature [3:57]
12. Stare Down the Beast [3:34]
13. Whose Blood is This? [2:28]
14. Let It Burn [4:52]
15. The End [6:05]
P R E S S P H O T O S
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L O G O F I L E S
2025 Divided As One Logo
Classic Logo
P R O M O T I O N A L
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Copyright (C) 2026 Critical Failure
