Full Breakdown
Eric Ellis Returns with New Band Ellis
7/28/2026, 12:55:53 PM
New Project Launch and First Release
Former Bury Your Dead guitarist Eric Ellis has re-emerged in the metal scene with a self-titled project, ELLIS. The band independently released a six-song EP titled *The Answer* on July 2. A music video for the track “Manners” was subsequently posted, promoting the EP’s physical release. Physical copies are now available for pre-order through Lambgoat Records, with shipping expected to begin as early as next week, according to Lambgoat.
Background and Prison History
Ellis’s return follows a lengthy hiatus after serving 14 years in federal prison. He was sentenced in 2012 to 20 years on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO)-related charges for involvement with the Jacksonville gang known as the “Guardians,” as reported by theprp. Released a little over a year ago, Ellis began writing instrumental material while incarcerated and has since focused on rebuilding his career through new recordings.
Upcoming Live Debut
The band’s first live performance is scheduled for August 1 in Jacksonville, Florida. The show will take place at The Albatross (originally announced for Hardlove) and will serve as the opening slot for Southpaw FLHC’s record-release concert for *The Standard*, as noted by multiple outlets. This marks Ellis’s first stage appearance since his 2008 departure from Bury Your Dead.
Lineup, Style, and Musical Direction
ELLIS’s current lineup includes Eric Ellis on guitar, Wolf Riddle, Giovanni Casanova, and Jon Rykard. The project blends modern hardcore, metalcore, and groove-driven heavy music, drawing on Ellis’s “lived experience” to deliver aggression and authenticity. Ellis’s earlier work includes guitar contributions to Bury Your Dead’s *Cover Your Tracks* (2004), *Beauty and the Breakdown* (2006), and the self-titled 2008 album, establishing his reputation within the genre.
