Mt. Helium

The Apex Theory was formed in 1999 by Armenian-American musicians Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian, David Hakopyan (drummer and bass player of Soil / System of a Down respectively), and Art Karamian following Khachaturian's injury and subsequent departure from System of a Down. Sammy J. Watson joined the band after they were unable to find a committed drummer. The band released its first extended play, Extendemo, in 2000. The following year, they signed with DreamWorks Records, releasing their second EP The Apex Theory on October 9, 2001. and as co-headliners at the 2002 MTV2 tour. Months after the album's release, Khachaturian left the band, The band released an EP in 2004 entitled inthatskyissomethingwatching. After changing the name to Mt. Helium, the band released its second album, Faces, as a digital download on June 3, 2008. ==Musical style==

Former vocalist Ontronik Khachaturian described the band's sound as a "heavy Mediterranean groove". The Michigan Daily writer Sonya Sutherland wrote, "The Apex Theory combines a heavy drum support, melodic guitars and honey sweet vocals to provide an entertaining and emotional message." The MTV News writer Jon Wiederhorn wrote that "the Apex Theory's multi-textured music [...] combines metal, prog-rock, Mediterranean music and even jazz. And the off-kilter rhythm, skittering drums, whirlpool guitars and aggressive vocals of 'Shhh ... (Hope Diggy)' are a perfect taster for the band's debut album". Deseret News said that "Apex Theory's progressive punk mixed exotic music signatures with psychedelic rock". As The Apex Theory, they were also labelled nu metal. ==Band members==

• David Hakopyan — bass guitar (1999–2008) • Art Karamian — guitar, vocals (1999–2008) • Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian — vocals (1999–2002) • Sammy J. Watson — drums (1999–2008) Timeline ==Discography==

Albums • Topsy-Turvy (2002) (as The Apex Theory) • Faces (2008) (as Mt. Helium) Extended plays • Extendemo (2000) (as The Apex Theory) • The Apex Theory (2001) (as The Apex Theory) • Inthatskyissomethingwatching (2004) (as The Apex Theory) • Lightpost (2007) (as The Apex Theory) Promotional releases • Random Bursts (2001) (as The Apex Theory) ==References==