Reformer (formerly METALloyd) is a musical side-project of the Armed Lutheran himself, Lloyd Bailey. The project began under the name “METALloyd” a name used when Lloyd was a heavy metal DJ in the late 1990s. The original purpose was to create soundtrack music for the Armed Lutheran Radio podcast.
Early Releases
In 2022, under the band name METAlloyd, Lloyd collaborated with session guitarist Metal Fakir and Italian vocalist Eric Castiglia for a sludgy 5-track EP called “Cross of Sorrow” which marked the band's full-on foray into drop-tuning. This was followed by the EP's “Forth to War” and “Not What these Hands Have Done,” all of which relied heavily on re-worked hymns for source material.
First Albums
In the fall of 2023 the band released their first full-length album, “Not By Sight.” Then in December came the second full-length album, “Bring Back the Flood,” which featured eight more tracks, five of which were original lyrics.
Mankind Fell
In March 2024 the band released their third (and longest) full-length album, “Mankind Fell,” featuring eleven new songs. Mankind marked a change in tone and songwriting, with six original songs and a re-arrangement of the band's first original “Sling and Stone.”
Re-Branding
In June the band was informed that another band had been using the name “Metalloyd” previously, and the work of both bands was being confused on some streaming services. After a vote by fans and artist renderings of potential logos, the band officially changed names on June 12, 2024, choosing the name “Reformer” for the original 16th century reformer himself, Dr. Martin Luther.
To Die is to Gain
On Reformation Day (October 31) of 2024, the first album was released under the band's new name. “To Die is to Gain” featured 12 new songs and, at the time, the highest number of original songs of any album, including the title track “To Die is to Gain,” “Vault 11”, “Exorcist,” “Conquer All,” and “Skeleton Man” which were released as singles prior to the album's release. (https://open.spotify.com/album/1xD92nxbyjY1oIuuzTERGE)
Dead Man Walking
On July 30, 2025, the band released their second album under the Reformer brand, titled “Dead Man Walking” and featuring 11 original tracks. The band calls this it's most personal album yet, with songs dealing with mid-life crises (“A Grave Concern”), divorce (“Daddy's Gone”), and regret (“Like Me”), drawing from the band's own experiences. The band released seven singles in the run-up to the release of the full album. This was also the first album to be mixed and mastered internally by Armed Lutheran Media Company. (https://open.spotify.com/album/5GzsThgEoRWf9gEuHURp8X)
Band Members
The band is fronted by Lloyd Bailey on vocals, Lloyd Bailey on rhythm guitar, Lloyd Bailey on lead guitar, Lloyd Bailey on bass, Lloyd Bailey on drums, and (occasionally) Lloyd Bailey on keyboard.
Gear Used
Interface: https://amzn.to/3Rb6AnF
Digital Audio Workspace (DAW): Reaper
Microphone: https://amzn.to/3yEajnk
Studio Monitors: https://amzn.to/4e5Td1Z
Guitar: https://amzn.to/3R9AoBo
Bass Guitar: https://amzn.to/3R6BcXu
Guitar Strings: https://amzn.to/3R9nZ0c
Bass Strings: https://amzn.to/3wZ3c8F
(*Amazon affiliate links)
Listen
You can hear more of their music on their YouTube channel, and on streaming services like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Deezer.