J. Diamond (AKA Animal) was born March 28th 1975 in Phoenix, Arizona where he grew up.

Animal was always drawn to music, and when he was in 5th grade had a classmate introduce him to

Motley Crue. From that moment on he was drawn to hard rock and heavy metal.

At the age of 13 a neighbor introduced animal to bass guitar. Animal was fascinated by the slap

and pull funk style of players like Bootsie Collins. While learning the bass guitar he was told he was

approaching the bass more like a percussionist.

At the age of 14 Animal tried his hands at playing drums. He was heavily influenced throughout

his teenage years by bands like Motley Crue, Skid Row, Van Halen, Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth and

Slayer.

Animal became enthralled by the drums and spent several hours a day playing and practicing his

drums. He began playing with several musicians and jamming with several local bands which helped

build his reputation as a rock and metal drummer.

At the age of 19 he was introduced to death metal and black metal. He became fascinated yet

again striving to practice more technical and progressive metal. Bands like Cannibal Corpse, Deicide,

Malevolent Creation, Fear Factory, Sepultura and gradually moved into Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, In

Flames, Primal Fear, Einherjer.

In 1998 Animal joined a friends band that was in its infant stages. That band would soon become

Blackstorm out of Tempe, Arizona. Blackstorm released two albums worldwide. The first, Black Circle

Crusades resembled horror movie music boasting cellos, violins and French horns.

The second album As Black As Thy Candles Burn, was very different showcasing melodic guitar

work, diverse grooves, and resembled a very European metal sound. Unfortunately, the band like many

others fell into conflict ending the project in 2002.

In 2005 Animal moved to Quincy, Illinois where he played with the band Recoil for

approximately 3.5 years. Recoil quickly gained notoriety in Quincy, Illinois as well as throughout the

eastern side of Missouri.

Recoil disbanded in 2009 and Animal went on hiatus. After moving around from Illinois to

Tennessee to Florida he moved back to Arizona in 2017. He tried putting several projects together, none

of which panned out.

In October of 2021 Animal responded to an and for a drummer wanted and met with the guitar

players Rob and JD for an audition. The guys seemed to get along well personally as well as musically.

Animal was offered the position as drummer adding to the line-up of what is now known as ASH TO

DUST.