Himsa was an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1998, their band name was derived from the word Ahimsa, which in Sanskrit means "to abstain from causing harm". Removal of the "A" gives the word opposite meaning. Himsa literally means "violence" in Sanskrit, Hindi and other Indian languages like Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu and Tamil. The group released four full-length studio albums, two EPs and one DVD before their disestablishment in 2008.

The band formed in 1998 and released an independent EP and full-length album in 1999 on Revelation Records. Before being signed to Prosthetic Records, the band released one more EP in 2001, which was also on Revelation. 2003 saw Himsa record and release their album Courting Tragedy and Disaster. Following the release of the album the band toured extensively throughout the US and other parts of the world. They spent the latter half of 2005 in Denmark, recording their followup album, Hail Horror. In December 2006, Himsa announced that they have signed with Century Media Records. On April 23, 2007, Himsa entered the studio to work on their new album, Summon in Thunder, which was released on September 18, 2007. This was their only studio album released on Century Media Records. This album added a more melodic death metal sound to the band.

In early 2006, Himsa toured with Darkest Hour, The Acacia Strain, A Life Once Lost, and Dead To Fall. During November 2006, Himsa toured Australia with Parkway Drive and Cry Murder.

Himsa has advertised that their August 16, 2008 at El Corazon in Seattle will be their last show ever.
On June 20, 2008, bassist Derek Harn issued a statement via blabbermouth.net as follows: "After 10+ years, four releases, countless tours and almost incomprehensible (yet constant) upheaval, the last three years of the band have been relatively stable. Having sacrificed everything we had in order to ensure the band's survival it's time to let it go. We made a great CD ('Summon in Thunder', Century Media); reportedly, our best. We've got a great label. We're getting along, we've toured and we’re fine. It's all good. We're leaving it at that. A relatively unremarkable closing to HIMSA's gi-normously dramatic career, there appears to be no acrimony or unpleasantness, simply the end of a blistering, phenomenal, tumultuous era of the metal that HIMSA permeated into the modern musical landscape. References have been made to the band's evolving difficulties with the relentless touring schedules that have been the hallmark of HIMSA's career. If we can't tour, and our reality is we can't tour as we have in the past, then it's not HIMSA. Better to hang it up than fade away.”

Vocalist John Pettibone said that he will devote all his time to side bands such as The Vows and has said he is done with touring. Pettibone has since joined Seattle band Heiress, which has released a self-titled 7" and a split 7" with Narrows.