The Band Index

Alesana

AmericasUnited StatesPost HardcoreEmoMetalcore
Community

Follow Your Favorite Band Today!

Be the first one to follow Alesana!

Top Alesana Community Posts

Loading posts...
Sponsor content

Band Timeline

2004

Formation of Alesana

Alesana was officially formed in October 2004 in Raleigh, North Carolina, by Shawn Milke, Dennis Lee, Patrick Thompson, Steven Tomany, and Daniel Magnuson. The band members initially began their collaboration in Baltimore, Maryland, before relocating to Raleigh. The band’s name was inspired by Aliceanna Street in Baltimore. Alesana had their first practice session in an upscale car wash and began their musical journey with early demos and local gigging.
2005

Early Demos and Debut EP Release

In 2005, Alesana became the first band signed to Tragic Hero Records. They released three demo songs, including "Apology," "Beautiful in Blue," and "Goodbye, Goodnight for Good," which appeared on the compilation All The Tragedy Money Can Buy. Their debut EP, 'Try This With Your Eyes Closed,' was released in May 2005. The band experienced their first lineup changes with founding drummer Daniel Magnuson leaving and being replaced first by Will Anderson and soon after by Jeremy Bryan. Despite being often mistaken for a Christian band, they performed at events like the Cornerstone Christian music festival.
2006-2007

On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax and Fearless Records Era

Alesana added guitarist and vocalist Adam 'Huckleberry' Ferguson to their lineup in 2006 and recorded their first full-length album, 'On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax,' during the summer of that year. The album, a concept piece heavily influenced by Greek mythology, was initially released independently and later re-released by Fearless Records in March 2007. The band's female vocals on this album featured Shawn Milke's sister, Melissa Milke. Around this time, Steven Tomany left the band and was replaced by Shane Crump. Alesana also contributed an acoustic version of "Apology" to the compilation Punk Goes Acoustic 2. Their participation in the Warped Tour 2007 increased their exposure significantly.
2008

Release of Where Myth Fades to Legend and Lineup Changes

In 2008, Alesana recorded and released their second full-length album, 'Where Myth Fades to Legend,' on June 3. The album was leaked online a month prior to its official release. They supported the album with a headlining tour featuring bands like Sky Eats Airplane and Our Last Night. During 2008's Warped Tour, bassist Shane Crump briefly left for personal reasons and was temporarily replaced by Jake Campbell, who later became the band's guitarist/vocalist after Adam Ferguson’s departure. This year marked another significant lineup shift as the band evolved in style and membership.
2009-2011

Continued Touring and Further Developments

Following their 2008 album, Alesana continued to tour extensively, including headlining tours supporting their releases. Their sound deepened in complexity, solidifying their reputation in the post-hardcore scene. Lineup adjustments persisted as the band refined their membership and musical direction, maintaining fan engagement through energetic live performances and steady creative output.
2011-2012

Release of Subsequent Albums and Growing Fanbase

During this period, Alesana released additional full-length albums that further expanded their discography and elaborated on the band's concept-heavy style blending post-hardcore with melodic and theatrical elements. Their presence on tours and at festivals strengthened their fanbase, especially with younger audiences discovering post-hardcore music. The band balanced thematic storytelling in their albums with engagement through music videos and live shows.
2014-Present

Recent Activities and Current Status

Alesana continues to be active in the music scene with the release of new music and touring. They are currently signed to Revival Recordings and Artery Recordings. Over their career, they have released five full-length studio albums and three EPs, establishing themselves as a notable act in the post-hardcore genre. Their creative approach to concept albums and incorporation of various musical influences continues to define their unique sound and sustain their relevance in the alternative music community.

Albums

alesana_1st_album
All The Tragedy Money Can Buy
8 tracks
2005
alesana_2nd_album
Try This With Your Eyes Closed
9 tracks
2005
alesana_3rd_album
On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax
13 tracks
2006
alesana_4th_album
Where Myth Fades to Legend
13 tracks
2008
alesana_5th_album
The Emptiness
13 tracks
2010
alesana_6th_album
A Place Where the Sun Is Silent
24 tracks
2011
alesana_7th_album
Confessions
11 tracks
2015
Sponsor content

Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Patrick Thompson

2004

Background vocals

Guitar

Jake Campbell

2012

Background vocals

Dennis Lee

2004

Lead vocals

Shawn Milke

2004

Keyboard

Guitar

Piano

Shawn Milke

2004

Lead vocals

Jake Campbell

2012

Guitar

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Alex Torres

2010
2012

Guitar

Jake Campbell

2008
2008

Bass guitar

Derek Jochmann

N/A
N/A

Jake Campbell

2008
2010

Background vocals

Jake Campbell

2008
2010

Guitar

Story of Alesana

Alesana (pronounced AL-iss-AN-a) is a post-hardcore band from Raleigh, North Carolina, currently signed to Revival Recordings and Artery Recordings. Formed in the fall of 2004 by Shawn Milke, Dennis Lee, Patrick Thompson, Steven Tomany, and Daniel Magnuson, the quintet has built a substantial catalog, boasting five full-length studio albums and three EPs.

Their debut, On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax, quickly garnered underground buzz, showcasing a unique blend of pop, punk, metal, and classic rock influences. This eclectic sound became a cornerstone of their identity.

Early Days: From Baltimore to Raleigh

The band's origins trace back to early 2000s Baltimore, Maryland, where founding members Shawn Milke and Patrick Thompson, both veterans of separate local bands, began collaborating. Milke, previously a member of the punk rock band The Legitimate Excuse (formed in 2001), spent a year searching for bandmates and developing early demos under the Alesana moniker. Seeking a broader pool of talent, the duo relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, where they recruited Dennis Lee as vocalist after a chance encounter – Milke famously recalling, "he looked like a band guy." Steven Tomany and Daniel Magnuson completed the initial lineup.

Sponsor content

Learn more about Alesana

Bands you may like