Crown the Empire

Crown the Empire stands as a potent force in American metalcore, an outfit that carved its niche from Dallas, Texas, in 2010. This genre-bending collective currently features the commanding presence of vocalist Andrew "Andy Leo" Rockhold (born 1994), the searing guitar work of Brandon Hoover (born 1993), and the rhythmic foundation laid by bassist Hayden Tree (born 1993). Signed to the influential Rise Records label, known for launching many scene heavyweights, Crown the Empire has forged a formidable discography boasting five studio albums. Their latest sonic offering, the critically acclaimed Dogma, dropped on April 28, 2023, further solidifying their evolving, dynamic sound.

History: Forging an Empire from the Ground Up

Formation and the Limitless EP Era (2010–2011)

The genesis of Crown the Empire traces back to May 2010, blossoming from the ambitious jam sessions of Brandon Hoover and Austin Duncan during their high school days at Colleyville Heritage High. The initial lineup, brimming with raw talent and ambition, featured Andrew "Andy Leo" Rockhold (then Velasquez) at the helm of lead vocals, Hayden Tree providing rhythm guitar and vital backing vocals, Brandon Hoover shredding on lead guitar and contributing his own backing screams, Devin Detar on bass, Alex Massey driving the drums, and Austin Duncan adding crucial keyboard textures.

Right from the outset, Crown the Empire aimed to carve a distinctive niche within the burgeoning heavy music scene. Their stated goal was to "be heavier than most bands in their area," while masterfully "bringing huge, poppy choruses to a genre that can become pretty stale." This commitment to blending ferocious aggression with undeniable melodic hooks quickly became a cornerstone of their appeal.

Their inaugural live assault unleashed on July 10, 2010, at Compass Church in Colleyville, Texas, marking the beginning of their relentless journey. Like many nascent bands striving to define their identity, Crown the Empire navigated early lineup turbulence. In late 2010, Devin Detar was succeeded by Brandon Shroyer on bass. The following year, the band parted ways with drummer Alex Massey. After months of auditions to find the perfect rhythmic engine, Brent Taddie was officially announced as Crown the Empire`s new drummer on June 6, 2011. Just five days later, in a move that showcased their early engagement with fans, the band released a video inviting enthusiasts to submit vocal covers, specifically emphasizing their quest for those capable of delivering powerful harsh vocals – a clear signal of their dedication to a full-spectrum vocal attack.