Melodic metalcore

Hailing from San Diego, California, As I Lay Dying emerged in 2000, forged by vocalist Tim Lambesis. Solidifying their lineup in 2001—which included Lambesis' Point of Recognition bandmate Jordan Mancino—the metalcore titans went on to unleash a formidable discography: eight studio albums, a split album, and two compilations. Their impact resonated powerfully; An Ocean Between Us, their fourth studio effort, climbed to #8 on the Billboard 200 and conquered the Top Rock chart. The band became festival mainstays, electrifying crowds at Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Soundwave Festival, Warped Tour, Bloodstock Open Air, and Taste of Chaos. Their achievements extend beyond chart success; they snagged MTV2's "Ultimate Metal God" award (2007), were crowned "Artist of the Year" at the San Diego Music Awards three times (2005, 2007, 2008), and even received a Grammy nomination for "Nothing Left" in 2008. The Powerless Rise, their fifth studio album, a meticulously crafted three-year project, dropped in May 2010 to widespread critical praise. Their final studio release before their hiatus, Awakened, arrived on September 25, 2012.

Hailing from Bridgend, Wales, Bullet for My Valentine (BFMV) are heavy metal titans forged in the fires of 1998. Originally christened Jeff Killed John, the band cut their teeth covering Metallica and Nirvana, laying down six unreleased tracks before a stylistic shift prompted a name change and a new direction. Two of those early demos were later reworked into their BFMV catalog.

The current lineup features Matthew Tuck (vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Paget (lead guitar), Jason Bowld (drums), and Jamie Mathias (bass). Previous bassists included Michael Thomas, Jason James, and Nick Crandle. Their sonic evolution, heavily influenced by metal legends like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slayer, solidified their place in the vibrant Cardiff music scene.

In 2002, BFMV inked a five-album deal with Sony BMG, setting the stage for their rise. Their debut album, The Poison, dropped in the UK in October 2005 and saw a Valentine's Day release in the US in 2006 – a clever nod to their moniker. The album charted at #128 on the Billboard 200, marking the beginning of their global conquest.

Falling in Reverse: A Rock Band With a Storied Past

Falling in Reverse is an American rock band known for their energetic live performances and captivating blend of pop-punk, metalcore, and alternative rock. The band was founded in 2008 by frontman Ronnie Radke, who originally called the group "From Behind These Walls." However, the name was quickly changed to the now-iconic "Falling in Reverse" shortly after their formation.

Currently signed to Epitaph Records, the band has faced multiple lineup changes throughout their career, with Radke remaining the sole original member. They are now led by Radke, alongside guitarist Christian Thompson and bassist Tyler Burgess.

Their debut album, "The Drug in Me Is You," released in July 2011, made a significant impact, reaching No. 19 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 18,000 copies in its first week. The album's success was solidified in December 2019 when it was certified gold by the RIAA.

Falling in Reverse's second studio album, "Fashionably Late," followed in 2013, reaching a peak position of No. 17 on the Billboard 200. The band continues to tour extensively, captivating audiences with their unique blend of heavy and catchy music.

Killswitch Engage: A Metalcore Giant

Hailing from Westfield, Massachusetts, Killswitch Engage emerged in 1999 from the ashes of the influential metalcore bands Overcast and Aftershock. This powerhouse quartet, consisting of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D'Antonio, and drummer Justin Foley, has carved a formidable path in the heavy music scene.

Their rise to prominence began with the release of their 2004 masterpiece, "The End of Heartache," which peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200 chart and achieved RIAA gold certification for exceeding 500,000 units sold in the US. The album's title track was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2005.

Since then, Killswitch Engage has released seven more studio albums, solidifying their status as metalcore pioneers. Their music is a sonic tapestry woven with intense aggression, melodic hooks, and soaring vocals, often incorporating elements of heavy metal and hardcore punk. This unique blend has garnered them a dedicated fan base worldwide, earning them a place among the leading forces of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal.

Early Years and Debut Album (1999-2001):

The band's origins can be traced back to the disbandment of Overcast in 1998. After Overcast's demise, bassist Mike D'Antonio joined forces with Adam Dutkiewicz, guitarist from Aftershock. This collaboration, coupled with the addition of guitarist Joel Stroetzel (also from Aftershock) and vocalist Jesse Leach (from Nothing Stays Gold), birthed Killswitch Engage. The band's debut album, "Killswitch Engage," was released in 2001, showcasing their early raw energy and aggressive sound.

Throughout their career, Killswitch Engage has graced stages at renowned festivals such as Soundwave, Wacken Open Air, Reading and Leeds, Ozzfest, Download, Rock on the Range, Rock am Ring, Mayhem, Monsters of Rock, Pointfest, Knotfest, and Heavy MTL, spreading their music and captivating audiences globally.

Shadows Fall: A Boston Metalcore Legacy

Shadows Fall emerged from the Boston metal scene in 1996, quickly carving their own niche in the burgeoning metalcore genre. While the band has seen its share of lineup changes over the years, the core of the band - guitarists Jon Donais and Matt Bachand, bassist Paul Romanko, vocalist Brian Fair, and drummer Jason Bittner - has remained a constant throughout their recording career.

The band has amassed a formidable discography, including seven studio albums, three compilation albums, and two DVDs. Their debut album showcased the vocal talents of Philip Labonte (All That Remains), but he was soon replaced by the iconic Brian Fair, who quickly solidified his place as the band’s frontman. The first two albums featured drummer David Germain, but in 2002, Jason Bittner joined the fold, adding his thunderous drumming to the band’s sound.

Their commitment to quality and their unique blend of heavy riffs and melodic hooks earned them widespread recognition, culminating in a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 2008 for their song "Redemption" from the album Threads of Life. Their most recent studio album, Fire From the Sky, released in 2012, marked a new chapter in their career with a fresh sound produced by Adam Dutkiewicz, their first collaboration since their debut album.

In 2014, the band announced an indefinite hiatus, concluding a farewell tour in the summer of 2015. However, Shadows Fall surprised fans in December 2021 with a reunion show in their hometown of Massachusetts, rekindling the flames of their career. With new material on the horizon, the future of Shadows Fall is bright, promising a continued reign for the Boston metalcore kings.

The band's journey can be broken down into key chapters:

Formation and "Somber Eyes to the Sky" (1996-1997)

The seeds of Shadows Fall were planted in 1996 when guitarists Jon Donais and Matt Bachand, two friends from the Boston music scene, joined forces. This marked the beginning of a musical journey that would cement Shadows Fall as a force to be reckoned with.

Trivium, the Orlando, Florida-bred heavy metal titans, exploded onto the scene in 1999. The quartet—vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy, guitarist Corey Beaulieu, bassist Paolo Gregoletto, and drummer Alex Bent—have since carved a formidable path through the metal landscape.

Their debut album, Ember to Inferno (2003), a seminal release via Lifeforce Records, established their raw talent. A swift signing to Roadrunner Records in 2004 cemented their ascent, a relationship that continues to this day. Over the subsequent years, Trivium unleashed a blistering ten studio albums and over twenty singles, solidifying their position as a major force in the genre. Their latest offering, In the Court of the Dragon (2021), further demonstrated their evolution and continued mastery. The band's impact is undeniable, boasting over one million albums sold worldwide and a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance ("Betrayer") at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.

Early Days: From Talent Show to Ember to Inferno

The band's origins trace back to a 1999 eighth-grade talent show, where a young Matt Heafy's Metallica cover ("No Leaf Clover") caught the eye of singer Brad Lewter. Lewter subsequently invited Heafy to audition for his band, igniting the spark that would become Trivium.

Underoath: A Rock Band's Journey Through Sound and Change

Underoath, often stylized as Underøath or UnderOath, emerged from the Florida music scene, born in Ocala in 1997. The band, originally a Christian group, was founded by vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton. They later relocated to Tampa, where drummer, clean vocalist, and last remaining original member Aaron Gillespie joined the fold.

Underoath's early years were marked by frequent lineup changes. Taylor's powerful vocals graced the band's first three releases - Act of Depression, Cries of the Past, and The Changing of Times. However, he left in 2003, paving the way for Spencer Chamberlain to become the new lead vocalist. This change marked a turning point for Underoath, leading to a more stable lineup that would define their sound for years to come.

The band's breakthrough came with the release of They're Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line, both achieving Gold certification from the RIAA. These albums cemented Underoath's mainstream success, with Define the Great Line hitting number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Underoath continued to explore their musical direction with their sixth album, Lost in the Sound of Separation, which also achieved top-ten success on the Billboard 200. However, following its release, Gillespie left the band, making way for former Norma Jean drummer Daniel Davison.

The band's seventh album, Ø (Disambiguation), saw the departure from their Christian roots and the emergence of Chamberlain and McTague's clean vocals in Gillespie's absence. This marked a new chapter in Underoath's story, showcasing their ability to adapt and innovate while retaining their core sound.

Throughout their evolution, Underoath has left an indelible mark on the rock music landscape. Their distinctive blend of heavy riffs, emotive lyrics, and shifting vocals has captured the hearts of millions, establishing them as a powerful and enduring force in the music world.

We Came as Romans: A Metalcore Journey from Michigan to the World

We Came as Romans, often shortened to WCAR, emerged from the metalcore scene in Troy, Michigan, in 2005. The band's journey has been marked by both a name change and multiple lineup shifts, showcasing their resilience and evolution. They signed with Equal Vision Records in 2009, releasing a string of successful albums that propelled them to prominence in the metalcore scene. In 2016, they moved to SharpTone Records, marking a new chapter in their journey.

From This Emergency to We Came as Romans

The band's roots lie in a high school band called This Emergency, formed by Sean Zelda, Dave Stephens, Jonny Nabors, Mark Myatt, and Joshua Moore. Stephens was initially a multi-instrumentalist, handling guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals. Early performances in the Detroit area helped the band hone their sound. Nabors left the band in 2005, replaced by Sean Daly, but a year later Zelda departed to pursue higher education. The band underwent a significant change in the summer of 2006, welcoming Larry Clark as the new vocalist and rebranding themselves as We Came as Romans.

A New Vocalist and Early EPs

Clark's tenure was short-lived, ending in late 2007. The band then welcomed Chris Moore as their lead singer, solidifying the lineup that would release their first EPs, "Demonstrations" and "Dreams," both in 2008. These early releases showcased their signature metalcore sound, blending heavy riffs with melodic vocals and powerful breakdowns.

Six Albums and Continued Evolution

We Came as Romans have released six studio albums, each building on their previous success and showcasing their musical growth. From their debut album, "To Plant a Seed" (2009), to their latest, "Darkbloom" (2022), the band has consistently pushed boundaries, experimenting with different textures and tempos while staying true to their metalcore roots. The band also released three more studio albums in between: "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" (2011), "Tracing Back Roots" (2013), and "We Came as Romans" (2015), further solidifying their position as a major force in the metalcore scene.

The Impact of We Came as Romans

Their music has resonated with fans worldwide, earning them a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim. Their powerful lyrics, often exploring themes of struggle, resilience, and self-discovery, have resonated with listeners across generations. We Came as Romans continues to evolve and inspire, solidifying their legacy as a metalcore band that has left an indelible mark on the music world.