The Word Alive
A driving, melodic metalcore band based out of Phoenix, Arizona, the Word Alive emerged in 2008 with an uncompromising blend of traditional metalcore and EDM influences, later adding elements of hook-laden modern rock and alternative metal to the mix. They made an impression on the Billboard Heatseekers chart with their 2009 EP Empire and cemented their status as genre stalwarts on subsequent full-length efforts like Life Cycles (2012), Dark Matter (2016), and Monomania (2020).
Originally founded by singer Craig Mabbitt and guitarists Zack Hansen and Tony Pizzuti, the band served as a side project for Mabbitt, who joined Escape the Fate around the same time. Filling out their membership with bassist Nick Urlacher, drummer Tony Aguilera, and keyboardist Dusty Riach, the band began to develop a sound, though their progress was stunted by Mabbitt's rigorous touring schedule; they soon replaced him with vocalist Tyler Smith. With Smith in place, things began to move quickly for the Word Alive, who signed on with Fearless Records, which released their Empire EP in 2009. After hitting the road, the Word Alive released their full-length debut, Deceiver, in 2010, a year that would also see them parting ways with Aguilera and Urlacher, who were replaced by bassist Daniel Shapiro and drummer Justin Salinas (though the latter's time with the band would be short-lived; drummer Luke Holland stepped in to replace him just two years later when Salinas grew tired of life on the road).
A second album, the darker and heavier Life Cycles, followed in 2012. The Word Alive continued to mature their sound, returning in 2014 with Real, an album that found the band developing a more nuanced and atmospheric take on the genre. 2015 saw the band continuing a grueling tour schedule that included international appearances in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and the Philippines. In November of that year, their dedication to fans was tested when vocalist Smith broke his back and several ribs during a stage-diving incident and still insisted on honoring every remaining date on the tour. Just a few months later, the Word Alive announced the release of their fourth LP, Dark Matter, which arrived in March 2016 and soared to the number 2 slot on the Billboard Indie charts. Later that year, Holland parted ways with the band and was replaced by Matt Horn. Shapiro was the next to go, later replaced by Ryan Daminson. The quintet issued singles "Misery" and "Red Clouds" before the arrival of their fifth set, 2018's emotionally charged Violent Noise. For their sixth full-length effort, the band recruited producer Erik Ron (Panic! At the Disco, Godsmack, Blessthefall). The resulting Monomania was released in February 2020.
© Gregory Heaney & James Christopher Monger /TiVo
Similar artists
Discography
21 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
-
RISE
League of Legends, Mako, The Word Alive
Alternative & Indie - Released by Riot Games on Sep 28, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Deceiver (Deluxe Edition)
Rock - Released by Fearless Records on Aug 31, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rise (Redux)
The Word Alive, League of Legends
Rock - Released by Thriller Records on Feb 23, 2024
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
-
Violent Noise
Metal - Released by Fearless Records on May 4, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Dark Matter
Metal - Released by Fearless Records on Mar 18, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
-
-
BURNING YOUR WORLD DOWN
Rock - Released by Fearless Records on Nov 1, 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Empire
Alternative & Indie - Released by Fearless Records on Jul 21, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
-
Empty (with The Word Alive)
Rock - Released by Outlast Records on Dec 9, 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
Condemned
Stain the Canvas, The Word Alive
Metal - Released by InVogue Records on Oct 8, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
SEARCHING FOR GLORY
Rock - Released by Fearless Records on Feb 7, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo