We Came as Romans
We Came as Romans (abbreviated as WCAR) is an American metalcore band from Troy, Michigan. Formed in 2005, the band has gone through one name change and multiple lineup changes, and signed to SharpTone Records in 2016. We Came as Romans has released two EPs, "Demonstrations" (2008) and "Dreams" (2008), and five full-length albums, "To Plant a Seed" (2009), "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" (2011), "Tracing Back Roots" (2013), "We Came as Romans" (2015), and "Cold Like War" (2017). History. Formation and early years (2005–2011). In August 2005, high school classmates Sean Zelda , Dave Stephens (born 1988), Jonny Nabors, Mark Myatt and Joshua Moore (born 1989) formed a band called "This Emergency." During the beginning years, current vocalist Dave Stephens performed the guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals. They performed various shows throughout the metro Detroit area. In November 2005, the band parted ways with bass player Jonny Nabors and replaced him with Sean Daly. In June 2006, Zelda quit to pursue education at the University of Michigan. In the summer of 2006, a close friend of the band and another high school classmate, Larry Clark, officially joined on vocals and changed their name  to We Came as Romans. After Clark left in late 2007, the band added Chris Moore as the new singer. According to Dave Stephens, during this time, two songs entitled "Mouth to Mouth" and the original version of "Colours" were released with Larry Clark as the vocalist. According to the band's publicist at Equal Vision Records, Joshua Moore assumed duties of writing the majority of the lyrics from this point on. Their first EP, "Demonstrations", sometimes referred to as the "Motions EP", was sold at concerts and online through their website. Chris Moore left in mid-2008 and the band  introduced vocalist Kyle Pavone. Between EPs, We Came as Romans embarked on the "V-Neck & Shaved Chest" Tour (June 2008) with Close to Home. Afterwards, "Dreams" was released on December 2, 2008. It was produced by Joey Sturgis and was met with many favorable reviews. AbsolutePunk gave "Dreams" a 79/100 review. Two days before the release of "To Plant a Seed", WCAR concluded support of Oh, Sleeper and The Chariot on their co-headlining "Here a tour, there a tour, everywhere a tour tour" Tour (September - November 2009). "To Plant a Seed", the band's first full-length album, was  released on November 3, 2009. Like "Dreams", this album was produced alongside Joey Sturgis and features re-recorded versions of "Dreams" and "Intentions" (featuring Tyler Smith) originally from "Dreams". We Came as Romans finished 2009 with the "Leave It to the Suits Tour" (November and December 2009) with I See Stars, Of Mice & Men, and Broadway. The first video single "To Plant a Seed" was released on May 11, 2010. WCAR appeared on the "Punk Goes Pop Volume Three" compilation, released November 1, 2010, covering Justin Timberlake's "My Love". We Came as Romans' second video single "To Move on  is to Grow" was released on December 14, 2010 according to iTunes. We Came as Romans' title track "To Plant a Seed" appeared on "Equal Vision Records Presents: New Sounds 2011", released December 21, 2010, on iTunes. On January 6, 2011, the band's label, Equal Vision Records announced that "To Plant a Seed" would be re-released including the new single "To Move on Is to Grow" as a CD/DVD deluxe version. The DVD includes 38-minutes of exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, live performances from their recent United States, 2010 tours (Scream It Like You Mean  It and Band of Brothers), and the new music video for "To Move on Is to Grow". "To Plant a Seed" made a big debut on the Billboard charts reaching No. 6 on Top Heatseekers, No. 25 on Top Independent, and No. 175 on Top 200 charts, respectively. Section::::"Understanding What We've Grown to Be" (2011–2013). Recording for the follow-up of "To Plant a Seed" was scheduled for February and March 2011 (Part 1) and May - July 2011 (Part 2). According to We Came as Romans' label, Equal Vision Records, "The band is currently writing for their sophomore full -length album, which they will be recording with Joey Sturgis between tours and is expected to see a fall 2011 release date". In an interview with Brian Walsh, a Monster Energy Pit reporter for Warped Tour 2011, Joshua Moore confirmed that their second album is indeed all planned out and they will be entering the studio before embarking on Warped Tour. During this time, We Came as Romans appeared in the No. 25 (June/July 2011) issue of "Substream Music Press" magazine, and Dave Stephens appeared in "Alternative Press" magazine issue No. 227.2 (August 2011). The band was also highlighted  in the Vans Warped Tour Official Program. "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" was finished and given a September 13, 2011, release date. iTunes released a deluxe version of the record which contained seven live tracks from "To Plant a Seed" in Sydney, Australia. On June 22, 2011, the first single, entitled <nowiki>"Mis//Understanding"</nowiki> was released via Equal Vision Records through YouTube. On June 23, 2011, the title track to the album, "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" was also released via YouTube. Both of these songs were bundled into a pre-order for sale on iTunes  which was released on July 5, 2011. On July 14, 2011, cover art for "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" was released via puzzle on the band's homepage. According to the band, "musically and lyrically, "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" holds a much darker tone than their previous release, "To Plant a Seed". While still maintaining the band's overall theme of positivity and brotherhood, the new material takes on a more straightforward approach to life's struggles and the challenges of growing up." On August 24, 2011, Equal Vision Records via YouTube released the third  single entitled "What I Wished I Never Had". On August 28, 2011, "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" was leaked unofficially by an unknown source. "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" was officially released on September 16, 2011, by Nuclear Blast throughout Europe. According to an Outerloop Management source, as of September 21, 2011, "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" reached No. 20 on Billboard Top 200, No. 7 on Independent Current Albums (Indie Chart), No. 5 on Top Hard Music Albums, No. 10 on Top Current Rock Albums, and No. 16 on Overall Digital Albums. According  to the same Outerloop Management source, as of September 28, 2011, "Understanding What We've Grown to Be" debuted on the "Billboard" Top 200 at No. 103. On October 16, 2011, We Came as Romans came in at No. 43 on Independent Albums and No. 22 on Hard Rock Albums on Billboard Top 200. "Mis//Understanding" was officially released, exclusively by ArtistDirect.com as the album's first music video on November 11, 2011. It was released via iTunes on November 22, 2011. It is the first of a three part series of music videos for songs off of the band's  recently released album, "Understanding What We've Grown to Be". The videos were filmed in Brooklyn, NY in September, with director Travis Kopach (AFI, 3OH!3, Panic! at the Disco). The second video, "Just Keep Breathing" was released on December 16, 2011, via Livestream.com, and was released via iTunes on July 17, 2012. The third video, "Understanding What We've Grown To Be" was released February 2, 2012, via VeVo, and was released via iTunes on January 31, 2012. According to the band's Facebook post on February 2, 2012, "The three videos we shot portray a person lost, confused and  struggling to find purpose in life. He sees himself at his darkest in the first video, trying endlessly to find his way out. After going through a traumatic experience, he finds his way out and his eyes begin to open to a new journey of finding out what really makes him feel alive. Through this journey the man traces back to his childhood house, where it all began. Overwhelming feelings wash over him as he remembers the feeling he once had long ago. Now, with a sense of purpose, he embarks back into the world to take the path he  should have taken long ago". To begin 2012, We Came as Romans co-headlined the Macbeth Footwear and Keep a Breast "European Tour" (January - February) with Alesana and special guest support from Iwrestledabearonce and Glamour of the Kill. We Came as Romans played the "Scream Out Fest" (February 17–19, 2012) in Tokyo, Japan. During this time, We Came as Romans appeared on the cover of issue No. 285.2 (April 2012) of "Alternative Press" magazine. On March 5, 2012, We Came as Romans announced a free show to 500 local fans on March 7 at The Crowfoot in Pontiac, Michigan. They  then headlined the Keep A Breast in conjunction with MerchNow.com's "The Fire and Ice Tour" (March - April 2012) with support from Emmure, Blessthefall, Woe, Is Me, and The Color Morale, which included headlining the South By So What? Festival on March 17, 2012, at QuikTrip Park, Grand Prairie, Texas; the "Houston We Have A Problem Festival" on March 18, 2012, at the Verizon Wireless Theatre in Houston, Texas; and day 1 of the Go Ahead Booking and Alternative Press' 2012 Jamboree Music Festival 3 at the Omni in Toledo, Ohio, on April 14, 2012. We Came as Romans participated  in the Pulp Summer Slam 12 with Darkest Hour, Periphery, August Burns Red, Blessthefall, and Arch Enemy, on April 28, 2012, at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City, Philippines. We Came as Romans played day 1 and day 2's surprise of the annual Bamboozle Festival at Asbury Park, New Jersey on May 18–19, 2012. We Came as Romans was scheduled to support Underoath on their "South American Tour 2012" (May 2012) with additional support from Protest The Hero and Close Your Eyes, however, this tour was cancelled. We Came as Romans headlined a free show at Santos Party House  in New York City on May 22, 2012, with support from Like Moths to Flames and Texas in July which was broadcast in real time on LiveStream.com. They also headlined a show on June 21, 2012, at Peabody's in Cleveland, Ohio, and then played Rockapalooza on June 23, 2012, at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Jackson, Michigan, alongside Woe, Is Me, Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. The band also played two dates supporting the mall skate-demo enthused "Zumiez Couch Tour" on June 24 in Chicago, Illinois and June 26 at the Mall of America in  Minneapolis, Minnesota with Set Your Goals. They also headlined Summerfest Rock Stage at Summerfest Grounds, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 27, 2012. On April 18, 2012, We Came as Romans was announced as part of, and played the "Scream It Like You Mean It 2012" tour (July–August 2012) alongside headliner Attack Attack! with The Acacia Strain, Oceano, Like Moths to Flames, Close to Home, Impending Doom, Woe, Is Me, Abandon All Ships, Secrets, Volumes, For All Those Sleeping, The Chariot, Glass Cloud, At The Skylines, Texas in July, In Fear and Faith, and Hands Like Houses. We Came as Romans  then headlined a short Canadian trek (September 11–16, 2012) with support from Abandon All Ships, Skip The Foreplay, and Ice Nine Kills. We Came as Romans also supported Falling in Reverse at the Snickers presents Six Flags New Jersey FestEvil FrightFest on September 29, 2012, with Norma Jean, Texas in July, Born of Osiris, I, the Breather, My Ticket Home, Palisades, Visions, Horizons, I Am King, First of the Fallen, and Dream for Tomorrow. On June 6, 2012, We Came as Romans were announced as the headliner for the Impericon "Never Say Die Tour 2012" (October 12 – November 3, 2012 ) European trek with support from Blessthefall, Stick to Your Guns, For the Fallen Dreams, Obey The Brave, At The Skylines, The Browning, and at Dawn We Rage. We Came as Romans extended their stay in Europe and played Russia (November 4–5, 2012), and closed out the year as a special guest on the "Latin American Tour 2012" (early December 2012) with headliner August Burns Red. On September 9, 2012, the band announced that they might release some "new music" by the end of the year. On September 13, 2012, We Came as Romans announced that their cover of "Glad You  Came" by The Wanted would be included on the "Punk Goes Pop Volume 5" compilation, and was released November 6, 2012. On November 13, 2012, We Came as Romans released their music video for "Glad You Came" by The Wanted via FuseTV. Guitarist Joshua Moore told FuseTV about the video, "We've always done really serious music videos, normally with storylines and a bunch of production, but for a while now we really just wanted to do a fun video. Just us hanging out and being ourselves, just being the normal guys that sometimes people seem to forget musicians are . So we had a ton of fun filming ['Glad You Came'] with our friend Justyn [Moro, the director], and we hope you enjoy viewing it as much as we enjoyed making it!" On December 4, 2012, iTunes released a pre-order for the "Take Action, Volume 11" compilation, which includes a new We Came as Romans track entitled "Fair-Weather", released on compact disc initially on January 8, and digitally via iTunes January 9, 2013. On December 12, 2012 Equal Vision announced that a new We Came as Romans song entitled "Let These Words Last Forever" would be released on  December 18, 2012. A teaser of the track was posted on the label's YouTube page. This single was released via iTunes as scheduled and is featured on the deluxe re-release of "Understanding What We've Grown To Be" along with two additional songs entitled "Hope" and "The King of Silence", which was released on January 8, 2013. All three additional tracks were produced and mixed by John Feldmann. "Hope" was released exclusively via MTV Buzzworthy on January 4, 2013, for live streaming. On January 26, 2013, the band announced that a music video for "Hope" would premiere January  31. This video was filmed in New Hampshire during December 20–21, 2012 and directed by Dan Kennedy and Rasa Acharya. We Came as Romans single, "Hope" was featured as part of Equal Vision Records' "New Sounds 2013, Vol. 2 - EP" compilation via iTunes on April 9, 2013, as well as the "2013 Warped Tour Compilation", released June 4, 2013. On March 13, 2013 "Hope" was announced as a feature on ESPN's college lacrosse programming. Section::::"Tracing Back Roots" (2013–2014). During an on-air interview with Jay Hudson of 89X Radio, Joshua Moore stated that they would begin recording their new  album with producer John Feldmann in March 2013. According to guitarist Joshua Moore, the band entered the studio on March 13, 2013, and would record the new record for the next seven weeks. Vocalist Dave Stephens announced via Twitter that he would be singing more on this record than the band's previous releases, and also announced on April 23, 2013, that recording had wrapped up. On May 20, 2013, the band, Equal Vision Records and Outerloop Management revealed via online studio updates and social media networks album cover artwork, track listing, and that the band's third full-length  album, entitled "Tracing Back Roots" was scheduled for a July 23, 2013 release. The title track, "Tracing Back Roots" is the first single following "Hope", and was released June 11, 2013, via iTunes. An official lyric video was released by Equal Vision Records for this track the same day and was directed by DJay Brawner of Anthem Films. On June 28, 2013, the band announced that the second single on Tracing Back Roots is entitled "Fade Away" and was released on July 3, 2013, via YouTube and July 9, 2013, via iTunes. "Tracing Back Roots" was featured on the Equal  Vision Records 2013 Summer Sampler, released via iTunes on July 2, 2013. On July 10, 2013, Hot Topic officially released "Ghosts" from the band's upcoming album on their Facebook site with a link to Equal Vision Records' SoundCloud. On July 12, 2013, Alternative Press premiered "Never Let Me Go" from the band's upcoming album through their official web site. The band was filmed in New York for an upcoming music video on their Van's Warped Tour 2013 off-date, July 15, 2013. The song "Fade Away" and production crew, for which the music video has been made  was released on August 29. 2013, and premiered on September 3, 2013, via Equal Vision Records' YouTube web site. On July 16, 2013, the band released "I Survive" featuring Aaron Gillespie (of Underoath) from their upcoming album via MTV Buzzworthy and Front Magazine in the UK. On July 18, 2013, the band streamed "Tracing Back Roots" in its entirety via Pandora Premieres (US) and Rock Sound (UK). "Tracing Back Roots" received a 4/5 review from Detroit's "The Sun" newspaper on July 19, 2013, which also marked their milestone of eight years as a band. "Tracing Back Roots" was officially  released via iTunes and other outlets on July 23, 2013, as scheduled. A Target exclusive edition of "Tracing Back Roots" featured two extra tracks, entitled "One Face" and "Recklessness". This album reached No. 2 in daily sales via iTunes on its release date. MerchNow's release included a DVD entitled "Endless Roads" that was filmed by DJay Brawner. On July 31, 2013, this album debuted at number 8 on the "Billboard" Top 200 and No. 1 on the Hard Rock chart. A special 30-minute acoustic show entitled "Tracing Back Roots Release Celebration" was scheduled for September 29, 2013, at  6:00 pm CDT via StageIt.com. However, it was postponed until October 14, 2013, due to technical difficulties. On September 26, 2013, the band was filmed for their upcoming music video in Los Angeles, California, with Dan Dobi of Please Subscribe Film. On December 16, 2013, the band announced this video was for "Never Let Me Go", and that it would be released on December 18, 2013, via Fuse.com. "Kerrang!" released an exclusive video of "Tracing Back Roots" filmed during Van's Warped Tour 2013 via their website on November 14, 2013. This was filmed by the band's crew, but  most notably by Joel Pilotte, a freelance photographer from Southern Ontario, Canada. On November 26, 2013, Ibanez announced that guitarist Joshua Moore had become a sponsored artist. Moore currently uses Ibanez FR and ARZ guitar models. In response to this announcement, Moore stated "I'm stoked to finally announce that I'm an exclusive Ibanez artist! I was elated to hear that the interest I had in playing their guitars was met with the same interest to work with me. For the first time, since [We Came as Romans] began over eight years ago, I'm playing guitars that I  truly want to play and believe that the company who made them truly will support me." The band was featured in ZioGiorgio.com recognizing that "the PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 digital console has long been an important part of [the band's] arsenal. [This equipment allows] the band to control their own monitor [and in-ear mixes]." On December 27, 2013, We Came as Romans were presented "Billboard" plaques via Equal Vision Records for "Tracing Back Roots"' August 10, 2013 placement on Billboard's charts: #1 on Independent Albums, No. 1 on Internet Albums, No. 1 on Hard Rock Albums, No. 2  on Top Rock Albums, and No. 8 on Top 200 Albums. On January 27, 2014, the band released a music video for "Ghosts" directed by Carlo Oppermann of ambitious.films via Nuclear Blast on Kerrang.com. On November 28, Equal Vision Records released on their YouTube page an acoustic version of "A Moment" and "Hope." Self-titled, "Cold Like War" and Kyle Pavone's death (2015–2018). On May 26, 2015, We Came as Romans announced the release of their self-titled fourth studio album, which took place on July 24. They also released a single from the album, titled "The World I  Used to Know", along with a music video for "Regenerate". The album was commercially successful, but received a mixed reception from fans due to marking a change in the band's sound. The band headlined 2015's Warped Tour on main stage throughout the summer. On October 12, 2015, Members of We Came as Romans announced that three of them had formed a new heavy project called Crucible, with former Taproot member Nick Freddell and former Assassins guitarist, Todd Jansen. Dave Stephens performed as the frontman, Andy Glass performed as the bassist, Lou Cotton performed as one of the guitarists , Nick Freddell performed as the drummer and finally, Todd Jansen performed as the other guitarist. On October 20, they released the first song from the upcoming debut EP called Death Rate featuring Bleeding Through Vocalist Brandan Schieppati. On November 7, The Trials EP was released. Most of the songs featured a guest vocalist, with the exception of "The Trials" and "Fear Mongers". The Misconceived featured Davey Muise (formerly of Vanna), Bastard featured Kyle Pavone, and Slave to the Dime featured Landon Tewers (The Plot in You, formerly of Before Their Eyes). They had a tour following the EP's release  and have not played a live show since March 2017. On September 29, 2016, We Came as Romans presented a new single called "Wasted Age". The band also played on Parkway Drive's North American Unbreakable tour with Counterparts as well. On October 4, drummer Eric Choi announced he would be leaving the band to pursue other goals in life after being in the band for about 10 years. On June 4, 2017, For Today announced via their Facebook page that their drummer, David Puckett, would be taking on the drum duties "throughout this year". He is credited for drums  at the end of the music video for the "Cold Like War" single released on September 11, 2017. The album "Cold Like War" was released on October 20, 2017 release. It contains 10 tracks, totaling about 39 minutes of playback time. "Cold Like War" is the first album without drummer Eric Choi and it's the first album that the band has released on a different record label, having been with Equal Vision from 2008 to 2016. On August 25, 2018, the band released a statement on their social media accounts that Pavone had died at the age of 28 . On August 31, 2018 the band released a statement that revealed his cause of death as an accidental drug overdose and announced that a foundation had been started in his honor. On September 11, 2018, Dave Stephens released a statement about the band via social media, confirming that the band will not replace Kyle Pavone. Dave confirmed that the band will go on tour with Bullet for My Valentine, honoring Kyle and talking about his foundation. Upcoming sixth studio album (2019–present). In the spring of 2019, the band went on co-headline tour with Crown the Empire, Erra and  SHVPES. On April 16, 2019, the band announced that it would enter the studio to record new material. On September 23, the band announced that two stand-alone singles will be released by the end of the week. On September 29, the band dropped the singles "Carry the Weight" and "From the First Note". On May 29, 2020, the band released another version of the single "Carry the Weight" featuring Fit for a King. On July 14, 2021, the band released the single "Darkbloom" from their upcoming album. On September 7, 2021, We Came As Romans released a new single  called "Black Hole" featuring Caleb Shomo of Beartooth. On November 10, 2021, the band released a new song titled "Daggers" featuring rapper Zero 9:36. Musical style. We Came as Romans' musical style has been primarily described as post-hardcore and metalcore. Their songs regularly include melodic passages with orchestral instrumentation, such as violin and keyboard ballads. We Came as Romans has also been described as a mix between hardcore and screamo. The band's lyrics feature an "overall theme of positivity" discussing topics such as purpose, hope, brotherhood, and morality. Their self-titled 2015 album marks a noticeable shift in  style to a more radio-friendly sound, and has been described as "alternative rock meets marketable nu metal." According to "Kill Your Stereo", the band continues to "grow out of their heavier metalcore roots and move towards a more alternative metal, melodic direction," embracing a "more mature" sound. Members. Current Former Touring musicians Timeline Discography. Studio albums Extended plays Singles Deluxe CDs Awards. On August 26, 2013, the band's video for "A War Inside" directed by Cole Dabney won the 2013 Music Video Directors Association's Award for "Best Live Performance/Tour Video". We Came as Romans We Came