Tracing Back Roots

Personnel: Kyle Pavone, David Stephens (vocals); Lou Cotton, Joshua Moore (guitar); Eric Choi (drums).
Audio Mixers: John Feldmann; Tommy English .
Recording information: Foxy Studios.
Hailing from Troy, Michigan, brutal metalcore act We Came as Romans followed up their successful 2011 effort Understanding What We've Grown to Be with third album Tracing Back Roots. The album features more straightforward, un-effected vocals from singer David Stephens, who prior to this album focused more on distorted screaming vocals, leaving the clean singing to band keyboardist Kyle Pavone. Along with their regularly pummeling melodic metalcore sound, We Came as Romans also incorporate soaring anthem-like pop into their songs, taking tunes like the title track and "Ghosts" all over the map stylistically, from harsh breakdowns to almost emo-pop chorus harmonies. ~ Fred Thomas