Abandon

The founding members of Abandon—siblings Josh and Justin Engler joined by cousins Dave and Stevan Vela—initially performed worship music inside a San Antonio, Texas church before adopting a polished fusion of CCM and upbeat alternative rock. Bassist Ryan Reavis later completed the group during its move into secular clubs. Religious sites such as churches and youth camps continued to serve as the band’s main circuit, with proceeds from the independently issued albums Ambush and Who You Are funding those early tours.

Personnel shifts occurred by late 2007, after which the group secured a contract with Forefront Records. Two EPs, Abandon and Abandon II, preceded the 2009 full-length Searchlights, a Dove-nominated set that balanced ballads with expansive, devout rock songs. Control arrived two years later.