Convictions

A Christian metalcore outfit from Fremont, Ohio, Convictions characterize their sound as "aggressive worship music" built on "an emotional mix of spirit-filled hardcore and ambiance." Drawing inspiration from Underoath and Bring Me the Horizon, the band launched its career in 2012 by self-releasing I Am Nothing, an independent debut that secured a contract with InVogue Records and paved the way for the 2016 follow-up I Will Become.

The group came together in 2012 when Michael Felker (vocals), John Fleishmann (bass, vocals), Josh Canode (guitar), Tommy Silva (guitar), and Zach Schwochow (drums) formed the lineup. Their inaugural recording, the independently issued I Am Nothing, introduced the quintet’s faith-driven perspective and diverged from conventional Christian worship by confronting raw subjects such as forgiveness, salvation, humility, and unworthiness; Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire contributed a guest appearance. The first EP, Unworthy, arrived in 2013 and spotlighted Ryan Kirby of Fit for a King on the track “Heart of Fire.” Two years later, Hallowed Spirit/Violent Divide entered the Top 10 of the iTunes Heavy Metal Albums chart, prompting the band’s signing with InVogue Records. The resulting sophomore album, I Will Become, reached the Top 20 of Billboard’s Heatseekers chart in 2016 and included a collaboration with labelmate Rory Rodriguez of Dayseeker on “Brothers Blood.” In 2018 the band delivered its third full-length, Hope for the Broken, which featured guest vocals from Chris Rotter of Like Moths to Flames and JT Woodruff of Hawthorne Heights.