Dead To Fall

Formed in Chicago back in 1999, the metalcore unit Dead to Fall navigated repeated roster shifts across its run. Their debut full-length, Everything I Touch Falls to Pieces, surfaced on Victory Records in 2002 and drew widespread praise for its ferocious mix of heavy metal, hardcore, and Swedish metal leanings. That opening effort featured Jonathan Hunt on vocals, Bryan Lear and Sean Nichols handling guitar duties, Justin Jakimiak on bass, and Dan Craig at the drums. Early road work alongside the Red Chord, Darkest Hour, and Malevolent Creation preceded further lineup adjustments. Hunt and Jakimiak were next augmented by Evan Kaplan on drums and guitarists Antone Jones and Matt Matera, the latter formerly of 7 Angels 7 Plagues, for a more death-metal-leaning second album. Produced by Eric Rachel of Atreyu and the Dillinger Escape Plan, Villainy & Virtue arrived in September 2004, after which the group toured with Napalm Death, Most Precious Blood, and Remembering Never. Tim Java assumed drumming duties the following January, and Chris Nolan took over bass from Justin Jakimiak three months later. Dead to Fall then delivered The Phoenix Throne in early April 2006 with a lineup of Hunt, Java, guitarists Logan Kelly and Aaron Nelson, and bassist Chad Fjerstad. Phil Merriman eventually replaced Matera and made his first recorded appearance with the band on Are You Serious?, issued in February 2008.