Sinai Beach

Emerging from southern California’s thriving metalcore community in the 2000s, Sinai Beach introduced themselves with the Facedown-issued album When Breath Escapes, which appeared in March 2003. The group’s roster at the time included vocalist CJ Alderson, drummer Mike Dunlap, guitarists Logan Lambert and Mike Risinger, and bassist Jeff Santo. For the next two years the musicians sustained an active road schedule throughout North America and Europe, frequently appearing alongside Bleeding Through, Throwdown, and Norma Jean. Their visibility ultimately led Victory Records to sign the band in early 2005.

Collaborating with producer Eric Rachel, whose prior credits include Atreyu and Dillinger Escape Plan, Sinai Beach completed the full-length Immersed. The album surfaced that April and displayed the group’s affinity for Pantera, Danzig, Hatebreed, and Slayer. Guitarist Mike Risinger exited shortly after the release, prompting Sean Durham to assume the role; bassist Jeff Santo was later replaced by Daniel Barachkov. Victory reissued When Breath Escapes with fresh artwork in spring 2006 as the musicians assembled material for a third album.