Trapt

Emerging from California during the 1990s, the rock quartet Trapt absorbed influences spanning grunge, heavy metal, and nu-metal. Their 2002 single “Headstrong,” drawn from the sophomore effort Trapt, delivered a major breakthrough. Throughout the remainder of the decade the group sustained visibility on the mainstream rock circuit via the Top 20 sets Someone in Control (2005) and Only Through the Pain (2008), while releases in the 2010s continued to resonate with dedicated listeners. Entering the 2020s, Trapt unveiled their eighth collection, Shadow Work.

The founding roster coalesced while its members were still attending high school; there Chris Taylor Brown and Peter Charell immersed themselves in the weighty sounds of Korn, Soundgarden, and Metallica. Both avid music enthusiasts, they began contemplating the formation of a band. Informal school performances intensified their resolve, prompting Brown and Charell to lay the groundwork for what became Trapt. Guitarist Simon Ormandy completed the lineup in 1997. The resulting trio produced an independent demo and secured local engagements across southern California suburbs. Within twelve months Trapt were supporting Papa Roach, Dredg, and Spike 1000, yet graduation remained imminent.

Self-released in 1998, the second album Amalgamation appeared as internal circumstances evolved. By fall 1999 Ormandy and Brown had enrolled at UC Santa Barbara while Charell studied several hours distant at UC Santa Cruz. Weekend reunions allowed continued rehearsals and shows, and the band issued the follow-up Glimpse in early 2000 in hopes of attracting label attention. A standout performance at the Troubadour in late 2000 caught the interest of Immortal, though discussions concluded without a contract after eight weeks.

Ultimately each member withdrew from university and relocated to Los Angeles to devote full attention to Trapt. Seattle-born drummer Aaron “Monty” Montgomery completed the rhythm section, and a 9/11 benefit performance led Warner Bros. to extend a recording agreement in late 2001. One year afterward the self-titled debut arrived, anchored by the signature track “Headstrong,” which reached the summit of the Billboard rock chart and attained a Top 20 position on the Billboard 200. Both the single and the album subsequently achieved platinum certification.

The melodic follow-up Someone in Control surfaced in 2005 and generated co-headlining dates alongside Nickelback, Chevelle, and Thousand Foot Krutch. Trapt Live! appeared on Nikki Sixx’s Eleven Seven imprint in 2007. Ormandy departed the following year, with Robb Torres assuming guitar duties. Only Through the Pain, the third studio album, emerged shortly thereafter under the guidance of producer GGGarth Richardson (Nickelback, Mudvayne, Atreyu). Johnny K (Sevendust, Disturbed, Megadeth) helmed the fourth collection, No Apologies, issued in 2010. Cleopatra Records released the 2011 compilation Headstrong, which included re-recorded singles, remixes, concert recordings, early demos, and a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Policy of Truth.”

Between projects the lineup experienced several transitions. Montgomery exited at the beginning of 2012 and was succeeded by Dylan Howard. Torres also departed; his position was briefly occupied by former Atreyu guitarist Travis Miguel before Ty Fury joined permanently in 2014. The refreshed configuration broadened its sonic palette on the independently issued Reborn (2013) through the incorporation of synthesizers and samples, marking the quartet’s most expansive statement to that point. Their seventh album, the robust DNA, followed in 2016. At the outset of the new decade Trapt delivered their eighth full-length, Shadow Work.