If you’re anything like me, you probably started the day by recognizing that the start of a new work week had indeed arrived and then immediately began shaking your fists at the sky in anger. Monday is rarely anyone’s favorite day, and from what I have seen firsthand it feels safe to say it’s the one day of the week some people outright hate. I guess to them the arrival of the work week symbolizes the end of their quote/unquote freedom, and as a result they head into the office/factory/restaurant/store with a negative outlook already on their mind. This leads to bad attitudes, which only makes the experience of being at work worse, and for some reason it also seems to make time slow to a crawl. We’re not about that life, and we hope this post can do the same you that the song contained within it did for us.
If you were to ask the average alternative music to describe Michigan post-hardcore favorites We Came As Romans they would probably name a handful of notable bands from the mid-2000s who helped bring the infectious blend of screaming and singing to the mainstream. That comparison would not be entirely incorrect, but it would be a rather underwhelming way to summarize all that We Came As Romans have created, as well as what they’re doing to try and force evolution within a tired music scene. They’re nothing short of innovators, if we’re being entirely honest, and their upcoming release on Equal Vision Records may very well be their best yet.
It can be hard to find time to visit an artist’s entire catalog, but in order to best appreciate what We Came As Romans have accomplished that is exactly what you must do. From day one, even before signing their first deal, We Came As Romans have been connecting with fans through a very clear and focused message of struggle, family, hope, and perseverance in the face of a world that claims you are never good enough. With each release their story grows, much like how a seed grows from something small into something great, and every song details another step-either forward or back-that had to be taken in order for progress to be made. That may sound like a PSA about following your dreams, and in a way you could argue that it is, but the band have found a way to make that message as compelling as anything you’re likely to hear at radio today.
With their upcoming fourth studio album, which is self-titled, We Came As Romans have found themselves at the crossroads where the boys who made it out of Detroit meet the men who’ve been around the world. The story of hope, struggle, and perseverance are as present as ever, but the band can no longer deny the fact they’ve already risen to same level of success as many of their peers. Their thirst for further accomplishment has forced them to reevaluate not only their sound, but their message, and the way it needs to be conveyed in order to connect with the largest amount of people. Some may call it selling out, but I would say it’s thinking smart, and the singles made available so far have a potential for crossover success that was never even present on the band’s earlier releases.
What I love most about We Came As Romans is that they’ve always stayed true to themselves, regardless of how fans reacted. Their early work may have been derivative of far more successful bands, but it allowed the band to connect with a group of music fans who were already looking for the next big band. As the group developed, so did the taste of their fans, and by sharing their journey through their music listeners were able to feel as if they took each victory lap, as well as every blow, right along with the band members themselves. This new album is the biggest leap the band has asked fans to take, and I for one think people would be fools not to follow along as they have in the past. The band may sound more marketable than before, but their message is the same as it has always been, and it’s one we need now more than ever.
For more information on We Came As Romans’ new album, or to pre-order a copy for yourself, click here. The record hits stores next Friday, July 24.
James Shotwell is the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He is also a professional entertainment critic, covering both film and music, as well as the co-founder of Antique Records. Feel free to tell him you love or hate the article above by connecting with him onTwitter. Bonus points if you introduce yourself by sharing your favorite Simpsons character.
