Alesana

The genesis of Alesana begins with the street that two of the founding members of the band grew up on. Lead singer Shaun Mike and rhythm guitarist Patrick Thompson lived on Aliceanna St. in the bands home city of Baltimore, Maryland, United States, the same place that the first incarnation of Alesana formed. It took relocating to Raleigh, North Carolina in October 2004 for the band to solidify their line up and start performing live under their new name. The band essentially debuted fully formed, and within the space of a few live shows they had the beginning of a devoted grassroots following.

Also starting up at the same time was a local independent record label by the name of Tragic Hero Records, and after catching the nascent Alesana perform live, they offered the band a record deal. The band became the very first group signed to the label and their debut E.P “Try This With Your Eyes Closed” became one of the label’’ very first releases as well. The record was something of a hit for a label and band who probably couldn’t be any greener, all things considered, and Alesana were soon touring nationally, playing festivals and clubs wherever would put them on. Buoyed on by their early success the band went into the studio to record their debut album in spring 2006, and “On Frail Wings Of Vanity And Wax” was released in the summer of the same year.

Ever since then the band have been critically acclaimed cult heroes who’ve toured with everyone from Asking Alexandria to The Chariot. They may not see the kind of commercial success that other bands of their ilk have enjoyed but they seem to be satisfied with their position as the connoisseur’s choice of post-hardcore, paving the way for the likes of Letlive. and A Skylit Drive. They’re one of the unsung heroes of American rock’s most celebrated sounds, a terrific live band and command a world-wide cult following, and for those reasons, Alesana come highly recommended.