Conquer Divide
Biography Conquer Divide
Conquer Divide
is a post-hardcore band signed to Artery Recordings whose members come from the United States, United Kingdom, and Serbia. Although their official biography featured on the Artery Recordings website states that they were formed in late 2012, the concept for the band had existed since about 2005 according to their producer Joey Sturgis.
The band was formed in Michigan by guitarist and songwriter Kristen Sturgis along with guitarist and vocalist Suzie Reagan. The lineup initially began as a five-piece with the addition of bassist Sarah Stonebraker, drummer Tamara Tadic and singer Kiarely Castillo in 2013. On March 1, 2014, Conquer Divide announced that they had recruited Liverpool based YouTube guitarist Izzy Johnson to become a member, making it a six piece. A short time later, Suzie was let go due to irreconcilable differences and was replaced by Janel Duarte.
On December 2, 2013, Conquer Divide released a lyric video for their first single "Eyes Wide Shut" via YouTuber BryanStars channel. After the release, they received multiple offers and eventually signed to Artery Recordings in mid 2014. The band worked with producer Joey Sturgis (We Came as Romans, Asking Alexandria, The Devil Wears Prada, Blessthefall) on their debut self-titled album. It features guest vocals by Denis Shaforostov (known by his stage moniker Denis Stoff) formerly of Asking Alexandria. It also features a collaboration with Andrew Oliver of I See Stars on the song "Lost". They later posted a video about the process of making the band and the album.
On July 24, 2015 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, Nevada, their album was officially released. The same day, the album reached #4 on the iTunes Metal Chart and ranked #13 on Billboard's Top HeatSeekers chart. On May 24, 2016, the band released a video for their song 'What's Left Inside' which held steady on Billboard's top 40 Mainstream Rock chart for over six weeks, peaking at #23 in August 2016. They were the first band on Artery Recordings to have a song in active top 40 rock rotation according to a statement made by the label's president Shan Dan Horan on his personal Facebook page.
The band went on to support the release of their album on the Allstars Tour, which went across North America. They also played festivals such as South By Southwest, South By So What and Treasure Fest supporting Crown The Empire, Beartooth, In This Moment, Motionless In White, Attila, The Color Morale, For Today, Sirens and Sailors, Like Moths To Flames, Marmozets, Chiodos, Palisades, Kublai Kahn, and Enter Shikari. The band has also toured across North America with Upon A Burning Body, Dance Gavin Dance, iwrestledabearonce, Capture The Crown, Slaves, Outline In Color, Alesana, Dayshell, A Skylit Drive, Oceano, Myka Relocate, Within The Ruins, The Browning, It Lies Within and The Funeral Portrait. On December 25, 2015, the band announced on their Facebook page that bassist Sarah Stonebraker would leave on good terms and that her replacement was Ashley Colby. On March 10, 2016, vocalist Janel Duarte announced that Izzy Johnson was temporarily unable to tour with the band due to wrist surgery. She was replaced by former Hopeless Records's SycAmour member Blake Howard for one tour.
During the month of October 2015, their music video for "Nightmares" was featured daily in Journeys stores nationwide. "What's Left Inside" was also featured nationwide in Journey's stores in 2016. Guitarist Kristen Sturgis released a playthrough video of their single "Nightmares" via Guitar World on August 4, 2015. The band has also seen success on Japanese charts after partnering with Japanese label Five One Inc in February 2016. They released a lyric video for the unplugged version of "Eyes Wide Shut" exclusive for Japan, on May 24, 2016. "Sink Your Teeth Into This" was featured in an NHL commercial for the Detroit Red Wings hockey team via Windsor-Detroit's 89x CIMX-FM radio station.
The band's style has been described as metalcore, post-hardcore, screamo and rock. Among the band's influences are August Burns Red, We Came as Romans and Parkway Drive, while Demi Lovato is one of Castillo's favorite singers. Others have noted similarities in the band's sound to older metalcore bands such as Attack Attack! which has led them to be labelled "scenecore" by MetalSucks.
The lyrical content of the band's music is inspired mainly by personal experiences, which include dealings with prior band members, family, addiction, and relationships.
