We Came as Romans

Brotherhood and Resilience

We Came as Romans stands as one of modern metalcore's most recognizable bands. This American group blends post-hardcore, metalcore, and electronic elements into a sound you'll recognize from the first note. They come from Troy, Michigan, and have survived lineup changes, tragedy, and triumph across nearly two decades.

Origins and Formation

The band formed in 2005 in Troy, Michigan. This upscale Detroit suburb became home to a group of high school classmates who loved music despite knowing little about their instruments. Guitarist Joshua Moore puts it plainly: "When we first started this band, we were all 15 to 17 years old and barely knew how to play our instruments, let alone write a song."

They started as "This Emergency" in August 2005. The founding members were Sean Zelda, Dave Stephens, Jonny Nabors, Mark Myatt, and Joshua Moore. Dave Stephens played guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals before becoming lead vocalist.

The name changed to We Came as Romans in 2006 when Larry Clark joined as vocalist. The band evolved through various lineup changes. Kyle Pavone joined as clean vocalist in 2008, completing the classic lineup that defined their sound for a decade.

Band Members Through the Years

Current Lineup

• Dave Stephens: Lead vocals (2006–present); keyboards, synthesizers (2005–2008, 2018–present)

• Joshua Moore: Lead guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)

• Lou Cotton: Rhythm guitar (2006–present)

• Andy Glass: Bass, backing vocals (2006–present)

• David Puckett: Drums, percussion (2017–present)

The Legacy of Kyle Pavone

Kyle Pavone served as clean vocalist, keyboardist, and MIDI controller from 2008 until his death in 2018. He brought a sweet timbre unique in the late-2000s metalcore scene. His perfect pitch ability made him stand out. His clean vocals paired with Dave Stephens' harsh vocals became the band's signature sound.

Pavone died on August 25, 2018, at age 28 from an accidental drug overdose. His death devastated the band and fanbase. The remaining members chose to continue in his memory. They established The Kyle Pavone Foundation to help those struggling with addiction. His legacy continues beyond music.

Discography and Musical Evolution

We Came as Romans has released six studio albums with a seventh coming soon. Their sound evolved from aggressive metalcore to experimental territory and back to heavy roots.

Studio Albums:

1. To Plant a Seed (2009) - Equal Vision Records

2. Understanding What We've Grown to Be (2011) - Equal Vision Records

3. Tracing Back Roots (2013) - Equal Vision Records

4. We Came as Romans (2015) - Equal Vision Records

5. Cold Like War (2017) - SharpTone Records

6. Darkbloom (2022) - SharpTone Records

7. All Is Beautiful... Because We're Doomed (August 22, 2025) - SharpTone Records

Key Albums and Their Impact:

To Plant a Seed (2009) marked their full-length debut. The album reached No. 6 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 175 on the Billboard 200. The title track's message of hope and brotherhood became central to their identity.

Understanding What We've Grown to Be (2011) showed musical growth with darker themes while maintaining their optimistic core. The album peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200.

Tracing Back Roots (2013) represented a creative peak. The album entered at No. 1 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart and No. 8 on the Hot 200. Fan-favorite track "Hope" has been streamed over 22 million times on Spotify.

We Came as Romans (2015) marked a shift toward radio-friendly rock. This direction alienated many fans. The band acknowledges this as their least successful effort.

Cold Like War (2017) saw them return to heavier roots. This was their final album with Kyle Pavone.

Darkbloom (2022) represented their rebirth as a five-piece. The album deals with grief while honoring Pavone's memory.

Musical Style and Message

We Came as Romans creates post-hardcore and metalcore music. They regularly incorporate melodic passages and orchestral instrumentation including violin and keyboard ballads. Their dual-vocal approach became their signature sound.

Their lyrics focus on "positivity, brotherhood, growing, love and compassion." Their message transcends religious boundaries. They focus on universal themes of love, hope, and human connection. Joshua Moore explains: "Religion always has arguments, but nobody is going to argue with the concept of loving one another and building relationships."

Current Tours and Upcoming Shows

We Came as Romans has an extensive touring schedule planned for 2025. Their Bad Luck World Tour supports their upcoming album:

2025 Tour Dates:

• August 15: Salt Lake City, UT - The Union Event Center

• August 16: Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium

• August 17: Kansas City, KS - Uptown Theater

• August 19: St. Louis, MO - The Pageant

• August 20: Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works

• August 22: Chicago, IL - Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

• August 23: Detroit, MI - The Fillmore Detroit (Homecoming show)

The band will also appear at major festivals including When We Were Young, Inkcarceration, and Warped Tour. Following the North American tour, they'll head to Europe and the UK for the Bad Luck European leg with Brand of Sacrifice.

Facts and Trivia

Band Name Origin

The name "We Came as Romans" reflects their commitment to strength, unity, and conquest through music rather than violence. The name change from "This Emergency" symbolized their evolution and new direction.

Musical Innovation

We Came as Romans were among the first metalcore bands to incorporate live samples and electronic elements using click tracks during live performances. This innovation helped them stand out in the Detroit music scene when they were teenagers.

Chart Success

Their album "Tracing Back Roots" made them one of the few metalcore bands to achieve No. 1 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart.

Dual Vocals Legacy

The band's dual-vocal approach with clean and harsh vocals became a template that influenced many subsequent metalcore bands.

Streaming Success

Their song "Hope" from 2013 has been streamed over 22 million times on Spotify, making it one of their most popular tracks.

Foundation Work

The Kyle Pavone Foundation continues to operate. It provides support for musicians struggling with addiction and serves as a lasting tribute to their fallen bandmate.

Upcoming Album Concept

Their seventh album "All Is Beautiful... Because We're Doomed" features a unique concept. The album loops seamlessly from end to beginning, symbolizing how endings lead to new beginnings.

Hometown Pride

The band maintains strong ties to their Michigan roots. Their upcoming Detroit show at The Fillmore is described as a "historical homecoming."

Record Label Evolution

After spending nearly a decade with Equal Vision Records (2009-2016), the band signed with SharpTone Records in 2016. This marked a new chapter in their career.

Resilience Through Tragedy

Despite losing Kyle Pavone, the band's decision to continue has been praised by fans and critics. Their choice demonstrates their brotherhood and commitment to their message of hope and perseverance.

We Came as Romans continues to embody their core message of brotherhood, hope, and resilience. From teenage friends learning their instruments in suburban Detroit to becoming international metalcore veterans, their story represents the transformative power of music. The unbreakable bonds of friendship endure even through the darkest times.