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As Cities Burn is a post-hardcore/emo band that emerged onto the scene in 2002. While they were unsigned during this period, they gained significant attention through the distribution of their early EPs. However, it wasn't until 2004 that As Cities Burn signed to Solid State Records, a sub-label of Tooth & Nail.

Later that same year, As Cities Burn joined The Young Bloods tour alongside The Chariot, Showbread, and He Is Legend, marking a pivotal moment in the band's rise.

In mid-2005, As Cities Burn released their debut album, "Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest," produced by Josh Scogin and Matt Goldman. This album stands apart from the typical "hardcore Christian band" formula that often prioritizes industry expectations rather than genuine, heartfelt expression. Instead, it's melodic, angsty, and honest. Tackling faith, abandonment, and self-denial in Christ, the album avoids reliance on triple-padded breakdowns or the overuse of catchy riffs. The hard-hitting lyrics, delicate vocals, and anguished screams all spoke for themselves.

"Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest" opens with their track "Thus From My Lips, By Yours, My Sin Is Purged," which deals with the struggle between flesh and faith. The vocalist pleads with God for forgiveness, desperately wanting to escape the cycle of repenting, replaying, and regretting.

This theme of emotional struggle and vulnerability continues in their later track "Widow," which opens up the raw wounds left by past trauma, telling the story of brothers T.J. and Cody, and their father leaving due to drug use. They plead for answers, asking if they had ever been a second thought. Ultimately, they conclude that the only father who truly cared was God. 

Despite the impact of their debut, the band faced internal challenges that led them to consider disbanding in 2006. They decided against it and stayed together due to overwhelming fan demand, continuing on without vocalist/screamer T.J. Bonette. This change ushered in a new era for the band, beginning with the release of their second studio album.

In 2007, after teasing their sophomore album on MySpace, As Cities Burn released "Come Now Sleep", with guitarist Cody Bonette (brother of former vocalist T.J.) taking over vocal duties. Though T.J.'s unfiltered screams and angst were absent, the band's deep-seated passionate lyrics and spiritual vulnerability remained. This created an introspective and melodic sound. From its moments of swancore-esque guitar riffs to its soft, melodic vocals sprinkled with raspy yells, "Come Now Sleep" stays true to its emotionally charged foundation, embodying vulnerability and fervor. 

While their sound evolved, the emotional depth remained intact, delivering heartfelt lyrics and delicate melodies. Notable tracks like "This is it, This is it" serve as stark reminders of hope, detailing the human experiences of failure and guilt. It further emphasizes the truth that the only unwavering strength we can seek refuge in is Christ. Grace is not something that we earn. Rather, it is something that is freely given.

“The World Is Grey” reflects on the complexity of humanity and the constant struggle within us, highlighting the pull between flesh and spirit. The song expresses that no matter where we find ourselves in the midst of instability, God never leaves us—a reminder that we can hold onto Him in hard times. Continuing their evolution, As Cities Burn took a softer, more intimate approach with their next release.

In 2008, after posting a few of their newest songs from their upcoming album on MySpace, the band released "Hell or High Water", the band's third album. Following in the softly chiseled path of its predecessor, this album would be a mellow indie-rock piece. The record takes a literal approach to the term 'Hell or High Water,' urging the listener to either choose the "high waters" of salvation, or true hell. Like their other albums, "Hell or High Water" takes biblical truths and condenses them into a more digestible form, approaching the topics in a personable manner.

The album opens with the lush indie-rock track "84' Sheepdog." Though T.J. had parted ways with the band, he would make a very brief appearance on the opening track, layering his soft screams alongside Cody's clean vocals. The lyrics voice Cody’s rejection of a legalistic church culture and the pressures to conform from a young age.

That introspection continues in "Errand Run," a track that blends lyrical reflection with folk-inspired instrumentation, offering a raw commentary on how listeners often overlook the weight behind a song’s meaning. "Errand Run" is a track comparable to mewithoutYou's album Brother, Sister or Panic! At The Disco's folk-inspired Pretty. Odd. On this track, Cody expresses his feelings about people singing "Widow" without taking into account what the song is about. The track reinforces this idea by being structured in a way that invites sing-alongs, even if the listener overlooks the meaning. The track begins with a folksy guitar intro, building into lush, parade-esque melodies.

"Hell or High Water" reflected a quieter, more introspective side of the band, truly showcasing their musical maturity. Without the urgency or momentum of earlier releases and personal lives of band members, the band began to slow down.

 In 2010, they went on to officially disband, posting to MySpace: "We are happily moving on after 6 good years. Our lives and our wives have called us in different directions. Thanks to anyone who has come out to a show, had words to say, or bought a CD to help us fill the tank." But as years passed, that wouldn't hold true. As Cities Burn would reunite and break up multiple times, playing sporadic live shows or festivals and occasionally releasing singles.

In 2018, the band would sign to Equal Vision Records, dropping their single 2020 AD. Later in 2019, As Cities Burn released their first full-length studio album in over a decade, titled Screaming Through the Walls, and for the first time since 2005, T.J. made a comeback for the entire album. This album marked a departure from their previous works, both musically and lyrically, confronting new spiritual turmoil with raw ambiguity. The reception to this new direction, however, was divided among fans and critics alike.

"Screaming Through the Walls" was an honest expression of emotion and passion, exemplified by lyrics like “Divide is a word that comes to mind, In a world with blurry lines,” from the track “2020 AD.” This song reflects the world's disconnect caused by distractions and media consumption, which can cause relationships with those close to us to deteriorate. The track "White Bright Light" is a reflection of spiritual unrest, with T.J. asking God for help as he navigates a difficult path. 

Though this was the band's first album in over a decade, reactions to the release were mixed. While As Cities Burn is known for their extensive sound catalog, some fans claimed that this album didn't live up to its potential. Sure, it was nice to have T.J. back for fans of "Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest." But given how the band has evolved, fans wonder: Does T.J. still have a place in their sound?

While some fans weren't too impressed: 

"As Cities Burn are a tremendously talented band and have it in them to make another great album, even lacking former contributors Chris Lott and Colin Kimble, but almost everything about "Screaming Through the Walls" feels lacking, largely because they can’t figure out their own identity." — Kyle Robertson, Sputnik Music. 

However, others enjoyed it, welcoming T.J. back, stating: 

"This album may not live up to the heights of Come Now Sleep, but it shows the evolution of the band's sound and a renewed passion to continue. However long it may be before the band inevitably implodes again, I'm glad they managed to get it together long enough to craft another great record to add to their catalog." — Daniel Morgen, Sputnik Music. 

Whether loved or hated, one could respect the depth and honesty the album held. 

Following the release of their 2019 album "Screaming Through the Walls", As Cities Burn continued to play sporadic shows and festival appearances. However, in 2023, the band once again announced their disbandment, seemingly putting an end to their tumultuous journey. Yet true to form, what felt like a final chapter wasn’t the end. In a surprise return, the band recently revealed they will be joining Emery on The Question Year Twenty Year Tour, performing their 2008 album "Hell or High Water" in full.

Despite being anything but linear with stylistic shifts, departures, and spiritual searching, they are undeniably one of the many steppingstones in faith expressed through music. Through it all, they've remained a band that is unafraid to wear their vulnerabilities and outlooks on their sleeves. From raw intensity on "Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest," to the reflective tales of "Come Now Sleep" and the exploration of their experiential spirit on "Screaming Through the Walls", their discography beautifully portrays faith, doubt, hurt, and pain in its fullness. Whether you connect with their anguished screamed prayers, or their softly sung tales, As Cities Burn offered up what mattered most to them and put it on display for all to see.


sources:

https://www.last.fm/music/As+Cities+Burn/+wiki

http://classic.solidstaterecords.com/news/1809/Solid_State_Young_Bloods_Tour/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_Cities_Burn

https://equalvision.com/collections/as-cities-burn

https://www.metalkingdom.net/band/as-cities-burn-46971

https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/ComeNowSleep.asp

ttps://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/SonILovedYouAtYourDarkest.asp

https://genius.com/albums/As-cities-burn/Come-now-sleep

https://web.archive.org/web/20100128120207/http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/as_cities_burn_disbands200907/index.php

https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/79960/As-Cities-Burn-Scream-Through-the-Walls/H





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