We Came As Romans

Paradox: Metal has probably produced more legitimate sub-genre than any other branch of rock. Yet, for the most part, these offshoots have remained fairly true to the genres roots, especially visually: Grizzly looking dudes in black leather with long hair and playing brutal music. Then we have metalcore and bands such as We Came As Romans. These apples have fallen far from the tree – the current template has black leather and dirty denim replaced by skinny jeans and neon t-shirts. The long hair and beards have been replaced by smooth faces and the same swooping long hair that every teenager in America seems to have these days. But while the look has changed the sound is still relatively the same. On WCAR latest record To Plant a Seed the band delivers plenty of heavy riffs and low grumbling screaming from vocalist David Stephens but also mixes in some emo-y like vocals from other singer Kyle Pavone. The band also tries to convey a positive message in their music which often lends to the belief that they’re a Christian band, though they maintain they are not. One thing is for sure, however, this is not your father’s metal band.
Sun., Jan. 16, 6 p.m., 2011