We Came As Romans - Tracing Back Roots

Man, if you thought life moves too fast you should try keeping up to speed in the music world.  It seems only yesterday I was discussing the release of Michigan's We Came As Romans when they released their sophomore album "Understanding What We've Grown To Be".  A great album and met with mostly positive reviews, I was sure that they have started their own lil trend here.  Sure there a lot of bands that do the scream/sing mash-up during their songs, but these guys just seemed to have a fine balance that made it a little easier to enjoy then most of what's out there.

AFGM - WCAR: Understanding What They Have Grown To Be

So I was home visiting my family over the weekend and decided to throw it on 89X radio.  A radio station that played the who's who of music while growing up in southwestern Ontario.  Stopping mid conversation  I turn up the dial to hear "Hope" by WCAR.  So now these guys are getting radio play?!  If any readers here know 89x Radio like I do, it's not one for cranking out metal hits that often.  They generally stick to the tried, tested and true rock n roll.  So it caught me by surprise.  On the other hand, I was ecstatic to hear some metal on a daily rock station.  Could we see more?  I sure hope so!

So that track I mentioned?  Well "Hope" was the first music video and single for the upcoming album "Tracing Back Roots".  The album has been set for a July 23rd, 2013 release via Equal Vision Records.  Let's check out that music video:



WCAR is comprised of:

David Stephens - vocals | Joshua Moore - lead guitar | Lou Cotton - rhythm guitar | Kyle Pavone - keyboards, clean vocals | Andy Glass - bass | Eric Choi - drums

Not a bad start to the album.  I agree one could argue it 'sounds like everything else out there' but for those who have been following WCAR from the beginning (or at least for some time), you can definitely see the progression being followed here.  Lyricist/guitarist Joshua Moore shed some light on same...

“Though we’ve grown as individuals, musicians, and as a band over the years, we have never changed the meaning behind what our band is, and if anything, on this record we found greater meaning and purpose in the message we are trying to send to listeners. I think our fans will really understand and see that once they hear the album.” -Joshua Moore

(Artwork & design by Paul Romano)

1. Tracing Back Roots
2. Fade Away
3. I Survive (feat. Aaron Gillespie)
4. Ghosts
5. Present, Future, And Past
6. Never Let Me Go
7. Hope
8. Tell Me Now
9. A Moment
10. I Am Free
11. Through The Darkest Dark And Brightest Bright

*Note: Paul Romano has worked on the previous two albums from WCAR.  So you can start to see some of the similarities between the graphics.

The album was produced, engineered, mixed & mastered by John Feldmann.  Feldman has worked with many notable artists in the past including Black Veil Brides, Papa Roach, The Used, Saosin, Atreyu, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish and more!  Both Feldman and WCAR were very happy to be working together on their latest endeavour:

“It was a true joy to be included in Tracing Back Roots.  We Came As Romans push the boundaries of what modern alternative music should be, while staying authentic to their roots. One of the few new bands to keep true to their vision while developing as artists.” -John Feldmann



WCAR went on to say...

“It was honestly a dream come true for the band to be working with John Feldmann, with him being so well-respected and having produced some of our favorite CDs growing up. He brought this amazing new perspective to our group and really pushed me to step outside the box as a writer. I truly believe that this next record is all of the best elements of what we have done so far in music, combined with where we want to go and the music we want to play going forward.” -Joshua Moore





So that's the ins and outs of the new album.  I'm sure more info and songs will be released as we push closer to the release date.  Be sure to catch WCAR as they tour across North America for the 2013 edition of Vans Warped Tour.