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History

The early years, 90s albums and member changes (1990–99)

Converge was formed in the winter of 1990 by vocalist Jacob Bannon and guitarist Kurt Ballou, they were later joined by bassist Jeff Feinburg, and drummer Damon Bellorado. They started by playing covers of hardcore punk, punk rock and heavy metal songs. The band soon graduated to playing live performances in 1991, after recording some demos on a 4-track recorder.

In early 1994, the band became a five piece when it recruited Aaron Dalbec as a second guitarist. In 1994, Converge released their debut album, Halo in a Haystack. The album was released through Earthmaker Records, only as a vinyl record. Only a 1000 copies of this record were made and the album has not been reprinted since. The record was funded by Bannon through money he saved up from working at a nursing home. Ballou later described the album Halo in a Haystack as "a bunch of hardcore kids playing leftover Slayer riffs."

In 1995, Converge released their first compilation album, Caring and Killing. The album featured tracks form the band's earlier work from the years 1991 to 1994. The album was released as a European exclusive through Lost & Found Records. However, Converge became dissatisfied with the way the label was handling the release and over charging fans for their hard to find older songs. The album was re-released through Hydra Head Records on November 17, 1997 in America to "make an overpriced release obsolete."

In 1996, Converge released a four song EP, Petitioning the Empty Sky. The EP was released through Ferret Music, it was one of the earliest releases through the at the time newly formed label. Later that same year the record was released again with four new songs added to it, three of which were recorded in February 1996. Two years later, the album was reissued through Converge's new label Equal Vision Records on January 20, 1998, this version contained the previous eight tracks as well as three newly added live tracks ("For You," "Homesong," and "Antithesis") which were recorded during a radio broadcast. Due to the addition of the new tracks fans and sources consider this to be Converge's second studio album, while the band band considers this a compilation album because the album is a collection of songs recorded at different times.

In early 1997, the band's original bassist, Jeff Feinburg left the band and was replaced with Stephen Brodsky, who is also known for his work in the band Cave In. Also in 1997, the band signed to Equal Vision Records. On December 22, 1997, recording for the band's third studio album When Forever Comes Crashing began at Ballou's GodCity Studio and then finished on January 3, 1998. The album was produced by Steve Austin with input form Converge. On April 14, 1998, the album was released by Equal Vision Records. The album was the first and last to feature Brodsky as an official member of the band, he was replaced with Nate Newton, who joined the band as a part-time member because his main focus at the time was Jesuit. Jesuit later disbanded in 1999 allowing Newton to focus more on Converge.

In early 1999, the band's original drummer Damon Bellorado left the band and was quickly replaced with John DiGiorgio, who also left the band in 1999. Ben Koller joined Converge in late 1999, replacing former drummer DiGiorgio. Familiar with his work in previous bands, Ballou selected Koller to temporarily fill-in while Converge searched for a more permanent replacement for the recently departed Damon Bellorado. After working well with the band during some local shows in Boston, Converge made him an official member. Newton and Koller remain in the band to this day.

Jane Doe (2000–03)

In mid-2000, Converge self-released a three track record titled Jane Doe Demos. The CDs were released at Converge's 2000 tour and were limited to 100 copies. The CDs contain at the time unreleased demo versions of "Bitter & Then Some" and "Thaw" from their upcoming album Jane Doe aswell as a cover of "Whatever I Do" originally by Negative Approach. The demo version of "Thaw" was also released on Converge's split album with Hellchild, Deeper the Wound.

Recording for the band's fourth studio album, Jane Doe was mostly done at Q Division, next door to James Taylor's recording session, recordings for the album also took place at GodCity Studio and Fort Apache, the album was also mixed at both these locations. The album was recorded and mixed entirely in the analog domain. The album was released on September 4, 2001. The album was met with immediate critical acclaim, with critics praising its poetic lyrics, dynamic range, ferocity and production. The album was also a commercial success in comparison to Converge's previous outings, and both the band and the album have developed a cult following since its release. The cover art has become an icon of Converge, the artwork was designed by vocalist Jacob Bannon. It is the band's first album to feature Newton and Koller, and the last to feature Dalbec, who was asked to leave the band due to his devotion to his at the time side-project Bane. Bannon has described this lineup as the definitive lineup and stated that the band likely wouldn't continue if it were to change. In 2002, a music video for the track/tracks "Concubine/Fault and Fracture" was released, this was Converge's first music video. The video was filmed on location in Los Angeles in September. Over a three day period, longtime friend of the band, Zachary Merck was responsible for bringing Converge's conceptual vision to life. The band stated on their website that "Although it's always difficult to hand over creative control of a project, we can safely say [Zachary Merck] did a commendable job on the project" and also gave special thanks to Ashley for "sitting in a bathtub of blood for over two hours".

Converge's first tour after the release of Jane Doe was in September 2001 and was with Drowningman a lot of the dates also featured Playing Enemy. Drowningman later dropped out of the tour to work on a new album. Converge started an extensive tour of the United States in late November, the tour was with American Nightmare, they were also joined by Thursday, Thrice, The Hope Conspiracy, among a few others. Converge had another tour dubbed the "Smash Your Enemies US Tour 2002." in late March with Hatebreed and they where joined by Stalemate, God Forbid, Most Precious Blood and many others. Converge began a summer tour for Japan and Europe, Paint The Town Red supported Converge for most of the tour.

On January 28, 2003, Converge released their second compilation album, Unloved and Weeded Out. The album was originally released as a three track EP in 1995. The 2003 album version contains all three tracks from the 1995 EP but in total features 14 tracks, some of which were previously released rarities while others were previously unreleased.

On February 25, 2003, Converge released their first official DVD release, The Long Road Home. The DVD is modeled after band home videos such as Metallica's Cliff Em' All release. Deathwish describes the DVD as a two disc collection that is as energetic and exciting as the moments the release captures. The DVD also comes with a bonus disk that included three full live sets from the band.

You Fail Me (2004–05)

In early 2004, the band announced that they have signed to Epitaph Records having previously being signed to Equal Vision Records. When asked about the switch to Epitaph Jacob Bannon stated “We are confident as artists and genuinely happy about the move. We are part of a diverse, quality roster with Epitaph, rich in both history and integrity. We've struggled for years looking for a supportive label to call home and after a decade we have found it.”

Converge began writing You Fail Me after they recorded Jane Doe, they wrote on the road during sound checks of shows. In an interview with Rocksound Bannon was asked how the album sounded he stated "It's darker, heavier, and harder then Jane Doe. At the same time the music is non-linear and very un-metal. There is a diverse approach to the instrumentation on the album as well. Giving us a larger musical dynamic than we've had before". Recording for the album was started in March and April 2004, mainly at GodCity Studio, however additional recording took place at The Magpie Cage and Witch Doctor Studios. The album was mixed by Matt Ellard and Converge's own Kurt Ballou. The album was released on September 20, 2004; it is the band's first release on Epitaph Records. The record was also the band's first to chart commercially, reaching number 171 on the Billboard 200.

Converge's first tour in support of You Fail Me was dubbed the "You Fail Me Tour 2K4" and took place in early September until late October. Converge played alongside Cave In and Between the Buried and Me. On this tour Converge sold copies of Supermachiner's album Rise of the Great Machine, this release was limited to 50 copies.

In 2005, Epitaph Records reissued Petitioning the Empty Sky and When Forever Comes Crashing; these reissues gave the album's one new bonus track each, Petitioning the Empty Sky received an alternate version of the song "Love As Arson" and When Forever Comes Crashing received a demo version of the song "Bitter and Then Some". These reissues also came with new album artwork by Aaron Turner of Isis.

No Heroes (2006–07)

In early July, 2006, Converge's official website announced the title of their upcoming album (No Heroes), as well as the meaning behind it;

“ These days, cowards outnumber the heroes, and the begging souls outweigh the calloused hands of the hardest of workers. Both in life and in art, the lack of passion is sickening, and the lust for complacency is poisonous. This album is the artistic antithesis of that sinking world; a thorn in the side of their beast. It's for those who move mountains one day at a time. It's for those who truly understand sacrifice. In our world of enemies, we will walk alone... ”

No Heroes was the first Converge album to be self-produced by Ballou with no input from other producers, at his own GodCity Studio. On October 24, 2006, Converge released their sixth studio album No Heroes. On December 5, 2006 a music video was released for the title track of the album, the video was directed by Ryan Zunkley.

Converge's first tour in support of No Heroes was in November, Converge headlined the tour with Some Girls and Modern Life Is War. Blacklisted, Kylesa and Gospel also supported through out parts of the tour.

On July 25, 2006, Deathwish reissued Petitioning the Empty Sky and When Forever Comes Crashing again, but this time as vinyl box set collection dubbed Petitioning Forever, the box set added no new tracks to either album, unlike previous reissues of the albums.

Axe to Fall (2008–11)

In November 2008, Converge began writing Axe to Fall. Though most songs originated from a guitar or bass riff from Ballou or Newton, all members had equal input on the writing process, with each member proposing different songs. Following a short tour in March 2009 with Ceremony, Coliseum, Pulling Teeth, Rise and Fall, Converge entered the studio to begin recording in May 2009. During this short tour, the band debuted a few new songs live, and footage could be seen online. The album was self-produced by Converge's own, Kurt Ballou, at GodCity Studio. Though writing did not officially begin until November 2008, work on some songs from Axe to Fall began four to five years earlier. In 2004, Converge collaborated with Cave In and recorded some songs together. The material from these recording sessions, dubbed the "Verge In" sessions, was never released and the project later dissolved. Converge took the parts they contributed to the project to create the foundation for what would become "Cruel Bloom" and "Wretched World". In August 2009, two months prior to the release of Axe to Fall, Converge made the opening track "Dark Horse" available for streaming and as a free download. The song was noted for being one of the few tracks lacking guest musicians, and was also met with a very positive reaction from reviewers. The title track, "Axe to Fall," was also made available for free download in September 2009. The entire album was available for streaming one week before the official release date on Converge's MySpace page. On October 14, 2009 a music video was released for the title track of the album, the music video was directed by Craig Murray, the video features stop motion animation influenced by horror films. On October 20, 2009, Converge released their seventh studio album Axe to Fall. On November 7, the "Axe to Fall" video debuted on MTV2's heavy metal music program, Headbangers Ball.

Converge's first tour in support of Axe to Fall was the Metalocalypse tour in late 2009 sponsored by Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Alongside High on Fire, Converge held an opening slot for co-headliners Mastodon and Dethklok. Converge's first headlining tour in support of the album took place starting in April 2010, with Coalesce, Harvey Milk, Gaza, Lewd Acts and Black Breath. Converge began the European part of their world tour in July 2010 with Kylesa, Gaza and Kvelertak. In July 2010 the band released a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single, On My Shield. The single was released in three different colors, with each variety limited to 1,000 copies. One version was sold during Converge's 2010 European tours, one was sold through the band's Epitaph web store and the final version was distributed to various vinyl retailers.

All We Love We Leave Behind and You Fail Me Redux (2012–present)

On January 1, 2012, Converge announced that they had completed writing for their eighth studio album, All We Love We Leave Behind. The following day, Ballou announced plans via his Facebook page to begin recording with the band in January. The album was self-produced by Converge's own, Kurt Ballou, at GodCity Studio. On August 28, 2012, the band released a music video for the track "Aimless Arrow" off their upcoming album. On October 3, 2012 the album was available to stream in its entirety on YouTube, a week before it's official release. The album was released on October 9, 2012. On April 17, 2014, another music video was released for the album, "Precipice / All We Love We Leave Behind".

Converge made an appearance at Los Angeles’ FYF Fest on September 1, 2012. Then after a short break the band began touring for support of their new album All We Love We Leave Behind was in October, Converge toured the United States with Torche, Kvelertak, Nails and Whips/Chains.

On October 15, 2015, Deathwish's YouTube channel released a trailer for Converge's upcoming Blu-Ray set, Thousands of Miles Between Us. Almost over a month after the release of the trailer, on November 27, 2015, the Blu-Ray set was released. The set was described by Deathwish as the long-awaited sequel to their landmark 2003 DVD release, The Long Road Home. The footage ranges from a full 20 song Converge set to over 15 hours of live, rare, and previously unseen footage, which is claimed to span over a decade in the life of Converge.

On April 29, 2016, Converge announced plans to reissue the album You Fail Me (12 years after the original release), it was put up for per-order the same day. On May 2, 2016, the title track (from the upcoming version of the album) was made available to stream on SoundCloud. On June 17, 2016, Converge reissued the album under the name You Fail Me Redux through Epitaph/Deathwish. Ballou remixed the album and Alan Douches remaster it. The album was also repackaged by Bannon. Ballou explained in an interview with Noisey that after he recorded and mixed the album No Heroes (which was the first full length Converge album Ballou recorded and mixed) he wanted to go back and remix You Fail Me, because he and the rest of the band were "never quite content with the original mix".