Stray From the Path in Concert
Stray From the Path originally coalesced on Long Island, an area known for its tight-knit, fertile hardcore music scene, although the band isn't interested in being limited by any one sound. In fact, the members of Stray From the Path created the term "alternative hardcore" to describe their amalgamation of bruising riffage, thrashing tempos, furious vocals, and socially aware lyrics.
The phrase is an apt description: Although their ferocious concerts resemble sweaty DIY hardcore shows — headbanging and mosh pits are the norm — Stray From the Path are relentlessly creative, and have also been known to dabble in nu-metal-style vocal jawing and metalcore-caliber guitar breakdowns. As a result, it's difficult to pigeonhole the group's sound — or predict where they'll go next. The only real constant is frontman Thomas Williams, a versatile vocalist who can spit lyrics with the metronomic cadence of a rapper one moment, and scream his throat raw the next.
After forming in 2001, Stray From the Path self-released three full-lengths and then signed with Sumerian Records. That label released the 2008 full-length 'Villains,' a collection of bone-crunching tunes recorded with Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou that was quickly followed by two more punishing albums: 2009's 'Make Your Own History' and 2011's 'Rising Sun.' On the latter, Stray From the Path first teamed up with Will Putney — a producer the band continued to work with on every album up to (and including) 2017's 'Only Death Is Real.'
As the band members became more comfortable in their sound and skin, they've only become more outspoken. Songs have addressed divisive political scenes; condemned musicians who took advantage of fans; and touched on timely social issues — such as 2017's racism-condemning song "Goodnight Alt-Right," which the band has been known to preface with forceful, equality-encouraging stage banter. Unsurprisingly, Stray From the Path have also toured with plenty of socially conscious acts (including Anti-Flag and Sharptooth), in addition to their multiple treks with fellow heavy music iconoclasts Every Time I Die, and a fall 2018 tour with post-hardcore enthusiasts Silent Planet.
