Converge is an American metalcore band formed by vocalist and artist Jacob Bannon and guitarist and producer Kurt Ballou in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1990. While recording their landmark fourth album Jane Doe in 2001, the group became a four-piece with the departure of guitarist Aaron Dalbec and the addition of bassist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller. This lineup has remained intact since. The members have also been involved in various side-projects and collaborations, including the bands Supermachiner (Bannon), Old Man Gloom (Newton), and Mutoid Man (Koller). With their extremely aggressive and boundary-pushing sound, rooted in hardcore and heavy metal, they are pioneers of metalcore and its subgenre mathcore.
Converge rose to prominence with Jane Doe, which was ranked the best album of 2001 by Terrorizer, the best album of the decade by Sputnikmusic, and later the 61st-best metal album of all time by Rolling Stone. After, they moved from Equal Vision Records to the larger label Epitaph Records, and their record production became more elaborate and expensive. Special releases are often handled by Deathwish Inc., established by Bannon in 1999. Their latest releases are their first full-length collaboration, Bloodmoon: I (2021) with Chelsea Wolfe and their eleventh studio album, Love Is Not Enough (2026). According to AllMusic, they are "regarded as one of the most original and innovative bands to emerge from the punk underground."
History
Early years and Halo in a Haystack (1990–1994)
Converge was formed in the winter of 1990 by Bannon and Ballou, they were later joined by high school friends Jeff Feinberg and Damon Bellorado in 1991. They started by playing covers of hardcore punk, punk rock and heavy metal songs. The band soon graduated to playing live performances in mid-1991, after recording some demos on a 4-track recorder. The band started writing and playing what they consider "relevant" music in 1994.
In 1994 the band became a five-piece when Aaron Dalbec was recruited as a second guitarist. Later in the year Converge released their debut album, Halo in a Haystack, released through Earthmaker Records. This was only released as a vinyl record, limited to 1000 copies and it was never repressed. The record was funded by Bannon through money he saved up from working at a nursing home.
Petitioning the Empty Sky, When Forever Comes Crashing and line-up changes (1995–1999)
In 1995 Converge released their first compilation album, Caring and Killing, which featured tracks from the band's early work from the years 1991 to 1994. The album was originally released as a European exclusive through Lost & Found Records. However, Converge became dissatisfied with the way the label was handling the release and overcharging 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". Converge also released a seven-inch EP called Unloved and Weeded Out in 1995, which Bannon links more to contemporary Converge than the stuff that predated it.
In 1996 Converge released a four-song EP, Petitioning the Empty Sky. It was released through Ferret Music, and was one of the earliest releases through the newly formed label. Later that same year the record was re-released with four additional new tracks. Two years later, the record 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, 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 considers it a compilation album because it is a collection of songs recorded at different times.
In early 1997 the band's original bassist, Feinburg, left the band, and was replaced with Stephen Brodsky. Also that year, 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; it finished on January 3, 1998. On April 14, 1998, Converge released When Forever Comes Crashing through Equal Vision.
In 1998, Brodsky left the band and was replaced by Newton, who initially joined the band as a part-time member while he was still active in another band, Jesuit. Jesuit later disbanded in 1999, allowing Newton to make Converge his main focus. In early 1999, the original drummer Bellorado left the band and he was quickly replaced with John DiGiorgio. Converge's only release with DiGiorgio was The Poacher Diaries; Koller joined Converge in late 1999, replacing him. Ballou selected Koller to temporarily fill in while Converge searched for a more permanent replacement for Bellorado, as he was familiar with his work in previous bands, Force Fed Glass and Blue/Green Heart, a band that Ballou and Koller played in together. 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 (2000–2003)
The band was reported to take part in a Metallica tribute split series titled Crush 'Em All with Today Is the Day for Undecided Records in 2000 but the release fell through. In mid-2000 Converge self-released a three-track demo record titled Jane Doe Demos. This was released on tour and was limited to 100 copies. It contained unreleased demo versions of "Bitter & Then Some" and "Thaw" from their upcoming album Jane Doe. Converge entered the studio to begin recording in the summer of 2001.
On September 4, 2001, Converge released their fourth studio album, Jane Doe. It was met with immediate critical acclaim, with critics praising its poetic lyrics, dynamic range, ferocity and production. The album was 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.
It is the band's first studio 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 side project Bane. Converge's first tour in support of Jane Doe was in September 2001 with Drowningman and Playing Enemy, however Drowningman later dropped out of the tour to work on a new album.
In 2002 a music video was released for the track/tracks "Concubine/Fault and Fracture" from the album Jane Doe; the music video was directed by Zach Merck.
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, The Long Road Home. It is modeled after band home videos such as Metallica's Cliff 'Em All. Deathwish Inc 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 and No Heroes (2004–2007)
In early 2004 the band announced that they were signing to Epitaph Records, having previously been signed to Equal Vision. 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 for You Fail Me after they recorded Jane Doe; they wrote on the road during sound checks of shows. Converge entered the studio to begin recording in March 2004 mainly at GodCity Studio. On September 20, 2004, Converge released their fifth studio album, You Fail Me. It was the band's first to chart commercially, reaching number 171 on the Billboard 200.
On February 14, 2005, a music video was released for the track "Eagles Become Vultures", directed by Zach Merck. Converge's first tour in support of You Fail Me started in September 2004 with Cave In and Between the Buried and Me.
In 2005 Equal Vision reissued Petitioning the Empty Sky and When Forever Comes Crashing. These reissues gave the albums 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. Ballou said in an interview that he wanted to remix and remaster the albums because the quality of Converge's recordings had improved so much that the original recordings were "becoming distracting". These reissues became the standard versions of these albums.
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 ...".
On October 24, 2006, Converge released their sixth studio album, No Heroes. This was the first Converge album to be self-produced by Ballou with no input from other producers, at his own GodCity Studio.
The same day as the album's release, Converge released a music video for the title track, directed by Ryan Zunkley.
Converge's first tour in support of No Heroes started in November 2006 with Some Girls, Modern Life Is War, Blacklisted, Kylesa and Gospel. Despite their growing prominence, Converge continued to appear at small independent events such as Fluff Fest in the Czech Republic, which they played in 2007.
Axe to Fall (2008–2011)
In November 2008 Converge began writing Axe to Fall. Following a short tour in March 2009 with Ceremony, Coliseum, Pulling Teeth and 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 produced by Ballou, at GodCity Studio. 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. It was noted for being one of the few tracks lacking guest musicians, and was met with a very positive reaction from reviewers. The title track was also made available for free download in September 2009. The entire album was available for streaming on Converge's MySpace page one week before the official release date. On October 14, 2009, a music video was released for the title track of the album, directed by Craig Murray.
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 started 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. It was released in three different colors, with each 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 (2012–2016)
In January 2012 Converge 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. On August 28, 2012, a music video was released for the track "Aimless Arrow" from the upcoming album, directed by Max Moore. On the same day, Converge revealed the album's artwork, depicting a lunar cycle. On October 3, 2012, the album was available to stream in its entirety on YouTube, a week before its official release.
On October 9, 2012, Converge released their eighth studio album, All We Love We Leave Behind. It peaked at number 70 on the Billboard 200, surpassing Axe to Fall in terms of commercial success. Converge's first headlining tour in support of All We Love We Leave Behind started in October 2012 with Torche, Kvelertak, Nails and Whips/Chains.
On April 17, 2014, another music video was released for the track "Precipice / All We Love We Leave Behind", directed by Craig Murray.
On October 15, 2015, Deathwish's YouTube channel released a trailer for Converge's Blu-ray set, Thousands of Miles Between Us. This was released on November 27, 2015. The set was described by Deathwish as the long-awaited sequel to their landmark 2003 DVD release, The Long Road Home. The footage includes a full 20-song Converge set and over 15 hours of live, rare, and previously unseen footage, which is claimed to span over a decade in the life of the band.
On April 29, 2016, Converge announced plans to reissue the album You Fail Me (12 years after the original release); it was made available for pre-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 and Deathwish. Ballou remixed the album and Alan Douches remastered 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, 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".
The Dusk In Us and Beautiful Ruin (2017–2020)
On January 16, 2017, the band announced they would release a live album of their Jane Doe set from the Netherlands Roadburn Festival in 2016, titled Jane Live. The album was put up for pre-order the same day. Deathwish's SoundCloud put the live version of the track "Jane Doe" up for streaming. Jane Live was released on March 3, 2017.
Koller announced during an interview that the band was planning to start tracking for a new album in the spring of 2017. Following their tour on April 8, Converge planned to promptly head into the studio to record their next album. On May 27, 2017, DigBoston published an interview with the band's vocalist Jacob Bannon, who revealed that the band had 18 songs already written. He stated the album is "very powerful" and will be a "progression of something [they] did previously."
On July 25, 2017, Converge released the single "I Can Tell You About Pain", accompanied by a video directed by Tony Wolski. The single also contained the non-album track “Eve” as a b-side.
On August 15, Converge released the new track "Under Duress", available for streaming. It was described by Bannon as his "emotional reaction to the complex world in which we live". With the announcement of the song, the album's tracklist and cover art were revealed. The band toured in Europe in August 2017 prior to the release.
The following month another track, “Reptilian”, was made available for streaming. "A Single Tear" was made available for streaming on October 31, accompanied by a video directed by Max Moore. The video was described by having "heavy with symbolism about parenthood and connection." The Dusk in Us was released in the through Epitaph and Deathwish on November 3, 2017.
On June 28, 2018, the band uploaded a short series of images to their Instagram page, alluding to a new release. On June 29, the band released the Beautiful Ruin EP via Epitaph and Deathwish, along with a music video for the song "Melancholia", directed by Tony Wolski. The EP consists of four tracks recorded during the sessions for The Dusk in Us which did not make the cut.
Under the name Shattered Void, Converge contributed the new song "I Won't Let You Go" to the soundtrack for Cyberpunk 2077, a 2020 video game.
Bloodmoon: I and Love Is Not Enough (2021–present)
On September 28, 2021, the band announced their 10th studio album Bloodmoon: I, a collaboration with singer-songwriter Chelsea Wolfe. Converge's longtime collaborator Brodsky and Wolfe's longtime collaborator Ben Chisholm also joined the recording. The project has its roots in Blood Moon, a 2016 series of performances with this same lineup plus Steve Von Till of Neurosis. Bloodmoon: I was released on November 19, 2021, to critical acclaim.
The band performed at the Sonic Temple music festival in Columbus, Ohio in May of 2025. On November 19, 2025, Converge released a single "Love Is Not Enough," revealing it to be the title-opening track for their 11th album of the same name. Love Is Not Enough was released on February 13, 2026.
Converge are scheduled to tour North America with Poison the Well in early 2026.
