Formed in 2013 by the instrumental section of metalcore giants As I Lay Dying after that group's lead singer, Tim Lambesis, was sentenced to six years in prison for attempting to enlist a hit man to off his estranged wife, San Diego-based hard rock quintet Wovenwar feature the talents of AILD alumni Nick Hipa (guitar), Phil Sgrosso (guitar), Josh Gilbert (bass), Jordan Mancino (drums), and Oh, Sleeper vocalist Shane Blay (lead vocals, guitar). Ditching the screamo vocals that dominated AILD in favor of a cleaner approach that leans harder toward the melodic hard rock edge of the metalcore spectrum, Wovenwar released their first single, "All Rise," in April 2014, followed by their Metal Blade-issued eponymous full-length debut in July of that year. After a prolonged period of intense touring, the band re-entered the studio -- three different ones in as many cities -- to commence work on their next Metal Blade release. When the recording was finished, Sgrosso amicably parted company with his bandmates due to differences about touring. The group decided to carry on as a quartet, with Blay assuming the additional guitar duties. A video single, "Censorship," was released online in September of 2016. The full-length entitled, Honor Is Dead, followed in October. ~ James Christopher Monger