Las Vegas-bred band, Escape the Fate was formed in 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada by Monte Money, Max Green, Ronnie Radke, Robert Ortiz, Omar Espinosa, and Carson Allen. All pioneer members of the band belonged to different bands before coming together to form Escape the Fate.
After some lineup changes, the band currently consists of; vocalist Craig Mabbitt, guitarist Thomas “TJ” Bell, bassist Erik Jensen, guitarist Matti Hoffman and drummer Robert Ortiz who is the only remaining pioneer member of the band.
Escape the Fate’s road to fame started when the band won a local radio contest and this granted them an opportunity to open a show on their headlining tour with Alkaline Trio and Reggie and the Full Effect bands. Their show linked them up with their first record label “Epitaph.” Music lovers who need good bands to listen to have asked in different crowdsourcing platforms and forums if Escape the Fate is a Christian band. Keep reading, as this article will provide answers to the question raised above.
Is Escape the Fate a Religious Band?
To determine if Escape the Fate is a religious band, it is important to consider what it means to be a religious or a religious band. Religion is a system of faith and worship, it is a belief in a superhuman or supreme entity. Songs by a religious band are embedded with religious influences and are based on the religious beliefs of a particular religious group.
Escape the Fate has not been expressive of its religious beliefs. Band members have not disclosed if they subscribed to any religious group individually or as a band and because of this, there is no information on the religious stance of the band.
However, we’ve noticed some elements of spirituality and religion in some of their songs. Some songs by the band portray dark and spiritual elements. Some of such songs are;
My Apocalypse
“There’s a place that I’ve found
As far as I can see
This place lies within
The depths of my dreams
In a garden surrounded
By fire and trees
Through the smoke a silhouette, I can barely see
There’s a man with an axe
Standing in the rain
Looked me straight in my eye
This is what he had to say
“Never fall asleep”
“You won’t wake up”
“Destroy the guillotine”
“Before he does”
I am Human
“Faith is so much stronger than fear
Open your heart to the truth you might hear
Taste your words before you spit them out
Silence can be louder than a shout
There’s so much beauty and love inside us
When does our innocence turn into arrogance?
I am strong, I am weak
I am everything between
I am proud to be me
I am human”
Demons
“I don’t go to sleep when it’s dark out
Underneath the moon, I come alive
With fire in my eyes, every time
Come and get me, I’ll tear your heart out
Do your best, I’d love to see you try
You’ll never see the light
My demons dance at night
My demons dance at night
You will never stop me
You will never break me
No, I won’t fall apart
There’s nothing you can do”
What Kind of Music Band is Escape the Fate?
Escape the Fate is an American rock band from Nevada. Rock music is a broad genre of music with roots in the UK and the US. Rock music started in the late 1940s and later developed into different styles. The genre draws influences from rhythm and blues, country music, jazz, folk, and classical music styles among others.
Escape the Fate’s music style is an amalgam of post-hardcore, hard rock, metalcore, screamo, and emo genres. The band’s music style is an artistic blend of the use of electric bass guitars, amplified electric guitar, strong bass drums and cymbals, 3 or more vocalists, aggressive vocals and high intensity, fast tempos, loud volumes, occasional blast beats, breakdowns, distorted electric guitars, repetitive and heavy riffs, a mix of thrash, scream, and harsh vocals with clean singing during choruses, some DIY ethic with confessional and emotional lyrics.
Escape the Fate has claimed that the band is a diverse band and band members employ various concepts and themes to appeal to different audiences. Songs by Escape the Fate explores both positive and dark lyrics. They incorporate themes like; pains, emotions, death, mental health, suicide, insecurity, self-recovery and mastery, faith, resilience, relationships, love and breakups, jealousy, war and struggles, anger, anxiety, and strength amongst others.
The band has released seven(7) studio albums under record labels like; Big Noise, Eleven Seven, Universal, DGC, Interscope, Polydor, and Epitaph. Their most recent album “Chemical Warfare: B Sides” was released in January 2021.
The band earned mainstream success with their third and self-titled album “Escape the Fate.” Though previous albums also topped Billboard charts, they were not as successful as their self-named album. The album peaked at No.1 on Hard Rock Albums, No. 4 on Rock Albums, No. 3 on Alternative and Independent Charts, No. 18 on Digital Albums Charts, and No. 25 on Billboard 200. The band has since then enjoyed mainstream success in the American music scene.
Is Escape the Fate a Christian Band?
A Christian is an individual whose lifestyle reflects the teachings and practices of the Christian religion. Christianity is based on the life, teachings, beliefs, and practices of Jesus Christ who is considered the founder of Christianity. True Christians are supposed to be guided by the laws and principles of the religion.
On the other hand, a Christian band has publicly declared its stance as a “Christian band.” The band should have members who are Christians and have collectively affirmed their faith in the religion to prevent clashes and misunderstandings that may rise from members holding different religious beliefs.
Members should lead a lifestyle that portrays true Christianity. Also, the lyrics of their songs should be based on Christian beliefs, should contain Christian terms and themes, and should make references to the Bible. Such songs are usually used to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to share Christian messages of hope, love, redemption, peace, and salvation.
To be labeled a Christian band, such a band must meet the prerequisites discussed above. Escape the Fate does not promote Christianity in its songs. The band has not collectively shown affiliations with Christianity nor have band members identified as Christians. The band does not sing Christian songs, as such we do not consider Escape the Fate a Christian band.
Escape the Fate Christian Songs
As a band that does not promote Christian beliefs or messages in its songs, Escape the Fate has no Christian songs. Some Christian songs are embedded with explicitly Christian lyrics while others are not. Christian songs are intended to share personal or communal beliefs in Christianity and are used to share positive Christian messages. Songs by Escape the Fate do not meet the criteria highlighted above and as such, the band has no Christian songs.
Is Escape the Fate a Satanic Band?
A Satanic band is a music band that believes in Satan, the head of Satanism. Songs by a Satanic band glorify the devil, promote demon worship, and contain dark and horrendous themes. One can easily identify a satanic band from its songs, concepts, themes, beliefs, and practices.
Songs by Escape the Fate contain dark lyrics, spirituality, themes and concept that people could easily regard as Satanic. There have been several Satanic allegations surrounding Escape the Fate, owing to their consistent use of the afterlife, death, destruction, and other dark themes.
Band members have not expressly stated if they believe in Satanism or not or in any religious group at all. However, we’ve discovered several songs with somewhat spiritual and dark themes by the band. Some of the examples are:
Reverse this Curse
“A deadly wish but it should’ve come sooner
A corpse at a funeral that I would never attend
There is a light on in the back of this house
But you’re not around, to die is to live in her head
So I’ll hang on, never let go
I dug this pain into my chest
It’s dead”
Demons
“Now the darkness covers me
And I have found my wings
Every time you threatened me
Take your words into the ring
Time to start the final fight
That you will never win
Every time you step toward me
The end of you begins”
Until We Die
“Until we die
Darkness floods the sky
Like the end of days
A small piece of sanity
Is all that remains, it’s on my brain
On the break of madness
I remember all I love
Take away the fear from this
I’m not giving up, not giving up
We are not alone
We are searching for the truth
And we’ll always fight this battle ’til we die
We are not alone”
Though some songs by Escape the Fate contain dark lyrics, we do not see them as a Satanic band because the band has not labeled itself as such and their musical elements do not entirely portray dark themes. We consider the band’s songs as a generic expression of their ideals, personal experiences, and observations.
Final Thoughts
Escape the Fate has existed for about two decades and has become a favorite to many listeners with its anthemic choruses and catchy hooks. The band has endured several lineup changes and internal crises over the years, but their fanbase has remained loyal. Due to their style of music, they’ve always been surrounded by controversies about being a Satanic band. Escape the Fate does not sing about religion, they have not publicly associated with any religious group. Songs by the band do not contain Christian symbolism and we do not see the band as a Christian band.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!