The Word Alive

The Word Alive is an American metalcore band from Phoenix, Arizona. Formed in 2008, their debut EP Empire was released via Fearless Records on July 21, 2009, which reached position 15 on the Top Heatseekers and was met with a high amount of positive acclaim. The following year, the group released their debut full-length album, Deceiver on August 31, 2010, which reached 97 on the Billboard 200 and 15 on Independent Albums. The Word Alive has gained renown praise for their innovative style of modern metalcore; blending thrash, groove, alternative and ambient elements into their overall deliverance.
The Word Alive was founded in 2008 by Craig Mabbitt (lead vocals) with Zack Hansen (lead guitar) and Tony Pizzuti (rhythm guitar) who were former members of the bands Calling of Syrens[1] and Clouds Take Shape.[2] As a side-project of Mabbitt during his part in Escape the Fate, the remaining required members he recruited to start The Word Alive were chosen to be Nick Urlacher (bass), Dusty Riach (keyboard) and Tony Aguilera (drums). The group recorded songs with the intention of releasing them as an EP, despite that it never surfaced. Later on, the band forced Mabbitt to leave due to their dissatisfaction with Escape the Fate's schedules, which required Mabbitt to work as a full-time member.[3]

The day after, Mabbitt posted a blog to his fans via his Myspace account explaining that leaving the band was not his decision and that "[The Word Alive] pretty much replaced me while I was on the road due to the fact that they wanted to tour and couldn't until I was available, I started that band with those guys and I'm very hurt at how they replaced me while I was touring...it's bullshit." On December 3, the band officially announced that Tyler "Telle" Smith, who was formerly one of the vocalists for In Fear and Faith and bassist for Greeley Estates, joined The Word Alive as their new frontman.[4]

Feeling somewhat stagnant in their progression beforehand, the addition of Smith catapulted the band’s ambitions to the forefront. With this initiation, their goals and aspirations were much more a reality, and they set to work on what would become their major record label debut release, Empire


Band members
Current members

    * Zack Hansen — lead guitar, backing vocals (since 2008)
    * Tony Pizzuti — rhythm guitar, backing vocals (since 2008)
    * Dusty Riach — keyboards, synthesizers (since 2008)
    * Tyler "Telle" Smith — lead vocals (since 2008)
    * Justin Salinas — drums (since 2010)

Former members

    * Nick Urlacher — bass guitar (2008–2010)
    * Tony Aguilera — drums (2008–2010)
    * Craig Mabbitt — lead vocals (2008)