Converge is an American metalcore band formed in 1990 in Salem, Massachusetts by vocalist Jacob Bannon and guitarist Kurt Ballou. During the recording of their fourth studio album "Jane Doe" in 2001, the band became a four-piece following the departure of guitarist Aaron Dalbec and the addition of bassist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller; this lineup has remained stable since. Members have participated in various side projects and collaborations, including Supermachiner, Old Man Gloom, and Mutoid Man. Their musical style combines elements of hardcore punk and heavy metal, and they have been described as influential within metalcore and its subgenre mathcore. The band gained wider recognition with "Jane Doe", which received critical acclaim and was ranked highly in several retrospective lists by music publications. Following this period, Converge moved from Equal Vision Records to Epitaph Records, with some releases also issued through Deathwish Inc., a label founded by Bannon in 1999. Later releases include the collaborative album "Bloodmoon: I" (2021) with Chelsea Wolfe, the studio album "Love Is Not Enough" (2026), and the announced album "Hum of Hurt", scheduled for release in June 2026. Critics have described the band as one of the more distinctive acts to emerge from the punk underground. Converge was formed in 1990 by Bannon and Ballou, later joined in 1991 by Jeff Feinberg and Damon Bellorado. The group initially performed cover versions of hardcore punk, punk rock, and heavy metal songs before developing original material. In 1994, Aaron Dalbec joined as a second guitarist, expanding the band to a five-piece. That same year, they released their debut album "Halo in a Haystack" through Earthmaker Records as a limited vinyl pressing. In 1995, the band released the compilation album "Caring and Killing", which collected early recordings from 1991 to 1994. Dissatisfaction with its initial release led to a reissue in 1997 through Hydra Head Records. The band also released the EP "Unloved and Weeded Out" in 1995. In 1996, they issued "Petitioning the Empty Sky", later expanded and re-released multiple times; due to its evolving tracklist, it has been variably classified as either a studio album or a compilation. Lineup changes occurred in the late 1990s. Feinberg left in 1997 and was replaced by Stephen Brodsky, and the band signed with Equal Vision Records. Their third studio album, "When Forever Comes Crashing", was recorded between December 1997 and January 1998 and released in April 1998. Brodsky departed later in 1998 and was replaced by Nate Newton, initially as a part-time member. In 1999, drummer Damon Bellorado left and was succeeded first by John DiGiorgio and later that year by Ben Koller, who became a permanent member. In 2001, Converge released "Jane Doe", which marked the first studio album with Newton and Koller and the last with Dalbec. The album received critical acclaim for its composition, lyrical content, and production, and contributed to the band’s increased visibility. A music video for "Concubine/Fault and Fracture" was released in 2002. In 2003, the band issued the expanded compilation "Unloved and Weeded Out" and the DVD "The Long Road Home", which documented live performances and archival material. In 2004, Converge signed with Epitaph Records and released their fifth studio album "You Fail Me", which became their first charting release on the Billboard 200. A music video for "Eagles Become Vultures" followed in 2005. During this period, earlier albums including "Petitioning the Empty Sky" and "When Forever Comes Crashing" were reissued with revised audio and artwork. Their sixth studio album, "No Heroes", was released in 2006 and was self-produced by Ballou. The album was supported by touring and a music video for its title track. In 2009, Converge released "Axe to Fall", preceded by the release of tracks such as "Dark Horse" and the title track. The album featured collaborations with various musicians and was promoted through extensive touring, including participation in the Metalocalypse tour. In 2012, the band released their eighth studio album "All We Love We Leave Behind", which achieved higher chart positions than its predecessor. Music videos were produced for tracks including "Aimless Arrow" and "Precipice / All We Love We Leave Behind". In 2015, they released the live video collection "Thousands of Miles Between Us". A remixed and remastered version of "You Fail Me", titled "You Fail Me Redux", was issued in 2016. In 2017, Converge released the live album "Jane Live", followed by their ninth studio album "The Dusk in Us" later that year. The album was preceded by singles including "I Can Tell You About Pain", "Under Duress", "Reptilian", and "A Single Tear". In 2018, the band released the EP "Beautiful Ruin", consisting of material recorded during the sessions for "The Dusk in Us". Under the name Shattered Void, they contributed the track "I Won't Let You Go" to the soundtrack of the video game "Cyberpunk 2077". In 2021, Converge released "Bloodmoon: I", a collaborative album with Chelsea Wolfe, featuring additional contributions from Stephen Brodsky and Ben Chisholm. In 2026, the band released their eleventh studio album "Love Is Not Enough" and announced a subsequent album, "Hum of Hurt", scheduled for release in June 2026, preceded by the release of its title track as a single. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Converge_(band) Studio albums Halo in a Haystack (1994) Petitioning the Empty Sky (1996) When Forever Comes Crashing (1998) Jane Doe (2001) You Fail Me (2004) No Heroes (2006) Axe to Fall (2009) All We Love We Leave Behind (2012) The Dusk in Us (2017) Bloodmoon: I (2021, collaboration with Chelsea Wolfe) Love Is Not Enough (2026) Hum of Hurt (2026)