Capture The Crown stormed onto the metalcore scene with a sound that blended crushing breakdowns, electronic elements, and high-energy performances. Rising to fame through YouTube, they quickly gained a devoted fanbase but faced financial struggles and criticism. Despite lineup changes and setbacks, their music left a lasting impact on the genre.
View: Capture The Crown Metal Ape T-Shirt, and Queen
Band Members and Contributions
Capture The Crown went through several lineup changes during their career, but a few key members played major roles in shaping their sound:
- Jeffrey Wellfare – Lead vocals (2010–2020), frontman and primary songwriter.
- Jye Menzies – Lead guitar (2010–2014), contributing to the band’s early metalcore sound.
- Kris Sheehan – Bass (2010–2013), later switching to rhythm guitar (2013–2014).
- Tyler “Lone America” March – Drums (2010–2014), providing the backbone of the band’s heavy breakdowns.
- Blake Ellis – Rhythm guitar (2010–2013), then moving to bass (2013).
- Maurice Morfaw – Bass (2014–2016), filling in during a transitional period.
- Mitch Rogers – Rhythm guitar (2014–2016), later taking over as lead guitarist (2015–2016).
- Kyle Devaney – Lead guitar (2014–2015), another crucial figure in shaping their sound.
- Ryan Seritti – Drums (2014–2015), stepping in during lineup changes.
- Joe Abikhair – Drums (2015–2016), the last drummer before the band’s transformation.
Despite the many lineup changes, Jeffrey Wellfare remained the driving force, leading the songwriting and the band’s vision.
Musical Style and Evolution
Capture The Crown carved out a niche in the metalcore scene, incorporating elements of electronicore—a blend of heavy metal riffs, screamed vocals, and electronic effects. Their evolution can be seen through their discography:
- ‘Til Death (2012)—Their debut album established them with a high-energy, aggressive metalcore sound that featured breakdowns and electronic elements.
- Reign of Terror (2014) – A refinement of their style, maintaining heaviness but with a more polished production.
- Lost Control (2019) – Their final album, Capture The Crown, shows some musical progression while staying within the metalcore genre.
Best-Selling Albums and Popular Songs
Their most successful album was likely their debut ‘Til Death (2012), which charted on multiple Billboard component charts:
- Top Hard Rock Albums – No. 21
- Top Heatseekers – No. 7
- Top Independent Albums – No. 25
Popular songs include:
You Call That a Knife? This Is a Knife! 2011
#OIMATEWTF (feat. Denis Shaforostov) 2012
Ladies & Gentlemen… I Give You Hell 2012
Firestarter 2014
To Whom It May Concern 2014
RVG 2012
No Cure 2019
Discography
Album |
Year |
Notable Track |
|---|---|---|
‘Til Death |
2012 |
“You Call That a Knife? This Is a Knife!” |
Reign of Terror |
2014 |
“To Whom It May Concern” |
Lost Control |
2019 |
“No Cure” |
Stats about Their Albums and Tracks
- ‘Til Death peaked at No. 21 on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums, No. 7 on Top Heatseekers, and No. 25 on Top Independent Albums.
- Reign of Terror charted at No. 86 on the U.S. Billboard 200, marking the band’s first entry on the main album chart.
- Their debut single, “You Call That a Knife? This Is a Knife!” gained over 13 million views on YouTube before being removed in 2020.
- The band does not appear to have won any major awards.
Behind the Music
The band’s initial fame came from its YouTube success. Their first single, “You Call That a Knife? This Is a Knife!” went viral, racking up 5 million views in under a year. However, this rapid rise came with mixed reactions—some loved its energy, while others criticized it for sounding too much like Asking Alexandria and other popular metalcore acts.
One of their biggest hurdles came from relocating to the United States. While this was an attempt to grow their career, it led to severe financial struggles. The cost of living, touring, and production left them in massive debt, forcing several lineup changes and eventually causing the band to disband.
Visual and Aesthetic Identity
Like many metalcore bands, Capture The Crown embraced a dark and edgy aesthetic:
- Band Photos – Members dressed in dark clothing, often with serious or intense expressions.
- Album Artwork – Dark colour schemes with symbolic imagery reinforce their heavy music themes.
- Logo – A stylized crown motif directly referencing their band name and identity.
Controversies and Challenges
Capture The Crown’s journey wasn’t without struggles:
- Financial Hardships – The move to the U.S. was a massive burden, with members leaving due to the lack of income from touring.
- Criticism of Originality—Some, particularly early in their career, accused the band of copying the style of bigger metalcore acts.
Unique Facts and Anecdotes
- The band’s original drummer, Tyler March (Lone America), was from Pennsylvania, USA, while the other founding members were Australian. They met him online and invited him to join.
- 2017, the band rebranded, shortening its name from Capture The Crown to Capture.
- After being dropped from their record label, they used crowdfunding to finance their “Live Life” EP.
Awards and Milestones
While Capture The Crown didn’t win any major awards, they did achieve some significant milestones:
- Their debut album ‘Til Death’ was charted on three Billboard charts.
- Their second album, Reign of Terror, charted at #86 on the US Billboard 200, marking their first entry on the main album chart.
- They were one of the early metalcore bands to gain popularity through YouTube, with their debut single amassing millions of views quickly.
Capture The Crown impacted the metalcore scene despite their challenges, gaining a devoted fanbase and creating memorable tracks. Their story serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the dedication required in the music industry.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reign_of_Terror_(Capture_the_Crown_album)
https://metalinsider.net/touring/capture-the-crown-lose-three-members-to-debt
