Lionheart (American band)
American beatdown hardcore band from Oakland, California.
Lionheart, a beatdown hardcore band, originated in Oakland, California, in 2004. Their sound, a fusion of hardcore punk and heavy metal, is known for its aggression and has drawn comparisons to groups like Hatebreed, Terror, and First Blood. The band’s lineup has shifted over time, currently featuring vocalist Rob Watson, guitarists Evan Krejci and Rob McCarthy, bassist Chad Hall (also of the band Wear the Crown), and drummer Jay Scott.
Their debut album, *The Will to Survive*, came out in 2007 on Stillborn and I Scream Records, with a reissue two years later that added bonus material. After signing with Mediaskare Records, they released *Built on Struggle* in 2011 and *Undisputed* in 2012. An EP, *Welcome to the West Coast*, followed in 2014 on Fast Break Entertainment. The band toured extensively, including a 2011 run with I Declare War, a 2012 European Persistence Tour with Biohazard and Suicidal Tendencies, and a North American tour with Thick as Blood that same year. A planned European tour was canceled, and they faced fan criticism for a single show with Motionless in White in Hawaii. In early 2015, they joined the Taste of Anarchy Tour in Europe alongside Nasty and Coldburn, and later that summer played festivals like Ieperfest, Traffic Jam Open Air, and Summerblast. That second European tour also saw them sharing stages with Death by Stereo, H2O, Born from Pain, 7 Seconds, and First Blood.
In early 2016, their fourth album, *Love Don’t Live Here*, came out on Beatdown Hardwear Records. That May, the band announced they were breaking up, and five days later revealed a Farewell Tour in Europe, which included stops at With Full Force, Vainstream Rockfest, and Free & Easy Festival, as well as their first shows in Serbia and Greece. The tour was later extended, with their final concert taking place in Chemnitz, Germany, on November 5, 2016. After roughly a year apart, Lionheart announced their reunion on Facebook. Their discography also includes the EPs *This Means War* (2006) and *Welcome to the West Coast II* (2017), the albums *Valley of Death* (2019) and *Valley of Death II* (2026), a live album *Live At Summer Breeze* (2020), and *Welcome to the West Coast III* (2022).
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Oakland, California, U.S.
- Genre
- Beatdown hardcore, metalcore, tough guy hardcore
- Years Active
- 2004–2016, 2017–present
- Label
- Stillborn, I Scream, Mediaskare, Fast Break, Beatdown Hardwear, Arising Empire
- Associated Acts
- Cro-Mags, Terror, 7 Seconds, Hatebreed, First Blood, Thick As Blood, These Streets
- Current Members
- Rob Watson / Walle Etzel / Nick Warner / Richard Mathews / Jay Scott / Cameron Grabowski
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lionheart formed in 2004 in Oakland, California, with vocalist Rob Watson, guitarists Evan Krejci and Rob McCarthy, bassist Chad Hall, and drummer Jay Scott after several lineup changes. Their debut record, *The Will to Survive*, was released on September 11, 2007, via Stillborn Records and I Scream Records, and re-released with bonus materials two years later. After signing with Mediaskare Records, they released *Built on Struggle* on January 8, 2011, followed by *Undisputed* on May 8, 2012. An EP, *Welcome to the West Coast*, came out on January 14, 2014, via Fast Break Entertainment.
The band toured with I Declare War between July and September 2011, and in January 2012 they played the Persistence Tour in Europe alongside Biohazard and Suicidal Tendencies. A North American tour with Thick as Blood followed in July 2012. The band drew criticism from some fans after confirming a show with Motionless in White in Hawaii, stating it was only one concert.
Reader's Guide
Lionheart's significance lies in their role within the beatdown hardcore scene, particularly on the West Coast of the United States. Their music, described as hardcore punk-rooted metalcore and compared to Hatebreed, Terror, and Cro-Mags, helped define a sound that blended aggressive two-step rhythms with heavy metal influences. The band's discography, spanning from 2006 to 2022, includes albums like The Will to Survive, Built on Struggle, and Love Don't Live Here, as well as the Welcome to the West Coast EP series. Their tours with major hardcore acts such as Biohazard, Suicidal Tendencies, and Nasty, along with festival appearances in Europe, solidified their presence internationally. The brief breakup in 2016 and subsequent reunion highlighted the band's enduring connection with their fanbase. While not a mainstream act, Lionheart's legacy is preserved through their recordings and continued activity, influencing later beatdown hardcore bands.
Did You Know?
- Lionheart's debut album The Will to Survive was re-released with bonus materials two years after its initial 2007 release.
- The band drew criticism from some fans for playing a single show with Motionless in White in Hawaii.
- Lionheart's Farewell Tour in 2016 included their first-ever shows in Serbia and Greece.
- Bassist Chad Hall later played in the band Wear the Crown, formed in 2017.
More in Beatdown hardcore musical groups 1-24
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