Spoken

Spoken formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1996, and vocalist Matt Baird remains the only original member still in the lineup. The band's early years were spent in the American Christian hardcore scene, mixing rap-rock and nu-metal with post-hardcore leanings, in the vein of contemporaries such as P.O.D., Pillar and Thousand Foot Krutch.

Their debut, On Your Feet, appeared in 1997 through Metro 1 Music, followed by ...What Remains in 1999 and Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell in 2000, each pushing further into heavier, riff-driven territory built on screamed verses.

A move to Tooth & Nail Records brought A Moment of Imperfect Clarity in 2003, where melody and a post-hardcore sound took over from the earlier nu-metal leanings. Last Chance to Breathe followed in 2005, leaning further into screamed vocals, and the 2007 self-titled album balanced heavy guitar work with more mature songwriting.

Spoken issued Illusion in 2013 through E1 Music and Breathe Again in 2015 through Artery Recordings, arriving after long gaps and lineup changes with only Baird as a constant. Guitarist Scoop Roberts announced a final tour with the band in 2016. Across these records the writing moved from screamed passages toward sung melody and arena-sized choruses, while the guitars stayed down-tuned, and the later albums sit closer to mainstream hard rock than to the metalcore the band started in.