Destroy the Runner

Destroy the Runner
Also known asDie Like Me (2004–2006)
OriginSan Diego, California, U.S.
GenresMelodic metalcore[1]
Years active2004–2010, 2016–present
LabelsSolid State
MembersDuane Reed
Nick "Maldy" Maldonado
Kyle Setter
Marc Kohlbry
Past membersChad Ackerman
Tanner Sparks
Jeremiah Crespo
Mike Catalano

Destroy the Runner is an American melodic metalcore band from San Diego, California. The band released two full-length albums via Solid State Records prior to going on hiatus in 2010. In 2016 the band's original members reunited and independently released the band's latest effort Void.[2]

The band is closely linked with fellow San Diego metal outfit As I Lay Dying. Both bands have shared members and personnel throughout their careers, and members from both bands have collaborated on various projects together.[3][4] Additionally, As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis managed Destroy the Runner for their albums Saints, and did so again with Jason Rudolph for their second album I, Lucifer.

Destroy the Runner are considered a Christian metal band.[5][6]

History

Destroy the Runner formed under the name "Die Like Me" in 2004. The band was signed by Solid State Records in 2006 and changed its name.[7] Solid State released the band's debut album Saints on September 12, 2006, to mixed reviews.[8]

The band followed the release of the album with a tour supporting Haste the Day and Scary Kids Scaring Kids, which was followed by tours with August Burns Red and The Chariot.[9]

Both Kyle Setter and Jeremiah Crespo would leave the band in 2007, and were replaced by Chad Ackerman and Tanner Sparks, who were then part of Chapter 14.[10]

In October 2007, the band began recording their second LP with Brian McTernan at Salad Days Studios in Baltimore, MD.

On April 15, 2008, Destroy the Runner released I, Lucifer. The album has a more progressive sound, with less screaming than their previous album.[11] It charted in the U.S. on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart at No. 27[12] and on the Top Heatseekers chart at No. 25.[13]

The band released a Christmas song, "Destroy the Jingle" via their MySpace page on December 10, 2008.[14]

On December 15, 2009, the band made available a previously unreleased B-Side from 'Saints' as a digital download. Titled "Sinners," the band explained the song, originally titled "Twelve Pieces," had been written by original vocalist Kyle Setter, but was we-written by Ackerman prior to its release.[15]

On October 23, 2009, Ackerman announced the band was in the studio recording an upcoming album but that a release date was not yet set. Via his YouTube channel answering fan questions the album Ackerman noted the album would be heavier than I, Lucifer, feature more screaming, and would feature Jordan Mancino of As I Lay Dying on drums.[16] On March 22, 2010, the band announced Living Sacrifice frontman Bruce Fitzhugh would be tracking guest vocals for the album, which was expected out later in the year.[17]

On May 16, 2010, Destroy the Runner announced that they would taking an "indefinite hiatus."[18] In several interviews, Ackerman stated that Reed and Maldonado wanted to end the band in 2010 to focus on other material. As the last two founding members left in the band's lineup, they would not allow Ackerman and Sparks to continue on with the Destroy the Runner name, despite Ackerman and Sparks wishing to continue writing and recording the band's third album, which was left unfinished.[19]

On April 22, 2016, the band updated their Facebook. This update hinted at new material, and also reestablished the band's original members to their current lineup.[20]

On May 1, 2016, the band announced that the four original band members were regrouping and had already written songs that were ready to be recorded for an EP, Void, through an Indiegogo campaign.[21] The band streamed their first single from the album "End Transmission" on November 16, 2016, and released an accompanying lyric video[22] They would additionally release a lyric video for the song "Underwater" on November 30.[23]

Band members

Current lineup

  • Nick "Maldy" Maldonado – lead guitar (2004–2010, 2016–present)
  • Duane Reed – rhythm guitar, clean vocals (2004–2010, 2016–present)
  • Kyle Setter – unclean vocals (2004–2007, 2016–present)
  • Marc Kohlbry – drums (2004–2008, 2016–present)
  • Tanner Sparks – bass guitar (2007–2010, 2016–present)

Former members

  • Chad Ackerman – unclean vocals (2007–2010)
  • Mike Catalano – drums (2008–2010)
  • Jeremiah Crespo – bass guitar (2005–2007)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

  • Die Like Me (2004) (self-released)
  • Void (2016) (self-released)

Singles

  • "End Transmission" (2016)[24]
Music videos
  • Saints (Saints)
  • Isabella's (I, Lucifer)

References

  1. ^ "Destroy the Runner Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  2. ^ "Destroy The Runner Reunite, Crowdfunding New EP". May 2, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  3. ^ "Exclusive Interview with Chad Ackerman of Destroy the Runner". June 30, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  4. ^ "Destroy the Runner". October 12, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  5. ^ Apar, Corey. "Destroy the Runner – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  6. ^ "Onward Christian Rockers". October 12, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  7. ^ "Destroy the Runner to Release Reunion EP With Original Lineup". Alternative Press. May 1, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  8. ^ "Saints Overview". AllMusic. September 12, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  9. ^ Allmusic biography
  10. ^ "Interview with Chad Ackerman of Chapter 14 – Rock Edition". Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ "I, Lucifer review". Punk76.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
  12. ^ "Top Christian Albums". Billboard. May 3, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  13. ^ "Heatseakers Albums". Billboard. May 3, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  14. ^ "Destroy The Runner upload "Destroy The Jingle"". Alternative Press. December 10, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  15. ^ "Destroy The Runner to Digitally Release Saints B-Side". December 5, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  16. ^ "Destroy the Runner Tap As I Lay Dying Drummer for New Album". October 24, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  17. ^ "Living Sacrifice Frontman to Appear on New Destroy The Runner Album". March 22, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  18. ^ "Destroy The Runner Go on Indefinite Hiatus". May 17, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  19. ^ "In Loss: A Look Back at the Breakups of 2010". December 22, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  20. ^ "Destroy The Runner to reunite? - News – Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  21. ^ "Destroy The Runner EP 2016". Indiegogo. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  22. ^ "Destroy The Runner Stream New Song End Transmission". November 16, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  23. ^ "Destroy The Runner Release Underwater Lyric Video". November 30, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  24. ^ "Destroy The Runner premiere new song, set to release EP". Lambgoat. November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2016.