Cries Hannah
| Company type | Independent music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | March 2003 |
| Headquarters | Southeast Missouri , United States |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Cries Hannah is a post-hardcore ensemble from Southeast Missouri, established in March 2003. The group merges melodic and intense aspects of post-hardcore, metalcore, and emo, characterized by heartfelt lyrics and versatile instrumentation. Initially active between 2003 and 2008, Cries Hannah reunited in 2020 and has independently released multiple EPs that delve into both personal experiences and conceptual themes.
Formation and Reunion
The band originated from musicians inspired by acts such as Every Time I Die, Haste the Day, Underoath, and Norma Jean, blending raw vocal delivery with complex guitar riffs and powerful drumming. After experimenting with several names, they settled on Cries Hannah in 2004, drawing inspiration from the biblical figure Hannah in 1 Samuel. This story embodies themes of faith, dedication, sacrifice, and hope, which resonate with the emotional depth of their music.
The founding members were Matt Tompkins, Trey Davis, Matt Boyd, Ross Goins, and Chris Gonzalez. Following personnel changes, the core lineup became Tompkins, Davis, Boyd, and Josh Kassinger. The band remained active until February 2008.
In June 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Tompkins, Davis, and Boyd reconnected via Zoom to share ideas and develop new demos that sparked renewed collaborative songwriting. Since this reunion, Matt Tompkins and Trey Davis have primarily driven the writing and recording processes.
Musical Direction and Thematic Evolution
Cries Hannah’s sound is anchored in post-hardcore and metalcore genres, combining emotionally charged lyrics with melodic elements and heavy instrumentation. After reforming, their songwriting took on a more conceptual and theatrical style. Apart from the Songs That Covered Our Youth EP (2022), their post-2020 releases emphasize tracks inspired by true events featuring darker and enigmatic storylines. Influences from Ice Nine Kills contribute to their theatrical flair while maintaining a focus on authenticity and emotional resonance.
Live Performances
Throughout their career, Cries Hannah has shared stages with prominent post-hardcore and metalcore bands including Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, As Cities Burn, MyChildren MyBride, Jonezetta, War of Ages, Chapter 14, and Job for a Cowboy. They also joined Here I Come Falling on the latter’s final tour.
The band earned regional acclaim performing at venues such as The Jesus Place in Oklahoma City and The Well in Poplar Bluff. During a tour stop in Lubbock, Texas, after their van malfunctioned, they stayed with a local family for two weeks while performing shows to cover repair costs. This experience fostered strong community connections and expanded their local fanbase.
Availability and Media
Cries Hannah’s catalog is accessible across all major streaming services. They maintain ownership of their visual content—including album artwork and promotional images—and allow authorized uploads to Wikimedia Commons.
Members
- Current Line-up
- Matthew Tompkins - Vocals (2003-2008; 2020–Present)
- Trey Davis - Guitar (2003-2008; 2020–Present)
Former Members
- Matt Boyd - Drums (2003-2006, 2020)
- Jeff Brannon - Drums (2006-2007)
- Josh Kassinger - Guitar, Backing Vocals (2005-2006), Drums (2008)
- Jason Savage - Bass (2006-2008)
- Eric Bieller - Bass (2005-2006)
- Adam Fears - Bass (2004-2005)
- Ross Goins - Bass (2003-2004)
- Christopher Gonzalez - Guitar, Backing Vocals (2003-2004)
Discography
- Studio albums
- Oh Death, Where is Thy Sting EP (2006)
- Beloved... I Caught You When You Fell (2006) – produced alongside Tyler Orr at First Street Studios in Jackson, Tennessee
- Hopeless, the Writer (2019) – comprises unmastered recordings originally laid down in 2007
- The Daydreamer EP (2021)
- Songs that Cover Our Youth EP (2022)
- The Sleepwalker EP (2022)
- The Gloryseeker EP (2023)
Since 2019, all projects have been self-produced and made available through prominent streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.