Overcome (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 in Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Defunct | 2000; reformed 2010–2017 |
| Headquarters | Phoenix , United States |
| Products | Christian metalcore music |
Overcome is a Christian metalcore group originating from Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Their initial period of activity spanned from 1993 until 2000, followed by a reunion phase from 2010 through 2017. The band’s first two full-length records, Blessed Are the Persecuted (1996) and When Beauty Dies (1997), were issued under Tooth & Nail Records. Later releases—including Immortal Until Their Work Is Done (1999), More Than Death (2001), The Great Campaign of Sabotage (2011), and No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets. (2013)—were published by Facedown Records, the label that initially signed them.
As trailblazers in the "Spirit-Filled Hardcore" movement, alongside contemporaries such as Unashamed and Strongarm, Overcome significantly influenced the evolution of Christian metalcore. Their participation in Facedown Fest 2017 further emphasized their enduring presence within the genre.
The band has been profiled multiple times in trade magazines like HM Magazine, highlighting their notable role in the Christian metalcore community.
History
Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Overcome is known for their contributions to both Christian metal and hardcore music. They originally formed under the name Abstain in 1993, featuring Chad Oliver on vocals and guitar, Ryan Hayes on drums, Reggie Shumway handling guitar duties, and Jason Obergfoll on bass. Upon adding Jason Stinson as their lead vocalist, they adopted the name Overcome. Drawing inspiration from bands such as Focused and Unbroken, they produced two EPs prior to securing a contract with Tooth & Nail Records.
Their debut album, Blessed Are the Persecuted, was released in 1996. The follow-up record, When Beauty Dies, marked the inaugural release for Solid State Records. Due to internal conflicts concerning financial rights and spiritual direction, all members except Stinson departed from the group. Consequently, Tooth & Nail terminated their contract, leaving Overcome without label support.
Stinson reassembled the band by bringing in Nick Westby on guitar, Ethan Pajak on drums, BJ Ovsak also on guitar, and Matt Brooks playing bass. They then signed with Facedown Records, which reissued their earlier EPs alongside new material. In 1999, Overcome released their third studio album titled Immortal Until Their Work is Done. After Brooks exited in 2000, Jason Bowen returned to fill the bass position. That same year, the band performed their final concert at Birmingham’s Furnace Fest before disbanding due to Stinson’s health challenges. Following this breakup, Stinson went on to form Indwelling along with Pajak, Ovsak, and Thomas Washington.
In 2001, Facedown Records compiled Overcome's work into an anthology named More Than Death. The band reformed in 2010 with Stinson joined by Washington on vocals, Bowen on bass, and Nick Greenwood on guitar. This lineup recorded The Great Campaign of Sabotage, which incorporated a stronger death metal influence. Although Jarrod Norris provided vocals during this period, he did not replace Washington as initially intended. Greenwood eventually departed and was succeeded by Steven Cosand.
The ensemble released the EP No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets. through Facedown in 2013. Overcome’s final live appearance took place at Facedown Fest in 2017 as part of the label’s twentieth anniversary celebrations.
Music history
Several of their albums have been evaluated by Cross Rhythms, including Immortal Until Their Work Is Done, More Than Death, The Great Campaign of Sabotage, and No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets.. Additionally, their EP titled The Life of Death was subject to critical analysis by The Phantom Tollbooth.
Members
Current lineup
- Jason Stinson – guitar (2010 to present), vocals (1993 to 2000) (formerly of Indwelling)
- Jason Bowen – bass guitar (1998, 2000, and from 2010 onwards) (previously with Every Day Life)
- Jon Strunk – drums (2010 to present)
- Thomas Washington – lead vocals (2010 to present) (ex-Indwelling, ex-Abishai)
- Steven Cosand – guitar (since 2011) (also associated with Sanhedrin, Quaker Folk, Cryptic Rising)
Past members
- Justin Gage – guitar and vocals (until 2010)
- Matt Burnside – drums
- Chris Davis – vocals
- Ryan Hayes – drums (1993–1996)
- BJ Ovsak – guitar (1998–2000) (formerly Indwelling)
- Nick Westby – guitar (1998–2000)
- Steve Owens – guitar (1998, 2000)
- Matt Brooks – bass guitar (1998–2000)
- Ethan Pajak – drums (1998–2000) (ex-Indwelling)
- Reggie Shumway – guitar (1993–1998)
- Jason Obergfoll – guitar (1996–1998), bass guitar (1993–1996)
- Ken Williamson – bass guitar (1996–1998)
- Alex Woodford – drums (1996–1998)
- Nick Greenwood – guitars (2010–2011)
- Rob Kroehler – bass guitar (1996)
Discography
Full-length albums
- Blessed Are the Persecuted (released June 7, 1996, under Tooth & Nail Records)
- When Beauty Dies (released March 18, 1997, Tooth & Nail Records)
- Immortal Until Their Work Is Done (released April 21, 2001, through Facedown Records)
- More Than Death (released October 2, 2001, Facedown Records)
- The Great Campaign of Sabotage (released February 1, 2011, Facedown Records)
Extended plays
- Overcome (independently released in 1995)
- As the Curtain Falls (issued in 1996 by Life Sentence Records)
- Overcome (reissued in 1998 via Facedown Records)
- The Life of Death (released in 1998 on Facedown Records)
- No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets. (released January 8, 2013, Facedown Records)