Wovenwar

Wovenwar emerged in 2013 as a significant pivot for the instrumental members of As I Lay Dying (Jordan Mancino, Nick Hipa, Phil Sgrosso, and Josh Gilbert) following the incarceration of their former vocalist. By recruiting Shane Blay of Oh, Sleeper, the group transitioned from foundational melodic metalcore toward a more melodic, alternative metal sound.

Their 2014 self-titled debut, produced by Bill Stevenson and mixed by Colin Richardson, signaled a departure from harsh vocals in favor of soaring, clean-sung hooks and complex, harmonized guitar work. The band's sound identity is defined by a high level of technical execution, particularly in the rhythmic interplay between Mancino's drumming and the dual-guitar attack. Critically, they are viewed as a successful example of a 'reinvention' band, maintaining their technical credibility while expanding their melodic palette. Their second album, 'Honor Is Dead' (2016), introduced a moodier, more aggressive edge but maintained the central focus on Blay's melodic range. The band occupies a unique space between the aggression of the NWOAHM and the radio-friendly accessibility of modern hard rock.