Escape the Fate

Escape the Fate, a post-hardcore band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004, igniting the local music scene with their raw energy and emotive sound. Originally hailing from Pahrump, Nevada, the band was founded by vocalist Ronnie Radke, bassist Max Green, drummer Robert Ortiz, lead guitarist Bryan “Monte” Money, rhythm guitarist Omar Espinosa, and keyboardist Carson Allen. Their early days were marked by a relentless drive, playing local gigs and building a devoted following through MySpace and Las Vegas radio airplay. In 2005, their big break came when they won a radio contest judged by My Chemical Romance, earning them a spot opening for the band’s tour alongside Alkaline Trio and Reggie and the Full Effect. This exposure led to a deal with Epitaph Records, setting the stage for their rapid rise.

Their debut EP, There’s No Sympathy for the Dead (2006), produced by Michael Baskette, showcased their blend of metalcore, screamo, and emo influences, with tracks like “Not Good Enough for Truth in Cliché” hinting at their potential. Later that year, their first full-length album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion, featuring Radke’s raw vocals, charted on Billboard’s Heatseeker and Top Independent charts. Songs like “Situations” and “Reverse the Curse” captured the angst of the mid-2000s emo scene, with the latter featured in Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam. However, internal turmoil soon struck—keyboardist Allen left post-EP, Espinosa departed in 2007, and Radke was ousted in 2008 after legal troubles involving narcotics and a battery charge tied to a fatal altercation, though he didn’t fire the shot. Radke later formed Falling in Reverse.

Enter Craig Mabbitt, formerly of Blessthefall, who joined as lead vocalist in 2008, ushering in a new era. Their second album, This War Is Ours (2008), debuted at number 35 on the Billboard 200, selling 13,000 copies in its first week. Featuring singles like “The Flood” and “10 Miles Wide” (co-written with Buckcherry’s Josh Todd), the album leaned harder into metalcore, with Mabbitt’s versatile vocals bridging screams and melodies. A deluxe edition in 2010 included new tracks and a remix by Slipknot’s Shawn Crahan. The band’s relentless touring with acts like Hollywood Undead and Atreyu solidified their reputation for visceral live shows, a hallmark since their Vegas club days.

Their self-titled third album, Escape the Fate (2010), marked a shift to DGC/Interscope and became their most successful, peaking at number 25 on the Billboard 200 and topping the Hard Rock Albums chart. Produced by Don Gilmore, tracks like “Issues” and “Massacre” showcased a polished yet aggressive sound, with Max Green calling it a “cure for the modern-day music epidemic.” Despite lineup changes—Green entered rehab, and Money brothers left in 2013—the band persisted, releasing Ungrateful (2013) and Hate Me (2015) with producer Howard Benson. Their cover of My Chemical Romance’s “Dead!” for a 2016 tribute album nodded to their early connection with the band.

Escape the Fate’s later years saw them evolve under Mabbitt’s leadership, with drummer Robert Ortiz as the sole remaining founding member. Albums like I Am Human (2018), Chemical Warfare (2021), and Out of the Shadows (2023), released via Big Noise Records, explored hard rock and pop influences while retaining their post-hardcore edge. Singles like “Broken Heart” and “Cheers to Goodbye” (featuring Spencer Charnas) kept them relevant, with Out of the Shadows supported by a 2023 headlining tour alongside D.R.U.G.S and Stitched Up Heart. Their music, influenced by Marilyn Manson, Linkin Park, and My Chemical Romance, blends confessional lyrics with heavy riffs, resonating with fans globally.

Today, Escape the Fate remains a staple of the post-hardcore scene, with over three million monthly Spotify listeners and a loyal fanbase. Their 2025 performances include festivals like So What Fest in Dallas and Hellfest in France, alongside international tours, such as a Japan stint promoted for its high-energy shows. Despite controversies and lineup shifts, their ability to channel personal struggles into anthems of resilience keeps them vital. From their Las Vegas beginnings to global stages, Escape the Fate’s journey reflects the raw, unyielding spirit of a band born in the desert’s shadow.