Stray from the Path

Vocalist Drew York in 2013

The band was formed on Long Island, New York, in 2001. Its original members were Thomas Williams, John Kane, Justin Manas, Ed Edge and Frank Correira. In October 2003, they went into the studio with Joe Cincotta and Terrance Hobbs of Suffocation to record their debut full length, Audio Prozac. In July 2005, after playing extensively over the following eight months to support their record, they released Our Oceania on August 2, 2005. In November 2005 original singer Ed Edge left the band and was replaced by Andrew Dijorio (Drew York). After touring the country DIY, SFTP entered God City Studios and recorded Villains with Converge Guitarist, Kurt Ballou.[1] Upon completion of the record, the songs spread to California, which led to a contract with Sumerian Records.[2] After being recorded independently at God City, Villains was properly released on May 13, 2008. After touring North America, the band saw some lineup changes. Ryan Thompson replaced Frank Correira on bass guitar, Justin Manas moved from drums to guitar replacing John Kane, and drummer Dan Bourke, formerly of This Is Hell, took over the role on drums. SFTP entered the studio with producer Misha Mansoor and recorded 2009's Make Your Own History.[3] After touring North America, and Europe vigorously, the band hit Machine Shop Recordings with producer Will Putney to record their latest record Rising Sun. This record featured guest appearances by Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid, Cory Brandan Putman of Norma Jean and Jonathan Vigil of The Ghost Inside. In 2012 they released a download only single "Landmines". They later released Anonymous in September 2013 which featured Jesse Barnett from Stick to Your Guns and Jason Butler from Letlive.

In 2015 they released Subliminal Criminals, continuing the rapcore sound of their previous effort while delving into more social and political themes (including "D.I.E.P.I.G", which specifically reference child abuse allegations towards Front Porch Step and Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins). This was to be the final album with Dan Bourke on drums, as he would leave the group in 2016 to be replaced by Craig Reynolds. On the day of the 2016 United States presidential election, they released a single entitled "The House Always Wins". On July 12, 2017, they announced details of their new album Only Death Is Real along with single "Goodnight Alt-Right", which attracted criticism from right wing groups upon release due to its lyrics.[4]

Stray from the Path in 2017

In 2018, the ensemble toured with Anti-Flag, the White Noise and Sharptooth.[5]

Their music has been categorised as metalcore,[6] hardcore punk,[7] rapcore,[8] rap metal[9] and nu metal[10] Their earliest material was metalcore containing elements of math rock, however over the years have developed a larger emphasis on groove and technicality.[11] Metal Sucks attributed this development as being due to the band's growing influence from Rage Against the Machine.[6] In an article for Exclaim!, writer Joe Smith-Engelhardt described the band's style as a "Rage Against the Machine-worshipping take on hardcore".[9] Jeannie Blue for Cryptic Rock described it as "behemoth Rapcore meets Rage Against the Machine".[12]

They have cited influences including Refused, Anti Flag, Rage Against the Machine,[13] Converge, Glassjaw and Deftones.[14]

The band's members view their status as giving them a platform to express their views,[15] with their music including references to their opposition to capitalism, economic materialism, police brutality, racial injustice, pedophilia and far-right political ideologies like fascism and the alt-right.[16][17][18] In an article for Loudwire, writer Taylor Markarian stated that "As their band name suggests, Stray have never been shy about their opinions on social and political issues and deviating from mainstream thought. They have always been blunt and unapologetic about identifying and criticizing hypocrisy, corruption, racism, sexism and other social justice issues".[19] In a 2017 article for Metal Hammer, Williams stated:

If you're lucky enough to get a crowd and a stage like we do, to put that to waste is kind of a shame. We have to use what we're so fortunate to get, and use it for good. Whether you agree or disagree, we're writing music that makes you feel something, and to me that's a victory in itself.[13]

Publications have generally described their ideology as being left-wing,[20][15] however the members prefer not to subscribe to a particular side of the political spectrum, with Williams stating that "If Donald Trump was to say something that I liked – which may only be when hell freezes over – then I'll like it. I'm never going to not like something that someone says because of whatever label they're under. I've gone on record saying this, but Hillary Clinton was scarier to me than Trump. Cause that guy will say shit to your face whereas as Hillary will shake your hand, smile, and then kill you in your sleep".[15]

During the 2016 United States presidential election, the band were vocal in their opposition to both main party candidates, with Williams in particular showing support for Bernie Sanders. In a 2017 article for KillYourStereo.com, Williams stated that "When people ask me about voting, I say that I don't vote and I never will vote. Because when you vote you send a message that it's okay for this system to continue".[21]

• Stray from the Path live at With Full Force 2018
• 
  Thomas Williams
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  Andrew Dijorio
• 
  Anthony Altamura
• 
  Craig Reynolds

Timeline

• Media related to Stray from the Path at Wikimedia Commons
• Stray from the Path at AllMusic