Anberlinis an Americanalternative rockband formed inWinter Haven, Florida, in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band consists of lead vocalistStephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.

Members of Anberlin originally formed a band under the name SaGoh 24/7 in 1998, releasing twostudio albumsbefore disbanding, with the members having a change in musical direction and name. Anberlin was formed in 2002; within a year of forming, they had signed with semi-independent record labelTooth & Nail Recordsand released their debut album,Blueprints for the Black Market. In 2005, the band released their second album,Never Take Friendship Personal.^{[4]The bands third album,Cities, was released in 2007, and became their first album to reach the top 20 of theBillboard200, selling 34,000 copies in its debut week.[5]}

Anberlin signed with major labelUniversal Republicin 2007^{[6]and in 2008 releasedNew Surrender, which peaked at No.13 on the Billboard 200,[7]with the first single, "Feel Good Drag", claiming No.1 on theAlternative Songschart, after 29 weeks in the chart.[8]Prior to the 2010 release of their fifth studio album,Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place, Anberlin had sold over 1,000,000 albums.[9]Their sixth studio albumVitalwas released October 16, 2012, and rereleased on Big3 Records under the titleDevotiona year later, October 15, 2013.}

On January 16, 2014, it was announced that Anberlin would be disbanding in 2014 after recording their seventh studio album,Lowborn, on their original label, Tooth & Nail Records, and touring one last time.^{[10]After performing concerts in late 2018, the group reunited to tour through 2019. In May 2020, Christian mentioned they were working on new material.[11]Anberlin released their new EPSilverlineon July 29, 2022.[12]}

In October 2023, Christian announced he was taking an indefinite hiatus from touring with the band and was replaced byMemphis May FiresMatty Mullins.^[13]

Lead singer Stephen Christian met bassist Deon Rexroat while they were both in high school, and they formed apunkband called SaGoh 24/7. Drummer Sean Hutson and guitarist Joseph Milligan joined the group as well. The band released two albums,Servants After Gods Own Heart(1999), andThen I Corrupt Youth(2001), both under Rescue Records.^{[14]After the albums sold only 1,300 units,[15]Hutson left the band to start a family, and Nathan Young was brought in as a replacement.}

Christian, Milligan and Rexroat began working on a side project, marking the beginning of the end for SaGoh 24/7. The side projects sound transformed after a suggestion from Milligan to develop more of a rock sound for Anberlin.^{[14]They used money left over from shows SaGoh had performed and teamed up with producer Matt Goldman to record five demos. The demos that were then posted onPureVolume(which was mp3.com at the time). On the advice of friends, including Chad Johnson, and Timmy McTague fromUnderoath, the band signed withTooth & Nail Records.[16]}

Out of the five demos Anberlin recorded with Matt Goldman, three were eventually chosen to be reworked for the bands debut album, the lead single "Readyfuels", "Driving" (later renamed "Autobahn") and "Foreign Language". Another song, "Embrace the Dead", was also recorded as a demo track and is often mistaken as an Anberlin song, however, the song didnt make it onto the bands debut album as it didnt constitute the stylistic direction the band wanted to head in.^[16]

After hearing demos from the bandAcceptance, Anberlin chose to record their debut album with the same producer, Aaron Sprinkle, creating a relationship that would last the entire duration of their time with Tooth & Nail Records.^{[16]Barely a year after their formation, their first album as a new band was entitledBlueprints for the Black Market(2003). It failed to chart, but spurred on by their debut single, "Readyfuels", the album sold over 60,000 units.[17]They toured steadily with other bands in their label.[citation needed]}

Rhythm guitarist Joey Bruce was eventually ejected from the band. According to Christian, he was "all about sex, drugs and rock & roll", and was going in a different direction than the rest of the band.^{[15]After several failed replacements, Nathan Strayer from The Mosaic took over rhythm guitar duties.}

Anberlin released their follow-up toBlueprints,Never Take Friendship Personal, in early 2005, again produced by Aaron Sprinkle. Charting at No.144 on theBillboard200,^{[7]the album brought the band closer to the mainstream.NTFPwas generally more well received by critics thanBlueprints for the Black Market.[citation needed]Before its release, the band promoted the album by releasing a track per week on theirPureVolumeandMySpacewebsite accounts, as well as on their own website. Two singles were released from the album: "A Day Late" and "Paperthin Hymn". Both were reasonably successful on alternative rock radio, with the latter peaking at the No.38 position on theHot Modern Rock Trackschart.[18]}

Anberlin participated in a number of compilations during this time, recording covers ofBob Dylans "Like a Rolling Stone",Depeche Modes "Enjoy the Silence," and the song "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)".^[19][20]

Anberlins third album produced by Aaron Sprinkle was released in early 2007 under the titleCities. It sold 34,000 copies in its first week of release, debuted at No.19 on the Billboard 200 chart, and, like their previous album, received fairly positive reviews from critics. Before the release ofCities, the band releasedGodspeed EPexclusively through theiTunes Storein late 2006 to give a preview to the new album. In support of the album, Anberlin held their first headlining tour, supported byBayside,Meg & DiaandJonezetta.

In an interview about the album, Christian commented that the lyrics throughout the bands discography are progressively becoming more mature. "The first CD (Blueprints for the Black Market) was childish in the manner that it was Man vs. World in the lyrics. The second (Never Take Friendship Personal) was Man Vs. Man.Citiesis more adult in the manner that its Man Vs. Self.^{[21][22]Citieswas the most anticipated album on Jesus Freak Hideouts Most Anticipated Albums of 2007.[23]}

Three to four weeks before the release ofCities, it was announced that guitarist Nathan Strayer amicably left the band to go back to the Mosaic and that Christian McAlhaney, formerly of the bandAcceptance, would take over as the new guitarist.^[24]

Acompilation albumof unreleased material, calledLost Songs, was released on November 20, 2007. It featuresB-sides,demos,covers, andacousticversions of their previous songs as well as other tracks recorded atSessions@AOL.^[25]

The band signed toUniversal Republicon August 16, 2007, and soon after began to write material for their major-label debut, entitledNew Surrender, which was released on September 30, 2008.^{[6]This was the bands first album to not be distributed throughTooth & Nail Recordsor produced by Aaron Sprinkle. The first song to be heard from the new album was tentatively titled "Bittersweet Memory" during its initial live performances; it was later renamed to "Breaking", with an acoustic remix of the song included on USB wristbands sold exclusively during the 2008 Warped Tour. On July 11, 2008, the band showcased a second new song called "Disappear" on theirMySpaceprofile.[26]The first actual single from the album was the re-recorded "Feel Good Drag" which was set to go to radio on August 18[27]- eventually being released on August 26.[28]}

The band booked eight weeks of recording sessions with noted producer Neal Avron (New Found Glory,Yellowcard,Fall Out Boy) in early February 2008. Stephen Christian stated in an interview, "Were very excited about working with Neal; I think our fans are going to be pleased when they hear the final result."^{[29]Christian also discussed the difficulties in writing this record. "When you try to write 29 songs lyrically you find yourself topically working in circles; I only go through so much in one year, but needlessly I have dedicated myself to begin searching books, art, and friends for new directions."[30]During the recording process, the band set up a live webcam in the studio so fans could watch them record the album via the bands MySpace profile.New Surrenderwas placed at the No.2 spot on Jesus Freak Hideouts 25 Most Anticipated Albums of 2008.[31]}

In the week of its release, the album sold 36,000 units, entering theBillboard200 chart at No.13.^{[32]It also placed at No.5 on the Top Current Rock chart, according to a Universal Republic press release.[33]In support of the album, the band embarked on a fall headlining U.S. tour alongsideScary Kids Scaring Kids,Straylight Run, andThere For Tomorrow. Kyle Flynn, formerly of the band Acceptance, joined the band while on tour doing keys, loops, acoustic guitar, and background vocals. The band then traveled to the United Kingdom where they supportedElliot Minorand played a handful of headlining shows withFurthest Drive Homeand Data.Select.Party.}

Anberlin went into the studio to record several tracks, including a cover of theNew Ordersong "True Faith", which was made available online. The band also recorded a cover of theDanzigsong "Mother", which they performed during an interview withBillboard.^{[34]After supportingTaking Back Sundaythroughout May and June 2009, the band planned to start writing the follow-up toNew Surrenderin the summer, but the release date was undetermined, as the band needed to give the new material the proper time and effort.[35]They also undertook an Australian tour in August, alongsideThe Academy Is....[36]A b-side fromNew Surrender, "A Perfect Tourniquet", was released on thesoundtrackfor the TV show90210. The cover of New Orders "True Faith" was released to radio airplay on November 17,[37]the same day as the Tooth & Nail releasedBlueprints for City Friendships: The Anberlin Anthology, which is a 33-song, three-album set including all the songs from their Tooth & Nail studio albums.}

In an interview with theSouth Florida Sun-Sentinelin December 2009, it was revealed by lead singer Stephen Christian that the band were tentatively due to enter the studio in the beginning of 2010, with a release probable later in the year. He said "it looks like we are going to go to the studio in January, February or March, right around that time".^{[38]Drummer Nathan Young stated that the album would be "less poppy" and "darker".[39]Christian posted on hisTwitteraccount in December 2009, that his choice for an album name was "a go" but did not reveal the name.[40]}

The band entered Blackbird Studios, Nashville, to begin recording the album in March 2010.^{[41]It was announced on March 3 that the band would be working with Grammy Award-winning producer,Brendan OBrien.[42]The tracking of the album was completed on April 9,[43]with mixing commencing on April 13, 2010.[44]In an April 2010 interview with MyMag, Christian stated that the albums release date is "looking like late July or early August" 2010.[45]However, in a May 2010 interview with Spin Magazine, McAlhaney stated that the album would be released in September 2010.[46]}

In early June 2010, the albums release date was confirmed to be September 21, 2010.^{[47]The band also began exposing their new music, with videos of live performances of the albums songs appearing online.[48]A press release revealed on June 17 that Anberlins fifth studio album would be titledDark Is the Way, Light Is a Place, taking its title from a line inDylan Thomas’ "Poem on His Birthday". Along with the disclosure of a track listing, the press release also announced the albums lead single, "Impossible",[49]which went to radio play on July 12, 2010.[50]}

When asked about the possible impact of the new album, Stephen replied I feel like were on the brink of something... either world domination or destruction, but either way were on the brink.^[51]

Anberlin supportedThirty Seconds to Marson theirCloser to the Edge Tourwith CB7 during April and May 2011.^[52]

In an interview withCommon Revolt, Stephen Christian stated that the band had begun work on their next album. A few songs had been written, including one with the working title "Control" (later renamed Orpheum), and a song influenced by the events in Egypt^{[53](later confirmed to be "Someone Anyone").[54]}

The band announced via Facebook and e-mail in February 2012 that they would be returning toAaron Sprinkleto record their upcoming album.^{[citation needed]The band recorded their first three albums with Sprinkle; not only is he a good friend of the band but also a fan favorite. The band will begin recording around the start of March, and are not expected to be finished until May.[55][non-primary source needed]In a recent interview, Stephen Christian announced their new album is finally done.[53]On June 11, during the Nashville show of their acoustic tour, Stephen Christian announced that the title of the new record would beVital, calling the record "their most aggressive to date" and also announced a fall release date.[56]On July 31, the band announced on their official website thatVitalwas to be released on October 16.[57]}

The new albums opening track, "Self-Starter", was streamed on Billboard.com for free listening on August 17.,^{[58]and the albums second single, "Someone Anyone" was released on August 22.[59][non-primary source needed]}

InfectiousMagazine reported on October 26, 2012, that the band had already "made a lot of headway writing for the next record".^[60]

The band released "City Electric" on September 20, 2013.^{[61]It is the first of three new and previously unreleased tracks from their rework ofVital,Devotionwhich was released on October 15, 2013.[62]}

On the January 16, 2014, the band posted a video in which the band confirmed that this year would be their last and that they would release their seventh, and seemingly final, studio album in mid-2014 on their original label, Tooth & Nail Records. They also stated that they would do their last set of tours following the release to celebrate what the band had become.^{[10]On May 6, 2014, Anberlin revealed the title of the album,Lowborn, as well as the album artwork.[63]The band played their final show on November 26, 2014, at theHouse of Bluesin Orlando, Florida.[64]}

On December 15, 2017, it was announced that the bands former rhythm guitarist Nathan Strayer had died.^{[65]He was 34.[66]}

On October 18, 2018, the band announced that they would reunite for one show on December 14 at theYuengling CenterinTampa, Florida, as part ofUnderoaths Erase Me Tour.^{[67]They subsequently announced their first comeback show would be the 13th, a "secret show" at The Orpheum in Tampa.[68]The band implied at these shows that they were coming back full time, as reflected in their social media saying theyve been back from 2018 to present.[69]In March 2019, it was announced that the band would perform a series of headlining shows across Australia in May 2019.[70]This expanded to an announcement of a 22-stop U.S. tour the following month.[71]Young stated the band had no plans for a full comeback after the reunion shows.[72]However, Christian revealed in May 2020 that they had reversed course and were in the process of recording new music.[11]}

On September 2, 2021, the band released their first new song in over seven years, "Two Graves" on their Youtube channel, and began touring two days later to promote the song.^[73]

Anberlin released an EP,Silverline, on July 29, 2022, viaEqual Vision Records,^{[74]with whom they signed earlier in the month. Mixed by Jeremy SH Griffith and Mastered by Jonathan Berlin at The Loft Studio LA.}

On June 9, 2023, Anberlin released a single entitled “Lacerate” via Equal Vision Records. It was the first single to feature guitarist Christian McAlhaney on lead vocals and the first from the EPConvinced, which was released on June 30, 2023.^{[75]Mixed by Jeremy SH Griffith and Mastered by Jonathan Berlin at The Loft Studio LA. After the EPs release, the band appeared at the 3-dayFurnace Festevent in September.[76]}

On October 10, 2023, lead singer Stephen Christian initially announced an indefinite hiatus from the band for touring.Memphis May FiresingerMatty Mullinswas named Anberlins new live lead vocalist.^{[13]On June 14, 2024, the band announced their albumVega, which is the combination of their 2022 and 2023 EPsSilverlineandConvinced, with a release date of August 2, 2024, as well as featuring two songs with Mullins on lead vocals, "Walk Alone" and "Seven", the former released on June 21 with a music video.[77][78][79]One day before the albums release, the band released the music video for "Seven".[80]On March 21, 2025, the band releasedNevertake– a re-recorded version ofNever Take Friendship Personalwith Mullins on lead vocals.[81]}

Anberlin lead vocalist Stephen Christian has stated different origins of the bands name in various interviews, prevalent among which was his claim that he had long intended to name his first daughter Anberlin. Struggling to find a name for the band, Stephen suggested it; "We were all sitting around trying to come up with a name. None of us were married or had kids, but one day I was going to name my daughter Anberlin, so I figured we could name the band that until we thought of something better. So we chose Anberlin and no one has thought of anything better."^{[82]He stated he was no longer going to use Anberlin to name his first daughter, however he said, "If I ever have a daughter and name her Anberlin, shell think she was named after the band instead of the other way around."[83]Christian had also stated in another interview that the bands name was created when he was thinking about cities in Europe he wanted to visit. In his mind he listed "London, Paris, Rome, andBerlin." Christian thought that "and Berlin" would be an appropriate name for a band, and so when the band was looking for a name Christian suggested "And Berlin," which was then modified to "Anberlin."[84][85]}

Christian has since retracted those comments admitting that when the band first started, in interviews they "would take turn making stories about how it came to be" as a joke, as he believed the actual origin of the band name wasnt interesting enough. Christian said there was a story about how his grandfather had "saved a little girl from aWorld War IIbombing... her name was Anberlin" and that they had hit a dog, which had the name Anberlin, with the stories getting more diverse, it was decided they reveal the true origin.^{[86]He has said the "real" name came from theRadioheadsong "Everything in Its Right Place", stating that "There are several stories that have circulated on the internet, but the actual story is when I was in college my favorite band was Radiohead; on one of their songs off the recordKid Athere is a background noise on the song "Everything in Its Right Place" (about 2minutes 31seconds into the song). WhileThom (Yorke)is singingtry to sayI always thought the background noise sounded likeAnberlin, I always thought that Anberlin would have been a great band name and well...it was/is."[38][87][88]}

Over the years, many fans, critics, and other members of the media have consistently characterized Anberlin as aChristianband. However, Stephen Christian stated in an interview that their faith is more complicated than a simple label: "I think were categorized like that a lot because were onTooth & Nail Records, which, years ago, was known as a Christian label and never lost that reputation. I dont care who listens to our records. If it helps people in whatever circumstances theyre in, thats amazing, but I definitely dont classify us as a Christian band."^{[82]Elsewhere, Christian has remarked, "[My faith] affects every single aspect of my life, but Im not a preacher, Im an entertainer."[89]}

Despite these statements and others of the like, multiple sources list the band as part of the Christian rock genre, and some Anberlin song lyrics do contain Christian references. Furthermore, the band appears at Christian music festivals such asParachute Music FestivalandCornerstone Festival, and their songs have been included on Christian rock compilation CDs^{[90]and DVDs.[91]They are also played on theGospel Music Channel.[92]}

Anberlin has also been repeatedly featured in Christian rock magazineHM(Hard Music, which was originally the fanzineHeavens Metal). Christian submitted a letter to the magazine, criticizing the more overtly religiousChristian punkband theKnights of the New Crusadefor a promotional image that represented a "black mark on the face of Christianity".^[93]

Christian has also said in an interview with Lightforce radio how the band tries to "step out of the bubble" and referred to themselves as being part of Christian music. He discussed in detail what Christians should do in their lives: love and embrace others asJesuswould as well as show Gods grace to others. He mentioned as well how the bandFall Out Boysaid in an interview that they did not really know much about Jesus until Anberlin toured with them.^[94]

In an interview with Smartpunk, drummer Nathan Young commented, "The thing is, some bands that are trying to get out of the Christian market, they get bummed out by questions about it. I don’t really mind it, because I’m a Christian, and I’m okay talking about it. With the whole term Christian Band, I don’t understand how a band can be Christian. We get the question, Is Anberlin a Christian band? and it’s like, yeah, Anberlin is — as humans".^[95]