Anberlin Biography
Who is Anberlin?
Anberlin is an alternative rock band formed in 2002 in Winter Haven, Florida, known for energetic rock paired with thoughtful lyrics. The band built a devoted following across both mainstream alternative rock and Christian music circles, releasing nine studio projects over their career.
Their debut album, "Blueprints for the Black Market", introduced the band to a growing audience. Led by the singles "Readyfuels" and "Change the World", the album sold over 60,000 copies and helped establish Anberlin as an emerging voice in alternative rock.
The band followed with their sophomore release, "Never Take Friendship Personal", in February 2005. The album received strong reviews from critics and expanded the band's fan base. Prior to its release, the band promoted the project by sharing a new track each week through their PureVolume, MySpace, and official website. Two singles from the album, "A Day Late" and "Paperthin Hymn", received significant airplay on alternative rock radio, with music videos produced for both songs.
Anberlin continued to gain momentum with the release of their third album, "Cities", on February 20, 2007. The album was released in both a standard version and a special edition that included additional songs and a documentary DVD. Music videos were produced for the songs "Godspeed" and "The Unwinding Cable Car".
During this period the band also released "Lost Songs" in 2007, a compilation that included B-sides, covers, live recordings, and other rare material. Among the tracks were covers of well-known songs such as Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone", Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence", and The Cure's "Love Song".
After signing with Universal Republic Records, the band released their fourth studio album, "New Surrender", in 2008. The album produced "Feel Good Drag", which reached number one on the Alternative Songs chart after 29 weeks. "Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place" followed in 2010. They continued their creative output with "Vital" in 2012, which featured the single "Self-Starter", the first Anberlin song to include female guest vocals.
In July 2014 the band released "Lowborn", announcing that it would be their final studio album before concluding the band with a farewell tour later that year. The decision was not marked by conflict, but rather by a shared recognition that the members were entering new seasons of life.
In 2018 Anberlin reunited for a special performance in Tampa, Florida during Underoath's Erase Me Tour. What began as a reunion appearance soon led to additional touring and renewed activity from the band. In September 2021 they released their first new music in over seven years with the single "Two Graves".
New material followed with the EP "Silverline" in 2022 and "Convinced" in 2023, both released through Equal Vision Records. The 2023 single "Lacerate" marked the first time guitarist Christian McAlhaney performed lead vocals on an Anberlin recording.
In October 2023 lead singer Stephen Christian announced that he would step back from touring indefinitely in order to devote more time to his family and his pastoral ministry at Grace Family Church in the Tampa Bay area. Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire began performing as the band's touring vocalist, including lead vocals on "Walk Alone" and "Seven" from the band's next album.
The band released "Vega" in August 2024, combining the songs from the "Silverline" and "Convinced" EPs along with additional tracks. In March 2025 they released "Nevertake", a re-recorded version of "Never Take Friendship Personal" featuring Mullins on lead vocals throughout.