Metalcore band Conquer Divide came up in 2015 with their self-titled debut album. However, the band became inactive by 2018, and this left fans wondering what happened.
The Truth About Conquer Divide’s Hiatus
According to guitarist Kristen Sturgis, the band took a break to focus on their personal lives. The members also reflected on their music and where they wanted to go next during this time. They didn’t officially announce a breakup, but for a while, there were no new songs, tours, or updates.
The First Sign of Their Return
Cryptic posts appeared on Conquer Divide’s social media in 2020, hinting that the hiatus was ending. The band then released ‘Chemicals,’ their first song in five years. The track came with a music video that had deeper meaning than it might seem at first.
According to Sturgis, ‘Chemicals’ is about addiction from the perspective of an artist. She explained that many musicians struggle with addiction, but the people around them don’t always notice or choose to ignore the signs. The song brings attention to how dangerous this can be, especially in the music industry.
Vocalist Kiarely Castillo also shared her thoughts on the song’s lyrics. She pointed out that sometimes, people care more about an artist’s struggles than their well-being. She added, “I was inspired by Max Bemis, who wrote several amazing albums for Say Anything and recently resigned because he felt like fans only liked him when he was unwell and no one liked his music when he was sober.”
The music video for ‘Chemicals’ was filmed right before the pandemic hit. Conquer Divide’s members live in different places, including the U.S., Canada, and the UK, so they had to fly to a central location to shoot the video. It was also their first time working with a green screen.
The Long Road to ‘Slow Burn’
Conquer Divide didn’t immediately release an album after their return in 2020. They took time to write and prepare new music. They finally released their second album ‘Slow Burn’ in 2023, eight years after their debut.
The album’s title has multiple meanings. On one hand, it represents how each song is strong on its own, keeping the energy going. On the other hand, it reflects the band’s journey as a slow process that took years to reach this point.
The album also brought changes in their music. The band added more pop influences while keeping their heavier sound. Kristen Sturgis took the lead in writing lyrics, and the band focused on a wider range of topics instead of just personal experiences.
Some songs on the album tackle broader issues:
- ‘N E W H E A V E N’ explores how people can never be satisfied if they don’t define their goals.
- ‘welcome2paradise’ criticizes the damage humans have done to the environment.
- ‘Atonement’ marks a shift in the band’s identity, showing how they’ve changed since their debut.
- ‘gAtEkEePer’ talks about the challenges of being an all-female band in the male-dominated metal scene.
Challenges in the Music Industry
Conquer Divide faced obstacles that male bands don’t usually deal with since their formation. When looking for a record label, they were often told that companies already had a female-fronted band. As if there was only room for one.
The band members have mixed feelings about their position. Being an all-female group has helped them stand out, but it has also made things more difficult. They’ve had to fight against sexism in the industry, but they’ve continued pushing forward.
What’s Next for Conquer Divide?
Now that Conquer Divide is back, they’ve made it clear that they aren’t planning to disappear again. The band has said that they are the strongest they’ve ever been, both musically and personally.
As bassist and vocalist Janel Duarte puts it, the lyrics of ‘gAtEkEePer’ sum up their journey so far: “We’re in the fight for our lives, we came from the bottom. There’s no keeping us down.”
