Coming together in the winter of 2003, they quickly secured spots on the choicest of shows possible; less than a year after forming, Cry of the Afflicted had scored dates in western Canada opening for bands like Misery Signals and Bury Your Dead. Their debut EP, entitled From the Shadows, was released in September 2004 through Ethics Industries, and though Cry of the Afflicted -- comprised of guitarist James Johnson, vocalist Garrett Packer, bassist/vocalist Nik Wagener, guitarist Steve Lockhart, and drummer Troy Doell -- indeed worked hard to spread their name and music, it would ultimately have a lot to do with sheer luck that they came to the attention of an interested label so soon. The band issued the album Consume This Wasteland in 2006, and while out enjoying a stop of that summer's Warped Tour, some of the group members were unknowingly introduced to reps from Solid State, the heavy music arm of Seattle-based Tooth & Nail Records. When the guys finally realized who they were talking to, a copy of their latest record quickly exchanged hands and label reps were sufficiently impressed. A deal with Solid State was subsequently signed and Cry of the Afflicted's next effort, The Unveiling, surfaced in August 2007. ~ Corey Apar