The Letter Black

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = The Letter Black

| image = TheLetterBlack2009Concert.jpg

| alt = Rock band on stage in concert

| caption =

| image_size =

| background = group_or_band

| alias = Kry Up, Breaking the Silence

| origin = Uniontown, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| genre = {{hlist|Christian rock|hard rock|alternative metal|post-grunge|nu metal{{cite web|first=Timothy |last=Yap |title=The Letter Black "Rebuild" Album Review (Video) : Reviews : BREATHEcast |url=http://www.breathecast.com/articles/album-review-black-letter-rebuild-12307/ |publisher=BREATHEcast |date=November 12, 2013 |access-date=December 12, 2015}}}}

| years_active = 2006–present

| label = Tooth & Nail, EMP, Rockfest

| website = {{URL|letterblack.com}}

| associated_acts =

| current_members = Sarah Anthony
Mark Anthony
Matt Beal
Will Fowler
Brandon Jordan

{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/TheLetterBlack.asp|title=The Letter Black Discography|publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout|access-date=January 25, 2010}}

| past_members = Justin Brown
Adam DeFrank

}}

The Letter Black, formerly known as Breaking the Silence,{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/BreakingTheSilenceEP.asp|title=The Letter Black|date=September 14, 2009|publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout|access-date=January 25, 2010}} is an American Christian rock band that was formed in 2006 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The band consists of lead vocalist Sarah Anthony; her husband, lead guitarist and vocalist Mark Anthony; bassist Matt Beal and drummer William Fowler and rhythm guitarist Brandon Jordan.{{cite web|url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/T/p/The-Letter-Black.htm/ |title=The Letter Black Biography |publisher=Christianmusic.About.com |access-date=October 7, 2011}}

History

File:Letterblack1.JPG

The Letter Black started out as a praise team at their local church with Sarah and her husband Mark as a duo on vocals under the name "Breaking the Silence".{{Cite web|title=The Letter Black, "Breaking The Silence EP" Review|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/BreakingTheSilenceEP.asp|access-date=2020-07-08|website=www.jesusfreakhideout.com}} Later when they were signed to Tooth & Nail Records they changed the name of the band to "The Letter Black". In 2008, Sarah Anthony was featured on the Pillar album For the Love of the Game, singing on the track "I Fade Away". The band often does 150 shows or more a year and has shared the stage with bands such as Skillet, Decyfer Down, Red, and Hawk Nelson.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayschristianmusic.com/artists/the-letter-black/biography/ |title=The Letter Black Biography |publisher=TodaysChristianMusic.com |access-date=October 7, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.itickets.com/tours/802.html |title=Awake and Alive Tour |publisher=Itickets.com |access-date=October 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927165415/http://www.itickets.com/tours/802.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} They performed as the opening act for Skillet in the "2010 Awake and Alive Tour" and for the Thousand Foot Krutch "Welcome to the Masquerade Tour".{{cite web |url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/2009/12/thousand-foot-krutch-close-out-2009-hot/ |title=Thousand Foot Krutch close out 2009 hot | HM |publisher=Hmmagazine.com |date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=October 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807002702/http://www.hmmagazine.com/2009/12/thousand-foot-krutch-close-out-2009-hot/ |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}

The band's debut album, Hanging On By a Thread was released on May 4, 2010 through Tooth & Nail records,{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/HangingOnByAThread.asp |title=The Letter Black, "Hanging On By a Thread" Review |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com |date=May 4, 2010 |access-date=October 7, 2011}} putting The Letter Black as number 8 in the iTunes rock section in the same day.{{cite web|url=http://www.theletterblack.com/2010/05/04/5-dear-diary/ |title=(5) Dear Diary « The Letter Black |publisher=The Letter Black |access-date=October 7, 2011}}

A remix album titled Hanging On by a Remix was released on May 22, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/HangingOnByARemix.asp |title=The Letter Black, "Hanging On By a Remix" Review |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com |date=May 18, 2012 |access-date=June 8, 2012}}

In early 2013, the band was reported to be recording new material for their second studio album, later revealed to be called Rebuild.{{cite web |url=http://www.toothandnail.com/news/4226/The_Letter_Black_Tour_New_Album_Soon/ |title=The Letter Black Tour & New Album Soon |publisher=Tooth & Nail |date=August 23, 2012 |access-date=November 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324042225/http://www.toothandnail.com/news/4226/The_Letter_Black_Tour_New_Album_Soon/ |archive-date=March 24, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} The first single for the new album, "Sick Charade", was released on October 3, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.toothandnail.com/news/4291/The_Letter_Black_Premiere_New_Song/ |title=The Letter Black Premiere New Song |publisher=Tooth & Nail |date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=November 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101020435/http://www.toothandnail.com/news/4291/The_Letter_Black_Premiere_New_Song/ |archive-date=January 1, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} "The Only One" was released in February 2013 and "Pain Killer" was released on September 10, 2013. The album was initially scheduled to be released on April 23, 2013, however, on April 17, the album was postponed because the band decided to write three new songs for the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmaddict.com/article_page.php?article_id=260 |title=The Letter Black Postpones Release of "Rebuild" To Write More Music | Article |publisher=Cmaddict.Com |date=April 17, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2013}} The album was released on November 12, 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rebuild/692120793|title=Rebuild by The Letter Black|via=music.apple.com}}

On November 19, 2016, the band previewed a new song on their Facebook page for their upcoming fourth studio album which would be released by early 2017. According to the band, this would be their heaviest album to date.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/theletterblack/videos/10154111765233004/|title="The Letter Black - "New Music Preview..."|date=November 18, 2016|work=The Letter Black |via=Facebook |access-date=December 5, 2016}} They announced that they had left Tooth & Nail Records and would record their next album independently. The band ran a successful $25,000 Kickstarter campaign to record their next album.{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/464224383/the-letter-black-new-record|title=The Letter Black - New Record|work=The Letter Black (via Kickstarter)|access-date=January 16, 2017}} The band later signed with EMP Music Group on March 13, 2017. They also announced the album title revealed to be Pain and the cover art was also revealed. The album was released on May 26, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/theletterblack/photos/a.450753028003.242130.100483858003/10154440351118004/|title=The Letter Black |via=Facebook |access-date=May 25, 2017}} The first single, "Last Day That I Cared", premiered on Revolver on April 30, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/artist-music-song-premieres/letter-black-premiere-new-song-last-day-i-cared/23312|title=The Letter Black premiere New Song, "Last Day That I Cared"|date=April 28, 2017|access-date=May 25, 2017}} A lyric video for "Rock's Not Dead" was released on May 19, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/theletterblack/videos/10154623210053004/|title=The Letter Black |via=Facebook |access-date=May 25, 2017}}

In April 2020, Mark and Sarah Anthony announced that they signed with Rockfest Records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/theletterblack/videos/live-special-announcement/563467154283864/|title=Live! Special Announcement!|via=Facebook}} On December 13, drummer Justin Brown left the band to be replaced by Will Fowler.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

= Other media =

In February 2013, Mark and Sarah Anthony signed with VIP Ink Publishing for an autobiography.{{cite web|url=http://markets.financialcontent.com/mng-lang.dailynews/news/read/23404893/mark_and_sarah_anthony_of_the_band_the_letter_black_sign_a_global_book_deal |title=Mark and Sarah Anthony of the band The Letter Black Sign a Global Book Deal | Untitled Document |publisher=Markets.financialcontent.com |date=February 7, 2013 |access-date=March 10, 2014}}

Band members

Current members{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/theletterblack/about/|title=About |publisher=The Letter Black |via=Facebook|access-date=November 27, 2017}}

Sarah Anthony – lead vocals (2006–present)
Mark Anthony – lead guitar, vocals (2006–present)
Matt Beal – bass guitar (2006–2016, 2020 present)
Will Fowler – drums (2020–present)
Brandon Jordan – rhythm guitar (2021–present)

Former members

Justin Brown – drums (2012–2017)
Adam DeFrank – drums (2006–2008)

Touring musicians

Keith Anselmo – drums (2008–2009)
Mike Motter – drums (2017)
Daniel Hegerle – drums (2017–2018)
Taylor Carroll – drums(2011)
Mat Slagle – drums (2009–2011)
Terry Johnson – rhythm guitar (2009)

Discography

= Studio albums =

class="wikitable"
rowspan="2" style="width:40px;"\| Year ! rowspan="2" \| Title ! rowspan="2" \| Label(s) ! colspan="2" \| Chart positions ! rowspan="2" \| Sales
US Billboard 200 ! US Christ
style="text-align:center;"\| 2007 \| Stand \| style="text-align:center;"\| Independent \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"\| 2010 \| Hanging On By a Thread \| style="text-align:center;"\| Tooth & Nail Records \| style="text-align:center;"\| 183{{cite magazine \|url={{BillboardURLbyName\|artist=the letter black\|chart=all}}\|title=The Letter Black - Chart history {{!}} Billboard \|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=May 26, 2017}} \| style="text-align:center;"\| 10 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"\| 2013 \| Rebuild \| style="text-align:center;"\| Tooth & Nail Records \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\|32 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"\| 2017 \| Pain \| style="text-align:center;"\| EMP Label Group{{cite web\|url=http://www.emplabelgroup.com/artist.php?pg=100483858003\|title=EMP Label Group\|first=Womp\|last=Designs\|website=www.emplabelgroup.com\|access-date=January 18, 2018}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|86 \| style="text-align:center;"\| 6 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"\| 2021 \|The Letter Black \|Rockfest Records \| \| \|

class="wikitable"

rowspan="2" style="width:40px;"| Year

! rowspan="2" | Title

! rowspan="2" | Label(s)

! colspan="2" | Chart positions

! rowspan="2" | Sales

US Billboard 200

! US Christ

style="text-align:center;"| 2007

| Stand

| style="text-align:center;"| Independent

| style="text-align:center;"|

style="text-align:center;"| 2010

| Hanging On By a Thread

| style="text-align:center;"| Tooth & Nail Records

| style="text-align:center;"| 183{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the letter black|chart=all}}|title=The Letter Black - Chart history {{!}} Billboard |magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 26, 2017}}

| style="text-align:center;"| 10

| style="text-align:center;"|

style="text-align:center;"| 2013

| Rebuild

| style="text-align:center;"| Tooth & Nail Records

| style="text-align:center;"|

| style="text-align:center;"|32

| style="text-align:center;"|

style="text-align:center;"| 2017

| Pain

| style="text-align:center;"| EMP Label Group{{cite web|url=http://www.emplabelgroup.com/artist.php?pg=100483858003|title=EMP Label Group|first=Womp|last=Designs|website=www.emplabelgroup.com|access-date=January 18, 2018}}

| style="text-align:center;"|86

| style="text-align:center;"| 6

| style="text-align:center;"|

style="text-align:center;"| 2021

|The Letter Black

|Rockfest Records

= EPs =

Breaking the Silence EP (2009)
Hanging on by a Thread Sessions Vol. 1 (2011){{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RKU1J4 |title=Hanging On By A Thread Sessions Vol. 1 [+Video]: The Letter Black: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |access-date=June 3, 2013}}
Hanging on by a Thread Sessions Vol. 2 (2011){{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HRTDUE |title=Hanging On By A Thread Sessions Vol. 2 [+Video]: The Letter Black: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |access-date=June 3, 2013}}

= Other releases =

Hanging On By a Remix (2012) Tooth & Nail Records

= Singles =

class="wikitable"
Year !Title !Active Rock !Album
style="text-align:center;"\| 2009 \| "Best of Me" \| style="text-align:center;"\| — \| Breaking the Silence EP
style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"\| 2010 \| "Hanging On By a Thread" \| style="text-align:center;"\| 46 \| rowspan="3"\|Hanging On By a Thread
"Believe"{{cite web\|url=http://www.allaccess.com/christian/future-releases \|title=Future Releases for Christian Radio Stations \| Free New Songs from Music Artists \| \|publisher=Allaccess.com \|access-date=October 7, 2011}} \| style="text-align:center;"\| —
style="text-align:center;"\| 2011 \| "Fire with Fire" \| style="text-align:center;"\| —
style="text-align:center;"\|2012 \| "The Only One" \| style="text-align:center;"\| — \| rowspan="4"\|Rebuild
style="text-align:center;"\| 2012 \| "Sick Charade" \| style="text-align:center;"\| 45
style="text-align:center;"\| 2013 \| "Pain Killer" \| style="text-align:center;"\| —
style="text-align:center;"\| 2014 \| "Up from The Ashes" \| style="text-align:center;"\| —
style="text-align:center;"\| 2017 \| "Last Day That I Cared"{{cite web\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNaGyDrx--k \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/iNaGyDrx--k \|archive-date=2021-12-20 \|url-status=live\|title=The Letter Black - Last Day That I Cared - Exclusive Track Premiere.\|last=EMP Label Group\|date=April 30, 2017\|access-date=May 25, 2017\|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} \| style="text-align:center;"\| — \| Pain
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"\| 2021 \| "Rise" \| style="text-align:center"\| — \| rowspan="4"\| The Letter Black
"Born for This" {{small\|featuring Trevor McNevan)}} \| style="text-align:center"\| —
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"\| 2022 \| "Throwing Darts" \| style="text-align:center"\| —
"The Kiss of Death" \| style="text-align:center"\| —

class="wikitable"

Year

!Title

!Active
Rock

!Album

style="text-align:center;"| 2009

| "Best of Me"

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| Breaking the Silence EP

style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| 2010

| "Hanging On By a Thread"

| style="text-align:center;"| 46

| rowspan="3"|Hanging On By a Thread

"Believe"{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/christian/future-releases |title=Future Releases for Christian Radio Stations | Free New Songs from Music Artists | |publisher=Allaccess.com |access-date=October 7, 2011}}

| style="text-align:center;"| —

style="text-align:center;"| 2011

| "Fire with Fire"

| style="text-align:center;"| —

style="text-align:center;"|2012

| "The Only One"

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| rowspan="4"|Rebuild

style="text-align:center;"| 2012

| "Sick Charade"

| style="text-align:center;"| 45

style="text-align:center;"| 2013

| "Pain Killer"

| style="text-align:center;"| —

style="text-align:center;"| 2014

| "Up from The Ashes"

| style="text-align:center;"| —

style="text-align:center;"| 2017

| "Last Day That I Cared"{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNaGyDrx--k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/iNaGyDrx--k |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=The Letter Black - Last Day That I Cared - Exclusive Track Premiere.|last=EMP Label Group|date=April 30, 2017|access-date=May 25, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| Pain

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| 2021

| "Rise"

| style="text-align:center"| —

| rowspan="4"| The Letter Black

"Born for This"
{{small|featuring Trevor McNevan)}}

| style="text-align:center"| —

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| 2022

| "Throwing Darts"

| style="text-align:center"| —

"The Kiss of Death"