Varials

Varials is an American metalcore band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in October 2013. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Mitchell Rogers, guitarist James Hohenwarter, bassist Mike Foley and drummer Sean Rauchut.

History
The band members, all from Philadelphia or surrounding towns, had been a part of the 2009 music scene in one way or another, realizing this years later after they all met through different means. By 2012, they officially formed Varials. The original lineup consisted of vocalist Jared Pilieri, guitarists James Hohenwarter and Shane Lyons, bassist Mike Foley, and drummer Sean Rauchut. Pilieri was kicked out of the band in 2014, with the band releasing a statement distancing themselves from him, stating "(Pilieri) used his place in this band to manipulate others and we all sincerely apologize to anyone that was affected by his actions" He was replaced by Travis Tabron. Lyons left around 2017 and was replaced by former Capture the Crown guitarist Mitchell Rogers.

Varial's first release was the single "Trapped", released on October 7, 2013. They released an EP, Recollection in 2014. In 2016 they released a split EP, Absolution with Wilmington, Delaware-based band Vicious Embrace.

They signed with Fearless Records on July 6, 2017, and announced their debut album Pain Again, produced by Josh Schroeder, which was released on August 11. The lead single, "Anything to Numb" was released alongside a music video that day. The second single, "Pain Again" was released on July 28 with another music video. The song "E.D.A." had a music video released on August 10. The third single "Empire of Dirt"'s music video was released in May 2018.

Early on in 2017, the band toured with For the Fallen Dreams and Deadships. In mid-2017, the band toured alongside Wage War, Gideon, Oceans Ate Alaska and Loathe. They also toured with Kublai Khan and I Am. In 2018, they toured in support of Emmure alongside Counterparts and King 810 on the Natural Born Killers tour. In late-2018, they opened for Counterparts and Being as an Ocean, alongside Have Mercy on the Private Room Tour. Varials also got to play on the Atlantic City date for the 25th anniversary of the Vans Warped Tour. They were able to play both days of the festival due to technical issues they had on the first day of playing.

Varials has gained comparisons to Knocked Loose by the media, and Knocked Loose vocalist Bryan Garris guested on the Varials song "Empire of Dirt". Varials also toured with Knocked Loose in December 2015. They have also been likened to the hardcore band Jesus Piece, who also hail from Philadelphia, as both bands have been regarded as some of the brightest prospects in the genre.

The band released their sophomore album, In Darkness, through Fearless on October 11, 2019. Varials supported Counterparts on their Private Room 2.0 Tour throughout the Fall of 2019. Varials will be heading to Europe to support Polaris on their Death of Me Tour. Varials is also set to support Spite on their Root of all Evil Tour.

On January 23, 2020, vocalist Travis Tabron announced his departure from the band. They will still continue to tour without Travis with Mitchell Rogers taking over lead vocals.

In late 2020 and early 2021, the band began working with producer Josh Schroeder on a new EP. They later decided to switch from an EP to their third studio album. On March 8, 2022, the band announced via their Instagram that they had finished work on the album. This also included the return of guitarist Shane Lyons. In August, the band announced their upcoming album, Scars for You to Remember, would be released on October 14.

Influences
The band has listed many artists and genres as influences, such as Slipknot, Deftones, Limp Bizkit, Sevendust, System of a Down, Linkin Park, Coheed and Cambria, Chiodos, Rise Against, Keeping Destiny, Rage Against the Machine, Big L, nu metal music, and shoegaze music.

Current lineup

 * James Hohenwarter - lead guitar (2021-present), rhythm guitar (2013–2022)
 * Mike Foley       - bass (2013–present)
 * Sean Rauchut     - drums (2013–present)
 * Shane Lyons      - rhythm guitar (2022–present), lead guitar (2013-2017)
 * Mitchell Rogers  -  lead vocals (2021–present), lead guitar, backing vocals (2017-2021)

Former members

 * Travis Tabron - lead vocals (2014-2020)
 * Jared Pilieri - lead vocals (2013-2014)

Discography

 * Recollection (EP, 2014)
 * Failure//Control (EP, 2015)
 * Absolution (Split EP with Vicious Embrace, 2016)
 * Pain Again (2017)
 * In Darkness (2019)
 * Scars for You to Remember (2022)