Pennsylvania's Black Crown Initiate formed in 2012, blending blackened death metal, progressive metal, and metalcore. Their 2016 album, "Selves We Cannot Forgive," propelled their success, leading to a deal with Century Media for their 2020 release, "Violent Portraits of Doomed Defeat." The band, consisting of James Dorton, Rik Stelzpflug, Andy Thomas, Nick Shaw, and Jesse Beahler, draws influence from bands like Decapitated and Opeth, as well as philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, with their debut EP, "Song of the Crippled Bull," in 2013, followed by their debut album, "The Wreckage of Stars," in 2014. After lineup changes, including the departure of guitarist Rik Stelzpflug and the addition of Wes Hauch, the band continued to evolve, solidifying their sound with their third album under Century Media.