“I’m just trying to write the music, play the music, and look forward to the tour.”
Full video interview at end of article.
For over two decades, Escape The Fate have survived every mutation heavy music has thrown at them — from MySpace-era post-hardcore chaos to the algorithm-driven attention war of modern social media. But speaking with vocalist Craig Mabbitt ahead of the band’s Australian return this June, it became very clear this wasn’t going to be another paint-by-numbers promo interview.
Instead, the conversation spiraled into something far more human: memories of discovering heavy music for the first time, screaming into Walmart boomboxes before YouTube tutorials existed, the death of mystery in modern music culture, and why the emotional core of the scene still matters after all these years.
Reflecting on the early 2000s explosion of post-hardcore and metalcore, Craig spoke passionately about the local scene culture that shaped him after discovering Arizona favorites Greeley Estates through his church youth group.
“That was my introduction to the local scene… which was my introduction to finding my own band. From there, the rest is history.”
Like many musicians from that era, Craig’s gateway into heavier music came through Linkin Park before evolving into bands like Underoath, Slipknot and Lamb of God.
But one of the most fascinating moments came when the discussion shifted toward modern music promotion and the exhausting demands of social media culture — something Craig admits he struggles with deeply.
“I’m having a very difficult time changing with these current times and trying to become this social media extraordinaire. I don’t like it… it’s not good for my mental health.”
It’s an honesty rarely heard from legacy artists still operating at Escape The Fate’s level. While younger bands grow up understanding TikTok, reels and constant online presence as part of the job, Craig comes from an era built on photocopied flyers, local shows and hand-to-hand community building.
“I’m just trying to write the music, play the music, look forward to the tour… I don’t like bothering people with constant posts.”
The conversation also explored Craig’s fascination with masked and anonymous bands like Sleep Token — not because of the gimmick, but because of what anonymity gives back to the artist emotionally.
“I felt more comfortable on stage being in a mask… I felt like I could be more open.”
It’s these moments that make the full interview feel less like a press obligation and more like two musicians from connected generations unpacking the strange emotional history of heavy music together.
With Escape The Fate returning to Australia alongside The Word Alive and The Gloom In The Corner this June, Craig promises a set packed with classics, unreleased material, and plenty of surprises.
You can watch the full interview below.
Escape The Fate vocalist Craig Mabbitt discusses the rise of 2000s metalcore, MySpace-era post-hardcore bands, Linkin Park, Sleep Token, and the evolution of heavy music culture in this exclusive interview ahead of the band’s 2026 Australian tour.
This is the gospel.
I bite crowd surfers.
Killer.
