Biography

Die to Yourself, a five piece from Oklahoma City, is a Christian Metal/Hardcore band that thrives on spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as creating intuitively heavy and melodic music. The name, “Die to Yourself”, depicts dying to one’s flesh and living for Christ, which has become the band’s mission statement and overall goal. Deriving influences from bands such as Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, and Unearth, the band makes conscious effort to write superior quality music in order to present a sound that can be enjoyable by an array of different listeners. The band got its start in July of 2005 and began touring in the summer of 2006. Branching out from their hometown, touring has led them all across the United States allowing their nationwide fan base to grow as well. In the Spring 2007 series of “Uprise Zine,” Die to Yourself is posted in issue 6 as one of the “Band’s You Should Know About.” Their new found status as “road warriors” has enabled them to play at festivals throughout the U.S., such as Ichthus, Cornerstone, and Foundry Fest. Die to Yourself has also had the privilege of sharing the stage with such acts as Unearth, A Day To Remember, Whitechapel and War of Ages. Over the past four years the band has gone through stages of progression involving member changes, endorsement deals, and studio work (two EP’s and a recent twelve track album). In spite of facing a period of re-invention and change, Die to Yourself has persevered in their efforts to becoming stronger and more unified than ever before. With the current line up, consisting of Ben Yard (drums), Daryl Yard (guitar and singing), Austin Powell (guitar), R.T. McFarland II (bass and singing), and Austin “Keebs” Michels (lead vocals), Die to Yourself continues on their journey to be a successful band and ministry. Having just finished the writing and recording process of their first full-length album, “The Unfading Truth,” they are now planning to finish out 2009 with preparations for the release of the album and what is to come in 2010, as well as tours across the Southern, Midwest, and Eastern states. Assurance in their productive work habits, their drive to learn all they can, to be their best, and their articulation of positivity in everything make Die to Yourself a reckoning force. These five gentlemen have their sites set on serving Christ first to achieve greatness and are found unstoppable in their efforts. Die to Yourself, with more exciting things to come, has a very promising future and is definitely the band to be anticipating.