Introduction
Escape the Fate formed in 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada by founding members Max Green (bass), Ronnie Radke (lead vocals), and Robert Ortiz (drums). The band’s music blends elements of post-hardcore, metalcore, and rock, featuring a mix of screamed and clean vocals along with heavy guitar riffs. Their name comes from the idea of overcoming hardships and escaping one’s metaphorical "fate."
The group started out playing local shows around Las Vegas before gaining more widespread recognition through tours and album releases. Their debut album Dying Is Your Latest Fashion showcased their early heavy sound. The band went through several lineup changes over the years while continuing to evolve their music across multiple studio albums.
The purpose of this deep dive is to explore the various members of Escape the Fate both past and present. Each musician brought their own unique talents and contributions that shaped the band’s journey and sound over the past two decades. Examining the key members provides insight into Escape the Fate’s history, musical style, and impact within the post-hardcore scene.
Craig Mabbitt
Craig Mabbitt joined Escape the Fate in 2008 after original lead vocalist Ronnie Radke was asked to leave the band due to legal issues. Mabbitt brought a powerful and emotive vocal style to Escape the Fate, blending aggressive screaming with melodic clean vocals.
Prior to joining Escape the Fate, Mabbitt was the vocalist for bands like Blessthefall and The Word Alive. His experience and vocal range made him a natural fit to take over lead vocal duties for Escape the Fate.
On albums like This War Is Ours and Escape the Fate, Mabbitt demonstrated his ability to transition smoothly between guttural screams and soaring melodic passages. Songs like "The Flood" and "10 Miles Wide" highlighted his vocal talents and added a new dimension to the band’s sound.
Mabbitt’s vocals brought more mainstream appeal to tracks like "Something" and "Ungrateful" while still retaining the band’s heavy edge. He delivered impressive performances on Escape the Fate’s later albums like Ungrateful, Hate Me and I Am Human.
Overall, Craig Mabbitt’s contributions as lead vocalist were crucial in continuing Escape the Fate’s success and ushering in a new era for the band after the departure of Ronnie Radke. His vocal style struck a balance between the band’s metalcore foundations and desire to evolve their sound.
Kevin "Thrasher" Gruft (lead guitar, backing vocals)
Kevin "Thrasher" Gruft joined Escape the Fate in 2011, replacing Monte Money as the band’s lead guitarist. Gruft brought his impressive guitar skills and songwriting abilities to the band.
Gruft is known for his melodic and technical lead guitar playing that adds new dimensions to Escape the Fate’s music. His lead guitar parts often feature sweeping arpeggios, tapping, and shred guitar solos. Gruft also contributes backing vocals during live shows and on some of the band’s studio recordings.
In addition to his guitar skills, Gruft has made key songwriting contributions during his tenure with Escape the Fate. He co-wrote several tracks on the band’s 2013 album Ungrateful, including the singles "Ungrateful" and "You’re Insane." Gruft also helped write songs on Escape the Fate’s 2015 album Hate Me and their 2018 album I Am Human. His songwriting sensibilities mesh well with the band’s style.
Gruft’s abilities as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter have made him an integral part of Escape the Fate since joining the band. His melodic leads and heavy riffs complement frontman Craig Mabbitt’s vocals. Gruft continues to be a driving creative force behind Escape the Fate’s music.
TJ Bell (rhythm guitar, vocals)
TJ Bell is a pivotal member of Escape the Fate, serving as the band’s rhythm guitarist and providing additional vocals during live shows and on some studio recordings. Bell was one of the founding members of Escape the Fate, forming the group alongside Ronnie Radke and Max Green in 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As a guitarist, Bell brings a driving, aggressive rhythm style that complements the lead guitar melodies. His chunky, distorted riffing can be heard on many of Escape the Fate’s early albums, including Dying Is Your Latest Fashion and This War Is Ours. Bell co-wrote songs like "Situations" and "Makeup" during the band’s early years, contributing to the songwriting process.
In addition to guitar, Bell has also lent his vocals to Escape the Fate’s music over the years. He often provides supporting vocals and harmonies during live performances, backing up whoever is serving as lead singer at the time. Bell can also be heard singing backing vocals on a number of the band’s studio recordings. His vocal parts add depth and variety to the band’s sound.
Overall, TJ Bell has been an integral part of Escape the Fate for nearly two decades. As one of the few consistent members throughout the band’s many lineup changes, Bell provides a vital creative core. His rhythm guitar riffs and vocals continue to be an essential ingredient in Escape the Fate’s post-hardcore sound. Bell’s longevity and contributions have firmly cemented his place as a key member of the group.
Robert Ortiz (drums)
Robert Ortiz joined Escape the Fate in 2007, replacing drummer Alfonso Exaume. Ortiz brought a powerful and technical drumming style that complements the band’s aggressive metalcore sound.
As a drummer, Ortiz is known for his precision, speed, and complexity on the kit. He frequently utilizes double bass drum patterns and intricate fills to accentuate the band’s dual guitar attack. Ortiz has excellent technical chops but also maintains a strong sense of groove and pocket. His energetic playing is a highlight of Escape the Fate’s live shows.
Ortiz’s contributions can be heard on albums like This War Is Ours and Ungrateful. His dynamic drumming adds urgency and momentum to the band’s music. Songs like "This War Is Ours (The Guillotine II)" and "Ungrateful" showcase Ortiz’s skills through driving beats, blast beats, and creative rhythmic variations.
As Escape the Fate’s longest-tenured drummer, Ortiz has been an integral part of the band’s sound. He brings a powerful and aggressive style that complements the band’s metalcore foundation. Ortiz’s technical proficiency and on-stage energy have made him a vital part of Escape the Fate’s lineup. His drumming continues to provide the pounding rhythmic backbone on the band’s albums and live shows.
Erik Jensen
Erik Jensen is the newest member of Escape the Fate, having joined the band in 2021 as their bassist. As the band’s newest addition, he brings a fresh energy and impressive bass skills to the group.
Jensen may be new to Escape the Fate, but he has experience playing bass in other bands. He was previously a member of Green Milk from the Planet Orange, demonstrating his talents within the rock genre. When Michael Keene left Escape the Fate in 2021, Jensen was brought on board to take over bass duties.
As the band’s new bassist, Jensen has had to quickly adapt to Escape the Fate’s sound and catalog of songs. His technical proficiency on bass guitar enables him to learn and perform the band’s material with skill and style. Jensen is featured on Escape the Fate’s 2021 single "Unbreakable" where his bass lines can be heard blending nicely with the guitars.
With his background in rock bands, Jensen seems a solid fit for Escape the Fate’s hard-hitting sound. His energetic stage presence also comes through in live videos of the band’s recent shows. Jensen may still be the "new guy" in Escape the Fate, but he has proven he belongs through his bass abilities and chemistry with the other members. The band is poised to continue evolving their post-hardcore sound with Jensen now anchoring them on bass.
Ronnie Radke (former lead vocalist)
Ronnie Radke was a founding member of Escape the Fate and served as the band’s original lead vocalist from 2004 until 2008. He co-founded the group along with bassist Max Green and rhythm guitarist Bryan Monte Money while living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Radke brought a distinctive vocal style to the band, blending aggressive screaming and raw, unclean vocals with occasional clean singing. His voice and bad boy image defined the band’s early sound and helped attract attention within the post-hardcore scene.
However, Radke became embroiled in legal troubles that led to his departure from Escape the Fate. In 2006, he was involved in an altercation that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Michael Cook. Radke was indicted on battery charges and sentenced to probation. But in 2008, he was arrested for violating probation after being involved in another fight.
These controversies resulted in Radke being fired from Escape the Fate in 2008. The other band members cited his inability to perform with the band and attend required promotional events and tours. Radke was replaced by Craig Mabbitt as Escape the Fate’s new lead singer.
After his firing, Radke formed a new band called Falling in Reverse. He has found success with this new group, releasing several albums and singles. But his controversial past continues to follow him and make headlines from time to time. Overall, Radke played a pivotal role in the early days of Escape the Fate, for better or worse. His raw vocals and bad boy persona were a core part of the band’s initial identity and success in the 2000s post-hardcore scene.
Max Green (former bassist)
Max Green was one of the original members and co-founders of Escape the Fate, serving as the band’s bassist during their early years. He was heavily involved in forming the group alongside Ronnie Radke and Robert Ortiz in 2004, and his bass playing was an integral part of shaping their initial metalcore/post-hardcore sound.
Green performed on Escape the Fate’s full-length debut album Dying Is Your Latest Fashion, which was released in 2006. His aggressive, distorted bass lines matched the raw intensity of Radke’s vocals. He also contributed to the songwriting process on those early songs.
However, tensions grew within the band, and in late 2006 Green decided to leave Escape the Fate. There were reported conflicts over the band’s creative direction. Green also faced some personal struggles with substance abuse issues during this time period that may have factored into his departure.
Nonetheless, Max Green was an essential founding member of Escape the Fate and helped define their early style and image. His exit signified the end of an era and set the stage for major lineup changes to come. Even though his tenure was relatively short, Green made important contributions those first two years that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Omar Espinosa (former rhythm guitarist)
Omar Espinosa joined Escape the Fate in 2005, replacing founding member Jesse Jacobs as the band’s rhythm guitarist. Espinosa contributed to the band’s second studio album, This War Is Ours, which marked a transition toward a more mainstream post-hardcore sound. His rhythm guitar parts added texture and energy to tracks like "The Flood" and "Something."
After touring extensively with Escape the Fate for several years, Espinosa departed from the band in 2011 shortly after the release of their third album, Escape the Fate. His exit was attributed to creative differences with the band, who were exploring a more hard rock-oriented direction at the time. The details of Espinosa’s departure were not highly publicized, but it was evident that musical disagreements played a role.
Espinosa’s tenure in Escape the Fate was significant in shaping their maturation from a metalcore-oriented band into a more melodic post-hardcore act. His guitar work was an integral part of their live performances and energized studio recordings during the late 2000s. While no longer an official member, Omar Espinosa’s contributions during his six years in Escape the Fate helped the band evolve and grow. His exit marked the end of an era and cleared the way for the next phase of the group’s musical progression.
Musical Evolution
Escape the Fate’s sound has evolved significantly since their formation in 2004. Their musical style has shifted in tandem with lineup changes.
The band started with a heavier metalcore and post-hardcore sound on their debut album Dying Is Your Latest Fashion (2006). Songs like "The Webs We Weave" and "Situations" featured screamed vocals from Ronnie Radke and breakdown-driven guitar riffs. This early sound was shaped by the original lineup including Radke, Max Green, and Omar Espinosa.
After Radke’s departure in 2008, new lead singer Craig Mabbitt brought a more melodic and emo-pop punk vocal style to albums like This War Is Ours (2008). Songs like "The Flood" and "10 Miles Wide" blended aggressive verses with catchy choruses. This transition reflected the band moving towards a more commercial and radio-friendly direction.
Subsequent albums like Ungrateful (2013) and Hate Me (2015) continued to showcase Escape the Fate’s willingness to explore their sound. The addition of guitarists like Kevin "Thrasher" Gruft and TJ Bell’s evolving songwriting enabled the band to blend pop punk, hard rock, electronic, and metal influences. Singles like "Ungrateful" and "Just A Memory" exemplified their knack for catchy melodies.
The band’s lineup changes have directly impacted their artistic growth over the years. As members have come and gone, Escape the Fate has discovered new creative directions and maintained their reputation for unpredictable stylistic shifts. Fans can expect more sonic surprises on future releases.