Above Envy: The Hard Rock Force from the American Midwest

Above Envy is an American hard rock band known for its powerful riffs and anthemic choruses. Hailing from Chicago, the group achieved mainstream recognition with their 2014 debut album, which charted on the Billboard 200 and spawned a certified gold single.

Early career

Above Envy formed in 2008, solidifying its lineup around founding members vocalist Jax Marshall and guitarist Leo Vance. The band self-released two EPs, "The First Fall" in 2009 and "Resonate" in 2011, building a dedicated regional following through relentless touring across the Midwest. Their consistent local draw and dynamic live show eventually attracted attention from several independent labels.

Breakthrough

The band's major breakthrough arrived in 2014 after signing with Stand & Deliver Records. Their debut full-length album, Chasing the Horizon, entered the Billboard 200 at number 78, a strong showing for a new rock act. The album's lead single, "Fading Out," became a staple on rock radio and was later certified gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000 units.

Key tracks

Fading Out — This gold-certified single defined the band's early sound and secured their first major radio play.

Chasing the Horizon — The title track from their debut album showcases their blend of melodic vocals and heavy guitar-driven hooks.

Weight of the Crown — A fan-favorite deep cut known for its complex structure and a guest guitar solo from Nick Perri.

Through the Static — This track from their second album highlights their evolution towards a more nuanced, atmospheric hard rock style.

Echoes Left Behind — A later-career single that marked a successful collaboration with producer Josh Wilbur.

Following their initial success, Above Envy released their sophomore album, "Echo Location," in 2017. The record debuted at number 52 on the Billboard 200 and featured production work from Machine. The band has maintained a steady touring schedule, sharing stages with acts like Shinedown and Sevendust, and contributed the song "Burn It Down" to the NHL 18 video game soundtrack in 2017.

Fans of Above Envy's brand of modern hard rock often appreciate the work of similar American artists. Shinedown shares a focus on massive, radio-ready rock anthems. Sevendust parallels the heavier, groove-oriented side of their sound. Alter Bridge offers a similar balance of technical guitar work and soaring vocal melodies. Nothing More explores comparable thematic depth and dynamic intensity within the rock genre.

The music of Above Envy maintains a strong presence on rock radio formats. Their hits are regularly featured on classic rock FM stations that blend legacy acts with newer rock voices, as well as on dedicated alternative rock radio stations and online rock radio streams focused on guitar-driven music.

Listeners can explore the hard rock catalog of Above Envy through the radio stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their powerful anthems and deep cuts across a variety of rock-focused independent music radio stations available on our platform.