Taken

Taken started in Los Angeles around 2002, with Ryan Pappas on vocals, James Eads on guitar, and Matt Brandon on bass. They put out a self-titled EP in 2004, and by 2009 they had an album called A Coward for You, which gave them a bit of a push in the melodic hardcore scene. The title track from that record, along with songs like Same History, Different Day and Haven, got some attention for their heavy riffs and Pappas's vocal style.

Matt Brandon left the band in 2010, and Ray Rodriguez came in on bass. They kept putting out albums every few years, like The World Burns in 2012 and We Are Not Alone in 2015. Their lyrics often touched on mental health and personal struggles, which resonated with some listeners but also drew occasional criticism for being too confrontational.

Over time, the lineup settled with Pappas, Eads, Rodriguez, and drummer Matt Byrne. They didn't break into the mainstream, but they built a steady following through their records and live shows, where they were known for an intense, emotional delivery. Their sound stayed rooted in that early 2000s melodic hardcore vein, without much shift toward trends.