Maylene and the Sons of Disaster

American rock band from Birmingham, Alabama, known for blending Southern rock and metalcore; formed in 2004 and led by vocalist Dallas Taylor.

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022 Last updated: June 1, 2026

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster is an American rock band formed in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2004. The group is widely recognized for combining Southern rock, blues and country-inflected riffs with the aggression and breakdowns of metalcore and hardcore punk. Its sound emphasizes gritty guitar tones, groove-driven rhythms, and lyrics that often evoke Southern gothic or outlaw imagery. For basic band information see the official site.

Musical characteristics

The band is noted for several recurring traits: punchy, down-tuned guitars; a mix of screamed and sung vocal lines; prominent slide or twang elements on occasion; and rhythmic emphasis on groove over speed. These qualities place them at an intersection of genres rather than inside a single category. Influences commonly associated with their approach include classic Southern rock and blues, alongside hardcore and contemporary metalcore.

History and development

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster formed in 2004 and released a series of studio albums in the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s. The group attracted attention in part because lead singer Dallas Taylor had previously been the vocalist for the band Underoath. Over time the lineup has changed; the members listed in some sources include Dallas Taylor (lead vocals), Brad Lehman (bass, backing vocals), Kelly Scot Nun (guitar), Chad Huff (guitar), Matt Clark (drums) and Jake Duncan (guitar, backing vocals). The band toured in the United States and abroad, often appearing on bills with other rock and metal acts and participating in genre-specific festivals. Additional background and press can be found via interviews and profiles at discography and press.

Releases and reception

From their debut onward the band issued multiple albums that showcased evolving production values while retaining their Southern-tinged heaviness. Critics and listeners have varied in response: some praised the band's integration of rootsy elements into hardcore contexts, while others viewed the hybrid style as polarizing. The band maintains a dedicated fan base drawn to its distinct regional flavor and energetic live performances.

Significance and distinctions

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster stand out for their explicit fusion of regional musical idioms with contemporary heavy music. They are often cited as part of a wave of bands that broadened the palette of metalcore by incorporating non-metal influences. For tour histories and updates see tour archive and for biographical summaries consult artist profiles.

Origin: Birmingham, Alabama (2004)
Leader: Dallas Taylor (vocals)
Style: Southern rock + metalcore hybrid
Notable features: groove-centered riffs, Southern motifs, changing lineup

History

Dallas Taylor formed them in 2004 after leaving the Christian metalcore/post-hardcore band Underoath, which he co-founded and played the part of screamer in. The name is based on Ma Barker, a legendary figure from the American 'public enemy' era, and her sons.

In 2005, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster released their eponymous debut album on Mono vs Stereo Records. In April 2006, they signed to the indie label Ferret Records. Under this label, they released their EP The Day Hell Broke Loose at Sicard Hollow in February 2007, which included two songs from the album II and one song that did not make it onto the first album. Their second album, II, followed on March 19, 2007, and marked their first chart position (#156) on the Billboard charts.

In June 2009, they released their third album, III, which entered the Billboard charts at #71. In late 2009, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster played the Taste of Chaos Tour in Europe, opening for In Flames, Killswitch Engage and Heaven Shall Burn. While traveling to a concert in Wiesbaden, Germany, the band was in a bus accident along with Every Time I Die, who were also scheduled to open for them. However, nothing happened to the band members and the crew, so that only the one concert had to be cancelled.

Their fourth album is scheduled for release in the summer of 2011 via Ferret Records, which they began recording in February 2011. The style of Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster changed with the new album. The new album is more influenced by hard rock than - like the first album - metalcore. The Southern Rock influences are still there though.

Music style

Characteristic of their music is the combination of Southern Rock elements and classic Hardcore elements. The guitar parts are influenced by Southern Rock, Rock and Roll and partly also by Blues. The typical hardcore characteristics are the shouted, often also screamed vocals and the massive breakdowns. However, unlike all other crossover techniques with hardcore, even guitar solos are used. Unusual for bands of this genre is the triple guitar lineup. Due to the use of a banjo in their last album III, that has also become a feature of the band. It can also be seen in their music video for the song Step Up. However, the band does not use a real banjo in their performances, but plays the banjo parts with the help of an effect on their guitar.

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