Outbreak formed in western Maine in 2002[1] where vocalist Ryan O'Connor, drummer Ira Goldfrank, and guitarist Chuck Bruce attended high school together. They would later recruit Austin Lemieux on bass guitar[2] although the lineup would change several times over the years to follow.[3] Practice sessions were originally held in an abandoned warehouse in Kingfield, Maine.[4] The group started out playing locally, and quickly generated a buzz within the hardcore punk scene,[5] which ultimately led to their signing to Bridge 9 Records.[6] The band released Failure in 2006, their first full-length, which generally received positive press.[7] The band supported the effort with global touring including stops in Australia, Japan, Europe, and South America.[8] After a major lineup change in 2008 which saw most of the active lineup continuing to perform with their side project, Cruel Hand[9] Outbreak would release their second full-length album on O'Connor's own, Think Fast! Records,[10] with a distribution deal through Universal Music Group/Trustkill.[11] The album was released on November 10, 2009, and generally received positive press,[12] including write ups from Alternative Press and Outburn. Alternative Press called the album "tighter, smarter, and livelier"[13] while Outburn called it "thought provoking and exciting".[14] Outbreak would debut a song from the album via the Saw VI: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack in October 2009.[15]
