With a female lead vocalist, Bloodlined Calligraphy has separated themselves from the other hard core metal thrasher groups where a baritone voice streams through the microphone.The group started as an extension of Friction, a similar metal core group, minus the female vocals. Friction formed in Ypsilanti, MI in 1998, had a strong fan base but failed to please audiences when lineup change after lineup change interrupted their moment for growth. Instead, bassist Eric Cargile and drummer Matt Carter changed their tactics -- gathering guitarist Ryan Hampton and vocalist Mathew Flemming in 2002, the two hoped to recreate the former almost-glory days of Friction and created something different.The newly named Bloodlined Calligraphy represented the group's connections with their faith, who eventually signed to the CCM indie Selah Records. Calligraphy shortly released their debut album Say Hi to the Bad Guy, but as Fleming was unable to tour, Ally French took the lead as vocalist. At the same time, second guitarist Shawn Williams joined the new-faced group.Signing with the larger CCM label Facedown Records in 2003, the group released 2004's EP The Beginning of the End, just before their breakthrough album They Want You Silent. Not long after the release of their third album, Ypsilanti, drummer Carter left and was replaced by Robbie Coran, while their female vocalist quit the group via text just before a six-week tour, eventually replaced by Ellen Hoffman in 2006. Though the newly named Calligraphy found lineup dependability to be a problem, the metal group continues to tour and produce an eclectic version of CCM rock.In 2007 the group found yet another conflict, this time with their record label, Facedown. Attempting to record their fourth album with an even newer lineup than previously, the record label conflicted with recording budgets, and Calligraphy's contract was dropped. Hoffman left the group. A new album may develop for the year 2009.
