The Queen City no longer does its moniker justice, but its degradation served as the unifying factor for It Dies Today. Born and bred amidst the Buffalo hardcore scene, IDT formed in August of 2001. The love child of current vocalist Nick Brooks, guitarist Chris Cappelli and then guitarist Steve Lemke, they soon began spreading their melodic gospel to the tri-state area. They created an addictive blend of brutal riffs and punishing breakdowns combined with an eastern sensibility for dark melodies that served as the undertone to their hybrid sound. The band released the 'Forever Scorned' EP that soon became a hot commodity on the word of mouth that carried it across the country well before the dying conversion van that would become their new home. Soon enough they set out upon an eagerly awaited and equally well received US tour.

Riding on the support of the underground notoriety they had built, they embarked on a full U.S. tour, joining them at various points were: Between the Buried and Me, Alexisonfire, Taken and Undying. Although not the towering masses of brutality and breakdowns that had been expected to accompany their sound, the energy alone of Nick Brooks, the stage presence of Chris Cappelli and Steve Lemke, and the precision of drummer Nick Mirusso served to create an energetic live show that soon cemented their image.