"Broken Hope" are a Chicago-based Death metal band originally formed by singer Joe Ptacek, guitarist Jeremy Wagner and drummer Ryan Stanek following the dissolution of their previous band, Crypt; adding lead guitarist Brian Griffin and bassist Ed Hughes. Broken Hope was formed in 1988 by guitarist/chief-lyricist-songwriter, Jeremy Wagner and original vocalist, Joe Ptacek as friends in high school. In 1989 and 1990, Broken Hope recorded two demo tapes and secured a recording contract with an independent record label. In 1991, Broken Hope’s debut album, “Swamped In Gore” was released worldwide, launching the band out of the underground and into the mainstream. The first four albums are stellar examples of Broken Hope’s fury, and they are the albums that etched Broken Hope’s place in death-metal history.

Broken Hope’s first decade filled with non-stop writing, touring, and constant visibility with each album. Broken Hope’s music has received praise from bands such as Slipknot, Devildriver, The Black Dahlia Murder, Dying Fetus, and many more.

In April 2002, Broken Hope disbanded, in a 2007 interview, Wagner explained that several factors, including band dysfunction and a lack of support in Europe from Metal Blade, contributed to the split. On January 20, 2010, vocalist Joe Ptacek committed suicide.

He was 37 years old.