After forming in early 2005, the band proceeded to release their debut two-track self-titled demo later that year, which they recorded with Antiskeptic frontman Andrew Kitchen.
In 2008, Forgiven Rival signed to indie label El Shaddai Records and released their first full-length album This Is a War.
In June 2009, Forgiven Rival introduced Andrew Hennesy as their new bassist, thus freeing up frontman Joel Thornton.
In November 2009, the band entered Complex Studios with Roman Koester of The Red Shore, to record two new singles for release in the US and Australia in early 2010.
[8] Forgiven Rival have toured alongside Disturbed, Trivium, As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Story of the Year, Escape the Fate, The Audition, Parkway Drive, Silverstein, MxPx, I Killed the Prom Queen, and others.