Thy Art is Murder has fired controversial vocalist Chris “CJ” McMahon and replaced him on their new album Godlike with an as yet unnamed new front person. The album was released today via Nuclear Blast Records as a surprise with the new vocalist. CJ was fired for his recent transphobic comments and a history of other issues, setting him at odds with the band.
Metal is allowed to be fun, especially when three heavyweights collide in a tri-split that not only features original songs from each, but unlikely cover tracks which allow for displays of versatility.
Thy Art Is Murder, one of Australia’s top-heavy exports, are gearing up for the 10-year anniversary of the seminal album, Hate. The 26-date tour will begin on February 8th in Buffalo, New York, and will make stops in Santa Ana, Houston, and Richmond before concluding on March 11th in Patchogue, NY. Joining the band on the beast of a tour, are Kublai Khan, I Am, Undeath, And Justice For The Damned. Get your tickets below!
While Georgian five-piece Vatican may name-check Meshuggah and Dillinger Escape Plan, their roots are firmly planted in (the original type of) metalcore, owing as much to Earth Crisis and Vision of Disorder (et al) as the latter-day spearheads of discordant “popular” heavy music. Ultra (UNFD) may be the band’s second full-length overall, however with a focus on the sound and style, and with the smooth integration of new vocalist Mike Sugars, it feels like a milestone moment in the definition of what Vatican is as a band, and who they are as an artist.
Modern Death Metal leaders Thy Art Is Murder and After The Burial will team up for a co-headline tour. their “Back From The Gulag Tour” embarks on May 10th in Sacramento and will make stops in Atlanta, Toronto, and Chicago prior to concluding in Portland, Oregon on June 18th. Joining the bands for the 32-date trek are Direct support will come from Currents and Brand of Sacrifice. General admission tickets are on sale now!
Lamb Of God have confirmed that due to restrictions in various territories, they have had to postpone their intended ‘State Of Unrest’ UK headline tour until late 2022. Lamb Of God’s headline UK trek will now take place December 2022. German Thrash kings Kreator are still on the bill. Joining them are Thy Art Is Murder and Gatecreeper.Power Trip is now off the bill, following the passing of frontman Riley Gale in August of 2020.
Australian Death Metallers The Impaler will release their brutal new full-length album A Fate Worse Than Death, releases this Friday, February 19th, 2021. The band just dropped a sick video for their new single “Mourn” featuring legendary vocalist CJ Mcmahon of Thy Art Is Murder. The frenetic performance video matches the intensity of the track, which is one of the highlights of the new release. Watch the video here and pre-order the album at the link below.
Hellfest Open Air recently completed its first-ever online streaming festival. Hopefully, the real thing is coming back next summer! The venerable metal and rock fest announced their lineup for 2021, with most of the bands slated to have played in 2020, but canceled due to COVID-19. Deftones, Faith No More, System of A Down, Judas Priest, Puscifer, Korn, Volbeat, Opeth, Dropkick Murphys, Northlane, Deep Purple, Wardruna, Rival Sons, Devin Townsend, Suicidal Tendencies, and many more will perform. Ten more bands will be added soon. Thirteen bands slated to play in 2020, but cannot attend 2021 include Incubus, Mastodon, Infectious Groove, Thy Art Is Murder, Alter Bridge, Baby Metal, Joyous Wolf, Unleashed, Meshuggah, The Black Dahlia Murder, Periphery, Body Count and August Burns Red.Continue reading →
A bunch of new bands have already been added to the bill on this year’s Download UK Festival. The new acts include Alter Bridge, Bowling For Soup, The Darkness, The Distillers, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Mastodon, Funeral For A Friend, The Menzingers, Employed To Serve, 3 Doors Down, Milk Teeth, Motionless In White, Holding Absence, Lacuna Coil, Loathe, Sepultura, Amaranthe, Cemetery Sun, Fire From The Gods, Gender Roles, Haken, Hatari, Heavy Lungs, Higher Power, JJ Wilde, Kill The Lights, Modern Error, Northlane, Press Club, Polyphia| The Raven Age, Renounced, Shvpes, Sleep Token, SULLII, The Glorious Sons, The Hara, The Skints, Tempt, Twin Temple, Thy Art Is Murder, Wage War, and Will Haven! Also announced are the Day And Stage Splits, WWE NXT UK returns, and Kerrang! Radio Hosts the Finding Fresh Blood contest for a chance to perform on The Avalanche Stage. 2020 Download headliners Iron Maiden (Legacy Of The Beast Tour), Kiss and System Of A Down this summer and takes place on 12 – 14 June 2020 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Continue reading →