Given the number of striving musicians in the heavy music world, it can be especially difficult to stand out among the Australian talent that has emerged in the past few years. Fortunately Sydney deathcore band Thy Art Is Murder delivered the unique and impressive Hate in October last year, an album that has taken them to the top of their game.
Signed to Nuclear Blast records for worldwide distribution, the label has helped spread Hate like a plague. Guitarist Tom Brown, who joined the band after their debut full-length record The Adversary, has been blown away by the results. “It’s simply awesome,” he says. “We never expected it to happen like this, but it is amazing to watch it all unfold before us.”
Despite the humble expectations of the band, the success they are enjoying hasn’t come easily. “We all worked really hard and still do to push our music as far as it can go in terms of recording and performing live,” affirms Brown.
Having toured Europe numerous times, the band will soon do so again before preparing to join huge names like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Periphery at the annual Summer Slaughter tour in the US. “It feels so good to see the band get received as well as it did … when it all comes together it is f**kin’ awesome.” – Tom Brown, Guitarist.
Some European shows earlier this year bode well for the upcoming dates, with Brown delighted by the turnout. “It feels so good to see the band get received as well as it did … when it all comes together it is f**kin’ awesome.”
The band was part of a Facebook poll to get on the Summer Slaughter line-up. “Basically, there was a bunch of band names on this poll and fans voted on which band would get added to the line-up,” explains Brown. Thy Art is Murder lost by an insignificant 1-2% to deathcore outfit Rings Of Saturn. “The kids were going crazy for us and then before you know it, the promoters slapped us on the bill anyway,” explains Brown.
The guitarist admits that he’s still amazed to realise that American listeners are now picking up the album from local stores and giving it such a strong reception. “It has been so cool to have heaps of new fans listening to the band and to get a hold of the CD”.
As they rise to the peak of Australia’s heavy music list, Thy Art Is Murder will soon be playing some European shows with the band at the very top – Parkway Drive. “They’ll be awesome dudes to meet. We were just 15-year-old kids when we saw them shredding a few years ago,” Brown reminisces. “To come out and play with them in front of thousands of kids is going to be awesome.”
It’s almost heartwarming to imagine the metal world potentially doing favours for the Australian tourism by exposing such talent. “We’re all very much looking forward to that, and have been since we all started playing as a band… playing the same stage with those guys will be wild.”
While Thy Art Is Murder are on tour with the big guns across Europe, they will be making a stopover at the annual Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards show for their ‘Best New Band’ nomination.
Brown is simply excited to check out the show and rub shoulders with some big names in metal: “No big deal about the award nomination, ‘cause we’ll get to see cool bands play like Motörhead perform live!” “From just watching [Cattle Decapitation’s] live show and listening to their latest CD, I can imagine the absolutely insanity of the tour ahead.” – Tom Brown
Before Thy art is Murder take off for their overseas adventures they are fitting in one last Australian tour – and it’s a doozy; featuring US guests Cattle Decapitation and locals Aversions Crown and King Parrot.
“I’m looking forward to that so much,” enthuses Brown. “From just watching [Cattle Decapitation’s] live show and listening to their latest CD, I can imagine the absolutely insanity of the tour ahead.”
There was some controversy regarding Cattle Decapitation’s support slot for Thy Art Is Murder, given the US band’s calibre and status. “It really shouldn’t matter what the order is of the bands on the line-up,” Brown argues. “If you like the line-up of the bill, just go to the show and don’t worry about which band is playing over whom.”
While many fans from Perth get bitterly disappointed when bands cannot make it over to their corner of the country, Thy Art Is Murder have made a distinct effort to do so. “We always have a big influx of requests for us to go back over there, especially with the current [tour] line-up.”
The band have organised a ‘Hate Across Western Australia’ tour, but unfortunately could not bring the entire line-up with them. “It’s a shame that Cattle Decapitation can’t come over, they had a booked tour or something like that,” Brown suggests, “but we don’t like skipping Perth, it’s just as much a part of Australia as anywhere else.”
As for what Australian fans can expect on the upcoming tour, “Just mayhem, absolutely carnage and heaps of death metal. These will be some crazy live shows and heaps of fun.”
Hate is out now through Nuclear Blast Records, Thy Art Is Murder head out on their national tour this June, dates and details below.
Thy Art Is Murder 2013 Australian Tour
Thursday, 6 June 2013 – The Rev, Brisbane 18+ (18+)
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545 or www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au
Friday, 7 June 2013 – Expressive Grounds, Gold Coast AA
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545 or www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au
Saturday, 8 June 2013 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney AA
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545 or www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au
Saturday, 8 June 2013 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney AA
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545 or www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au
Sunday, 9 June 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle (18+)
www.yourcambridge.com and The Cambridge Hotel
Wednesday, 12 June 2013 – The Basement, Canberra (18+)
www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 438 849
Thursday, 13 June 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
www.cornerhotel.com 1300 724 867 the Corner Box Office and Fist2Face (03) 9095 7911
Friday, 14 June 2013 – Arrow on Swanston, Melbourne AA
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545 or www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au
Thursday 16 May – Fowlers Live Adelaide (Lic.AA)
www.moshtix.com.au or Moshtix on 1300 438 849, www.venuetix.com.au or Venue*Tix on (08) 8225 8888
