Alcatraz Line up: 2019

It’s no coincidence that Australian deathcore heroes Thy Art Is Murder and Polish death metallers Decapitated should be confirmed on the same day because both bands have quite a bit in common. In 2017 they teamed up for a Stateside tour and there are musical similarities as well. Thy Art Is Murder also favours pumping sledgehammer guitars and frequently combines them with the kind of staccato hacking riffs that are inscribed in the DNA of such bands as Behemoth and Decapitated. Also, both bands have lost key personnel, although fortunately in the case of TAIM the reason was less dramatic. Frontman and figurehead CJ McMahon left the band at the end of 2015 due to a financial dispute but rejoins less than two years later for the ‘Dear Desolation’ album. McMahon is very popular on the scene and his return gave the band a welcome boost. Today TAIM is more popular than ever before, thanks in part to repeated tours with fellow Australians and genre heroes Parkway Drive. Andif Parkway Drive like to hit the gas, TAIM stamp that pedal all the way to the floor. For those who are not that familiar with TAIM’s genesis: if you’re into bands like Behemoth, Meshuggah and Cannibal Corpse chances are you’ll find much to like here. In truth, there’s only one thing you need to know about deathcore stalwarts Thy Art Is Murder: get in the pit or get out of the way!