Portrayal of Guilt

Portrayal of Guilt is an Austin, United States-based group active since 2017. The band plays black metal and screamo, and its sound is also described as blackened screamo. It forms around the core of guitarist and vocalist Matt King and drummer James Beveridge, both formerly of Austin hardcore band Illustrations, together with bassist Blake Given, who plays with Austin screamo group Lyed.

Formation and line-up

The band forms in Austin in 2017. The original trio consists of Matt King, James Beveridge and Blake Given. In 2018 and 2019, Rick Flores contributes noise, and from 2019 Alex Stanfield plays bass. The current members listed are James Beveridge, Blake Given, Matt King, Alex Stanfield and Rick Flores.

Style and influences

Portrayal of Guilt is associated with screamo, black metal, metal, post-hardcore, emoviolence and powerviolence. From the beginning, the band draws openly on older screamo groups such as Pg.99 and City of Caterpillar. It is also compared with Converge and Oathbreaker.

Releases and touring

The band releases a self-titled EP in May 2017, then tours widely across the United States and Europe with Centuries, Majority Rule, Planning for Burial, Street Sects and Slow Fire Pistol. In March 2018 it issues a split EP with Street Sects, following earlier touring together, and Deathwish Inc. reissues its self-titled 7-inch in the same month.

In July 2018 Portrayal of Guilt releases the single-sided 5-inch single containing “Chamber of Misery (Pt. 1)” as the start of the campaign for its first full-length album. Let Pain Be Your Guide follows later in 2018. The album includes artwork by Chris Taylor of Pg. 99 and Pygmy Lush, plus guest vocals from Dylan Walker of Full of Hell, Maha Shami of NØ MAN, and Matt Michel of Majority Rule.

Later recognition

The band continues to tour in support of Let Pain Be Your Guide, including shows with Pg. 99, Majority Rule, The HIRS Collective and Wrong, as well as a full U.S. tour with Fluoride, NØ MAN and Stay Asleep. It also appears on dates opening for Skeletonwitch in the American South. In 2019, it is featured alongside Vein and Infant Island in The Washington Post for helping bring renewed attention to screamo.

Label

Portrayal of Guilt Records is the band’s label.