Thy Art Is Murder

Thy Art Is Murder

Thy Art Is Murder is an Australian deathcore group from Blacktown, Australia, active since 2005. The band forms in the Sydney area and becomes one of the best-known names in Australian extreme metal.

Line-up

The group includes Sean Delander, Lee Stanton, CJ McMahon, Andrew Marsh, Tom Brown, Kevin Butler, Jesse Beahler and Tyler Miller. Tyler Miller is the vocalist listed with the band, while Sean Delander and Andy Marsh are the guitarists, Jesse Beahler is the drummer, and Kevin Butler is the bassist. CJ McMahon is also associated with the group’s line-up history.

Releases and recordings

Thy Art Is Murder releases six full-length albums and three EPs. Their sixth album, Godlike, appears as a major later release and is made with longtime producer and frequent collaborator Will Putney. The album is presented as a 10-track record and is released through the band’s own label, Human Warfare, marking its first independently released campaign.

Earlier albums include Hate, the band’s second album, and Holy War, its third full-length. Hate is a key release in the band’s history, and Holy War continues the group’s themes across anti-religion, anti-extremism, animal rights, war and greed.

Style and influences

The band is identified with deathcore and death metal, with technical deathcore also associated with its sound. Their material is influenced by bands such as Decapitated, Gojira, Meshuggah and Behemoth. Behemoth is cited as a major influence, and the group is described as drawing on music that creates mood as well as heaviness.

Chart success and themes

Hate debuts at number 35 on the ARIA Charts, making Thy Art Is Murder the first extreme metal band to reach the Top 40 on that chart. Holy War debuts at number 7, which is noted as the highest chart position for an Australian extreme metal act. Lyrically, Hate reflects the band’s dislike of organised religion.