Having released no doubt their biggest selling record to date, Thy Art Is Murder have only just begun their ascent. Previously releasing their album Hate the band embarked on an incredibly demanding tour schedule in order to benefit from the album. Now with the future set to even greater things, in a complete shock frontman CJ McMahon has left the band.
For those who know Thy Art Is Murder, not only are their live shows surely an assault course in themselves but their touring schedule is absolutely relentless. Deciding the throw in the towel frontman CJ McMahon has decided that it has taken it’s toll. Both physically and mentally the hardships of being in a band are sometimes not as obvious as you might think. Aiming to move his life forward with fiance and begin a new family the singer believe’s that now is a good time to leave.
Nevertheless the band’s tireless schedule will continue, set to embark on European dates with fellow Aussies Parkway Drive, Thy Art Is Murder will still be touring and bringing along Nick Arthur from Molotov Solution, no word on who any replacement might be but I think we can all agree it’s early days! Read the band’s statement below :
“After much conjecture and ambiguity on his behalf, it is with a heavy heart that we must announce today that CJ is no longer a part of Thy Art Is Murder. We have worked so hard from day one to make this band what it is now, and develop the reputation that we have and he had been there with us every step of the way. We like to think that even if someone doesn’t like our music that they can at least respect our work ethic. This band has taken us to places we never thought we would see and to share stages with many bands we never thought we would get to play with or meet, let alone call friends. It is unfortunate that with our best year to date and our biggest paved out before us that he has decided to leave.
“All this being said, touring as hard as we do does take its toll on you physically, but more importantly mentally and emotionally. We are an underground metal band, and have been so fortunate over the last two years to carve out a small income thanks to so many dedicated and generous fans around the world. For some people, it comes to a turning point in their life where that income is no longer enough for their personal goals, and that point has come for CJ. We would like to wish him all our best as he leaves the band and moves onward to start a family and new life with his loving fiancée.
“The four of us are continuing forward into 2016 for some of the biggest and best tours of our lives. We won’t be slowing down or missing any shows. We head back out next month with Parkway Drive and Architects throughout Europe and the UK and will be taking one of our favourite vocalists with us, Nick Arthur from Molotov Solution. Thy Art is what we have done with all of our adult lives and we have put absolutely everything we have into the band and the friendship between the four of us. That friendship and drive to create extreme music is what has kept us together through thick and thin. Unfortunately not everyone can share this fire.”
More news when we have it on the situation, it’s safe to say that 2016 will prove to be an interesting one indeed. Particularly trying to find a frontman with the same stage presence as CJ will no doubt be a tough task.
