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Butcher Babies

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Band Timeline

2010

Formation of Butcher Babies

The Butcher Babies, an American heavy metal band, were formed in Los Angeles in 2010 by vocalists Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey. From the onset, the band combined aggressive heavy metal with a theatrical stage presence, quickly garnering attention for their powerful vocals and energetic performances. The formation marked the beginning of their journey blending thrash metal and punk influences with a strong visual and performance identity.
2011

Early Releases and Rising Attention

In 2011, Butcher Babies self-released their first EP, establishing their presence in the metal scene. That same year, they expanded their artistic expression through a comic book released at the San Diego Comic-Con, featuring writing by Carla Harvey and art by Anthony Winn. Their aggressive style and showmanship caught the eye of critics and fans alike, with a notable YouTube video of them covering Pantera's 'Fucking Hostile' significantly boosting their popularity. Their live performances were described as a fierce blend of heavy metal, punk, and thrash, drawing comparisons to iconic acts like Pantera, Alice Cooper, and Rob Zombie.
2012

Music Video Release and Growing Recognition

January 2012 saw the premiere of their new song 'Mr. Slowdeath,' which later became a significant piece in their repertoire. In May, the band released their first official music video for 'Mr. Slowdeath,' produced by Mudrock, known for his work with Avenged Sevenfold and Godsmack. This release from their self-produced EP marked an important milestone, showcasing their evolving sound and visual style. The video and song played a key role in expanding their fan base and attracting the attention of major record labels.
2012-2013

Signing with Century Media and Debut Album 'Goliath'

In November 2012, Butcher Babies signed a worldwide deal with Century Media Records, solidifying their professional foothold in the metal industry. Early 2013 included a North American tour supporting Marilyn Manson, increasing their exposure. Shortly after, they recorded their debut album 'Goliath' with producer Josh Wilbur. The album was released on July 9, 2013, and quickly gained commercial success, selling 3,300 copies in its first week in the US and reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 112 on the Billboard 200. That summer, the band toured extensively, including the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and a tour with Danzig. In mid-2013, Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey announced a shift away from their previously signature nipple-tape stage attire to embrace new artistic expression, reflecting their evolving identity.
2014

Participation in The Hell Pop Tour II

In early 2014, Butcher Babies joined The Hell Pop Tour II, headlined by In This Moment, with support from bands like Devour the Day, All Hail the Yeti, and Before the Mourning. This tour reinforced their growing presence within the metal community, allowing them to reach wider audiences and continue building momentum. The band's performance on this tour showcased the energy and passion that had become synonymous with their live shows.
2014-2016

Second Album 'Take It Like a Man' and Return to Thrash Roots

In November 2014, Butcher Babies announced work on their second studio album. By April 2015, they completed the album, signaling a decisive return to their thrash metal roots after the more melodic 'Goliath.' Notably, the album included a re-recorded version of their 2010 single 'Blonde Girls All Look the Same.' The album, titled 'Take It Like a Man,' was officially announced in June 2015 alongside the release of the lead single 'Monsters Ball.' The band faced initial resistance from their label and management concerning the album's title and artwork but ultimately retained their creative vision. This phase marked a period of artistic autonomy and reaffirmed their dedication to their core metal sound, continuing to build on their distinctive blend of aggression and performance art.

Albums

butcher-babies_1st_album
Goliath
11 tracks
2013
butcher-babies_2nd_album
Take It Like a Man
13 tracks
2015
butcher-babies_3rd_album
Lilith
11 tracks
2017
butcher-babies_4th_album
… ‘Til the World’s Blind
14 tracks
2023
📷
No Image
Eye For An Eye... ...'Til The World's Blind
7 tracks
2023
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Carla Harvey

2009

Lead vocals

Heidi Shepherd

2009

Lead vocals

Henry Flury

2009

Guitar

Chase Brickenden

2016

Drums (drum set)

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Chris Warner

2009
2016

Drums (drum set)

Jason Klein

2009
2019

Bass guitar

Story of Butcher Babies

Butcher Babies, the Los Angeles-based heavy metal band, exploded onto the scene with a ferocious blend of metal, punk, and thrash. Fronted by the powerhouse vocalist Heidi Shepherd, and featuring guitarist Henry Flury (formerly of Amen), bassist Ricky Bonazza, and drummer Devin Nickles, their sound has been compared to Pantera, infused with the theatrical horror showmanship of Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie.

Their debut album, Goliath, released in July 2013 via Century Media Records, made a significant impact, selling 3,300 copies in its first week in the US. This impressive showing landed them at #3 on the Billboard Heatseeker chart and #112 on the Billboard 200.

Butcher Babies' journey began in 2010, founded by vocalists Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey. They self-released their first EP in 2011, further establishing their presence with a self-published comic book released at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2011, written by Harvey and illustrated by Anthony Winn. Even early on, their live performances were legendary, with rock journalist Keith Valcourt noting their "loud, crashing blend of heavy metal, punk and thrash," and their captivating stage show, a clear nod to horror-rock icons.

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