The Band Index

Portrayal of Guilt

AmericasUnited StatesBlack MetalMetal
Community

Follow Your Favorite Band Today!

Be the first one to follow Portrayal of Guilt!

Top Portrayal of Guilt Community Posts

Loading posts...
Sponsor content

Band Timeline

2017

Formation and Debut EP Release of Portrayal of Guilt

Portrayal of Guilt was formed in Austin, Texas in 2017 by guitarist/vocalist Matt King, drummer James Beveridge, and bassist Blake Given. The members had backgrounds in other hardcore and screamo bands, coming together to create a new blackened screamo project. In May 2017, the band released their self-titled debut EP, establishing their presence in the underground music scene. Soon after, they embarked on extensive touring across the United States and Europe, sharing stages with bands like Centuries and Majority Rule, which helped them build a dedicated fanbase early in their career.
2018

Split EP and Debut Album 'Let Pain Be Your Guide' Campaign

In March 2018, Portrayal of Guilt released a split EP with the industrial hardcore band Street Sects, a collaborative effort that widened their critical acclaim. Their self-titled EP was reissued that same month by Deathwish Inc., further elevating their profile. Mid-2018, they released the single "Chamber of Misery (Pt. 1)" as a prelude to their first full-length album. Announced in September 2018, their debut album 'Let Pain Be Your Guide' featured multiple singles including "A Burden," "Your War" with guest vocals from Dylan Walker of Full of Hell, and "Among Friends." The album, released on November 18, 2018, included notable artwork and guest contributions, receiving widespread critical praise and marking a significant milestone for the band.
2019

Touring Success and Lineup Changes

Throughout 2019, Portrayal of Guilt continued to promote their debut album through extensive touring. They opened for influential bands such as Pg. 99 and Majority Rule, participated in headlining U.S. tours supported by acts like Fluoride and Stay Asleep, and supported Skeletonwitch on southern U.S. dates. A notable lineup change occurred this year with bassist Blake Given departing and Alex Stanfield joining the band. These activities helped solidify their reputation within the screamo and hardcore music community, while maintaining their artistic vitality and connection with fans.
2020

Recording Second Album Amidst the Pandemic

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 forced Portrayal of Guilt to halt their touring plans. Returning to Austin, the band focused on creating new music, entering the studio to work on their second full-length record 'We Are Always Alone.' Working with producer Phillip Odom and mastering engineer Will Yip, they crafted an album that included guest vocal performances from established figures like Matt Michel and Chris Taylor. The recording process and songwriting during this period reflected resilience and adaptation, highlighting the band's commitment to evolve artistically despite global challenges.
2021

Release of Second Album 'We Are Always Alone'

On January 29, 2021, Portrayal of Guilt released 'We Are Always Alone' through Closed Casket Activities, a metal label based in Troy, New York. This album marked a continuation and refinement of their blackened screamo sound, featuring nine tracks that showcased the band's intense and emotive style. The involvement of guest vocalists and collaboration with reputable producers underscored the band's growth and ambition. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the album's release was a significant cultural moment for the band, reinforcing their status as important contributors to the modern screamo and hardcore scenes.

Albums

portrayal-of-guilt_1st_album
Let Pain Be Your Guide
10 tracks
2018
portrayal-of-guilt_2nd_album
We Are Always Alone
9 tracks
2021
portrayal-of-guilt_3rd_album
CHRISTFUCKER
10 tracks
2021
portrayal-of-guilt_4th_album
Devil Music
10 tracks
2023
Sponsor content

Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Matt King

2017

Lead vocals

Matt King

2017

Guitar

James Beveridge

2017

Drums (drum set)

Blake Given

2017

Bass guitar

Alex Stanfield

N/A

Bass guitar

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Rick Flores

N/A
N/A

Electronic instruments

Rick Flores

N/A
N/A

Sampler

Story of Portrayal of Guilt

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Portrayal of Guilt emerged in 2017, a potent force in the American black metal scene. The band's genesis lies in the fusion of two distinct Austin hardcore scenes: guitarist/vocalist Matt King and drummer James Beveridge, veterans of the hardcore outfit Illustrations, joined forces with bassist Blake Given of the screamo band Lyed.

Their self-titled 7" EP, dropped in May 2017, immediately announced their arrival, propelling them onto extensive US and European tours alongside heavy hitters like Centuries, Majority Rule, Planning for Burial, Street Sects, and Slow Fire Pistol. The critical acclaim continued with their March 2018 split EP with industrial hardcore act Street Sects – a collaboration forged on the road – further solidifying their reputation. Deathwish Inc. also reissued their self-titled 7" that same month.

Building momentum, they released a single-sided 5" single, "Chamber of Misery (Pt. 1)," in July 2018, a precursor to their debut full-length. This cleverly orchestrated campaign, launched just before a US tour with French post-hardcore mainstays Birds in Row, culminated in the September 2018 announcement of their debut album, Let Pain Be Your Guide, alongside the premiere of the single "A Burden." The album’s sonic assault was further previewed with the October release of "Your War," a track featuring guest vocals from Dylan Walker of Full of Hell.

Sponsor content

Learn more about Portrayal of Guilt

Bands you may like