The Funeral Pyre was an American blackened death metal band from La Habra, California. The band released four studio albums and various shorter works before playing their last advertised show in 2012.
History Guitarist James Joyce, keyboardist Daniella Jones, vocalist John Strachan, drummer Alex Hernandez, and bassist Adam Campbell formed the band in La Habra, California, in 2001, as Envilent. They were part of the underground extreme music scenes across Los Angeles and Orange counties. Metal internet press outlets praised the band for their Swedish-style melody, ethereal keyboards, and blackened vocals.
The band released several demos and the EP Whispering to the Shadows. They changed their name to The Funeral Pyre before the 2003 release of the EP October. A year later, the band released Immersed by the Flames of Mankind.
In August 2006, the band released The Nature of Betrayal, recorded at Ulug studios in Costa Mesa, California, through Creator-Destructor Records, an independent California-based recording studio. Initial internet sales enabled a distribution deal with Prosthetic Records, and The Nature of Betrayal was re-released in March 2007. Keyboardist Daniella Jones left the band for "musical differences" and was briefly replaced with second guitarist Justin Garcia, who was in turn replaced with Lanny Perelman, who also left the band.
A third album, Wounds, was recorded in January and February 2008 with producer John Haddad, and released in May of that year. The band embraced black metal with the release of Wounds, as well as later works.
They recorded the EP December during December 2008. It received limited distribution by Creator-Destructor in March 2009. Forest Moon Special Products released a 7-inch split with Landmine Marathon shortly after.
The band released their final studio album, Vultures at Dawn, in June 2010 on Prosthetic Records. It was generally well received. Experimental songs "Monolith" and "To Watch the Earth Rot" were praised for expanding their songwriting.
Members
Current members James Joyce – guitar Alex Hernandez – drums John Strachan – vocals Adam Campbell – bass
Former members Jason Dunn – guitar Daniella Jones – keyboards Justin Garcia – guitar Lanny Perelman – guitar Alex Lopez – guitar
Discography Studio albums 2004: Immersed by the Flames of Mankind 2006: The Nature of Betrayal 2008: Wounds 2010: Vultures at Dawn
EPs 2002: Whispering to the Shadows EP 2003: October EP 2006: The First Book of the Kings (split EP) 2009: December EP 2009: The Funeral Pyre/Landmine Marathon (split EP)
References
External links Official website