Big Easy Satanic metallers Goatwhore emerged in 1997 with a bludgeoning sound rooted in blackened death metal. Debuting in 2000 with The Eclipse of Ages Into Black, the band added shades of sludge and thrash to lauded subsequent efforts like Carving Out the Eyes of God (2009), Constricting Rage of the Merciless (2014), and Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven (2022).

Goatwhore were formed by singer/guitarist Sammy Duet following the breakup of his previous band, Acid Bath. Former Soilent Green singer L. Ben Falgoust II, guitarist Ben Stout, bassist Patrick Bruders, and drummer Zak Nolan completed the lineup, which debuted with the demo Serenades to the Tides of Blood; Goatwhore's proper debut LP, The Eclipse of Ages Into Black, followed in early 2000. Funeral Dirge for the Rotting Sun appeared in 2003 before the band jumped to Metal Blade for fall 2006's A Haunting Curse and 2009's Carving Out the Eyes of God. The latter LP served as the studio debut of bassist James Harvey, who replaced Patrick Bruders the year prior. In 2012 the blackened death metal supergroup released their fifth album, the relentless and direct Blood for the Master, followed by Constricting Rage of the Merciless (2014) and Vengeful Ascension (2017). Harvey left the fold ahead of the release of the band's eighth long-player, Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven. Released in 2022, the raw and uncompromising set marked the debut of former touring bassist Robert Coleman. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi