Phinehas (band)

Formation and first releases (2001-2013)

Phinehas formed in 2001 in La Mirada, CA, near Los Angeles. The band went through a few lineup changes before settling on Sean McCulloch (vocals), Jason Combs (guitars), Ryan Estrada (bass) and Lee Humerian (drums). The band recorded and independently released a self-titled EP on December 15, 2009. After the release, the band went on a 10-day tour before beginning work on their debut album Thegodmachine. After finishing production of the album, the band looked at many labels, before being signed to Red Cord Records in 2011. Thegodmachine was released on September 30, 2011 through Red Cord, and received acclaim from music critics. Most of the praise came from the band's "uncompromising blast of metalcore" and the thrash metal-style riffs. The band toured extensively to promote the album, including a spot at Cornerstone 2011, with bands such as P.O.D, For Today, Close Your Eyes and Living Sacrifice among others. In early 2013 the Bridge Between EP was released, featuring updated versions of songs from their self-titled EP and acoustic renditions of songs from Thegodmachine.

The Last Word Is Yours to Speak (2013-2014)

Shortly after the release of The Bridge Between, Phinehas began work on their second studio album. On May 17, the first single, "Fleshkiller", was released along with the album's title, The Last Word Is Yours to Speak.

The band's second studio album, The Last Word Is Yours to Speak was released on July 23, 2013 through Red Cord Records. The album proved to be successful as it gained the band their first charting positions on Billboard, charting on the Top Heatseekers chart and the Christian Albums chart. The album features guest vocals by former Haste the Day member Brennan Chaulk and featured a slight change in sound, with Sean McCulloch's vocals being more clean and less gruff. Also, the album features a strong influence from southern metal, similar to their self-titled EP.

Phinehas soon after toured in support of the album. The band was featured on the March Make a Mess Tour! with headliner Close to Home. This tour included stops at South by Southwest and South by So What?!. Guitarist Jason Combs left the band in 2014, being replaced by Becoming the Archetype's Daniel Gailey.

Signing to Artery and Till the End (2014-2016)

At the end of 2014, the band announced they would begin working on their third studio album after touring for The Last Word Is Yours to Speak is complete. On February 17, 2015, Phinehas announced they had signed to Artery Recordings after their previous label, Red Cord Records, dissolved into Victory Records. The new album is set to be released on July 10, 2015 and will be titled Till the End. The album's first single, "Dead Choir", was released on May 4. A live music video for the song "Tetelestai" was released on June 9. A video for the third single, "White Livered", was released on July 13, 2015.

Fight Through the Night, departure of Lee Humerian, and New album (2016-present)

The band is releasing an EP, titled Fight Through the Night on December 16, 2016 with a guest vocal spot by Garrett Russell of Silent Planet. On January 10, 2017, Drummer Lee Humerian announced his departure from the band and will perform his last show on January 21.

Musical style

Phinehas have primarily been classified as metalcore, a mixture of hardcore punk and extreme metal. They have also been considered to incorporate elements of Christian rock and Southern rock into their style, and to be especially influenced by thrash metal.

Members

Discography