First release and rise (2011–2012) The Butcher Babies were formed in 2010 by vocalists Heidi Shepherd and
Carla Harvey. The band self-released their first EP in 2011. In July 2011, they released a comic book at
San Diego Comic-Con on July 23 and 24. The comic book was written by Harvey and illustrated by Anthony Winn. Rock journalist Keith Valcourt stated in his review of one of the band's shows: "The Butcher Babies deliver a loud crashing blend of heavy metal, punk and thrash that recalls Pantera, adding their stage show embodies the horror antics of Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie. Carla and Heidi don't merely sing: they assault the crowd with a blinding flash of aggression and abuse. And the crowd loves them for it." They gained a lot of attention from their
YouTube video of them performing "Fucking Hostile" by
Pantera. On January 6, 2012, the Butcher Babies premiered a new song, "Mr. Slowdeath". On May 24, they released their first music video for "Mr. Slowdeath", which was produced by Mudrock (
Avenged Sevenfold,
Godsmack), which is from the band's self-released EP.
Goliath (2013–2014) The band signed a worldwide deal with Century Media Records in November 2012, and a month later embarked on a North American tour from January to February with Marilyn Manson. Only days after wrapping the tour in the City Of Sin, the band was in an L.A. studio with producer Josh Wilbur (
Gojira,
Lamb of God,
Hatebreed) recording their debut album,
Goliath. On June 6, the band released the street single off their debut album "I Smell A Massacre". On June 20, the band streamed another song titled "The Deathsurround". On July 9, the band released their debut album
Goliath via
Century Media Records. During the first week of sales, the album sold 3,300 copies in the United States which landed it at No. 112 on The Billboard 200 chart. On July 26, In an interview with Artisan News, Shepherd and Harvey spoke about their decision to ditch the nipple-tape look during their live performances. Their appearance over the course of the last six years consisted of this look as an ode to the late
Wendy O. Williams. However, they claimed that the message of creativity and individualism had been received and it was time to evolve to another look. In early 2014, the band took part in
The Hell Pop Tour II headlined by
In This Moment with additional support from
Devour the Day,
All Hail the Yeti, and
Before the Mourning.
Take It Like a Man (2014–2016) On November 5, 2014, the band announced that they had begun work on their upcoming second studio album. The band completed work on the album on April 3, 2015. The band revealed that the album was a return to their thrash metal roots whereas
Goliath was more melodic. The band also revealed the new album will feature a re-recorded version of their first single from 2010, "Blonde Girls All Look the Same". On June 10, 2015, the band revealed the title of their upcoming album to be
Take It Like a Man, and also released the first single of the album, "Monsters Ball", despite original plans to release 'Never Go Back" as the lead single. The band revealed that the record label and management expressed dislike for the album title and artwork, and that the band had to fight to keep them. Regarding the album title, vocalist Carla Harvey said: On June 26, the band released a music video for the lead single, "Monsters Ball". On July 11, the band released the song "Never Go Back" as the second single of the album.
Lilith (2017) In October 2016, following the departure of original drummer, Chris Warner, Butcher Babies introduced their new drummer Chase Brickenden after he filled in on the band's tour with
Megadeth. The band's third studio album
Lilith was released on October 27, 2017. The album cover art and insert panel was designed by American artist Justin Paul.
''Eye for an Eye… / …'Til the Worlds Blind'' (2019–2023) On January 22, 2019, Butcher Babies posted a black and white slogan and pictures with possible titles of songs in the upcoming fourth album on their instagram page @butcherbabies. However, no further release details were provided. On October 30, 2020, Butcher Babies released a new song called "Bottom of the Bottle" followed by 'Sleeping with the Enemy' which was release later that year on December 11. The band released further singles during 2021 with 'Yorktown' on February 12, 'Last Dance' on April 7 and 'It's Killin' Time, Baby!' on August 27. On October 28, 2022, the band released another single 'Best Friend', (a cover originally performed by the artist
Saweeti) followed by 'Beaver Cage', 'Red Thunder' and 'Last December' released on February 10, May 12 and June 9, 2023, respectively. On July 7, 2023, the band released their fourth album, which came in the format of a double album titled 'Eye for an Eye… / …'Til the World's Blind'.
Harvey's departure (2023–present) The band performed their 2023 European tour with
Fear Factory without Harvey, who abstained from the tour due to a
retinal detachment surgery. She eventually announced her full departure from the band in 2024, leaving Shepherd as the sole vocalist; Harvey would later explain her new-found focus on her career in
deathcare as the deciding factor. The band released their first single
Sincerity without Harvey in November. == Musical style and influences ==