A Perfect Murder

Montreal's A Perfect Murder surfaced in 2000, channeling classic heavy metal, thrash, and early hardcore punk into an aggressive sound built around Hatebreed-like breakdowns, harsh vocals, dense rhythms, and searing guitar leads and solos. The following year the band issued its debut EP, Blood Covered Words, and began attracting attention. Its first full-length album, Cease to Suffer, arrived in 2003 via Ontario-based Goodfellow Records and showed greater focus as the group continued to refine its approach. To promote the record, A Perfect Murder toured alongside Premonitions of War and Bury Your Dead, then signed with Chicago's Victory Records that November. The resulting label debut, Unbroken—produced by Eric Rachel (Every Time I Die, God Forbid)—came out in July 2004. Late that year three founding members departed to focus on full-time jobs and families, leaving guitarist Carl Bouchard and drummer Yan Chaussé to recruit new personnel. By December the lineup was restored with vocalist Kevin Randel (ex-Skard), bassist Dave Bayreuther, and guitarist/producer Pierre Rémillard (ex-Obliveon). Further personnel shifts occurred during the sessions for 2005's Strength Through Vengeance. In 2007 the band released War of Aggression before announcing its permanent breakup.