Withered

Heavy metal outfit Withered originated in Atlanta, Georgia, when guitarist/vocalists Chris Freeman and Mike Thompson assembled the project during the early summer of 2003, immediately after their prior punk band Social Infestation dissolved. Drummer Wes Kever, previously of Puaka Balava, joined them to form an initial trio that soon expanded with the arrival of bassist Greg Hess, formerly of Leechmilk. The resulting quartet launched East Coast tours that included support slots for Mastodon and Exhumed, while committing to tape their debut five-track EP, originally slated as Order Born from Chaos, throughout 2004. Although a three-track demo circulated, the EP never appeared in that configuration; instead, an April 2005 signing with Lifeforce Records produced the September 20, 2005, release of debut full-length Memento Mori, which comprised the Order Born from Chaos sessions augmented by two fresh recordings. Hess departed in fall 2006, prompting bassist Herb Jowett to handle one tour before Mike Longoria arrived on a provisional basis and ultimately remained. When Kever exited, Beau Brandon took over drums, and the stabilized configuration of Freeman, Thompson, Longoria, and Brandon was announced in February 2007. January 2008 brought a new deal with Prosthetic Records, which issued second album Folie Circulaire on June 24, 2008, and was followed by a U.S. tour alongside Watain. Two years of intensive road work ensued, concluding with the 2010 appearance of Dualitas. Subsequent lineup fluctuations occupied the band for several years until they joined Season of Mist in 2015 and delivered the LP Grief Relic in early 2016.