Butcher Babies have been reborn. A few months out from the departure of co-founding vocalist Carla Harvey, the L.A.-based metalcore outfit have returned with a single called “Sincerity,” which also marks their first piece of music through new label home Judge & Jury Records.
“Sincerity” follows the band’s 2023 full-length, Eye for an Eye… /… ‘Til the World’s Blind, and it’s their first release since Harvey’s exit. With the band now reconfigured as a one-vocalist enterprise, Heidi Shepherd’s singing is fully front and center on the modern metal track, and reliably powerful.
A press release explains that the song is “rooted in wishful thinking,” but is likewise about being put into a situation where someone manipulates your emotions “to feed their own ego and benefit.”
“Over the last decade and a half, Butcher Babies has become known for our aggression and soaring melodies. This new release is no different,” Shepherd said of “Sincerity.” “Diving into real-life experiences and expectations while exposing the rawest part of our souls, this single is bound to invoke an emotional rollercoaster between looking toward the future with hope while reminiscing of past losses.”
It’s added that “Sincerity” is the tip of the iceberg, in terms of new Butcher Babies material. While an ETA on a fuller release has yet to be announced, the band — Shepherd, guitarist Henry Flury, bassist Ricky Bonazza and drummer Devin Nickles — will be releasing more music through Judge & Jury, the record label venture between Three Days Grace’s Neil Sanderson and multi-platinum producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Seether, Of Mice & Men).
“I have always been a fan of the band and never really thought we’d get a chance to work with them,” Benson said. “I especially love Heidi’s vocal range and ability to weave compelling stories through her music. Excited Judge & Jury got to do this music together with her and Henry, and for the fans to hear it!”