Inspired by a blend of diverse Death Metal influences (be it Cannibal Corpse, Gojira, Decapitated or Bloodbath), the band plays what they have dubbed "Death Groove" - a high-energy, groove-laden and progressive approach to brutal Death Metal that comes as a breath of fresh air in a genre plagued by clichés. They sport a dedicated fan base of passionate individuals who support and appreciate their efforts to produce world-class Metal music. The band is endorsed by Brian Fanner Original Custom (BFOC) Guitars in Cape Town and TRX Cymbals in California.

Their debut EP, Architects of Sadism, is currently awaiting printing, and is set to be released in January 2011. The album showcases the band's diverse influences, ranging from Swedish Melodic Death Metal bands like Dismember, At The Gates and Dark Tranqillity to American Death Metal heavyweights, Cannibal Corpse. It was recorded in Cape Town at Dean Bailey's "Cloud Studios" (Sabretooth, The Horror Cast) and was mixed and mastered by David Castillo at "Ghostward Studios" in Stockholm, Sweden. Castillo has helmed the boards for many international Metal bands, including Opeth, Katatonia and Bloodbath. As such, the quality of production sets a new standard for South African Metal, and is perfectly in line with the band’s uncompromising philosophy.

A WALK WITH THE WICKED is a professionally-minded band, committed to raising the standard and quality of South African Metal, both on and off the stage. Since first hitting the stage in early 2008, they have played with Cape Town's Metal elite and headlined all major, metal-oriented festivals in the area, including Metal4Africa’s Summerfest festival and Subterania Music's annual Whiplash Metal festival. Not content with serving a purely passive role within the live circuit, A WALK WITH THE WICKED are accustomed to actively participating in, producing and promoting music events. This was notably demonstrated when the band were responsible for conceiving and organising the hugely successful War At The Warehouse gig, taking Metal back to its roots on a makeshift stage in a Cape Town warehouse.

Consciously striving to transcend the limitations of the Cape Town club scene, the band has recently been extensively working towards taking their live show to wider audiences. This was successfully initiated on the recent Metal4Africa Promotional Tour, wherein the band effectively headlined, playing both the Johannesburg and Durban dates. This national exposure was substantiated by the inclusion of the title track “Architects Of Sadism” of the band's forthcoming EP on Dualine Records' Hammer the Masses Volume 3, a compilation that showcases South African Metal bands.

Subsequently, a true test of the band's potency came about with the recent Loeries Battle Of The Bands competition (part of the South African Advertising industry’s annual Loerie Awards weekend’s events), which saw them competing against bands of a variety of different genres in front of a diverse audience. The explosive energy and professional showmanship of the band's performance caught the audience by surprise and lead to rapturous applause and heated debate amongst the judges. Ultimately they were awarded second place although the master of ceremonies assured that the “decision was difficult”. Looking forward, the band are finalising details to perform at Ramfest V in 2011 and have been confirmed to open for heavyweight Canadian Death Metal act Kataklysm on the Cape Town leg of their 2011 South African tour.

Architects Of Sadism [EP] - 2011

Current Line-Up:

Rory Molyneux - Vocals 
Ian Robbins - Guitars 
Matt Howard-Tripp - Guitars 
Tim Leibbrandt - Bass 
Steve Makin – Drums