War from a Harlots Mouth

War from a Harlots Mouth was a German metalcore band from Berlin, formed in 2005. Consisting of vocalist Nico Webers, guitarists Simon Hawemann and Daniel Oberländer, bassist Filip Hantusch, and drummer Paule Seidel, the band is noted for a distinct musical style consisting of infusing many different genres into their songs, such as math metal, death metal, and jazz.

History

War from a Harlots Mouth was founded during 2005. Starting as a side-project consisting of three members only, including their vocalist, drummer and one guitarist, they recorded their first EP titled Falling Upstairs in cassette format during June 2006 with only 50 physical copies of it released.^[1] Later on that year, they released a CD/10" Split with deathcore act Molotov Solution on Twelve Gauge Records.^[2] After finding a second guitarist and a bassist in the end of 2006, WFAHM joined the War of Attrition Tour in 2007, promoting the album of the same name by Dying Fetus, accompanying bands Skinless and Cattle Decapitation, also joining the stage for Never Say Die! Fest with bands Ion Dissonance, Dead to Fall, and Through the Eyes of the Dead. Also in 2007, the band joined Lifeforce Records and released their album Transmetropolitan in September.^[3] The band during these times gained a lot of notoriety in their home city due to their lead vocalist, Steffan Winopal's extremely screechy and "dying" sound he gave off in his screamed vocals, distinguishing the band from many others that played in a similar style. They were also one of the first groups to incorporate jazz influence into their heavy sound around their area.

In September, the band joined the European tour of bands The Ocean and Intronaut. Vocalist Winopal left the band shortly after these tours, having Nico Webers, formerly of The Ocean replacing him. With Webers as a new vocalist, they went on their first headlining tour promoting Transmetropolitan with fellow labelmates Burning Skies. In 2008, they joined the Grinding into Catacylism Tour, with bands Psyopus, Left to Vanish, and Fuck the Facts, and later on released a 5" Split-CD on Sharkmen Records with the band Dead Flesh Fashion.

On January 28 of 2009, the band announced release dates for In Shoals prior to its release, during WFAHM's inclusion in the Thrash and Burn European Tour 2009.

The group released their third full-length album, MMX on October 29, 2010.^[4] Given a high amount of acclaim the record was made available for streaming online prior to its physical and iTunes release.^[5]

On September 17, 2012, the band released a "lyrical video" for the first single- "Scopophobia", from their newest album Voyeur, which was released October 19 in Europe, and November 6 in the U.S.^[6]

Indefinite hiatus

On August 16, 2013 the band released the following statement on their Facebook page:

Today we are writing to all of you with some bad news. You might have heard the rumors or read some press releases and they are right, but only to an extend: WFAHM is going into an INDEFINITE HIATUS at the end of the year.

There are a lot of reasons for us to make that move and believe me when I say that it's not an easy decision. But it feels like it's something we just have to do at this point. The last 7,5 years have been awesome for the most part and we're grateful for all the experiences and new friends we have made while travelling the world to show people what we're all about. We have toured places we never thought we'd get to see, such as Australia, Russia, almost the entire USA and all across Europe of course. We have made friends for life on the road. We have grown immensely as musicians and turned this band into something we are very proud of.

Being in this band has been a great experience for each and everyone of us and it took us to places and opened up doors we couldn't even dream of. Being that the band started as a side project, we always stuck to the original spirit of making music that was outside of the box and therefor survived much longer than a lot of bands who were trying to be a part of certain hypes. We never cared for that, we just wanted to do our own thing and feel like we have achieved that. We want to thank everyone who's involvement made it possible for us to do what we do... you most definitely know who you are.

The scene we're a part of used to be an inspiring subculture but has turned into an abortion of mainstream accessibility, with choreographies on stage and cute little matching outfits. It's frustrating to witness and really makes it less fun to go out and play with new bands sometimes. However, this is not a breakup, it's a hiatus. Sooner or later we might find the urge to come back and slay!^[7]

On November 7, 2016 the band posted the following statement on their Facebook page:

"In other news: The undoubtedly most mentally challenged band on planet earth, ATTILA, blatantly ripped us off. Not that I'm surprised that these imbeciles can't write music of their own, but unfortunately for them, they picked one of our most widely known songs: 'If You Want to Blame Us...' Losers."

This statement was in regards to the song 'Obsession' by the band Attila, which uses a similar "machine gun" sampled breakdown as the song 'If You Want To Blame Us For Something Wrong, Please Abuse This Song', by WFAHM. Despite the fact that machine gun sounds have been sampled by other heavy metal bands, many feel that 'Obsession' has likenesses to 'If You Want To Blame Us...' that arguably reaches the point of plagiarism. ^[8]

Band members

Last known members

• Daniel Oberländer – guitar (2005–2013)
• Filip Hantusch – bass (2005–2013)
• Paule Seidel – drums (2005–2013)
• Nico Webers – vocals (2007–2013)
• Simon Hawemann – guitar (2005-2006, 2008–2013)

Former members

• Steffen Winopal (ex-With Abandon, Vijeriah) – vocals (2005–2007)
• Steve Jones – guitar (2006–2008)

Discography

Studio albums

• Transmetropolitan (2007, Lifeforce)
• In Shoals (2009, Lifeforce)
• MMX (2010, Lifeforce)
• Voyeur (2012, Season of Mist)^[9]

EPs

• Falling Upstairs (2006, Yehonala)

Splits

• Molotov Solution / War from a Harlots Mouth CD/10" (2006, Twelve Gauge Records)
• Season 1: The Anti-Doctrine/Closed Casket Funeral/Starring Janet Leigh/War from a Harlots Mouth 10" (2007, 4 Seasons)
• Dead Flesh Fashion / War from a Harlots Mouth (2008, Sharkmen)
• Pentagon. 3 The Acacia Strain / WFAHM (2009)
• War from a Harlots Mouth / Burning Skies (2010, Lifeforce)

References

External links

• Official website