This morning saw the hearts of heavy music fans around the country collectively shatter after Blacktown deathcore outfit Thy Art Is Murder announced the departure of their longtime vocalist, Chris “CJ” McMahon.

“We are an underground metal band, and have been so fortunate over the last two years to carve out a small income thanks to so many dedicated and generous fans around the world,” the band wrote in a statement.

“For some people, it comes to a turning point in their life where that income is no longer enough for their personal goals, and that point has come for CJ.” Following his departure, McMahon plans on starting a family with his fiancée.

Now, McMahon has posted his own explanation for why he left one of Australia’s most popular heavy bands, highlighting some of the harsh realities of being an Australian touring musician, particularly one in a genre that receives no mainstream attention.

“One of the biggest reasons is money,” McMahon writes in his statement, which details his motivation for leaving the band he joined in 2009. “I / we have been broke for years and being 32 years old I can’t live like this anymore.”

“I am getting married next year and plan on having a family, these things cost money, to put the finances into perspective for you I /we have earned between $16k-$18k each over 6-7 years, I feel there is something massively wrong with this, I will not live like this anymore.”

With a mix of both negative and positive emotions, I inform you all that I have parted ways with my band Thy Art Is…

Posted by CJ McMahon onMonday, December 21, 2015

After much conjecture and ambiguity on his behalf, it is with a heavy heart that we must announce today that CJ is no…

Posted by Thy Art Is Murder onMonday, December 21, 2015

“The money made from my closing down sale of my clothing label will be going to my wedding,” McMahon adds. “I will also be selling my Northface stage jacket I have worn the last two years on stage via eBay soon to try to pay for my wedding for the people interested.”

To put Thy Art Is Murder’s ‘success’ in context, the band have graced stages around the country and the world, including at major music festivals like Soundwave. Their latest album, Holy War, even managed to hit #7 on the ARIA charts in its first week.

The revelation that one of Australia’s hardest working and popular heavy bands earns about half the national minimum wage over seven years will likely come as a shock to many fans, though it’s unlikely it will surprise most working musicians.

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