James Franklin Murphy (born July 30, 1967) is an American guitarist. He is best known for his work in metal bands

Obituary An obituary ( obit for short) is an article about a recently deceased person. Newspapers often publish obituaries as news articles. Although obituaries tend to focus on positive aspects of the subject's life, this is not always the case. Ac ...

Death Death is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. For organisms with a brain, death can also be defined as the irreversible cessation of functioning of the whole brain, including brainstem, and brain ...

and Testament. He founded Disincarnate, an early

death metal Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep growling vocals; aggressive, powerful drumming, feat ...

band. He was diagnosed with a

brain tumor A brain tumor occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain. There are two main types of tumors: malignant tumors and benign (non-cancerous) tumors. These can be further classified as primary tumors, which start within the brain, and seconda ...

in 2001 but recovered. In October 2011, Murphy stated that the tumor had returned but that it was non-cancerous and that it was being treated pharmacologically. He is working on a tribute album to Death founder

Chuck Schuldiner Charles Schuldiner (born May 13, 1967 – December 13, 2001) was an American musician. He founded the death metal band Death in 1983, in which he was the lead vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter and only consistent member until his death in ...

who died from

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severity ...

, caused by complications of his treatment for a brain tumor. He also produced Deron Miller's band

World Under Blood World Under Blood is an American melodic death metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2006, the band originally featured vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller and drummer Tim Yeung, with bassist Risha Eryavac and guitarist Luke Jaeger co ...

. He also completed production of the industrial death metal band

Dååth Dååth is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta. Their music incorporates styles such as death metal, industrial metal, and some traces of gypsy jazz. History Dååth was started by Eyal Levi and Mike Kameron, who had been playing in ...

's second album, '' The Hinderers'', which was released on

Roadrunner Records Roadrunner Records is an American record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock bands. Founded in the Netherlands in 1980, it is now a division of Warner Music Group and is based in New York City. History The label was launched in 1980 in t ...

, and Lazarus A.D.'s second album '' The Onslaught'', and its follow-up ''Black Rivers Flow'' released on

Metal Blade Records Metal Blade Records is an American independent record label founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The US office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distrib ...

, and many other productions and mixes on various record labels. He has also performed as a touring guitarist for

Agent Steel Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1984 by vocalist John Cyriis with drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full-length albums and one EP before disbanding in 1988. They were most notable for Cyriis' hi ...

in Europe and the UK in 1987, and was briefly in Hallows Eve in 1989. In addition to playing guitar, Murphy operates a recording studio, SafeHouse Production, where he has mixed and produced albums for other bands. He has also contributed lessons to ''

Guitar Player magazine ''Guitar Player'' is an American popular magazine for guitarists, founded in 1967 in San Jose, California. It contains articles, interviews, reviews and lessons of an eclectic collection of artists, genres and products. It has been in print s ...

''.

Equipment

Murphy has used Caparison guitars since he was able to play guitar again after his treatment. During his years with

and Testament he played

Ibanez is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as ...

guitars, primarily the S series models, and B.C. Rich guitars during the

period, especially Warlock models. He also played B.C. Rich guitars in Death. With Disincarnate, he used a

Gibson Gibson may refer to: People * Gibson (surname) Businesses * Gibson Brands, Inc., an American manufacturer of guitars, other musical instruments, and audio equipment * Gibson Technology, and English automotive and motorsport company based * Gi ...

Flying V, loaded with an EMG 85 in the bridge position, through a Marshall 8100. He is a longtime endorsee of EMG pickups, and mainly uses the 85 and 89 models, although on Testament's The Gathering his Ibanez were fitted with Dimarzio Steve's Special and Air Norton. For amplification he is currently using Framus Cobra series amplifiers, although previously he used Mesa amps through Mesa 4x12 cabinets with Testament.

Discography

;

Cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

* ''

Death Shall Rise ''Death Shall Rise'' is the second album by British death metal band Cancer. It was released on 24 May 1991 through Vinyl Solution. Track listing All tracks by Cancer Personnel ;Cancer * James Murphy - Lead Guitar * Carl Stokes - Drums ...

'' (1991) ;

* ''

Spiritual Healing Energy medicine is a branch of alternative medicine based on a pseudo-scientific belief that healers can channel "healing energy" into a patient and effect positive results. Practitioners use a number of names including various synonyms for ...

'' (1990) ;Disincarnate * ''Soul Erosion'' (demo, 1992) * ''

Dreams of the Carrion Kind ''Dreams of the Carrion Kind'' is an album released by American death metal guitarist James Murphy, under the band name Disincarnate. It was released in 1993. History ''Dreams of the Carrion Kind'', Disincarnate's only album ever, was released i ...

'' (1993) ;James Murphy * ''Convergence'' (1996) * ''Feeding The Machine'' (1999) ; Konkhra * ''Weed Out The Weak'' (1997) * ''The Freakshow'' (EP, 1999) * ''Come Down Cold'' (1999) * ''Nothing Is Sacred'' (2009) ;

* ''

Cause Of Death In law, medicine, and statistics, cause of death is an official determination of conditions resulting in a human's death, which may be recorded on a death certificate. A cause of death is determined by a medical examiner. The cause of death is ...

'' (1990) ; Testament * '' Low'' (1994) * '' Live at the Fillmore'' (Live, 1995) * '' The Gathering'' (1999) Guest appearances * 1000 Ashes – "Guest appearance in first album" *

Abigail Williams Abigail Williams (born c. 1681, date of death unknown) was an 11- or 12-year-old girl who, along with nine-year-old Betty Parris, was among the first of the children to falsely accuse their neighbors of witchcraft in 1692; these accusations eve ...

– '' In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns'' – (Solo on "The World Beyond" and Whammy on "Smoke and Mirrors") * The Absence – '' Riders of the Plague'' (two tracks) *

– (one live track on the re-release) * Agressor – ''Medieval Rites'' (one solo) * Agressor – ''The Spirit of Evil'' (three tracks) * Artension – ''Into the Eye of the Storm'' (one solo) * Artension – ''Phoenix Rising'' (one solo) * Artension – ''Forces of Nature'' (four solos) *

Broken Hope Broken Hope is an American death metal band from Chicago, Illinois. History Broken Hope was founded in 1988. They were known as an accomplished mid-paced style death metal band with low-pitched growling vocals. As a band, they were active for ...

– ''Repulsive Conception'' (one solo) * Cannae – ''When Gold Becomes Sacrifice'' (one solo) * Chaos Disorder – ''Infested'' (one solo) * DÅÅTH – '' The Hinderers'' (one solo) * Demise – ''Torture Garden'' (one solo) * Embryonic Autopsy – ''Cauterized Womb Impalement '' (one solo 2022) *

Explorers Club The Explorers Club is an American-based international multidisciplinary professional society with the goal of promoting scientific exploration and field study. The club was founded in New York City in 1904, and has served as a meeting point fo ...

– ''

Age of Impact ''Age of Impact'' is Explorers Club's first album, released in 1998. The album included guest appearances by guitarists Steve Howe and John Petrucci, singer James LaBrie, bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Terry Bozzio. Track listing Personnel * ...

'' * Enforsaken – ''The Forever Endeavor'' (Lead guitar on 'All For Nothing') *

Firewind Firewind is a Greek power metal band formed in Thessaloniki in 1998. The group is currently signed to Century Media Records and was originally a small project created by guitarist Gus G. to showcase his demo, ''Nocturnal Symphony'', in 1998. ...

– ''

Forged by Fire ''Forged by Fire'' is the third full-length album by Greek power metal band Firewind and their first released through Century Media. From this album onwards, Gus G is the sole ever-present in their professional discography, following the repl ...

'' (one solo) * Foreign Objects – '' Universal Culture Shock'' (guitar solos) *

Gorguts Gorguts is a Canadian death metal band from Sherbrooke, Quebec, formed in 1989. The band has been through many personnel changes since its inception; its only constant member has been guitarist and vocalist Luc Lemay, who remains the primary cr ...

– ''

Considered Dead ''Considered Dead'' is the debut full-length album by Canadian death metal band Gorguts. The album was released on October 8, 1991 through Roadrunner Records, with whom the band signed a deal following the release of their 1991 demo ...And ...

'' (one solo) * Gruesome – ''

Savage Land The Savage Land is a hidden prehistoric land appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is a tropical preserve hidden in Antarctica. It has appeared in many story arcs in ''Uncanny X-Men'' as well as other related books. ...

'' (one solo) * Killfloor Mechanic – ''Estimated Time of Death'' (one solo) *

Malevolent Creation Malevolent Creation is an American death metal band formed in Buffalo, New York in 1987 and later based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The band's original members were rhythm guitarist Phil Fasciana, vocalist Brett Hoffmann, lead guitarist Jim ...

– '' Retribution'' (one solo) * Malevolent Creation – ''

The Will to Kill ''The Will to Kill'' is the eighth studio album by Florida death metal band Malevolent Creation. The U.S. and UK album covers are alternate. Track listing Personnel ;Malevolent Creation * Kyle Symons - Vocals * Rob Barrett - Lead guitar * P ...

'' (two solos) * Martriden – ''The Unsettling Dark'' (one solo) * Memorain – '' White Line'' (five solos) * Only Human -''The Dismantling'' (one solo on the track 'Winter and the Dancing Leeches') * Outliar – ''Provoked To Anger'' (Solo performed on the track "Faceless Enemy") *

Steve Morse Steve J. Morse (born July 28, 1954) is an American guitarist, best known as the founder of the Dixie Dregs and as the lead guitarist of Deep Purple from 1994 to 2022. Morse has also enjoyed a successful solo career and was briefly a member of ...

– ''Prime Cuts'' (one solo) *

Nevermore Nevermore was an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1991. The band has been inactive since 2011, due to personal issues between the band members. In April 2015, lead singer Warrel Dane confirmed that Nevermore had n ...

– ''

This Godless Endeavor ''This Godless Endeavor'' is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Nevermore, released on July 26, 2005. The album was produced by Andy Sneap and is distributed by Century Media Records. Overview Guitarist Jeff Loomis revealed in ...

'' (Solo on the track "The Holocaust of Thought") * Rise – ''Pentagramnation'' (2009) * Rob Van Der Loo's Freak Neil inc. – ''Characters'' (3 solos) *

Single Bullet Theory (metal band) Single Bullet Theory (SBT) is an American heavy metal band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band was founded in 2000 by guitarist Matt DiFabio after the disbanding of Cipher (active again as of Dec. 2015 and renamed "Vedic" as of Aug. 2017). ...

– ''Behind Eyes of Hatred'' (solo on the track "Shades of Things to Come") * Single Bullet Theory – ''IV'' (one solo on the track "Auctioneer of Souls") *

Solstice A solstice is an event that occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21 and December 21. In many countr ...

– ''Solstice'' (four solos + backing vocals) * Summon – ''...And the Blood Runs Black'' (guest keyboard, acoustic guitar and lead guitar) * ''Various artists'' – ''

Roadrunner United ''Roadrunner United'' was a project organized by American heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It culminated in an album released worldwide on October 11, 2005, entitled ''The All-Star Sessions''. Four ...

'' – Annihilation by the Hands of God (solo), Constitution Down (intro solo) * ''Various artists'' – '' Working Man - A Tribute To Rush'' (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and/or keyboards on five songs) *

Vicious Rumors Vicious Rumors are an American power metal band, originally formed in 1979 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was conceived by founder and guitarist/vocalist Geoff Thorpe, and has been actively recording and touring worldwide since their ...

– ''

Sadistic Symphony ''Sadistic Symphony'' is the eighth album by American heavy metal band Vicious Rumors, released in 2001. Track listing #"Break" – 5:06 #"Sadistic Symphony" – 5:47 #"March of the Damned" – 5:17 #"Blacklight" – 8:06 #"Puritan Demons" – ...

'' (one solo) * John West – ''Mind Journey'' (one solo) * John West – ''Permanent Mark'' (one solo) *

Warrel Dane Warrel Dane (born Warrel George Baker; March 7, 1961 – December 13, 2017) was an American musician who was the lead singer for the heavy metal bands Sanctuary and Nevermore. He was a natural baritone; though he was known for his high-pitched ...

– ''

Praises to the War Machine ''Praises to the War Machine'' is the debut solo release/album by heavy metal vocalist Warrel Dane from Nevermore, released on April 25, 2008. The album was produced by Peter Wichers, who was tapped by Dane to work on the album while Wichers was ...

'' (Solo on the track "The Day the Rats Went to War") *

– Solo on the track "Under the Autumn Low" between Deron Miller's solos *

Various artists A compilation album comprises tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several performers. If by one artist, then generally the tracks were not originally intended for rel ...

– ''Guitars That Ate My Brain'' – "Maiden Voyage" (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and all lead & rhythm guitar solo's)

References

External links

James Murphy
on Facebook {{DEFAULTSORT:Murphy, James Death (metal band) members American heavy metal guitarists 1967 births Living people Guitarists from Virginia Lead guitarists Musicians from Portsmouth, Virginia American male guitarists 20th-century American guitarists Obituary (band) members Testament (band) members Explorers Club (band) members