Hemoptysis is an American extreme metal band, named after the medical term for the coughing up of blood. Founded in 2007, the band's music is built around a solid core of old-school thrash/death metal. However, they incorporate strong European elements of black metal and melodic death metal, as well as traditional metal. 2011 has proven a productive year for the Hemoptysis, as they have released their full length, debut album, Misanthropic Slaughter, signed a European distribution deal with Rock It Up Records, and appear on Heavy Metal Magazine's Gates Volume 1 – Ascension soundtrack. History Formation and Who Needs a Shepherd? (2007–2009) Masaki Murashita (guitar/vocals) and Travis Thune (drums) were introduced by way of a mutual friend in February 2007. Bass player Sunao Arai, who had practiced with the band for several months, became an official member in February 2008. Brian Bieganski joined the band as lead guitarist, later that year. While they originally practiced with a singer, Masaki eventually stepped up as the band's front man. In naming the band, Travis' wife, a pharmacist specializing in infectious diseases, suggested Hemoptysis, a medical term meaning the coughing up of blood. Hemoptysis entered a recording studio in June 2008 to record "Who Needs A Shepherd?" The 5 song EP was recorded by Steve Conley (F5), mastered by Maor Appelbaum. Guitarist Jack Fliegler replaced Brian Bieganski shortly after the EP release on September 22, 2008. "Who Needs A Shepherd?," along with strong live performances led to the band being named "Metal Artist of The Year" by the 2009 Phoenix Music Awards. Shadow of Death (2009–2010) In the Summer of 2009 Hemoptysis hired award-winning producer, Ryan Greene (Megadeth, Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick), to produce, engineer, and mix a newly remastered version of the song, "Shadow of Death". While specifically recorded for the band's first full production music video, the song was released as a digital promo. The video was filmed and produced by Big Shot Studios, and took place in an abandoned school on the Gila River Indian Community, Southeast of Phoenix, Arizona. "Shadow of Death" premiered on March 9, 2010, with guitarist, Chris Cannella from the band Autumn’s End, serving as a temporary replacement for the departed Fliegler. The video also received featured airplay on FuseTV. Shortly thereafter, the band headed to Austin, Texas to perform at the SXSW Music Festival Showcase. Hemoptysis was also a finalist in Scion's No Label Needed