Formation and The Somatic Defilement (2006–2007)

Whitechapel was founded in February 2006 by Knoxville residents Phil Bozeman, Brandon Cagle, and Ben Savage. They were soon joined by Alex Wade (formerly of Redwinterdying) as a guitarist, along with bassist, Gabe Crisp, and drummer, Derek Martin. The group recorded their first demos in March of that year. They named themselves after the Whitechapel district of London, where Jack the Ripper committed his murders. In 2007, the band signed to Siege of Amida Records in the United Kingdom, and Candlelight Records in North America. They were joined by new drummer Kevin Lane and released their debut full-length album The Somatic Defilement in June of the same year. Cagle had to leave the band after an unfortunate motorcycle accident left him unable to play guitar; Zach Householder was then brought in as replacement.