In June 2014, Southeast Missouri State University student and vocalist Josh Cooley posted a Facebook status in hopes of creating a band.

Cooley asked about starting a cover band based on the well-known rock band System of a Down, and J.R. Davis, a Southeast student who had never met Cooley face-to-face, responded to the invitation.

As musical roles and preferences were recognized by the band members, the death metal band Eurydice, named after the wife of mythological Greek musician Orpheus, was formed.

"When I saw the status, I was like, 'Yes, I like that!'" Davis said. "So now we play death metal partly because it incorporates a lot of interesting music theory, and partly because Josh likes to yell at things."

Since the band's transition to death metal, Eurydice has opened for bands such as Saving Abel and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in their first five performances. Having also played in The Battle for Pointfest, a concert series for local bands in Sauget, Illinois, Davis said he is pleasantly surprised with the band's position.

"After eight months of being a band, we've opened for two acts that have songs on the radio," Davis said. "We've been opening for good acts having only played five shows. It's ridiculous."

The band has been able to hold performances in the midst of original members leaving since its formation.

One of the lead guitarists left because of on-stage issues in October 2014, causing the band to have to find a replacement before a Halloween performance.

A member of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity, Davis proceeded to ask fraternity brother and guitarist Chris Boyd to join.

Davis and Cooley said that they knew Boyd was a suitable replacement after playing with him for a short time.

"The moment I knew that it was a good decision to get Chris was during Battle for Pointfest," Davis said. "On stage neither of us were trying to look hard-core, but for some reason there was a moment where we were both giggling like schoolgirls. It was that moment where we both thought what we were doing was so cool."

Initially, Boyd said he was unprepared in regards to equipment and the band's set list, but he has been able to make adjustments and enjoy his time with the band.

"I didn't have a good amplifier, and I was running my guitar through an app on my iPad," Boyd said. "I never would've expected to be in a band, let alone a relatively successful band, for the amount of time we've been together."

After joining, Boyd drew mixed reactions from his parents, which he said is to be expected from most parents. Regardless of their views, Boyd said that his parents support his efforts and the band.

"My mom brags about me all the time because I'm always buying guitars," Boyd said. "She'll talk on the phone and say things like, 'Girl, he's in a "metal" band.' My dad is like an old-school dad that always asks me, 'Why don't you play something good?'"

Since Boyd's arrival, the band has released a free demo album featuring original songs, with a full-length album expected at the end of the year, according to Boyd.

Outside of original material, Boyd said the band performs remakes of popular songs like Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" and Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball."

Boyd said the band enjoys creating and playing music at the moment, but he hopes to see the band go beyond the confines of Cape Girardeau.

"As of right now, we all just enjoy making music just for people to hear us," Boyd said. "It's a shot in the dark, but hopefully this could be something that we could tour with across the Midwest or at least throughout the state."