Chicago's HURTLOCKER was forged during 1998 by guitarist Tim Moe and singer Grant Belcher ("two bored fucks"). Formative line-ups proved fluid but by 2002 Brazilian Murillo Nobrega had enrolled on drums. Notable live work included supports to ANTHRAX, KING DIAMOND and LAMB OF GOD and studio time garnered a trio of demo recordings. Subsequently, Tomas Cezar was adopted as bassist. 2004 demos, dubbed 'Begging For Hatred' and recorded at Studio One in Racine, Wisconsin, saw the guest participation of JUNGLE ROT Chris Djuricic handling bass duties. Visa issues forced the departure of Nobrega and Dan Ditella duly assumed the drum position.

Mid 2005 would see Chris Olsen handling bass but a further shift in personnel witnessed the induction of Dan Manzella. The band signed to Austrian label Napalm Records, more commonly known for their Gothic inspired catalogue, for release of the November 2005 album 'Fear In A Handful Of Dust'.

The band announced European tour dates for January 2006, traversing Poland, Germany, Holland, France, Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and the UK, alongside a heavyweight cast of GRAVE, ABORTED, DEW-SCENTED, VESANIA and CRYPTOPSY. The band partnered with JUNGLE ROT, DESOLATION and DEICIDE for US touring throughout September and October.

Former HURTLOCKER drummer Dan Ditella passed away on October 18th due to "complications while in rehabiliation" in Elgin, Illinois.

In August 2008 HURTLOCKER was rejoined by vocalist Grant Belcher. At the same juncture the band recruited a new bassist in the shape of Pat Neary, formerly of THE WAKING.The band entered the studio on 17th January 2009 to begin demoing some of its new material for Napalm Records.

HURTLOCKER parted ways with Napalm Records in July 2009, recording new demo tracks that same month.