Trap Them began in 2001 as a side-project for Ryan McKenney, who at the time was the vocalist of Backstabbers Incorporated and Brian Izzi, a brief second guitarist for Backstabbers Incorporated and consistent member of December Wolves. The pair first met as employees of Newbury Comics in Salem, New Hampshire.[1] They took the band's name from the 1977 film by Joe D'Amato called Trap Them And Kill Them, known also as Emanuelle E Gli Ultimi Cannibali and Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals.[2] In this early time they created a self released MCD under the moniker of Trap Them and Kill Them. Both departed from Backstabbers Incorporated in 2008 and soon became roommates, leading to Trap Them becoming their full-time project.[1][2]
In 2010 the band released the EP Filth Rations, initially only as a strictly limited cassette release restricted to just fifty copies available at their appearance at the Scion Rock Festival. The EP was later released on Southern Lord Records on 12" vinyl featuring an etching on the B-side by artist Justin Bartlett, who also drew the main cover.[6]
In late 2010, it was announced that in March 2011 the band would release their third full-length Darker Handcraft through Prosthetic Records - their first for the label since signing for them in mid-2009.[7]
In April 2011, the band embarked on a European tour to promote the album as main support for Rotten Sound.[3]
On April 7, 2014, the band announced that they had completed work on their following album, titled Blissfucker, which was released on June 10, 2014.[8] It was the first album to feature their new bassist, Galen Baudhuin (Infera Bruo), and drummer Brad Fickeisen (No Salvation, ex-The Red Chord).[9]
Crown Feral, the band's fifth and final studio album, was released on September 23, 2016, via Prosthetic Records. The album was again recorded with producer Kurt Ballou at the God City recording studio and featured artwork from artist Mattias Frisk.[10]