Blood of the Martyrs

Last updated
Blood of the Martyrs
Also known asBOTM
Origin Farmville, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 2007–2017
  • 2023–2024
LabelsDark Slate
Past membersLee Zook
Bobby Huatori
David Sanders
Wesley Hackelton
Nathan Stables
Brian Paulette
Travis Lilley
Hayden Caldwell
Chris Oberholtzer
Tyler Ferrell
Jay Hathaway
Michael "Pak Man" Pak
Jason Wilkins
Website Facebook Page

Blood of the Martyrs was an American Christian metal band from Farmville, Virginia, formed in 2007. The band released two studio albums and an EP before going on an extended hiatus in 2017. The band returned from hiatus in 2023, reuniting with original vocalist Lee Zook, and announced they were working on a new EP and would be officially breaking up once the EP was released.

Contents

The band has gone through several lineup changes, leaving Bobby Huatori as the band's only original member. [1]

History

Formation and Once More, with Feeling

The band formed in late-2007 by bassist Bobby Huotari (original drummer) [2] in the small town of Farmville, Virginia. [3] Since its formation Blood of the Martyrs has undergone numerous line-up changes making Huotari the only original member of the band. [4] Blood of the Martyrs has gained a reputation as a hard-working DIY act, who, has completed numerous self booked and managed tours since the release of their debut album, Once More, with Feeling , which was recorded at Pendlewood Studios in Columbus, Ohio, and was released April 2011. [4]

Line-up changes and Completionist

After various tours spanning across 30+ states of the U.S and a cover of the Thirty Seconds to Mars song "The Kill" was released on November 23, 2011. [5] The band announced on August 17, 2012, that they were working on a new album and released the single and video for the song "Colonel Gentleman". [6] [7] Much wasn't heard about the album, until the song "The Action Man" (featuring Karl Schubach of Misery Signals) was released on June 14, 2013. [8] The band's second album, Completionist , was released independently on October 4, 2013, and was produced by Jamie King, who has worked with musical giants including Between the Buried and Me and For Today. [9] The album featured a re-recorded version of "Colonel Gentleman" with Micah Kinard of Oh, Sleeper on guest vocals and also had an updated version of the demo "Semper Fidelis Tyrannosauruses".

Blood of the Martyrs has garnered an extensive touring history despite being a largely independent band, touring with numerous artist off of Facedown Records, Solid State Records, Rise Records, InVogue Records, Victory Records, Tribunal Records, as well as other unsigned acts.

New vocalist, Endgame and hiatus

In early 2014 the band announced that they had started to write new music. The band announced that they would be releasing an updated version of "Lady Nightshade" from their debut album as a single for free download. [10] The single was released on August 15 and featured touring vocalist Eric Hendricks. The band began releasing song teasers from their upcoming album, though a permanent vocalist had not been announced at the time; Jason Wilkins, former vocalist for Gethsemane, was later announced as the band's new vocalist in 2015. [11] On January 22, 2016, Blood of the Martyrs premiered a video for their new song "The Devil's Grip", the lead single from their upcoming EP Endgame. [12] On February 14 the band released the second single from Endgame, titled "Dr. Killinger". [13]

Over a year after the release of Endgame, the band went into an indefinite hiatus. The members focused on other projects with Huatori focusing on his film-making career.

Return of Zook, Here at the End of All Things, and breakup

One June 23, 2023, six years after the band's hiatus started, vocalist/keyboardist Lee Zook announced he was back in the band. He also announced that the band's final release, the EP Here at the End of All Things, would be released later that year. [14] On October 2, 2024, the band announced that the EP would be released on October 31. Here at the End of All Things was released for streaming via YouTube on October 31, while its release was delayed on other platforms due to the band tagging the songs as explicit due to the lyrics covering sensitive topics such as self-harm and self-medication. The EP was produced by Andrew "Drewsif" Reynolds at Baja Blue Studio in Austin, Texas.

Style

Blood of the Martyrs is a heavy based band and is heavily influenced by the metalcore and deathcore subgenres while incorporating elements of electronic music and symphonic metal into their songs. [15] They are well known for their high live energy and performance.

Members

Final line-up

Former

Touring musicians

Timeline

Blood of the Martyrs

Discography

Blood of the Martyrs discography
Studio albums2
EPs2
Singles9
Music videos4

Studio albums

Extended plays

Demos

Singles

SongReleasedAlbum
"The Kill" (Thirty Seconds to Mars cover) [16] November 23, 2011Non-album single
"Colonel Gentleman" [17] August 17, 2012Completionist
"The Action Man" (feat. Karl Schubach) [18] June 14, 2013
"Gone Away" (The Offspring cover) [19] August 9, 2013Non-album single
"Swifty"October 4, 2013Completionist
"H.E.L.P.eR."October 30, 2013
"Lady Nightshade" (reissue) [10] August 15, 2014Non-album single
"The Devil's Grip" [12] January 22, 2016Endgame
"Dr. Killinger" [13] February 14, 2016

Music videos

YearSongDirector
2012"Colonel Gentleman"Bobby Huotari
2013"Swifty"Elifant Productions
"H.E.L.P.eR.
2016"The Devil's Grip"David Borges [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motograter</span> American nu metal band

Motograter is an American nu metal band formed in Santa Barbara, California in 1995. They are best known for their homemade, namesake instrument, designed with industrial cable and guitar pieces that creates a unique bass sound, and painting themselves in tribal-style body paint for live concerts.

STEMM is an American heavy metal band from Niagara Falls, New York. STEMM was formed in 1998 by Joe Cafarella and Jimi Penque, along with Louis Penque, Russ Martin and Alex Scouten made up the original lineup of the band. Alex left the band in 1999, and was briefly replaced by guitarist Fred Blackwell. Rich Spalla replaced Fred shortly after. This lineup remained intact until 2003. Joe and Rich merged with drummer Danny Nelligan, bassist Stephen Crowl, and vocalist TJ Frost of Buffalo band 5 Years Gone, to create a new incarnation of the band. This lineup also saw a change in the musical direction of the band from Rapcore to more of a metal act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misery Signals</span> American-Canadian metalcore band

Misery Signals was an American-Canadian metalcore band formed in Wisconsin in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bleed the Sky (band)</span> American metalcore band

Bleed the Sky is an American heavy metal band formed in Orange County, California, in 2002.

Anthem is a Japanese heavy metal band that was formed during the early 1980s in Tokyo. They are among the many heavy metal bands founded in Japan during that time and are considered to be one of the most successful and influential, alongside Loudness and Earthshaker.

Deathgaze is a Japanese visual kei metal band formed in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnifex (band)</span> American deathcore band

Carnifex is an American deathcore band from San Diego County, California. Formed in 2005, they are currently signed to Nuclear Blast after having been signed to Victory Records. They have released nine studio albums and three EPs. Since 2022, the band has consisted of founding members, lead vocalist Scott Ian Lewis and drummer Shawn Cameron, along with rhythm guitarist Cory Arford, bassist Fred Calderon and lead guitarist Neal Tiemann.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chelsea Grin</span> American deathcore band

Chelsea Grin is an American deathcore band from Salt Lake City, Utah. Formed in 2007, the group have released two EPs and seven full-length albums. Since 2018, no founding members remain in the band. Despite not being in the original line-up, bassist David Flinn has been the only constant member on all the group's studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Periphery (band)</span> American progressive metal band

Periphery is an American progressive metal band that was formed in Washington, D.C., in 2005. Their musical style has been described as progressive metal, djent, and progressive metalcore. They are considered one of the pioneers of the djent movement within progressive metal. They have also received a Grammy nomination. The band consists of vocalist Spencer Sotelo, guitarists Misha Mansoor, Mark Holcomb, Jake Bowen, and drummer Matt Halpern.

Oracles is a Belgian melodic death metal band formed by the couple Sven de Caluwé and Miri Milman and featuring members from Israel, Netherlands, Greece and the US. On 13 March 2014, the band had announced an indefinite hiatus and disbanded after a messy divorce between Sven and Miri, but reformed in December 2014 as Oracles, with Sanna Salou, from Dimlight, on vocals. In 2020, Miri Milman reformed System Divide, and released a new single.

It Prevails is an American metalcore band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 2004. The band is influenced by melodic metalcore and classic rock, including Shai Hulud, Twelve Tribes, Strongarm, Lifetime and Hot Water Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twelve Foot Ninja</span> Australian metal band

Twelve Foot Ninja were an Australian heavy metal band from Melbourne, Victoria. They released their debut album Silent Machine in 2012. The band consists of Kin (vocals), Russ (drums), Stevic, and Rohan. They won Best New Talent at the 2014 Revolver Golden Gods Awards as well as two listener-voted awards from SiriusXM's Liquid Metal the year before. The band broke a world record for the most amount crowdfunded for a music video. Their first headline tour of Europe in April 2017 sold out five of the seven UK shows. In mid 2022, the band announced an "indefinite hiatus". Although, they are working on an acoustic album of Twelve Foot Ninja material. The album was released on 11 July 2024 titled Mutant Dreams and Face Transplants: An Acoustic Experience. On the same day as the album's release, the band announced they had broken up.

<i>Absent Light</i> 2013 studio album by Misery Signals

Absent Light is the fourth studio album by American-Canadian metalcore band Misery Signals and was released on July 23, 2013. The album was produced by guitarists Greg Thomas and Ryan Morgan, a first for the band. The album cover was illustrated by Adam Rosenlund. This is the band's last album with vocalist Karl Schubach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reflections (Minnesota band)</span> American metalcore band

Reflections is an American progressive metalcore band formed in the Twin Cities, Minnesota in 2010. Their logo is the Japanese Kanji , meaning king.

<i>Completionist</i> 2013 studio album by Blood of the Martyrs

Completionist is the second studio album by American Christian metal band Blood of the Martyrs. This is the first album to feature David Sanders on guitar and Michael Pak on drums and Bobby Huotari on Bass and the last to feature vocalist/keyboardist Lee Zook until 2024's Here at the End of All Things.

<i>Once More, with Feeling</i> (Blood of the Martyrs album) 2011 studio album by Blood of the Martyrs

Once More, with Feeling is the debut album by American Christian metal band Blood of the Martyrs. The album was released on March 22, 2011 through Dark Slate Records and was self-produced.

<i>Endgame</i> (Blood of the Martyrs EP) 2016 EP by Blood of the Martyrs

Endgame is the first commercially released EP by American Christian metal band Blood of the Martyrs and is the group's only release with lead vocalist Jason Wilkins. The EP was produced by Andreas Magnusson, who has worked with bands such as Haste the Day, Oh, Sleeper, and Impending Doom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blood Youth</span> English hardcore punk band

Blood Youth was an English hardcore punk band formed in Harrogate in 2014. They released three studio albums, two EPs and a short-form documentary produced by Kerrang!.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Derek Elis</span> American singer

Henry Derek Elis is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist for the extreme metal band Act of Defiance from Los Angeles and is also active as a solo country music artist.

Structures is a Canadian metalcore band from Toronto, formed in 2009. Their current line-up consists of guitarists Spyros Georgiou and Brendon Padjasek, who also performs vocals, and drummer Andrew McEnaney. They have released two studio albums: Divided By (2011) and Life Through a Window (2014).

References

  1. Trapp, Philip (November 22, 2022). "10 Bands Whose Bassist Is the Only Original Member Left". Loudwire . Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  2. "Blood Of The Martyrs-discography, line-up, biography, interviews, photos". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  3. "Blood Of The Martyrs Info". Facebook . Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "October '11 BOTM: Blood Of The Martyrs". Skye. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  5. "Blood of the Martyrs- "The Kill" (30 Seconds to Mars cover)". YouTube . Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  6. "Blood of the Martyrs". Band Camp. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  7. "Blood of the Martyrs- "Colonel Gentleman"". YouTube . Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  8. "Blood of the Martyrs- "The Action Man" (FEATURING KARL SCHUBACH OF MISERY SIGNALS)". YouTube. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  9. "Blood Of The Martyrs Completionist (CD Album)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  10. 1 2 "Lady Nightshade Reissue". Facebook. August 6, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  11. Wilkins, Jason; Gethsemane (August 10, 2015). "Gethsemane - Hey friends, this is Jason W. Go check out my..." Facebook . Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Blood of the Martyrs Premiere New Song and Music Video, "The Devil's Grip"". Revolver . January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  13. 1 2 Stagg, David (February 15, 2016). "Blood of the Martyrs releases new single, 'Dr. Killinger'". HM Magazine . Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  14. Sullivan, Chris (November 4, 2023). "Blood Of The Martyrs: New Music Is Coming After Lengthy Hiatus". The Metal Onslaught. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  15. "Blood of the Martyrs-Free listening, concerts, stats, & pictures". Last.fm. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  16. ""The Kill" 30 Seconds To Mars Cover|Blood of the Martyrs". Bandcamp . Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  17. "iTunes - Music - Colonel Gentleman - Single by Blood of the Martyrs". iTunes . Apple Inc. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  18. J., Brandon (June 15, 2013). "Blood of the Martyrs - The Action Man|Lyric Video|Indie Vision Music". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  19. ""Gone Away" The Offspring Cover|Blood of the Martyrs". Bandcamp . Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  20. "Blood of the Martyrs Premieres "The Devil's Grip"". Metal Underground. January 23, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2016.