Otep was an American nu metal band formed in 2000 in Los Angeles by frontwoman Otep Shamaya. The band is noted for their "art-house nu metal"[1] and their strong political stances.[2] Throughout the course of several lineup changes over the years, Shamaya was the only constant member in the band.[3]
After being selected by Sharon Osbourne to appear at Ozzfest 2001, Otep was signed to a record deal with Capitol Records without a demo in March 2001.[4][5] Otep released two albums through Capitol, Sevas Tra (2002) and House of Secrets (2004). Both albums were moderate successes, and sold a combined total of 400,000 copies worldwide by 2006.[6] Otep's third album, The Ascension, was due to be released through Capitol in March 2007, but was delayed indefinitely following the label's consolidation into Capitol Music Group two months prior to its planned release date. The band parted ways with the label, and the album was issued through Koch Records in October of that year.
In February 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records.[7] The band released three albums through the label; Smash the Control Machine (2009), which saw a reunion of the Sevas Tra lineup, Atavist (2011), and Hydra (2013), a concept album. Hydra was intended to be the band's final album,[8] but Otep Shamaya opted to continue the band, and they released two more albums through Napalm Records,[9]Generation Doom (2016) and Kult 45 (2018). Otep's ninth and final album, The God Slayer, was released through Cleopatra Records on September 15, 2023. Shamaya announced her retirement from music in November 2024, effectively ending the band.
History
Early years, Jihad and Sevas Tra (2000–2003)
Otep began in Los Angeles in November 2000.[10][11] They were invited to play Ozzfest after Sharon Osbourne saw them live.[12] Similarly, Otep signed with Capitol Records after four shows and without a demo on the strength of their live performances.[13] Their first time at Ozzfest was in 2001 in their eighth performance.[10] After that, guitarists Tarver Marsh and Dave Aguilera were fired and replaced by Rob Patterson for the rest of the tours that year.[14] They played Ozzfest several more times and were considered one of the prime bands at the 2002 edition.[10]
After three years of touring, the band was set to release their third album, The Ascension, on March 20, 2007. Meanwhile, they toured with Static-X in the spring of 2007.[10]
However, the album was delayed indefinitely due to the Capitol Music Group merger in January 2007.[20][21] The merger led to the firing of the label's president and the band's A&R representative, and Otep was left in limbo whether to stay at the label or find a new one.[22] They were dropped from Capitol in May 2007.[23]
In September 2007, the band inked a deal with Koch Records,[24] who released The Ascension in October. It peaked at 81 on the Billboard 200[17][25][26] and 6 on the US Independent Charts.[26][27] The album sold about 10,200 album copies in its first week of release.[25]
In an interview, Otep Shamaya said that Hydra would be her band's final album.[36] The album was released on January 22, 2013[37] and peaked at 133 on the Billboard 200.[38]
The band toured the U.S. East Coast and Australia for their Sounds of Armageddon tour.[39][40] In early 2014, Otep confirmed on her personal Facebook account and the band account that another album would be made.
In April 2014, Otep signed a new management deal with Kam 9.8 Machlation Group, a company founded by Slipknot's DJ Sid Wilson and his business partner Synonym Mead.[41] The contract was not renewed. In September 2015, Otep announced on her Facebook page that the band had signed a new management deal with Napalm Records, and that a new album would be released in the spring of 2016.
Generation Doom (2015–2017)
According to Shamaya, "Signing with Napalm Records is one of the most exciting alliances I've ever made ... To be able to forge this sacred alchemy with the dark brilliance of producer Howard Benson is a dream come true."[42]
On February 4, 2016, Otep announced that the album would be titled Generation Doom and would be released on April 15. They also released the album art on their Facebook page.[43] On April 11, 2016, Billboard was to stream Generation Doom in its entirety for 24 hours, but due to its success the streaming time was extended to several days.[2]
The music video for the song "In Cold Blood" premiered on April 15, 2016, on Music Choice. On Record Store Day, record stores released a picture vinyl disc of Generation Doom. On April 20, Napalm Records released the video for "In Cold Blood" on their YouTube page.[44]
Generation Doom sold 5,825 copies in its first week in the United States.[45] It was number 3 of the top 8 Napalm Record sellers in the week of April 23. On April 26, the album reached #7 on the Billboard Rock Chart, #10 on the Independent Chart and #109 on the Top 200 Albums Chart. On May 7, the album reached #4 on the Billboard Hard Rock Chart [46]
Kult 45,The God Slayer and Shamaya's retirement (2018–2024)
On May 2, 2018, Otep disclosed the album title and artwork for their eighth album, Kult 45. Shamaya described it as "a complete and total mutiny of the senses ... a rallying cry for people with common sense and good-natured patriots to rise up and know that we own this nation."[47]
Kult 45 was recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles with the same equipment used for Otep's first album, in order to create a sound reminiscent of their roots. Kult 45 was self-produced by the band, with assistant engineering from Larry Goetz, Nicolas Schilke, and Lizzy Ostro.[48]
The first single of the album, "To the Gallows", was released on May 25, 2018, along with a lyric video. The album sold 1,850 copies in its first week, and became Otep's first studio album not to chart on the Billboard 200.[45]
Otep's ninth album, The God Slayer, was released through Cleopatra Records on September 15, 2023.[49] The album features original material alongside covers of songs by artists including Lil Peep, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and Eminem.[49] After its release, Shamaya said the album would be Otep's last, "In symbolic terms, nine is the last single digit. So [The God Slayer] is the last; it represents the last. I don't know if I'll make another record".[50] From April to May 2024, Otep toured with Doyle.[51] In November 2024, she announced her retirement from music and began "liquidating" her collection of musical equipment.[52]
Beginning with The Ascension and continuing through to Generation Doom, Otep has consistently charted high, most often in the top five on the Billboard Hard Rock Chart.[66]
Band members
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(April 2020)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
