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Blood of the Martyrs

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Blood of the Martyrs
Also known asBOTM
OriginFarmville, 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
WebsiteFacebook 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.

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

History

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Formation and Once More, with Feeling

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Main article: Once More, with Feeling (Blood of the Martyrs album)

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

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Main article: 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

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Main article: Endgame (Blood of the Martyrs EP)

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

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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

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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

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Final line-up

  • Lee Zook – lead vocals, keyboards (2008–2014; 2023–2024)
  • Bobby Huotari – bass, backing vocals (2011–2017; 2023–2024); drums (2007–2011; 2023–2024)
  • Wesley Hackelton – guitars (2012–2013 (touring); 2023–2024)

Former

  • Nathan Stables – bass (2007–2009)
  • Brian Paulette – guitars (2009–2012)
  • Travis Lilley – bass (2009–2011)
  • Hayden Caldwell – guitars (2010–2011)
  • Chris Oberholtzer – guitars, backing vocals (2011–2012)
  • Tyler Ferrell – drums (2011–2012)
  • Jay Hathaway – guitars, backing vocals (2012–2013)
  • Michael "Pak Man" Pak – drums (2012–2017)
  • David Sanders – guitars (2012–2017)
  • Jason Wilkins – lead vocals (2015–2017)

Touring musicians

  • Eric Hendricks – lead vocals (2014)

Timeline

Discography

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Blood of the Martyrs discography
Studio albums2
EPs2
Singles9
Music videos4

Studio albums

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Extended plays

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  • Endgame (2016)
  • Here at the End of All Things (2024)

Demos

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  • Pendlewood Studios (2010)

Singles

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

Music videos

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

References

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  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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Blood of the Martyrs Premiere New Song and Music Video, "The Devil's Grip"". Revolver. January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  13. ^ a b 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.
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