Blood of the Martyrs

Blood of the Martyrs is an American Christian metal band from Farmville, Virginia, formed in 2007, and currently has two official studio albums.

Blood of the Martyrs
Also known as	BOTM
Origin	Farmville, Virginia, U.S.
Genres	Deathcore metalcore symphonic metal Christian metal
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Dark Slate
Associated acts	Oh, Sleeper, Misery Signals
Website	Facebook Page
Members	Jason Wilkins Bobby Huatori David Sanders Michael "Pak Man" Pak
Past members	Lee Zook Jay Hathaway Nathan Stables Hayden Caldwell Brian Paulette Chris Oberholtzer Tyler Ferrell Travis Lilley

History

Formation and Once More, with Feeling

The band formed in late-2007 by bassist Bobby Huotari (original drummer)[1] in the small town of Farmville, Virginia.[2] Since its formation Blood of the Martyrs has undergone numerous line-up changes making Huotari the only original member of the band.[3] 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.[3]

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.[4] 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".[5][6] 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.[7] 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.[8] 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 and Endgame

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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] On February 14 the band released the second single from Endgame, titled "Dr. Killinger".[12]

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.[13] They are well known for their high live energy and performance.

Members

Current

• Bobby Huaroti – bass, backing vocals (2011–present); drums (2007–2011)
• David Sanders – guitars (2012–present)
• Michael "Pak Man" Pak – drums (2012–present)
• Jason Wilkins – lead vocals (2015–present)

Former

• Lee Zook – lead vocals, keyboards (2008–2014)
• Nathan Stables – bass (2007–2009)
• Hayden Caldwell – guitars (2010–2011)
• Brian Paulette – guitars (2009–2012)
• Chris Oberholtzer – guitars (2011–2012)
• Tyler Ferrell – drums (2011–2012)

Touring musicians

• Travis Lilley – bass (2010–2011)
• Eric Hendricks – lead vocals (2014)
• Jay Hathaway – guitars (2012–2013)

Timeline

Discography

Blood of the Martyrs discography
Studio albums	2
Music videos	4
EPs	2
Singles	9

Studio albums

• Once More, with Feeling (2011)
• Completionist (2013)

Music videos

Year	Song	Director
2012	"Colonel Gentleman"	Blood of the Martyrs
2013	"Swifty"	Elifant Productions
	"H.E.L.P.eR.
2016	"The Devil's Grip"	David Borges[14]

Singles

Song	Released	Album
"The Kill" (Thirty Seconds to Mars cover)[15]	November 23, 2011	Non-album single
"Colonel Gentleman"[16]	August 17, 2012	Completionist
"The Action Man" (feat. Karl Schubach)[17]	June 14, 2013
"Gone Away" (The Offspring cover)[18]	August 9, 2013	Non-album single
"Swifty"	October 4, 2013	Completionist
"H.E.L.P.eR."	October 30, 2013
"Lady Nightshade" (reissue)[9]	August 15, 2014	Non-album single
"The Devil's Grip"[11]	January 22, 2016	Endgame
"Dr. Killinger"[12]	February 14, 2016

Extended plays

• Pendlewood Studios (2010)
• Endgame (2016)

References

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

External links

• Blood of the Martyrs on Last.fm