Release Date: February 24, 2022
FFO: Judas Preist, Iron Maiden, Helloween
Location: The Netherlands
WELCOME TO MARTYR - METAL TORTURE SINCE 1982!
Martyr
is a heavy / speed / power metal band from Utrecht / The Netherlands
that exists since 1982. During their career, a few demo cassettes were
released as well as a number of long players. The general public first
became acquainted with Martyr in 1984 when Roadrunner Records released
the ' Dutch Steel ' compilation album.
Martyr's
contribution to this release entitled ' Snow And Fire ' is still a
highlight on the band's setlist today. In 1985 their song ' En Masse
(Stand Or Die) ' appeared on the notorious ' Metal Massacre VI ' album
from the legendary U.S.A. based ' Metal Blade ' record label. Both
releases gained interest from metalheads from all over the world.
The
debut mini album ' For The Universe ', which was released the same
year, nowadays is considered a genuine heavy metal classic. The
well-known website ' Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives '
states: "Martyr's songwriting is vastly superior to most of its
competitors".
Its
successor ' Darkness At Time's Edge ' (1986) made Martyr's fanbase grow
larger and larger and the band gigged and performed all over Europe.
Martyr even was aired on MTV's 'Headbangers Ball' show.
After
a few years however the band members decided to go separate ways and
explore other musical directions in acts such as Medallion, Mindscape,
Syrenade, Vangouw, Hot Legs and Wild Ride .
Needless
to say, Martyr went on hiatus for a while... The flame however never
flickered out and reignited around 2005 when they were asked to reunite
to play old school metal festivals such as Heavy Maniacs Fest , Keep It
True and Headbangers Open Air .
After
the very successful reunion shows Martyr was back on track which
resulted in the ' Fear The Universe ' compilation (2009, Rusty Cage
Records ) and their highly anticipated comeback album ' Circle Of 8 ' on
Metal Blade Records in 2011.
In
2014, Martyr was featured on the ' Dutch Steel (80's Metal From The
Netherlands) ' compilation and their sophomore " after reunion " studio
album ' You Are Next ' was released in 2016 by Into The Limelight
Records .
The
group frequently performs home and abroad, as a headliner or as a
support act such as Manilla Road , Lizzy Borden, Saxon, Iced Earth and
Trivium . The absolute highlights in Martyr's career so far have been
three tours in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Their
performance at the sold out 2019 edition of the legendary True Thrash
Fest in Osaka was recorded and released on their most recent output '
Live In Japan ' which was released worldwide through Pt78 Records (The
Netherlands) in co-operation with Rock Stakk Records (Japan). The album
contains songs from their career-spanning back catalogue.
Martyr
is releasing their new full-length on 24 February 2022. The 3
previously released songs ' No Time For Goodbyes', 'Fire Of Rebellions'
and ' Raise Your Horns, Unite !' already showed an excellent performance
beforehand. With 2 online listening sessions in December 2021 the band
got confirmation that this material was the best thing Martyr has ever
produced and it will be the next step forward. All songs are written by
MARTYR, produced, mixed and mastered by drummer Rick Valcon at RA
Recordings and are of excellent production quality. The new artwork is
created by Wasi Kendedes .
"Planet Metalhead" will prove Martyr is still a force to be reckoned with.
