MARTYR

During the five years that Martyr was alive and kicking (1982‐1987) the band released two albums that are considered cult in the metal scene today. ‘For The Universe’ (1985) and ‘Darkness At Time’s Edge’ (1986) are classic metal, a delight for those who love strong mel-odies, speedy riffs and a high level of technicality.
In those years Martyr appeared on compilation albums from Roadrunner and Metal Blade, was voted Holland’s best new metal band in Aardschok magazine, has toured with several international acts and appeared on Sky Channel’s Monsters Of Rock.
Martyr disbanded in 1987 but reunited in 2001 to play the Heavy Metal Maniacs festival. Four years later the band revived almost the complete 1982 line up to play the Headbangers Open Air and Keep It True festivals. The flame started burning again and the band have con-tinued to play live ever since. December 2008 MARTYR supported US Shock Rockers Lizzy Borden on their European tour. In 2009 and 2010 MARTYR hit the European stages sup-porting great acts like Flotsam & Jetsam , Vicious Rumors, Jaguar, Evergrey.

In 2009 the first new Martyr record in almost 25 years was released. That’s when the new EP ‘Fear’ was coupled with a re‐release of the classic ‘For The Universe’ album as a double digipack entitled ‘Fear The Universe’ on Rusty Cage Records (RCR0017).
In 2010 and 2011 Martyr re‐entered the studio between the live shows, working on the successor for ‘Fear’.
A complete new album entitled “Circle Of 8” was released by Metal Blade Records in November 2011 world‐ wide and has proven to be a significant impulse in Martyr’s revival after it’s release. With 30 years of MARTYR (with a big celebration in their home town Utrecht – Tivoli) and 30 years of Dutch Steel signed with Metal Blade again : “The Clan Is Back Home and stronger than ever…..”

And the band proves it again in 2015 and 2016 with new national and international tours and with the new and heavy album ‘You Are Next” released by Into The Limelight Records in cooperation with Pure Steel Promotions and Soulfood distribution to be unstoppable.

More headline shows , festivals and support tours followed where the always hard working band coquered a bigger audience. Especially noticed also in Japan, where MARTYR toured Sept - Oct 2017. This resulted in a special release on Edge Trax Records and a tour in the land of the Rising Sun. In 2017 MARTYR continues promoting "You Are Next" , celebrating it's 35 years anniversary and participated also in special projects like the ANA - Metal for Charity project and Breaking The Chains.

In 2018 the band shows to be unstoppable. With a new line-up and a tour through Netherlands, Belgium and Germany at hand the band started writing new material for a new and heavy album as well as heading to Japan in 2019.

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 multiple CD versions and a 2LP vinyl '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.

After writing and recordig 10 brand new somgs during the pandemic Martyr released their new full-length "Planet Metalhead" 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. With a release in 5 different continents / countries on multiple labels on CD and 2 versions on vinyl (black and exclusive splatter) the album is more than succesfull.

Planet Metalhead is chosen in many yearlists 2022 and chosen by readers of Metalfan.nl as best BeNeLux Metal album of 2022.

And because of its succes the band signed a new record deal with pure metal label ROAR (Rock Of Angels Records) in November 2022 for new albums and rereleases of the complete back catalogue.

MARTYR is still a force to be reckoned with and will again be touring in 2023 in different countries over Europe.



MARTYR is:

Rick Bouwman - Guitars
Elwin Molenaar - Drums
Rop van Haren - Vocals
Justin Schut - Guitars
Vinnie Wassink - Bass

For bookings contact MARTYR at:
info@martyronline.nl

Official websites:
www.martyronline.nl
https://www.facebook.com/MARTYRONLINE