Otep
Otep is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2000. They have released two EPs, eight studio albums, and one live album. They are currently signed with Napalm Records.[1] The band has sold over 500,000 albums worldwide.[2]
Otep | |
|---|---|
Otep's lead vocalist Otep Shamaya on the streets of Los Angeles, California | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | |
| Members | |
| Past members |
|
| Website | otepsaves |
History
Early years, Jihad and Sevas Tra (2000–2003)
Otep began as a band in Los Angeles, California, in late 2000.[3] They were invited to play Ozzfest before they had signed to a label after Sharon Osbourne witnessed their live performance. They have since played Ozzfest several times.[3] Otep signed with Capitol Records after four shows and without a demo, purely on the power of their live performance.[4] They started gigging around Los Angeles a lot and released the Jihad EP in June 2001.[3]
The band released their album Sevas Tra with Terry Date[5] on June 18, 2002,[6] and then played several gigs at the Ozzfest and was considered one of the prime bands there in 2002.[3] Their first time at Ozzfest was in 2001 with their eighth gig.[3] The first album peaked at 145 on the Billboard 200[7] and 86 on the UK Albums Chart.[8]
House of Secrets (2004–2006)
On July 27, 2004, Otep released their second album, House of Secrets,[9] produced by Greg Wells.[3] The album peaked at 93 on the Billboard 200[7] and 102 on the French Chart.[10]
The Ascension (2007–2008)
After three years of touring, the band created a third album The Ascension, with a scheduled release date of March 20, 2007. In preparation of its original release, they toured with Static-X starting in the spring of 2007.[3]
However, the album was delayed indefinitely due to the Capitol Music Group merger in January 2007.[11][12] The merger led to the firing of the label's president and the band's A&R representative from the label, and Otep was left in limbo whether to stay at the label or find a new one;[13] they were eventually dropped from Capitol in May 2007.[14]
In September 2007, the band was able to ink a deal with Koch Records,[15] who belatedly released The Ascension in October. Upon its release, It peaked at 81 on the Billboard 200[7][16][17] and 6 on the US Independent Charts.[17][18] The album sold about 10,200 album copies in its first week of release.[16]
Smash the Control Machine (2009–2010)
In 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records.[3] Their 2009 album, Smash the Control Machine, which was released on August 18, 2009,[3][19] included a reunion with former members Mark "Moke" Bistany on drums and Rob Patterson on guitar. The album also featured Koichi Fukuda on piano, and Emilie Autumn on violin, and a song co-written with songwriter Holly Knight, which resulted in "UR a WMN NOW". Knight previously co-wrote "Perfectly Flawed" with Otep on The Ascension.[20] It peaked at 47 on the Billboard 200[7] and 6 on the US Independent Charts.[18]
The band appeared with 2Cents, Five Finger Death Punch and Shadows Fall on the 'Shock & Raw Tour' of North America in the fall of 2009.[21]
On September 30, 2010, bassist Jay McGuire left the band.[22]
Atavist and Sounds Like Armageddon (2011–2012)
On April 26, 2011,[23] Otep released their fifth studio album, Atavist.[3] It peaked at 61 on the Billboard 200,[7] 10 on the Independent Charts[18] and 19 on the US Rock Charts.[24]
On November 6, 2012, Otep released their first live album, Sounds Like Armageddon.[25][26]
Hydra and further activity (2013-2014)
In an interview, Otep Shamaya stated that Hydra will be her band's final album.[27] The album was released on January 22, 2013[28] and peaked at 133 on the Billboard 200.[29]
The band is still touring and have tours in places such as the US's east coast and Australia for their Sounds of Armageddon tour.[30][31]
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.[citation needed] The contract with Kam 9.8 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 (pre-order from winter 2015).
Generation Doom (2015-2017)
"Signing with Napalm Records is one of the most exciting alliances I've ever made. I haven't felt this excited to write a new album since 'Sevas Tra.' There's a lot of work to do, a lot of music to write, a lot of things to say, a lot of injustices to confront and a lot of madness to summon and capture. To be able to forge this sacred alchemy with the dark brilliance of producer Howard Benson is a dream come true."[32]
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.[33]
On April 11, 2016 Billboard was to stream Generation Doom in its entirety for 24 hours, but due to its success extended the streaming time to several days.
The music video for the song "In Cold Blood" premiered on April 15, 2016, on Music Choice.
On Record Store Day (April 16, 2016), record stores released a picture vinyl disk of Generation Doom.
On April 20, Napalm Records released the video for "In Cold Blood" on their YouTube page.[34]
Generation Doom 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 [35]
Kult 45 (2018–present)
On May 2, 2018, Otep disclosed the album title and artwork for their eighth album, together with disclosing interviews about the content of the album. The official Napalm announcement read: "You can expect a complete and total mutiny of the senses on Kult 45," says Shamaya. "That said, it's important for fans to know that this record is not just an indictment of Trump. The idea is rather to empower people to stand up and remind them this is our country and we have the power. It's primarily a rallying cry for people with common sense and good-natured patriots to rise up and know that we own this nation."
"Although the album is produced well technically, lyrically, it's very raw. Musically, we explore different genres – we're trying to reach everyone. I don't want to be limited to one genre or to be anchored to a particular space where I can only reach certain political minds. It's important to me that I'm sending a clear and concise message to the Resistance - the people out there bending the barricades and fighting for justice is this country."
Kult 45 was recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, completely utilizing the same equipment used for OTEP's first album, Sevas Tra (down to Shamaya's vocal microphone, a SHURE Beta 58), 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.[36] It was also mentioned that the lyrics will tackle subjects like the immigrant crisis, rape culture and the US government.
In an episode of 'Wake and Bake' (a weekly Facebook live stream on the Otep page) Justin Kier said that while creating this album the band had kept the fans in mind. Therefore, making it an album for the fans, rather than for self-exploration.
The first single of the album, "To the Gallows", was released on May 25, 2018, along with a lyric video.
Musical style and influences
The band's style is primarily nu metal,[9][37][38][39][40] and is also considered alternative metal.[25][30][31] It has also been labelled as gothic metal,[41] rap metal[42] and extreme metal.[43] AllMusic has described Otep as "art house nu-metal".[9] Otep's influences include Slipknot, Slayer, Korn, Rage Against the Machine, The Notorious B.I.G., Nine Inch Nails, Jim Morrison, Tool, the Doors, Nirvana, and Deftones.[44][45][46] While the band's style is primarily nu metal, their music incorporates strong elements of death metal.[42][47]
Awards
In 2004, the music video for the single "Warhead" was on the top ten of MTV Headbangers Ball.[48]
In 2010, Otep was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Music Artist" for the album Smash the Control Machine during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards.[49]
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.[50]
Band members
This section needs to be updated. (April 2020) |
This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. The reason given is: player names, roles and times with the band need to be detailed.. (January 2021) |
Current members
- Otep Shamaya – vocals (2000–present)
- "Ari Mihalopoulos" – guitar (2011–present)
- "Andrew Barnes" – bass (2016–present)
- "Lamar Little" – drums (2020–present)
Former members
- Tarver Marsh – guitar (2000)
- Dave "Spooky" Aguilera – guitars (2000–2001)
- Mark "Moke" Bistany – drums (2000–2003, 2009)
- Rob Patterson – guitars (2001–2004, 2009)
- Jason "eViL J" McGuire – bass (2000–2010)
- Karma Singh Cheema – guitar (2006–2007)
- Brian "Haggis" Wolff – drums (2006–2008)
- Justin Kier – drums (2013–2020)
Touring musicians
- Lane Maverick – guitar (2001)
- Lee Rios – guitar (2004)
- Scotty CH – guitar (2005)
- Melissa DeGott – guitar (2006)
- Aaron Nordstrom – guitar (2007–2008)
- Steven Barbola – guitar (2008–2010)
- Scot Coogan – drums (2003)
- David Lopez – drums (2004)
- Doug Pellerin – drums (2004–2005)
- Dave Gentry – drums (2008–2010)
- Chasin Cox – drums (2010)
- Joe Fox – drums (2011)
- Chase Brickenden – drums (2012)
- Erik Tisinger – bass (2011–2013)
- Corey Wolford – bass (2014–2015)
Timeline
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [7] | US Ind. [18] | US Rock [24] | BEL (FL) [51] | BEL (WA) [52] | FRA [10] | JPN [53] | SWI [54] | UK [8] | UK Rock [55] | ||||
| Sevas Tra | 145 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 86 | 10 | |||
| House of Secrets |
| 93 | — | — | — | — | 102 | — | — | — | — | ||
| The Ascension | 81 | 6 | 25 | — | — | — | 197 | — | — | — | |||
| Smash the Control Machine | 47 | 6 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Atavist |
| 61 | 10 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Hydra |
| 133 | 22 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Generation Doom | 109 | 10 | 13 | 137 | 136 | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Kult 45 |
| —[A] | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 100 | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||
- ^ Kult 45 did not enter the Billboard 200, but peaked at number 89 on the Top Album Sales chart.[64]
Live albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Sounds Like Armageddon |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Jihad |
|
| Wurd Becomes Flesh |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Act. Rock [67] | US Main. Rock [68] | ||||
| "T.R.I.C."[69] | 2001 | — | — | Jihad | |
| "Blood Pigs"[70] | 2002 | — | — | Sevas Tra | |
| "Warhead"[71] | 2004 | — | — | House of Secrets | |
| "Buried Alive"[72] | — | — | |||
| "Ghostflowers"[73] | 2007 | — | — | The Ascension | |
| "Breed"[74] | — | — | |||
| "Perfectly Flawed"[75] | 2008 | — | — | ||
| "Confrontation"[76] | — | — | |||
| "Smash the Control Machine" | 2009 | 27 | 28 | Smash the Control Machine | |
| "Rise, Rebel, Resist"[77] | 2010 | — | — | ||
| "Fists Fall"[78] | 2011 | — | — | Atavist | |
| "Not to Touch the Earth"[79] | — | — | |||
| "Apex Predator"[80] | 2013 | — | — | Hydra | |
| "In Cold Blood"[81] | 2016 | — | — | Generation Doom | |
| "Royals" | — | 39 | |||
| "To the Gallows"[82] | 2018 | — | — | Kult 45 | |
| "Shelter in Place"[83] | — | — | |||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||
Promotional singles
References
- ^ "Otep". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022.
- ^ "OTEP Signs with VICTORY RECORDS". April 6, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Otep". AllMusic. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
- ^ BraveWords. "OTEP Return With Generation Doom - "It Feels Like A Return To Our First Album"". bravewords.com. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ "Sevas Tra – Otep". AllMusic. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
- ^ "Sevas Tra – Otep". Allmusic.
- ^ a b c d e f "Otep – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ a b "Otep" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ a b c "House of Secrets Review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ a b "Discographie Otep". Lescharts.com (in French). Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ Blabbermouth, "Blabbermouth.net article" June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Posted March 3, 2007.
- ^ Digital Media Wire, "Capitol/Virgin Records merger" June 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Posted January 25, 2007.
- ^ "'The Ascension' of Otep: New CD delayed, but band carries on live". heraldextra.com. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ "Otep Officially Dropped - antiMUSIC News". www.antimusic.com. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ Blabbermouth (September 4, 2007). "OTEP Signs With KOCH RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ a b . Blabbermouth.net. November 7, 2007. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
- ^ a b "The Ascension – Otep". AllMusic.
- ^ a b c d "Otep – Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Smash the Control Machine - Otep | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- ^ "Smash the Control Machine – Otep". AllMusic.
- ^ . SMN. August 10, 2009. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ "Otep – Biography". Metalstorm.net.
- ^ "Atavist – Otep". Allmusic.
- ^ a b "Otep – Chart History: Top Rock Albums". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ a b . Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
- ^ "Sounds Like Armageddon – Otep". Allmusic.
- ^ "The Gauntlet - OTEP Releases Final Album". Thegauntlet.com.
- ^ "Hydra – Otep". Allmusic.
- ^ "Otep - Chart History". Billboard.
- ^ a b "OTEP 2013 Tour". Caughtinthemosh.com.
- ^ a b "Otep – Australian Tour 2013". Metalasfuck.net.
- ^ . Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ . Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
- ^ . YouTube. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
- ^ "Hard Rock Music: Top Hard Rock Albums". Billboard.com.
- ^ . Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2006). "Otep". Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-531373-9.
- ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry (2005). New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Zonda Books Limited. p. 229. ISBN 0-9582684-0-1.
- ^ "OTEP – Sounds Like Armageddon". Metal Forces Magazine.
- ^ Hebblewhite, Mark (April 23, 2013). "Rise, Rebel, Resist". theMusic.com.au. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ "Otep Brings Goth Metal to Culture Room". Nicholas L. Hall. July 8, 2010.
- ^ a b "Otep interview". Illinois Entertainer.
- ^ . Todd Lyons. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
- ^ Rodriguez, Selby (April 4, 2016). "Interview: Otep". Music Existence. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "Interview with Otep Shamaya". After Ellen. January 31, 2005.
- ^ Swick, Rob (November 16, 2006). . All Access. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "Otep – Sevas Tra". Exclaim.ca.
- ^ . Pollstar.com. January 16, 2005. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ "21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards – English Language Nominees". Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
- ^ "Otep - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard.com.
- ^ "Discografie Otep". Ultratop.be (in Dutch). Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Discographie Otep". Ultratop.be (in French). Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "オテップのランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Discography Otep". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40 (02 June 2002 – 08 June 2002)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Sevas Tra by Otep". iTunes Store. January 2002. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "House of Secrets by Otep". iTunes Store. January 2004. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "The Ascension by Otep". iTunes Store. October 30, 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Smash the Control Machine by Otep". iTunes Store. August 18, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Atavist by Otep". iTunes Store. April 26, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Hydra by Otep". iTunes Store. January 22, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Generation Doom by Otep". iTunes Store. April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "KULT 45 by Otep". iTunes Store. July 27, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Otep – Chart History: Top Album Sales". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Sounds Like Armageddon (Live) by Otep". iTunes Store. November 6, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Jihad – EP by Otep". iTunes Store. June 19, 2001. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Active Rock – October 3, 2009". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Otep – Chart History: Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "T.R.I.C." (single). Otep. Capitol Records. 2001. 4PRO 7087 6 15960 4 5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Blood Pigs" (single). Otep. Capitol Records. 2002. DPRO 7087 6 16957 2 4.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Warhead" (single). Otep. Capitol Records. 2004.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Buried Alive" (single). Otep. Capitol Records. 2004.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Ghostflowers" (single). Otep. Capitol Records. 2007.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Breed" (single). Otep. Koch Records. 2008. KOC-DS-5044.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Perfectly Flawed" (single). Otep. Koch Records. 2008. KOC-DS-5045.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Confrontation" (single). Otep. Koch Records. 2008.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Rise, Rebel, Resist" (single). Otep. Victory Records. 2010.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Fists Fall – Otep". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Not to Touch the Earth" (single). Otep. Victory Records. 2011.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Apex Predator – Single by Otep". iTunes Store. Apple. January 15, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "In Cold Blood – Otep". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "To the Gallows – Otep". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Shelter in Place – Otep". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "March of the Martyrs" (single). Otep. Capitol Records. 2007.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Necessary Accessories – Single by Otep". iTunes Store. Apple. May 6, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Special Pets – Single by Otep". iTunes Store. Apple. May 6, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Molotov – Otep". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
External links
- Otep official site
- "Otep's Next Step," by Niki D'Andrea, Phoenix New Times
- Hard Rock Albums Charts on Billboard