Bolt Thrower

Bolt Thrower is a 1986 Death Metal band formed in Coventry, England by Gavin Ward and Barry Thomson, soon joined by Andrew Whale and Alan West. A first demo in Battle There Is No Law was released in April 1987, followed by Concession Of Pain a few months later, while a bassist, Alex Tweedy, made a flash passage, quickly replaced by Jo Bench. The beginnings are oriented towards a thrash inspired by Slayer mixed with a hardcore impregnated with Crass or Discharge. At the beginning of 1988, John Peel, enthousiamed by Bolt Thrower's second production, allowed them to record the famous Peel Session from the early days of January. The result is a contract with Vinyl Solution for an album, In Battle There Is No Law, despite a change of singer (Karl Willetts replaces Alan West).
Soon Bolt Thrower felt abandoned by Vinyl Solution and broke the contract to sign with Earache Records, then at the top of the English Death list with Carcass and Napalm Death. A new opus, Realm Of Chaos , arrives at the stores, supported the chain of wargames Games Workshop (coming out of a game of the same name at this time) which gives them an artwork related to the atmosphere of the game. Some pieces are moreover anchored in this war universe put forward by the manufacturer. A tour with Morbid Angel , Napalm Death and Carcass follows the release of the album.
After a few recordings for the Peel Sessions, Bolt Thrower returns to the composition, which will lead to War Master, still indirectly supported by Games Workshop (the artist being the same, even if the company did not have a direct contract on this opus). Changing atmosphere on The IVth Crusade the following year, with as background the 4th Crusade and the capture of Constantinople. The sound slows down and wants to be influenced by Candlemass, even though the English still practice Death Metal. Various tours follow, such as Vader or Grave . ... For Victory was released in 1994. This is the latest album with Karl Willets and Andrew Whale, those throwing the sponge to devote themselves to their personal lives. This allowed Martin Van Drunen (Pestilence) to come to the post of singer and Martin Kearns in the summer.
The band was not unemployed for the next 2 years, following the concert dates. Martin Van Drunen left Bolt Thrower , replaced by Karl Willets on the next opus, and Martin Kearns left shortly afterwards. Bolt Thrower then left for Metal Blade and delivered Mercenary to his fans at the end of 1998, followed by Karl Willets' departure again. The latter was quickly replaced by Dave Ingram (Benediction), while Earache, without the consent of the musicians, was released Who Dares Wins (originally No Guts - No Glory), which included different EPs. The combo quickly invests the studio, to deliver Honor - Valour - Pride, announcing Martin Kearns' return at the same time. Never satisfied, Bolt Thrower began the composition of the successor of Honor - Valour - Pride in 2004. Shortly before the recording, Dave Ingram separated from the rest of the musicians and was (again) replaced by Karl Willetts. The studio trip finally took place in May 2005 for a release in November. Those Once Loyal was acclaimed by critics and different concert dates were then unveiled.
On the latest news, Bolt Thrower seems to refine his next album, leaving Metal Blade at the same time. Still no new opus seen for the English, in 2011 is republished In Battle There Is No Law , in 2015 Earache released a live titled Live War , available in vinyl. On September 14, 2015, the band announced the death of its drummer, Martin Kearns, who was barely 38 years old.