Otep

Otep

Otep's lead vocalist, Otep Shamaya, on the streets of Los Angeles
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California, US
Genres
Years active 2000—present
Labels Capitol,[1] Victory,[1] Koch,[1] EMI,[1] Napalm Records
Associated acts Cellophane, Hed PE, Tyrant Trooper[2]
Website otepsaves.me
Members
Past members Former members

Otep is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California formed in 2000. They have released two EPs, six studio albums, and one live album. As of December 2013, they are no longer under their previous label Victory Records and currently are signed with Napalm Records.[3]

History

Early years, Jihad and Sevas Tra (2000–2003)

Otep began as a band in Los Angeles, California, in late 2000.[1] The name Otep is from Otep Shamaya's stage name and is an anagram for "Poet". 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.[1] Otep signed with Capitol Records after a few shows and without a demo, purely on the power of their live performance.[1] They started gigging around Los Angeles a lot and released the Jihad EP in 2001.[1]

The band released their album Sevas Tra with Terry Date[4] on June 18, 2002,[5] and then played several gigs at the Ozzfest and was considered one of the prime bands there in 2002.[1] Their first time at Ozzfest was in 2001 with their eighth gig.[1] The first album peaked at 145 on the Billboard 200[6] and 86 on the UK Albums Chart.[7]

House of Secrets (2004–2006)

On July 27, 2004, Otep released their 2nd album House of Secrets[8] and it was produced by Greg Wells.[1] The album peaked at 93 on the Billboard 200[6] and 102 on the French Chart.[9]

The Ascension (2007–2008)

After 3 years of touring, on March 20 during 2007 they signed to Koch Records and they released their third album titled The Ascension[10] and supported it with constant touring with Static-X starting in the spring of 2007.[1] Despite the original release date, the album was delayed indefinitely due to the recent Capitol/Virgin Records merger.[11][12][13] It peaked at 81 on the Billboard 200[6][14][15] and 6 on the US Independent Charts.[15][16] The album also had about 10,200 album copies sold in its first week of release.[14]

Smash the Control Machine (2009–2010)

In 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records.[1] Their 2009 album, Smash the Control Machine released August 18 during 2009,[1][17] 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 cowrite with songwriter Holly Knight, which resulted in "You're a Woman Now". Holly Knight previously cowrote "Perfectly Flawed" with Otep on The Ascension.[18] It peaked at 47 on the Billboard 200[6] and 6 on the US Independent Charts.[16]

The band appeared with 2Cents, Five Finger Death Punch & Shadows Fall on the 'Shock & Raw Tour' of North America in the fall of 2009.[19]

On September 30, 2010, bassist Jay McGuire left the band.[20]

Atavist and Sounds Like Armageddon (2011–2012)

During April 26, 2011,[21] Otep released their 5th studio album, Atavist.[1] The album peaked at 61 on the Billboard 200,[6] 10 on the Independent Charts[16] and 19 on the US Rock Charts.[22]

On November 6, 2012, Otep released their first live album, Sounds Like Armageddon.[23][24]

Hydra and further activity (2013-2014)

In an interview, Otep Shamaya has stated that Hydra will be her band's final album.[25] The album was released on January 22, 2013[26] and peaked at 133 on Billboard 200.[27] However, the band is still touring and have tours in places such as the USA's east coast and Australia for their Sounds of Armageddon tour.[28][29] In early 2014, Otep confirmed on her personal Facebook account and the band account that another album would be made.

In April 2014, Otep have 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. The contract with Kam 9.8 was not renewed and in early September 2015 Otep announced on her Facebook page that the band has signed a new management deal with Napalm Records and that a new album will be released in spring 2016 (pre-order from winter 2015).

Generation Doom (2015-2016)

"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." [30] On February 4th, Otep announced that the album would be titled 'Generation Doom' and is to be released on April 15th, 2016. They also released the album art on their Facebook page.[31] On April 11, 2016 Billboard was to stream Generation Doom in it's entirity for 24 hours, but due to its success extended the streaming time to a couple of 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 20th Napalm Records released the video for 'In Cold Blood'on their YouTube page. Generation Doom was number 3 of the top 8 Napalm Record sellers in the week of April 23. On April 26 Generation Doom reached #7 on the Billboard Rock Chart, #10 on the Independent Chart and #109 on the Top 200 Albums Chart.

Style and influences

The band's style is primarily nu metal.[8][32][33][34][35] The band is also considered alternative metal as well.[23][28][29] Other than that, the band has also been labelled as gothic metal,[36] rap metal[37] and extreme metal.[38] AllMusic has described the band as "art house nu-metal".[8] The band's influences include Black Sabbath, Tool, Deftones, Korn, The Doors, Slipknot, Slayer, L7, Babes in Toyland, Hole and Nirvana.[39][40][41] While Otep's style is primarily nu metal, Otep's music incorporates strong elements of death metal.[37][42]

Awards

In 2004, the music video for their single "Warhead" was on the top ten of MTV Headbanger's Ball.[43]

In 2010, Otep was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Music Artist" for their album Smash the Control Machine during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards.[44]

Band members

Current members

Former members

Touring musicians

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[6]		 US
Ind.
[16]		 US
Rock
[22]		 FRA
[9]		 UK
[7]
Sevas Tra 145 — — — 86
House of Secrets
  • Released: July 27, 2004
  • Label: Capitol
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 93 — — 102 —
The Ascension
  • Released: October 30, 2007
  • Label: Capitol, Koch
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 81 6 25 — —
Smash the Control Machine
  • Released: August 18, 2009
  • Label: Victory
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 47 6 13 — —
Atavist
  • Released: April 26, 2011
  • Label: Victory
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 61 10 19 — —
Hydra
  • Released: January 22, 2013
  • Label: Victory
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 133 22 39 — —
Generation Doom
  • Released: April 15, 2016
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP
 109 10 7 — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

List of live albums
Title Album details
Sounds Like Armageddon[24]
  • Released: November 6, 2012
  • Label: Victory
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title EP details
Jihad[45]
  • Released: June 19, 2001
  • Label: Capitol
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Wurd Becomes Flesh
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Act. Rock
[46]		 US
Main. Rock
[47]
"Blood Pigs"[48] 2002 — — Sevas Tra
"Possession"[49] — —
"Warhead" 2004 — — House of Secrets
"Ghostflowers"[50] 2007 — — The Ascension
"Breed"[50] — —
"Perfectly Flawed"[51] 2008 — —
"Smash the Control Machine" 2009 27 28 Smash the Control Machine
"Rise, Rebel, Resist"[50] 2010 — —
"Fists Fall"[52] 2011 — — Atavist
"Not to Touch the Earth" — —
"Apex Predator"[53] 2013 — — Hydra
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"March of the Martyrs" 2007 The Ascension
"Necessary Accessories"[54] 2008
"Special Pets"[55]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Otep". Allmusic. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Tyrant Trooper - Insane Sickness Review". About.com.
  3. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/otepofficial/posts/10153669129695131
  4. ↑ "Sevas Tra – Otep". Allmusic. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Sevas Tra – Otep". Allmusic.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Otep – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: The O – Ozric Tentacles". zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 "House of Secrets Review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 16 Feb 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Discographie Otep". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  10. ↑ "The Ascension – Otep". Allmusic.
  11. ↑ Blabbermouth, "Blabbermouth.net article", Posted March 3, 2007.
  12. ↑ CD Universe, "CD Universe album listing", Retrieved February 16th 2013.
  13. ↑ Digital Media Wire, "Capitol/Virgin Records merger", Posted January 25, 2007.
  14. 1 2 "AVENGED SEVENFOLD, PUSCIFER, OTEP, BLOODSIMPLE First-Week Sales Revealed". blabbermouth.net. 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  15. 1 2 "The Ascension – Otep". Allmusic.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Otep – Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  17. ↑ Allmusic review
  18. ↑ "Smash the Control Machine – Otep". Allmusic.
  19. ↑ "Shadow Fall's 'Shock and Raw' Tour Dates with OTEP and FFDP". SMN. August 10, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Otep – Biography". Metal Storm.
  21. ↑ "Atavist – Otep". Allmusic.
  22. 1 2 "Otep – Chart History: Rock Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  23. 1 2 http://metalriot.com/news/otep-releases-first-ever-live-album/
  24. 1 2 "Sounds Like Armageddon – Otep". Allmusic.
  25. ↑ http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/301/27151/OTEP-Releases-Final-Album#.UQCBI2eAOtM OTEP Releases Final Album
  26. ↑ "Hydra – Otep". Allmusic.
  27. ↑ "Otep - Chart History". Billboard.
  28. 1 2 "OTEP 2013 Tour". Caught in the Mosh.
  29. 1 2 "Otep – Australian Tour 2013". Metal as Fuck.
  30. ↑ http://www.revolvermag.com/news/otep-announce-new-album-label.html
  31. ↑ http://metalholic.com/otep-to-release-generation-doom-april-15-album-details-unvieled/
  32. ↑ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2006). "Otep". Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-531373-9.
  33. ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry (2005). New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Zonda Books Limited. p. 229. ISBN 0-9582684-0-1.
  34. ↑ "OTEP – Sounds Like Armageddon". Metal Forces Magazine.
  35. ↑ Hebblewhite, Mark (23 April 2013). "Rise, Rebel, Resist". theMusic.com.au. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  36. ↑ "Otep Brings Goth Metal to Culture Room". Nicholas L. Hall. July 8, 2010.
  37. 1 2 "Otep interview". Illinois Entertainer.
  38. ↑ "Otep - Hydra Review". Todd Lyons. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  39. ↑ "Otep – The Ascension". Live-Metal.
  40. ↑ "http://www.afterellen.com/archive/ellen/Music/2005/1/otep.html". After Ellen. January 31, 2005. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. External link in |title= (help)
  41. ↑ "Otep Interview". All Access Magazine. November 16, 2006.
  42. ↑ "Otep – Sevas Tra". Amber Authier.
  43. ↑ "Otep Join The Alliance". Pollstar. January 16, 2005.
  44. ↑ "21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards – English Language Nominees". Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
  45. ↑ "Jihad – Otep". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Otep – Chart History: Active Rock". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  47. ↑ "Otep – Chart History: Mainstream Rock Tracks". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  48. ↑ Blood Pigs (track listing). Otep. Capitol Records. 2002. 7PRO 7087 6 16968 7 5.
  49. ↑ Possession (track listing). Otep. Capitol Records. 2002.
  50. 1 2 3 "Active & Mainstream Rock – Available for Airplay Archive". FMQB. Mediaspan Online Services. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  51. ↑ Perfectly Flawed (track listing). Otep. Koch Records. 2008.
  52. ↑ "Fists Fall – Otep". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  53. ↑ "Apex Predator – Single by Otep". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Necessary Accessories – Single by Otep". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  55. ↑ "Special Pets – Single by Otep". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2013.

External links

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