Betraying the Martyrs
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Number of employees | 6 (final lineup) |
Betraying the Martyrs was a metalcore group originating from Paris, France, established in 2008. Their last roster featured vocalist Rui Martins, guitarists Steeves Hostin and Baptiste Vigier, bassist Valentin Hauser, drummer Boris le Gal, and keyboardist Victor Guillet. At the time of their 2023 disbandment, they were signed to Out of Line Music. Prior to this, they issued four full-length albums through Sumerian Records: Breathe in Life (2011), Phantom (2014), The Resilient (2017), and Rapture (2019), along with two extended plays: The Hurt the Divine the Light (2009) and Silver Lining (2022).
History
Formed in 2008, Betraying the Martyrs' founding members came from French metalcore and post-hardcore outfits including Darkness Dynamite, The Beverly Secret, and Black Curtains. Their initial release, the self-produced EP The Hurt the Divine the Light (2009), sold over 2,000 copies within France. In 2010, they embarked on a European "Survivors Tour," supporting bands such as Whitechapel and Darkness Dynamite. During this tour, British singer Aaron Matts joined the band, taking over vocal duties after Eddie Czaicki departed to focus on an art career.
By 2011, they had secured deals with Sumerian Records for North American distribution and Listenable Records internationally. Their debut album, Breathe in Life, launched on 23 September 2011, was produced internally with artwork crafted by bassist Hauser. The record explored themes surrounding life experiences, faith, and interpersonal relationships. The subsequent "Breathe in Life Tour" spanned several European nations, featuring support from My Autumn and Despite My Deepest Fear. Later that year, they toured the United States alongside Born of Osiris and Veil of Maya. The album garnered favorable critiques and industry accolades; Guitarist Magazine included it among their Top 5 Albums of 2011 and awarded them Best Newcomer in Hard Metal. Additionally, Gibson highlighted them as one of "Ten Metal Bands to Check Out" in mid-2012. In May 2012, drummer Antoine Salin left the band and was succeeded by Mark Mironov from My Autumn.
In 2014, the band released singles "Where the World Ends" and "Jigsaw" ahead of their sophomore album Phantom, which debuted on 15 July alongside a rendition of "Let It Go" from Frozen. Due to visa complications impacting touring stability and financial matters, Mark Mironov was replaced by Boris Le Gal on drums.
During promotion for The Resilient (2017), they unveiled singles such as "The Great Disillusion," "Won't Back Down"—a track responding to worldwide terrorism—and "Lost for Words," which incorporated symphonic influences. That year also saw them cover Avenged Sevenfold's "Bat Country" for a tribute compilation. Lead guitarist Lucas D'Angelo exited citing creative differences regarding musical direction; Steeves Hostin subsequently joined as his replacement.
In April 2021, Aaron Matts departed to establish ten56., attributing his exit to divergent views on lyrical themes. By October 2021, Rui Martins was introduced as their new frontman concurrent with their signing to German label Out of Line Music. This period culminated with the release of the EP Silver Lining in June 2022.
On 4 October 2023, Betraying the Martyrs announced their dissolution due to financial pressures and escalating touring expenses. They issued two final singles titled "Irae" and "The Veil," each accompanied by official music videos.
Touring
In early 2012, Betraying the Martyrs embarked on a European journey known as the "Bonecrusher Tour," sharing the stage with Carnifex, Within the Ruins, Molotov Solution, and Beneath the Massacre. By April that year, they shifted focus to the United States, participating in the "Sumerianos Tour" alongside Upon a Burning Body and I, the Breather. Subsequently, they supported Veil of Maya during the "European Eclipse 2012" tour, which also featured Vildhjarta, Structures, and Volumes. Throughout the remainder of 2012, the group took part in "The All Stars Tour 2012" with Suicide Silence, Unearth, Attila, and Winds of Plague. Additionally, they performed at the Mayhem Festival alongside Slipknot, Slayer, and Anthrax. Their festival appearances included Hellfest 2012, and they stepped in for Winds of Plague at Graspop Metal Meeting 2012.
Following this period, Betraying the Martyrs toured with bands such as Asking Alexandria, While She Sleeps, Motionless in White, Chelsea Grin, Attila, and Within the Ruins before heading back into the studio to work on their subsequent album.
During summer 2013, the band appeared at prominent European festivals like Switzerland’s Greenfield Festival alongside acts including Rammstein, Queens of the Stone Age, The Prodigy, and Parkway Drive. They also performed at Ghosfest with The Devil Wears Prada, Chelsea Grin, and Veil of Maya. Later that year, they joined the Never Say Die! Tour featuring Emmure, Carnifex, I Killed the Prom Queen, Hundredth, Northlane, and Hand of Mercy. In November 2013, Betraying the Martyrs led their own headline tour across Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.
Chris Adler from Lamb of God fulfills the role of their international manager.
Musical style and influences
Betraying the Martyrs is chiefly identified as a metalcore ensemble; however, their earlier sound was often classified as deathcore, a fusion genre combining metalcore with death metal, largely due to prominent death metal-inspired riffs present in their initial recordings. According to AllMusic, their music integrates deathcore’s aggressive intensity with melodic components drawn from symphonic metal and progressive metal, resulting in a dramatic and uniquely European sonic identity. Their artistic inspirations include bands such as Born of Osiris, Gojira, Veil of Maya, Meshuggah, Suicide Silence, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, and Cannibal Corpse.
Band members
Final lineup
- Baptiste Vigier – rhythm guitar (2008–2023)
- Valentin Hauser – bass (2008–2023)
- Victor Guillet – keyboards, clean vocals (2008–2023)
- Boris le Gal – drums (2016–2023; touring 2013–2016)
- Steeves Hostin – lead guitar (2018–2023)
- Rui Martins – lead vocals (2021–2023)
Former
- Fabien Clévy – lead guitar (2008–2010)
- Eddie Czaicki – lead vocals (2008–2010)
- Antoine Salin – drums (2008–2012)
- Mark Mironov – drums (2012–2016)
- Lucas D'Angelo – lead guitar, backing vocals (2010–2018)
- Aaron Matts – lead vocals (2010–2021)
Touring
- Christophe De Oliveira – bass (2011)
- Brendan Perrot – bass (2012)
- Sydney Taieb – drums (2012)
- Junior Rodriguez – drums (2013)
- Nicolas Bastos – drums (2013)
Timeline
Discography
Studio Albums
- Breathe in Life (Released by Sumerian/Listenable, 2011)
- Phantom (Sumerian, 2014)
- The Resilient (Sumerian, 2017)
- Rapture (Sumerian, 2019)
EPs
- The Hurt the Divine the Light (Independent release, 2009)
- Silver Lining (Out of Line, 2022)
Singles
- "Survivor" (Cover of Destiny's Child; Independently released, 2010)
- "Man Made Disaster" (Sumerian/Listenable, 2011)
- "Tapestry of Me" (Sumerian/Listenable, 2011)
- "The Great Disillusion" (Sumerian/Listenable, 2016)
- "Bat Country" (Cover of Avenged Sevenfold; Sumerian, 2018)
- "Black Hole" (Out of Line, 2021)
- "Irae" / "The Veil" (Out of Line, 2023)
Music videos
| Title | Year | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Tapestry of Me" | 2011 | Gas Carpenter | Breathe in Life |
| "Man Made Disaster" | Thomas Welsh | ||
| "Let It Go" | 2014 | Nicolas Delestrade | Phantom |
| "The Great Disillusion" | 2016 | Igor Omodei | The Resilient |
| "Lost for Words" | |||
| "The Resilient" | 2017 | ||
| "Eternal Machine" | 2019 | Rapture | |
| "Parasite" | 2019 | ||
| "Monster" | 2020 | VHS | |
| "Black Hole" | 2021 | Pavel Trebukhin | Silver Lining |
| "Swan Song" | 2022 | Brice Hincker and Amélie Diane | |
| "Irae" / "The Veil" | 2023 | Pavel Trebukhin | Godspeed |