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Bolt Thrower

From Alfawiki
Bolt Thrower
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1986 in Coventry, England
Headquarters
Coventry
,
England
ProductsDeath metal music, studio albums, EPs, live albums, compilations, demo recordings

Bolt Thrower was a death metal group originating from Coventry, England, established in 1986. Their first album was released through Vinyl Solution in 1988, after which they transitioned to Earache Records, becoming one of the label's top-selling artists. Their last record deal was with Metal Blade Records. The band underwent several personnel changes and embarked on extensive tours throughout Europe, the United States, and Australia. Throughout more than three decades, Bolt Thrower produced eight studio albums, three EPs, a live album, three compilations, and two demo recordings, achieving sales exceeding 100,000 copies in the United States by 2005.

Following the release of their eighth album Those Once Loyal in 2005, Bolt Thrower declared an indefinite pause from recording activities in June 2008 but continued live performances until the passing of drummer Martin Kearns on 14 September 2015. The group officially disbanded in 2016, coinciding with the first anniversary of Kearns' death.

Bolt Thrower has been acknowledged as "one of Britain's most consistent and enduring death metal bands."

Formation and early years (1986–1988)

Established in September 1986 and inspired by bands such as Slayer, Crass, and Discharge, Bolt Thrower was founded by bassist Gavin Ward and guitarist Barry Thomson during a hardcore punk show in Coventry. Soon after, drummer Andrew Whale and vocalist Alan West joined the lineup. In April 1987, this formation recorded the demo In Battle There Is No Law.

Their second demo, Concession of Pain, recorded in September 1987, saw Ward switch to guitar and bring in Alex Tweedy on bass; however, Tweedy was absent for the session, so Ward performed both guitar and bass parts. Two weeks later, Jo Bench took over bass duties from Tweedy.

On 3 January 1988, this lineup participated in their first Peel session with John Peel after he expressed enthusiasm for their second demo. They recorded four tracks during this session that led to a contract with Vinyl Solution for one album. Shortly before recording their debut LP, vocalist Karl Willetts replaced West. The debut album In Battle There Is No Law, lasting around thirty minutes, showcased influences from early crust punk and grindcore.

Growth in popularity and lineup changes (1989–1994)

Unhappy with their initial contract at Vinyl Solution, a hardcore label that provided limited promotion for their fusion of death metal and hardcore punk, Bolt Thrower parted ways after one album and signed with Earache Records, home to notable death metal acts like Carcass and Napalm Death. The artwork for their second album was created by John Sibbick under an agreement with Games Workshop, connected to the Warhammer 40,000 franchise. After hearing Bolt Thrower's 1988 Peel session recordings, Games Workshop offered to provide artwork for the album, which the band accepted. Released in 1989 as Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness, the album's lyrics were heavily inspired by the Warhammer 40,000 universe, reflecting the members’ passion for the game. Tracks such as "Plague Bearer" and "World Eater" illustrate this influence. Following its release, Bolt Thrower joined the 'Grindcrusher Tour' alongside Napalm Death, Carcass, and Morbid Angel. The 1991 EP Cenotaph features "Realm of Chaos," recorded during this tour.

In 1990, Bolt Thrower toured Europe with Autopsy and Pestilence on what was called the "Blood Brothers tour." Their third Peel session took place in July 1990 and included raw versions of upcoming tracks along with "Lost Souls Domain" from Realm of Chaos. Their third studio release, War Master, was recorded at Slaughterhouse Studios shortly before it was destroyed by fire. Although Games Workshop again offered artwork services, budget constraints led Bolt Thrower to decline; instead, a former Games Workshop artist produced similar visuals. To promote War Master during a US tour, the band traveled using an old school bus stocked with computer games. All three Peel sessions were later compiled into a CD titled The Peel Sessions 1988–90 released in 1991.

The fourth studio album, The IVth Crusade, presented slower-paced and heavier compositions with doom metal elements reminiscent of Candlemass, blended with their established death metal style. The album's title references both its sequence in their discography and the historical Fourth Crusade; its cover showcases Eugène Delacroix's painting "The Entry of the Crusaders in Constantinople." After releasing this album, Bolt Thrower embarked on the 'World Crusade' European tour alongside Polish band Vader and Swedish band Grave, followed by tours across the US and Australia. The single "Spearhead" featured an extended remix along with additional tracks.

Their 1994 album ...For Victory was the last to include vocalist Karl Willetts and drummer Andrew Whale; both departed due to shifting personal priorities. The band's recent American tour had been difficult, resulting in an early return home and increasing weariness toward touring. A limited edition version of ...For Victory included a bonus live CD titled War. After these lineup changes, Willetts was replaced by former Pestilence vocalist Martin van Drunen, while Martin "Kiddie" Kearns assumed drumming responsibilities.

Additional lineup shifts, Mercenary and Honour – Valour – Pride (1995–2003)

During 1995 and 1996, Bolt Thrower undertook two tours across Europe. In 1997, Martin van Drunen departed the group, citing personal doubts and health complications. Dave Ingram stepped in temporarily for a German performance. Subsequently, Kearns exited the band and was succeeded on drums by Alex Thomas. Willetts briefly resumed vocal responsibilities for the subsequent album. After experiencing limited success in the United States and growing tensions with Earache Records, the band transitioned to Metal Blade Records.

The album Mercenary was launched on 8 September 1998 in Europe and later on 10 November in the US. It comprised nine tracks characterized by a slower yet weighty sound reminiscent of Bolt Thrower's earlier work. Willetts reverted to his former vocal approach, moving away from hardcore punk elements. Following the recording sessions, Willetts left once more, with Ingram becoming a permanent member after his departure from Benediction.

In November 1998, Earache issued Who Dares Wins, a compilation featuring earlier recordings such as the Spearhead and Cenotaph EPs. The band disapproved of this release, perceiving it as an opportunistic cash grab. Initially titled No Guts - No Glory, the album's name was altered due to a track of that title on Mercenary and objections from Metal Blade Records. Post-Mercenary, the band toured Europe under the Into the Killing Zone banner with Ingram handling vocals. Thomas left the group, expressing disinterest in its artistic direction.

Following a short five-date European tour in 2001, Bolt Thrower commenced work on a new record. Honour - Valour - Pride arrived in Europe on 19 November 2001 and reached US audiences on 15 January 2002 through Metal Blade Records. This release demonstrated an evolution from Mercenary, featuring nine tracks plus an additional bonus song on the digipak edition. Kearns rejoined after resolving his personal issues.

Karl Willetts' return and Those Once Loyal era (2004–2014)

In 2004, Bolt Thrower began crafting new material intended for a year-end release via Metal Blade Records, accompanied by tours across Europe and the United States. However, Dave Ingram departed due to health concerns and personal matters, causing delays in both recording and touring schedules. On 18 November 2004, Karl Willetts re-entered the lineup. Recording for Those Once Loyal commenced in May 2005, with release dates set for November across Germany, Europe, and North America. The album garnered widespread critical praise from publications such as Rock Sound, Rock Hard, and Metal Hammer. Subsequent European tours took place during early and mid-2006, covering regions including Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, Spain, among others.

Bolt Thrower announced an indefinite postponement of future LP recordings, intending to conclude their discography with what they regarded as "the perfect Bolt Thrower album". Nonetheless, Willetts indicated that work on a ninth studio album was underway.

Meanwhile, Earache released a remastered version of the 1989 album Realm of Chaos featuring alternative artwork by John Sibbick—the original artist behind both the Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader cover and Realm of Chaos - Slaves to Darkness. The band discouraged fans from purchasing this edition as it was issued without their approval. Additionally, allegations emerged that Bolt Thrower had not received royalty payments from Earache for several years.

Passing of Martin Kearns and the band's dissolution (2015–2016)

Martin Kearns, who served as Bolt Thrower's drummer during 1994–1997 and again from 2000 until 2015, passed away suddenly at age 38 on 14 September 2015. This tragic event resulted in the band entering a hiatus and led to the cancellation of their inaugural Australian tour since 1993.

On the anniversary of Kearns' passing, 14 September 2016, Bolt Thrower declared they would cease activities permanently, expressing that the drummer role was "laid to rest with him." Vocalist Karl Willetts confirmed the band's definitive breakup, dismissing any prospects of reunions or alternative arrangements.

Subsequent developments and reunion speculation (2017–present)

On 7 March 2017, coinciding with what would have been Kearns' 40th birthday, Bolt Thrower alluded to a potential reunion or tribute release in his honor. Nevertheless, no related projects have come to fruition since that announcement.

Musical style and influences

Bolt Thrower is widely acknowledged as a death metal ensemble that maintained a consistent sound throughout their existence. Their lyrical themes are predominantly inspired by the fantasy universe of Warhammer.

Legacy

Eduardo Rivadavia from AllMusic remarked: "Among Britain's most steadfast and long-lasting death metal acts, Birmingham's Bolt Thrower has traversed the extreme metal scene without succumbing to commercial demands or drastically altering their musical identity. Their notably stable lineup played a key role in this uniformity. Although they seldom achieved mainstream recognition, Bolt Thrower has solidified its position as one of England's leading death metal groups."

Final line-up

  • Barry "Baz" Thomson – guitar (1986–2016)
  • Gavin Ward – guitar (1987–2016), bass (1986–1987)
  • Jo Bench – bass guitar (1987–2016)
  • Karl Willetts – vocals (1987–1994, 1997–1998, 2004–2016)
  • Martin Kearns – drums (1994–1997, 1999–2015; deceased)

Former members

  • Andrew Whale – drums (1986–1994)
  • Alan West – vocals (1986–1987)
  • Alex Tweedy – bass (1987)
  • Martin van Drunen – vocals (1994–1997)
  • Alex Thomas – drums (1997–1999)
  • Dave Ingram – vocals (1998–2004)

Studio albums

Extended plays

Live albums

Compilation albums

Demos

  • In Battle There Is No Law (self-released cassette, 1987)
  • Concession of Pain (self-released cassette, 1987)
  • Forgotten Existence (self-released cassette, 1988)
  • Prophets of Hell (self-released cassette, 1988)

Video Clips

  • Cenotaph (1991)
  • The IVth Crusade (1992)
  • ...For Victory (1998)
  • Inside the Wire (2000)

Tours

Year Location Tour Title Headlining and Supporting Acts
2015 Canada Overtures of War Tour Razor
2014 Europe Overtures of War Tour Morgoth, Soulburn, Incantation, Vallenfyre
2013 United States Return to Chaos Tour Benediction, Autopsy
2010 Europe The Next Offensive Tour Rotting Christ, Benediction
2006 Europe Those Still Loyal Tour (Second Leg) God Dethroned, Kataklysm
2006 Europe Those Still Loyal Tour (First Leg) Malevolent Creation, Nightrage, Necrophagist
2002 Europe Ground Assault Tour Benediction, Fleshcrawl, Disbelief
2001 Europe Mini-tour Fleshcrawl
1999 Europe Into the Killing Zone Tour Crowbar, Totenmond
1996 Europe Fuck Price Politics Tour Sentenced, Power of Expression, The Varukers
1995 Europe No Guts, No Glory Tour Cemetary, Brutality
1994 United States World Crusade Tour Benediction
1993 Australia Australian Spearhead Assault Tour Armoured Angel
1993 Europe World Crusade Tour Vader, Grave
1992 Europe This Time It's War Tour Benediction, Asphyx
1991 United States War Mass Tour Believer, Sacrifice
1991 Europe War Mass Tour Nocturnus, Unleashed
1990 Europe Bloodbrothers Tour Autopsy, Pestilence
1989 United Kingdom GrindCrusher Tour Morbid Angel, Napalm Death, Carcass
1988 United Kingdom In Battle... Tour Cerebral Fix

Further reading

External links

Audio Files (mp3)

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