Endgame (Blood of the Martyrs EP)
Endgame is the first commercially released EP by American Christian metal band Blood of the Martyrs and is the group's first release with lead vocalist Jason Wilkins. The EP was produced by Andreas Magnusson, who has worked with bands such as Haste the Day, Oh, Sleeper, and Impending Doom.
| Endgame | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | February 26, 2016[1] | |||
| Recorded | 2014–2015 | |||
| Studio | Planet Red Studios, Richmond, Virginia | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 27:22 | |||
| Label | Independent | |||
| Producer | Andreas Magnusson[2] | |||
| Blood of the Martyrs chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Endgame | ||||
Background and sound
After completing touring for their second studio album Completionist, Blood of the Martyrs announced in early 2014 that they had started writing new music. Shortly after the announcement lead vocalist/keyboardist Lee Zook announced that he would be leaving the band. Blood of the Martyrs hired Eric Hendricks as a touring vocalist, releasing a re-recorded version of "Lady Nightshade" from their debut album with Hendricks.[5] In 2015 the band announced they had hired Jason Wilkins as their new vocalist and would resume work on the record. On January 22, 2016, the band premiered a video for the single "The Devil's Grip" via Revolver's website.[3] The EP's second single, "Dr. Killinger", was released on February 14.[4]
The sound of the EP resembles more of a metalcore sound, as opposed to the band's previous deathcore/symphonic metal sound heard on previous releases. The album also features clean vocals, something only previously heard on the band's cover songs and the demo version of "Semper Fidelis Tyrannosauruses." Every song title is a reference to Adult Swim's The Venture Bros..
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Bobby Huaroti; all music is composed by Blood of the Martyrs
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Devil's Grip" | 3:29 |
| 2. | "Home Insecurity" | 3:42 |
| 3. | "The Better Man" | 4:20 |
| 4. | "Dr. Killinger" | 4:05 |
| 5. | "Return to Malice" | 3:18 |
| 6. | "The Revenge Society" | 4:03 |
| 7. | "Council of Thirteen" | 4:25 |
| Total length: | 27:22 | |
Personnel
- Jason Wilkins – lead vocals
- David Sanders – guitar
- Bobby Huotari – bass, backing vocals
- Michael "Pak Man" Pak – drums
References
- "Blood of the Martyrs Premieres "The Devil's Grip"". Metal Underground. January 23, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- "Blood of the Martyrs - "The Devil's Grip" (New EP 02.26.16)". YouTube. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- "Blood of the Martyrs Premiere New Song and Music Video". Revolver. January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- Stagg, David (February 15, 2016). "Blood of the Martyrs releases new single, 'Dr. Killinger'". HM Magazine. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- "Lady Nightshade Reissue". Facebook. August 6, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- Stagg, David (January 31, 2016). "WATCH: Blood of the Martyrs drops new music video for 'The Devil's Grip', first single from upcoming 'Endgame' EP". HM Magazine. Retrieved February 4, 2016.