Rick Bouwman: Guitars
Wilfried Broekman: Drums
Rop van Haren: Vocals
Marcel Heesakkers: Guitars
Jeffrey Bryan Rijnsburger: Bass
During the five years that Martyr was alive and kicking (1982-1987), the band released two albums that are considered cult in the Metal scene today. ‘For The Universe’ (1985) and ‘Darkness At Time’s Edge’ (1986) are classic Metal, a delight for those who love strong melodies, speedy riffs and a high level of technicality.
In those years, Martyr appeared on compilation albums from Roadrunner and Metal Blade, was voted Holland’s best new Metal band in Aardschok magazine, has toured with several international acts and appeared on Sky Channel’s Monsters Of Rock.
Martyr disbanded in 1987, but reunited in 2001 to play the Heavy Metal Maniacs festival. Four years later, the band revived almost the complete 1982 line up to play the Headbangers Open Air and Keep It True festivals. The flame has been burning again and the band continued to play live ever since. December 2008 MARTYR supported US Shock Rockers Lizzy Borden on their European tour. But also in 2009 and 2010 MARTYR hit the European stages supporting great acts like Flotsam & Jetsam , Vicious Rumors, Jaguar, Evergrey a.o.
In 2009 the first new Martyr record in almost 25 years has been released . That’s when the new EP ‘Fear’ was coupled with a re-release of the classic ‘For The Universe’ album as a double digipack entitled ‘Fear The Universe’ on Rusty Cage Records (RCR0017).
In 2010 and 2011 Martyr re-entered the studio between the live shows, by working on the successor for ‘Fear’.
A complete new album called “Circle Of 8″, has been released by Metal Blade Records in November 2011 worldwide, and has proven to be a significant impulse in Martyr’s revival after it’s release. With 30 years of MARTYR (with a big celebration in hometown Utrecht – Tivoli) ,and 30 years of Dutch Steel , by signing with Metal Blade again : “The Clan Is Back Home and stronger than ever”…and not ready to stop yet!
