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Bolt Thrower

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The cover of the 1989 album "Realm of Chaos"

Bolt Thrower are a death metal band from the Birmingham area in the UK.

Statistics

Biography

Bolt Thrower started in September 1986 as a hardcore / thrash metal band. The band was founded by bass-player Gavin Ward together with guitarist Barry Thompson while Andrew Whale and Alan West joined on drums and vocals respectively. In April 1987 the 'In Battle There Is No Law' demo was recorded with this line-up. Hence, the following line-up was established:

  • Alan West : Vocals
  • Gavin Ward : Bass
  • Barry Thompson : Guitar
  • Andy Whale : Drums

Their next challenge was the 'Concession of Pain' demo, which they recorded in September of the same year (1987). Gavin had switched to guitars and a guy called Alex Tweedy joined them to play the bass. However, Gavin also recorded the bass on the second demo as Alex did not show up. Two weeks after the recording of this demo Jo Bench replaced Alex. Now the line-up consisted of:

  • Alan West : Vocals
  • Gavin Ward : Guitar
  • Barry Thompson : Guitar
  • Jo Bench : Bass
  • Andy Whale : Drums

With this line-up they did their first Peel session on 3 January 1988, with John Peel, the alternative DJ of BBC radio one, who got one of their demos and become enthusiatic about the band. They recorded four tracks for it and got a deal with Vinyl Solution. Just before the recording of their very first full-length album they replaced their singer with their driver Karl Willetts. And now they were able to record their debut album 'In Battle There Is No Law'. It lasts only half an hour, and sounds quite primitive. But they really showed some quality in some songs, especially the title track, which can still compete with their more recent stuff (if it was not for the mediocre production).

They did not feel quite happy about the deal with Vinyl Solution, after all it was a pure hardcore label at that time. The label did not do much promotion for Bolt Thrower and their death grind style. It seemed that they hardly knew what death metal would be. So after one album Bolt Thrower decided to leave Vinyl Solution and the heaviest label ever at that time signed them: Earache Records. They were working a little on their style, that changed towards faster, more aggressive and powerful songs. They became more and more a grindcore, death metal band. However the production of this piece is not great either, but an improvement to say the least. The artwork was done by Games Workshop (they produce games such as Warhammer). One other game they produce is called similar to the album Bolt Thrower was about to release. After GWS heard the recording of the songs for Bolt Thrower's second Peel session, which was recorded on 6 November 1988, they offered Bolt Thrower to do the (very expensive) artwork for the album, and it was accepted by the band. The record was released in 1989 with the title of 'Realm Of Chaos' and with the subtle subtitle 'Slaves to Darkness'. As well as the artwork, most of the lyrics to the songs were also influenced by the game, but not merely because of the deal with Games Workshop. Karl, Andy and Gavin were very much into the games GWS produced and they wrote a couple of songs about these games, obvious examples are 'Plague Bearer' and 'World Eater'. Most lyrics can however be projected on the general theme Bolt Thrower uses. After the recording of 'Realm of Chaos' they went on the Grindcrusher Tour with labelmates Napalm Death, Carcass and Morbid Angel. On the 'Cenotaph' EP one song ('Realm Of Chaos') appears that is recorded during this tour. The EP also features the two CD-bonus tracks from 'War Master' and 'Realm Of Choas' plus 'Cenotaph'.

Continuing, they recorded their third and thus far final Peel session on 22 July 1990. On this three songs from the upcoming album were performed in raw versions as well as 'Lost Souls Domain' off 'Realm of Chaos'. Next step in the history of Bolt Thrower was their 'breakthrough' album called 'War Master'. The songs on this piece of art are quite similar to those on 'Realm Of Chaos' but far more ingenious. They put in some more quality in playing and did not lose their extreme grind edge at the same time, making it all sound far more sophisticated. And this time the production was done skillfully. It was recorded, as the previous album in the Slaughterhouse studios, which burnt down two weeks after the recordings were completed. Again Games Workshop offered them to do the art-work. But because it was too expensive to do, Bolt Thrower didn't accepted it. The former head-designer of Games Workshop would do the artwork, resulting in quite similar artwork as that on 'Realm Of Chaos'. For the US tour they did to promote the 'War Master' album, they used an old US schoolbus as tourbus, loaded with quite some computer games. All three Peel Sessions were then released on one CD in 1991.

Their next step was 'The IVth Crusade'. Called 'The IVth Crusade' because it's their fourth album (not counting the Peel Sessions). They took out most of the grindcore influences, downtuned their guitars even more and wrote slower songs which are heavier and more bombastic. It tends more to doom metal in combination with their own, massive death metal sound. The album was followed by the tour 'World Crusade' with the Polish death metal act Vader and the Swedish masters of death metal Grave. They also went to the US again and even played some gigs in Australia. Also a single was released called 'Spearhead' containing a very heavy, extended remix of the CD track 'Spearhead' plus two new tracks and 'Dying Creed' off the album.

Classic line-up (from 1988 to 1994):

  • Karl Willetts : Vocals
  • Gavin Ward : Guitar
  • Barry Thompson : Guitar
  • Jo Bench : Bass guitar
  • Andy Whale : Drums

Their next album is called '...For Victory' and was the final album with Karl Willetts and Andrew Whale. Both left the band because simply wanted to do different things with their life, like go to college, get married, etc. And they were quite fed-up with touring as the latest American tour did not go to well. There seemed to be some rumours about a quarrel between them and the rest of the band, though not confirmed by the band. They somewhat made their return to their grindcore roots, whilst not forgetting their doom influences. Also the vocals tend to sound a bit different, less growling, but a bit more hardcorish; more screaming, especially on 'When Glory Beckons' and 'Armageddon Bound'. After the release Karl Willetts was replaced by Martin van Drunen and Martin Kearns took over the drum kit.

A little while later Martin van Drunen decided to leave the band again, due to various reasons; one being that he felt he never really became a part of Bolt Thrower, another that his hair fell out. For at least one show in Germany long time friend Dave Ingram stood in. Also Martin Kearns decided to leave again. The position at the drum kit is now taken by one Alex Thomas. Karl Willetts has temporarily rejoined the band to do the vocal duties on the next album. In the meantime, they also switched record labels, from Earache to Metal Blade, because since the US '...For Victory' tour things didn't work out any more. Actually, Earache wanted to get rid of them and Bolt Thrower wanted to leave Earache as soon as possible.

The album is out since 8 September 1998 in Europe and is released on 10 November 1998 in the USA, titled 'Mercenary' and features 9 tracks. It is a splendid album, which is over all a bit slower than its predecessors. However it is definitely very heavy and sounds very much Bolt Thrower. And Karl returned to perform his previous style of singing; the hardcore influences have disappeared again. After the album recording, Karl left the band again and the band have recruited Dave Ingram permanently after he left Benediction.

Released in November 1998, is an album on Earache featuring various older recordings, such as the songs from the Spearhead EP and Cenotaph EP. That one is titled "Who Dares Wins". The band themselves do not agree on this album, as it is a cheap cash-in from Earache and they warn not to buy it. Originally, it was titled 'No Guts - No Glory' but the title was changed because one song on 'Mercenary' has the same title and Metal Blade objected. Followed by a Earopean tour, called 'Into the Killing Zone' with Dave Ingram on vocals.

After a short European tour in 2001 (only 5 dates), they started to work on a new album. Honour - Valour - Pride is released in late 2001 on Metal Blade and shows a progression of the direction taken on Mercenary. It contains 9 tracks, the digipak has one bonus track. Martin Kearns is now back with the band after he settled his things in life and Alex has departed since Bolt Thrower was not really his thing after all.

And now in 2004 the band is working on new material for a yet untitled album. It is planned to record it in May, whereafter it will be released at the end of this year by Metal Blade. Meanwhile a European tour and a US tour in being prepared. Unfortunately, right before the recording of the new album, Dave Ingram decided to leave, largely due to health issues. This has put off the new record and tours for a while and priority is set to finding a new singer. On 18 November 2004, the band had announced the return of Karl Willetts as their singer.

The band's name, like many of their album covers and song lyrics, is a reference to the popular tabletop strategy game Warhammer 40k. A Bolt Thrower an ancient weapon that throws spears, also known as a ballista and an early precursor of the cannon.

Members

Current lineup

Former Members

Discography

Demos

  • In Battle There Is No Law (tape release, 1987)
  • Concession Of Pain (tape release, 1987)

Regular releases

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