Otep
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use mdy dates Template:Unreliable sources Template:Infobox musical artist
Otep was an American nu metal band. The band was formed in November 2000 in Los Angeles by frontwoman Otep Shamaya. The band is noted for their style of "art-house nu metal",<ref name="allmusic" /> and their strong political stances.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Throughout the course of several lineup changes over the years, Shamaya was the only constant member in the band.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After being selected by Sharon Osbourne to appear at Ozzfest 2001, Otep was signed to a record deal with Capitol Records without a demo in March 2001.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Otep released two albums through Capitol, Sevas Tra (2002) and House of Secrets (2004); both albums were moderate successes, and sold a combined total of 400,000 copies worldwide by 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Otep's third album, The Ascension, was due to be released through Capitol in March 2007, but was delayed indefinitely following the label's consolidation into Capitol Music Group two months prior to its planned release date; the band subsequently parted ways with the label, and the album was eventually issued through Koch Records in October of that year.
In February 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band released three albums through the label; Smash the Control Machine (2009), which saw a reunion of the band's Sevas Tra lineup, Atavist (2011), and Hydra (2013), a concept album. Hydra was intended to be the band's final album,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but thereafter Otep Shamaya opted to continue the band, and they subsequently released two more albums through Napalm Records,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Generation Doom (2016) and Kult 45 (2018). Otep's ninth and final album, The God Slayer, was released through Cleopatra Records on September 15, 2023. Shamaya announced her retirement from music in November 2024, effectively ending the band.
History
Early years, Jihad and Sevas Tra (2000–2003)
Otep began as a band in Los Angeles in November 2000.<ref name="AMG">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They were invited to play Ozzfest before they had signed to a label after Sharon Osbourne witnessed their fourth live performance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They have since played Ozzfest several times.<ref name="AMG"/> Otep signed with Capitol Records after four shows and without a demo, purely on the power of their live performance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They started gigging around Los Angeles a lot and released an EP, Jihad, in June 2001.<ref name="AMG"/> After performing at Ozzfest, Marsh and Aguilera were fired, with both guitarists being replaced by Rob Patterson for the rest of the tours that year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The band released their album Sevas Tra with Terry Date<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> on June 18, 2002,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and then played several gigs at the Ozzfest and was considered one of the prime bands there in 2002.<ref name="AMG"/> Their first time at Ozzfest was in 2001 with their eighth gig.<ref name="AMG"/> The first album peaked at 145 on the Billboard 200<ref name="US-albums"/> and 86 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="UK-albums"/>
House of Secrets (2004–2006)
On July 27, 2004, Otep released their second album, House of Secrets,<ref name="allmusic">Template:Cite web</ref> produced by Greg Wells.<ref name="AMG"/> The album peaked at 93 on the Billboard 200<ref name="US-albums"/> and 102 on the French Chart.<ref name="FRA"/>
The Ascension (2007–2008)
After three years of touring, the band created a third album The Ascension, with a scheduled release date of March 20, 2007. In preparation of its original release, they toured with Static-X starting in the spring of 2007.<ref name="AMG"/>
However, the album was delayed indefinitely due to the Capitol Music Group merger in January 2007.<ref>Blabbermouth, "Blabbermouth.net article" Template:Webarchive, Posted March 3, 2007.</ref><ref>Digital Media Wire, "Capitol/Virgin Records merger" Template:Webarchive, Posted January 25, 2007.</ref> The merger led to the firing of the label's president and the band's A&R representative from the label, and Otep was left in limbo whether to stay at the label or find a new one;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> they were eventually dropped from Capitol in May 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In September 2007, the band was able to ink a deal with Koch Records,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> who belatedly released The Ascension in October. Upon its release, It peaked at 81 on the Billboard 200<ref name="US-albums" /><ref name="road">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Allmusic credits">Template:Cite web</ref> and 6 on the US Independent Charts.<ref name="Allmusic credits" /><ref name="US-Independent-albums" /> The album sold about 10,200 album copies in its first week of release.<ref name="road" />
Smash the Control Machine (2009–2010)
In 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records.<ref name="AMG"/> Their 2009 album, Smash the Control Machine, which was released on August 18, 2009,<ref name="AMG"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> included a reunion with former members Mark "Moke" Bistany on drums and Rob Patterson on guitar. The album also featured Koichi Fukuda on piano, and Emilie Autumn on violin, and a song co-written with songwriter Holly Knight, which resulted in "UR a WMN NOW". Knight previously co-wrote "Perfectly Flawed" with Otep on The Ascension.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It peaked at 47 on the Billboard 200<ref name="US-albums"/> and 6 on the US Independent Charts.<ref name="US-Independent-albums"/>
The band appeared with 2Cents, Five Finger Death Punch and Shadows Fall on the 'Shock & Raw Tour' of North America in the fall of 2009.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On September 30, 2010, bassist Jay McGuire left the band.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Atavist and Sounds Like Armageddon (2011–2012)
On April 26, 2011,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Otep released their fifth studio album, Atavist.<ref name="AMG"/> It peaked at 61 on the Billboard 200,<ref name="US-albums"/> 10 on the Independent Charts<ref name="US-Independent-albums"/> and 19 on the US Rock Charts.<ref name="US-Rock-albums"/> On November 6, 2012, Otep released their first live album, Sounds Like Armageddon.<ref name="riot">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="SLA">Template:Cite web</ref>
Hydra and further activity (2013–2014)
In an interview, Otep Shamaya said that Hydra will be her band's final album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album was released on January 22, 2013<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and peaked at 133 on the Billboard 200.<ref name=Billboard>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The band is still touring and tours the U.S. east coast and Australia for their Sounds of Armageddon tour.<ref name="mosh">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="metalasfuck">Template:Cite web</ref> In early 2014, Otep confirmed on her personal Facebook account and the band account that another album would be made.
In April 2014, Otep signed a new management deal with Kam 9.8 Machlation Group, a company founded by Slipknot's DJ Sid Wilson and his business partner Synonym Mead.Template:Citation needed The contract with Kam 9.8 was not renewed. In September 2015 Otep announced on her Facebook page that the band had signed a new management deal with Napalm Records, and that a new album would be released in the spring of 2016 (pre-order from winter 2015).
Generation Doom (2015–2017)
"Signing with Napalm Records is one of the most exciting alliances I've ever made. I haven't felt this excited to write a new album since 'Sevas Tra.' There's a lot of work to do, a lot of music to write, a lot of things to say, a lot of injustices to confront and a lot of madness to summon and capture. To be able to forge this sacred alchemy with the dark brilliance of producer Howard Benson is a dream come true."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On February 4, 2016, Otep announced that the album would be titled Generation Doom and would be released on April 15. They also released the album art on their Facebook page.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 11, 2016 Billboard was to stream Generation Doom in its entirety for 24 hours, but due to its success extended the streaming time to several days.<ref name=":0" />
The music video for the song "In Cold Blood" premiered on April 15, 2016, on Music Choice. On Record Store Day (April 16, 2016), record stores released a picture vinyl disk of Generation Doom. On April 20, Napalm Records released the video for "In Cold Blood" on their YouTube page.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Generation Doom sold 5,825 copies in its first week of sale in the United States.<ref name="Aces high">Template:Cite web</ref> It was number 3 of the top 8 Napalm Record sellers in the week of April 23. On April 26 the album reached #7 on the Billboard Rock Chart, #10 on the Independent Chart and #109 on the Top 200 Albums Chart. On May 7, the album reached #4 on the Billboard Hard Rock Chart <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Kult 45, The God Slayer and Shamaya's retirement (2018–2024)
On May 2, 2018, Otep disclosed the album title and artwork for their eighth album, together with disclosing interviews about the content of the album. The official Napalm announcement read: "You can expect a complete and total mutiny of the senses on Kult 45", says Shamaya. "That said, it's important for fans to know that this record is not just an indictment of Trump. The idea is rather to empower people to stand up and remind them this is our country and we have the power. It's primarily a rallying cry for people with common sense and good-natured patriots to rise up and know that we own this nation."
"Although the album is produced well technically, lyrically, it's very raw. Musically, we explore different genres - we're trying to reach everyone. I don't want to be limited to one genre or to be anchored to a particular space where I can only reach certain political minds. It's important to me that I'm sending a clear and concise message to the Resistance - the people out there bending the barricades and fighting for justice is this country."
Kult 45 was recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, using exactly the same equipment which was used for Otep's first album, Sevas Tra (down to Shamaya's vocal microphone, a SHURE Beta 58), in order to create a sound reminiscent of their roots. Kult 45 was self-produced by the band, with assistant engineering from Larry Goetz, Nicolas Schilke, and Lizzy Ostro.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was also mentioned that the lyrics will tackle subjects like the immigrant crisis, rape culture and the US government.
In an episode of 'Wake and Bake' (a weekly Facebook live stream on the Otep page) Justin Kier said that while creating this album the band had kept the fans in mind. Therefore, making it an album for the fans, rather than for self-exploration.
The first single of the album, "To the Gallows", was released on May 25, 2018, along with a lyric video. The album sold 1,850 copies in its first week, and became Otep's first studio album not to chart on the Billboard 200.<ref name="Aces high" />
Otep's ninth album, The God Slayer, was released through Cleopatra Records on September 15, 2023.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> The album features original material alongside covers of songs by artists including Lil Peep, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and Eminem.<ref name=":1" /> After its release, Otep Shamaya said that the album will be Otep's last, "In symbolic terms, nine is the last single digit. So [The God Slayer] is the last; it represents the last. I don't know if I'll make another record".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> From April to May 2024, Otep toured with Doyle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2024, she announced her retirement from music and began "liquidating" her collection of musical equipment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Musical style and influences
The band's style is primarily nu metal,<ref name="allmusic"/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and is also considered alternative metal.<ref name="riot"/><ref name="mosh"/><ref name="metalasfuck"/> It has also been labelled as gothic metal,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> rap metal<ref name=Illinois>Template:Cite web</ref> and extreme metal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> AllMusic has described Otep as "art house nu-metal".<ref name="allmusic"/> Otep's influences include Slipknot, Slayer, Korn, Rage Against the Machine, The Notorious B.I.G., Nine Inch Nails, Jim Morrison, Tool, the Doors, Nirvana, and Deftones.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Although the band's style is primarily nu metal, their music incorporates strong elements of death metal.<ref name=Illinois/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Awards
In 2004, the music video for the single "Warhead" was on the top ten of MTV Headbangers Ball.<ref name="pollstar">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2010, Otep was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Music Artist" for the album Smash the Control Machine during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Beginning with The Ascension and continuing through to Generation Doom, Otep has consistently charted high, most often in the top five on the Billboard Hard Rock Chart.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Band members
Template:Update section Template:BLP sources
Former members Template:Div col
- Otep Shamaya – vocals (2000–2024)
- Tarver Marsh – guitar (2000)
- Dave "Spooky" Aguilera – guitars (2000–2001)
- Mark "Moke" Bistany – drums (2000–2003, 2009)
- Rob Patterson – guitars (2001–2004, 2009)
- Jason "eViL J" McGuire – bass (2000–2010)
- Karma Singh Cheema – guitar (2006–2007)
- Brian "Haggis" Wolff – drums (2006–2008)
- Justin Kier – drums (2013–2020)
- Ari Mihalopoulos – guitar (2011)
- Andrew Barnes – bass (2016)
- Lamar Little – drums (2020–2022)
- AJ Bartholomew – guitars (2022)
Touring musicians Template:Div col
- Lane Maverick – guitar (2001)
- Lee Rios – guitar (2004)
- Scotty CH – guitar (2005)
- Melissa DeGott – guitar (2006)
- Aaron Nordstrom – guitar (2007–2008)
- Steven Barbola – guitar (2008–2010)
- Scot Coogan – drums (2003)
- David Lopez – drums (2004)
- Doug Pellerin – drums (2004–2005)
- Dave Gentry – drums (2008–2010)
- Chasin Cox – drums (2010)
- Joe Fox – drums (2011)
- Chase Brickenden – drums (2012)
- Erik Tisinger – bass (2011–2013)
- Corey Wolford – bass (2014–2015)
- Tiaday Ball – bass (2022–2024)
- AJ Bartholomew – guitar (2022)
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Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitars id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Studio value:black legend:Studio_album
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layer:back color:Studio at:06/18/2002 at:07/27/2004 at:10/30/2007 at:08/18/2009 at:04/26/2011 at:01/22/2013 at:04/15/2016 at:07/27/2018 at:09/15/2023
BarData =
bar:Shamaya text:"Otep Shamaya" bar:Marsh text:"Tarver Marsh" bar:Aguilera text:"Dave 'Spooky' Aguilera" bar:Patterson text:"Rob Patterson" bar:Cheema text:"Karma Singh Cheema" bar:Mihalopoulos text:"Ari Mihalopoulos" bar:McGuire text:"Jason 'eViL J' McGuire" bar:Barnes text:"Andrew Barnes" bar:Bistany text:"Mark 'Moke' Bistany" bar:Wolff text:"Brian 'Haggis' Wolff" bar:Kier text:"Justin Kier" bar:Little text:"Lamar Little"
PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Shamaya from:01/01/2000 till:end color:Vocals bar:Marsh from:01/01/2000 till:06/30/2000 color:Guitar bar:Aguilera from:07/01/2000 till:06/30/2001 color:Guitar bar:Patterson from:07/01/2001 till:12/31/2004 color:Guitar bar:Patterson from:01/01/2009 till:12/31/2009 color:Guitar bar:Cheema from:01/01/2006 till:12/31/2007 color:Guitar bar:Mihalopoulos from:01/01/2011 till:end color:guitar bar:McGuire from:01/01/2000 till:12/31/2010 color:Bass bar:Barnes from:01/01/2016 till:end color:Bass bar:Bistany from:01/01/2000 till:12/31/2003 color:Drums bar:Bistany from:01/01/2009 till:12/31/2009 color:Drums bar:Wolff from:01/01/2006 till:12/31/2008 color:Drums bar:Kier from:01/01/2013 till:10/17/2020 color:Drums bar:Little from:10/17/2020 till:end color:Drums
</timeline>
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US <ref name="US-albums">Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
US Ind. <ref name="US-Independent-albums">Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
US Rock <ref name="US-Rock-albums">Template:Cite web</ref> |
BEL (FL) <ref name="BEL (FL)">Template:Cite web</ref> |
BEL (WA) <ref name="BEL (WA)">Template:Cite web</ref> |
FRA <ref name="FRA">Template:Cite web</ref> |
JPN <ref name="JPN-albums">Template:Cite web</ref> |
SWI <ref name="SWI">Template:Cite web</ref> |
UK <ref name="UK-albums">Template:Cite web</ref> |
UK Rock <ref name="UK-Rock-albums">Template:Cite web</ref> | ||||
| Sevas Tra |
|
145 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 86 | 10 | ||
| House of Secrets |
|
93 | — | — | — | — | 102 | — | — | — | — | ||
| The Ascension |
|
81 | 6 | 25 | — | — | — | 197 | — | — | — | ||
| Smash the Control Machine |
|
47 | 6 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Atavist |
|
61 | 10 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Hydra |
|
133 | 22 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Generation Doom |
|
109 | 10 | 13 | 137 | 136 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Kult 45 |
|
—Template:Efn | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 100 | — | — | ||
| The God Slayer |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||
Live albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Sounds Like Armageddon |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Jihad |
|
| Wurd Becomes Flesh |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Act. Rock <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
US Main. Rock <ref name="US-Mainstream-Rock-singles">Template:Cite web</ref> | ||||
| "T.R.I.C."<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | 2001 | — | — | Jihad | |
| "Blood Pigs"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | 2002 | — | — | Sevas Tra | |
| "Warhead"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | 2004 | — | — | House of Secrets | |
| "Buried Alive"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | — | — | |||
| "Ghostflowers"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | 2007 | — | — | The Ascension | |
| "Breed"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | — | — | |||
| "Perfectly Flawed"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | 2008 | — | — | ||
| "Confrontation"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | — | — | |||
| "Smash the Control Machine" | 2009 | 27 | 28 | Smash the Control Machine | |
| "Rise, Rebel, Resist"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | 2010 | — | — | ||
| "Fists Fall"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 2011 | — | — | Atavist | |
| "Not to Touch the Earth"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | — | — | |||
| "Apex Predator"<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | 2013 | — | — | Hydra | |
| "In Cold Blood"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 2016 | — | — | Generation Doom | |
| "Royals" | — | 39 | |||
| "To the Gallows"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 2018 | — | — | Kult 45 | |
| "Shelter in Place"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | — | — | |||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||
Promotional singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "March of the Martyrs"<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> | 2007 | The Ascension |
| "Necessary Accessories"<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | 2008 | |
| "Special Pets"<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | ||
| "Molotov"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 2018 | Kult 45 |
References
External links
- Otep official site
- "Otep's Next Step," by Niki D'Andrea, Phoenix New Times
- [[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] Hard Rock Albums Charts] on Billboard
- Pages with broken file links
- 2000 establishments in California
- American alternative metal musical groups
- American musical quartets
- American rap metal musical groups
- Capitol Records artists
- EMI Records artists
- Musical groups established in 2000
- Musical groups disestablished in 2024
- Nu metal musical groups from California
- Victory Records artists