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Rise to popularity and departures of Karl Willetts and Andy Whale (1989–1994)

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{{short description|English death metal band}}
{{about|the death metal band|the weapon sometimes called a bolt thrower|Ballista}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Bolt Thrower 
| image = File:Bolt Thrower at Party.San Open Air 2012.jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = Bolt Thrower performing in Germany in 2012
| origin = [[Coventry]], England
| genre = {{hlist|[[Death metal]]|[[grindcore]] (early)}}
| years_active = 1986–2016
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Vinyl Solution]]
* [[Earache Records|Earache]]
* [[Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade]]
* [[Combat Records|Combat]]
* [[Relativity Records|Relativity]]}}
| spinoffs = [[Memoriam]]
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
* [[Benediction (band)|Benediction]]
* [[Memoriam]]
* [[Pestilence (band)|Pestilence]]
* [[Asphyx]]}}
| website = {{URL|http://boltthrower.com}}
| past_members = [[#Members|See below]]
}}

'''Bolt Thrower''' were a British [[death metal]] band from [[Coventry]], England. They formed in 1986 and released their first album with [[Vinyl Solution]] in 1988. The band then shifted to a new record label, [[Earache Records]], soon becoming one of the best selling bands on that label. Their last label was [[Metal Blade Records]]. The band had a succession of members, and had toured Europe, the United States, and Australia. Over the course of their 30-year career, Bolt Thrower released eight studio albums, three EPs, one live album, three compilation albums and two demos. Their albums have sold over 100,000 copies in the United States as of 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anon. |title=Bolt Thrower Those Once Loyal Advert |url=http://www.metalblade.com:80/b2b/onesheets05/BoltT051sht.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051110160719/http://www.metalblade.com:80/b2b/onesheets05/BoltT051sht.pdf |archive-date=10 November 2005 |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=[[Metal Blade Records|metalblade.com]]}}</ref>

Following the release of their eighth album ''[[Those Once Loyal]]'' (2005), Bolt Thrower announced an indefinite hiatus from recording albums in June 2008, although they would continue to tour until the death of drummer [[Martin Kearns]] on 14 September 2015 and their subsequent disbandment in 2016, on the first anniversary of his death.

Bolt Thrower have been called "one of Britain's most consistent and enduring death metal bands."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Bolt Thrower Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mor... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bolt-thrower-mn0000766533 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=AllMusic}}</ref>

==History==
===Early history (1986–1988)===
Bolt Thrower were formed in September 1986, influenced largely by bands such as [[Slayer]], [[Crass]] and [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]].<ref name="Bolt Thrower Official Biography">{{cite web |url= http://boltthrower.com/band/biography.php|title=Bolt Thrower Official Biography |access-date=2007-03-04 }}</ref> The band was founded by bassist Gavin Ward and guitarist [[Barry Thomson]] in a [[Coventry]] [[pub]] toilet during a hardcore punk [[concert|gig]]. Shortly thereafter Andrew Whale and [[Alan West (musician)|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.

Their second recording was the ''Concession of Pain'' demo, which they made in September 1987. Ward had switched to guitars and they recruited [[Alex Tweedy]] to play the bass. However, Tweedy did not show up for the recording, and so Ward played both guitar and bass for the demo. Two weeks after the recording session, Ward's girlfriend [[Jo Bench]] replaced Tweedy.

With this line-up, they recorded their first [[Peel session]] on 3 January 1988 with [[John Peel]], the alternative disk jockey of [[BBC Radio One]].<ref name="Overview of Peel sessions">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/b/boltthrower/ |title= BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping it PeelArtist A-Z |access-date=2007-03-04 }}</ref> He had received their second demo and became enthusiastic about the band. They recorded four tracks for it, resulting in a deal with [[Vinyl Solution]] to release one album. Just before the recording of their first full-length album, they replaced their singer with their driver [[Karl Willetts]]. Their debut LP, ''[[In Battle There Is No Law]]'', is only a half hour in length and reflects their early [[crust punk]] and [[grindcore]] influences.

===Rise to popularity and departures of Karl Willetts and Andy Whale (1989–1994)===
[[File:Bolt realm.jpg|right|thumb|The cover of the 1989 album ''Realm of Chaos'', which uses John Sibbick's cover artwork from ''Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader'', the first edition of ''[[Warhammer 40,000]]'']]
They were not satisfied with the deal with [[Vinyl Solution]], as it was a pure [[hardcore punk|hardcore]] label at that time. The label did little promotion for Bolt Thrower, and their blend of death metal and hardcore punk was unorthodox at the time. After one album, Bolt Thrower left Vinyl Solution and subsequently signed with [[Earache Records]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Earache Records had already signed many other death metal bands including [[Carcass (band)|Carcass]] and [[Napalm Death]]. The artwork for their second album was created by John Sibbick under contract for [[Games Workshop]]<ref name="LarkinHR"/> for the [[Warhammer 40,000]] rulebook released in 1987. After Games Workshop heard the recording of the songs for Bolt Thrower's second Peel session, which was recorded on 6 November 1988,{{r|Overview of Peel sessions}} they offered to supply the artwork for Bolt Thrower's album, an offer the band quickly accepted. The record was released in 1989, titled ''[[Realm of Chaos (album)|Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness]]'',<ref name="LarkinHR"/> after the [[Chaos (Warhammer)#Chaos|1988 book]] of [[Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness|the same name]] published by Games Workshop. Most of the lyrics to the songs were also influenced by the game, but not merely because of the deal with Games Workshop. Willetts, Whale, and Ward were very much into the Games Workshop [[role playing game]], ''[[Warhammer 40,000]]''. The band even wrote a couple of songs about these games, including "[[Nurgle|Plague Bearer]]" and "[[Khorne|World Eater]]". After the recording of ''Realm of Chaos'', they went on the 'Grindcrusher Tour' with labelmates [[Napalm Death]], [[Carcass (band)|Carcass]] and [[Morbid Angel]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pratt |first=Greg |date=2016-06-09 |title=That Tour Was Awesome: Grindcrusher UK, Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, Bolt Thrower, Carcass (1989) |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2016/06/09/that-tour-was-awesome-grindcrusher-uk-1989/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Decibel Magazine}}</ref> The ''[[Cenotaph (EP)|Cenotaph]]'' EP, released by the band in 1991, includes the song "Realm of Chaos", which was recorded during this tour.

Bolt Thrower toured Europe with [[Autopsy (band)|Autopsy]] and [[Pestilence (band)|Pestilence]] on the "Blood Brothers tour" in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pratt |first=Greg |date=2017-08-10 |title=That Tour Was Awesome: Pestilence/Autopsy/Bolt Thrower (1990) |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/08/10/tour-awesome-pestilenceautopsybolt-thrower/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Decibel Magazine}}</ref>

Continuing, they recorded their third and final Peel session on 22 July 1990.{{r|Overview of Peel sessions}} These three songs from the upcoming album were performed in raw versions, as well as "Lost Souls Domain" from ''Realm of Chaos''. The next step in the history of Bolt Thrower was the album titled ''[[War Master]]''.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> It was recorded, as was the previous album, in Slaughterhouse Studios, which burnt down two weeks after the recordings were completed. Again, Games Workshop offered to do their artwork; however, as it was considered too expensive, Bolt Thrower declined the offer. The former head designer of Games Workshop would do the artwork, resulting in artwork quite similar to ''Realm of Chaos''. During the US tour they went on to promote the ''War Master'' album, they used an old US school bus as a tour bus, loaded with many computer games. All three Peel sessions were then released on one CD named ''The Peel Sessions 1988–90'' in 1991.

Their next step was the album ''[[The IVth Crusade]]''.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> The title has a double meaning, as it was their fourth studio album (not counting the Peel sessions), but the album title also refers to the [[Fourth Crusade]] and the capturing of [[Constantinople]]. The cover artwork is a painting from [[Eugène Delacroix]], showing "The Entry of the Crusaders in Constantinople".<ref name="LarkinHR"/>

They wrote slower songs which were heavier and more bombastic. It leans more towards [[doom metal]] influenced by bands like [[Candlemass (band)|Candlemass]], 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 (band)|Vader]] and the Swedish death metal band [[Grave (band)|Grave]] in Europe. The band toured the US again as well as Australia. During this time, 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 new album.

Their next album is called ''[[...For Victory]]'' and was released in 1994.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> It was the final album with Karl Willetts and Andrew Whale.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Both left the band because of changing life directions.<ref name="BOLT THROWER Working On New Material - February 12, 2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66858 |title=Bolt Thrower Working On New Material - February 12, 2007 |access-date=2007-03-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181634/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66858 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref> The latest American tour did not go well, they returned home prematurely and by this time the band was quite fed-up with touring. A limited edition of the album exists containing a bonus live CD, called ''War'' (sometimes called ''Live War''). After the album released, Karl Willetts was replaced by former [[Pestilence (band)|Pestilence]] singer [[Martin van Drunen]], and Martin "Kiddie" Kearns, who took over the drum kit.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor-link=Colin Larkin|first=Colin|last=Larkin|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|pages=74–75}}</ref>

===More line-up changes, ''Mercenary'' and ''Honour – Valour – Pride'' (1995–2003)===
In 1995 and 1996 they went on two European tours.<ref name="Tours">{{cite web |url=http://boltthrower.com/tour/pasttours.php |title=Bolt Thrower: Past Tours |access-date=2007-03-04 }}p</ref> In 1997, Martin van Drunen left the band as he felt that he never really became a part of Bolt Thrower, and because he had a disease that made his hair fall out and gave him insecurity on stage.<ref name="Martin van Drunen Interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/vandrunen.htm |title=Interview with Martin van Drunen in Voices from the Darkside |access-date=2007-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426070812/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/vandrunen.htm |archive-date=26 April 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> For at least one show in Germany, long-time friend Dave Ingram stood in. Kearns also decided to leave the band. The position at the drum kit was taken by [[Alex Thomas (musician)|Alex Thomas]]. Willetts temporarily rejoined the band to do vocal duties on their next album. The band switched record labels from [[Earache Records|Earache]] to Metal Blade Records, because since the US ''...For Victory'' tour they had seen a lack of success with Earache. Earache had also wanted to get rid of them and Bolt Thrower wanted to leave Earache as soon as possible, so they parted company.

The album titled ''[[Mercenary (album)|Mercenary]]'' was released on 8 September 1998 in Europe and on 10 November 1998 in the US and features nine tracks. It is an overall slower album than its predecessors. However, it is definitely very heavy and sounds very much like classic Bolt Thrower. Willetts also returned to performing his previous style of singing; the hardcore punk influences have disappeared again. After the album recording, Willetts left the band again and the band recruited Ingram permanently after he left [[Benediction (band)|Benediction]].

In November 1998, Earache Records released ''Who Dares Wins'', a compilation featuring various older recordings, including the ''Spearhead'' and ''Cenotaph'' EPs. The band members themselves do not approve of the compilation's release and warn not to buy it, considering it a cheap cash-in from Earache. 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 Records objected. Following the release of ''Mercenary'', the band embarked on a tour of Europe, called ''Into the Killing Zone'', with Ingram on vocals.{{r|Tours}} Thomas departed since he lacked interest in the musical direction of Bolt Thrower.

After a short European tour in 2001 (which only consisted of five dates),{{r|Tours}} they started to work on a new album. ''[[Honour - Valour - Pride]]'' was released in Europe on 19 November 2001,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Anon. |date=17 November 2001 |title=New Releases: Albums |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2001/Music-Week-2001-11-17.pdf |journal=[[Music Week]] |page=30 |via=worldradiohistory.com}}</ref> and in the United States on 15 January 2002<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sciarretto |first=Amy |date=17 December 2001 |title=Loud Rock |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dKZOfxpMkbQC&pg=PA10-IA4 |journal=[[CMJ New Music Report]] |page=14}}</ref> on Metal Blade Records,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boltthrower.com/discography/hvp.php|title=Honour - Valour - Pride|access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref> and shows a progression from the direction taken on ''Mercenary''. It contains nine tracks; the [[digipak]] includes one bonus track. Kearns returned to the band after he settled his things in his life.

===Reunion with Karl Willetts and ''Those Once Loyal'' (2004–2014)===
In 2004, the band began working on new material for their latest album. They intended to record it in May 2004, with the release set to the end of the year by Metal Blade. Meanwhile, a European tour and a US tour were being prepared. Unfortunately, right before the recording could begin, Dave Ingram decided to leave due to health and personal issues.<ref name="Ingram departure">{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=26382 |title=Bolt Thrower Part Ways With Singer, Seek Replacement - September 1, 2004 |access-date=2007-03-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930200832/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=26382 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref> This postponed the new record and tours, and priority was set to finding a new singer. On 18 November 2004 the band announced the return of Karl Willetts. Recording of the album, titled ''[[Those Once Loyal]]'', started in May 2005; it was released on 11 November in Germany, 14 November in the rest of Europe and 15 November in the United States, 2005. It has been met with widespread critical acclaim from magazines such as ''[[Rock Sound]]'', ''[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]'' and ''[[Metal Hammer]]''. A European tour followed in January and February 2006.<ref name="Tours"/> A second leg followed in April, with dates in [[Scandinavia]], the UK, Spain and more.<ref name="Tours"/>

Bolt Thrower announced that, as they were satisfied with the ''[[Those Once Loyal]]'' album, they would be indefinitely postponing the recording of another LP. The band stated that their goal was always to stop after releasing "the perfect Bolt Thrower album".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boltthrower.com/news/news.php |title=Official Bolt Thrower website News Section |publisher=Boltthrower.com |access-date=2011-10-31}}</ref> However, Karl Willetts had mentioned work on a ninth album.<ref name="Terrorizer interview with Karl Willetts and Frank Healy">{{cite web |url=http://www.terrorizer.com/content/war-stories-bolt-thrower-and-benediction-recall-their-shared-history |title= War stories: bolt thrower and benediction recall their shared history |access-date=2009-07-08 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

Since releasing ''[[Those Once Loyal]]'', Earache has released a remastered edition of the 1989 album ''[[Realm of Chaos (album)|Realm of Chaos]]'' featuring alternate artwork by [[John Sibbick]], the artist responsible for the original artwork of both the ''[[Warhammer 40,000]]'' Rogue Trader cover and ''[[Realm of Chaos (album)|Realm of Chaos - Slaves to Darkness]]''. The band encouraged people not to buy it as, like ''Who Dares Wins'', it was released without their consultation let alone consent. Furthermore, it has been alleged that the band has not received royalties from Earache for a number of years.<ref name="BOLT THROWER Condemn EARACHE">{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=44467 |title=Bolt Thrower Condemn Earache 'Realm of Chaos' Reissue - November 19, 2005 |access-date=2007-03-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001002738/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=44467 |archive-date=1 October 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Death of Martin Kearns and disbandment (2015–2016)===
[[Martin Kearns]], who had been Bolt Thower's drummer from 1994 to 1997 and again since 2000, died unexpectedly at the age of 38 on 14 September 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=RIP BOLT THROWER Drummer Martin "Kiddie" Kearns, Dead At Age 38 |date=17 September 2015 |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/bummer-alert/rip-bolt-thrower-drummer-martin-kiddie-kearns-dead-at-age-38}}</ref> As a result of his death, Bolt Thrower went on hiatus and cancelled their upcoming Australian tour, which would have been their first since 1993.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bolt Thrower Tour Cancelled Due To Tragedy|url=http://www.metalobsession.net/2015/09/17/bolt-thrower-tour-cancelled-due-to-tragedy/|website=metalobsession.net|access-date=17 September 2015|date=17 September 2015}}</ref>

On 14 September 2016, the first anniversary of Kearns' death, Bolt Thrower announced on their website that they would not continue, explaining, "We spent over 20 years together, touring the world, with 3 different vocalists, but he was so much more than just a drummer to us. So when we carried his coffin to his final resting place, the Bolt Thrower drummer position was buried with him. He was, and will now forever remain THE Bolt Thrower drummer, our Powerhouse and friend Martin 'Kiddie' Kearns."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.boltthrower.com/news/news.php|title=Bolt Thrower : Latest News|website=www.boltthrower.com|access-date=2016-09-14}}</ref> Rumours of the band's break-up were confirmed two days later by frontman Karl Willetts, stating, "I can confirm that Bolt Thrower are definitely over for good. There will be no reunion tours etc... no compromise."<ref>{{cite web|title=Bolt Thrower Officially Splits Up: 'There Will Be No Reunion Tours'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bolt-thrower-officially-splits-up-there-will-be-no-reunion-tours/|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=16 September 2016|date=16 September 2016}}</ref>

===Aftermath and reunion rumours (2017–present)===
On 7 March 2017, which would have been Kearns' 40th birthday, Bolt Thrower posted a lengthy statement on their website, which suggested that a reunion or possible new release in memory of him was in the works. Since then, these ideas have not materialised.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bolt Thrower Tease New Record?|url=http://bravewords.com/news/bolt-thrower-tease-new-record|website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|bravewords.com]]|date=9 March 2017|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bolt Thrower Is Teasing Something|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bolt-thrower-is-teasing-something/|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=9 March 2017|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref>

== Musical style and influences ==
Bolt Thrower have been characterised as a death metal band, and their style has remained mostly unchanged throughout their career. The band's lyrics are influenced by [[fantasy]] game ''[[Warhammer (game)|Warhammer]]''.<ref name=":1" />

== Legacy ==
Eduardo Rivadavia of ''[[AllMusic]]'' wrote: "One of Britain's most consistent and enduring death metal bands, Birmingham's Bolt Thrower has weathered the best and worst of times in the extreme genre's history without ever giving in to commercial temptations, or hardly even altering its sound. The fact that they were unusually blessed with a steady lineup throughout much of their career no doubt contributed to this stability, and though they were rarely bestowed wild praise for their efforts, with most of their competitors or contemporaries either adopting other styles or long retired, Bolt Thrower has gradually established itself as one of the best death metal bands ever to emerge from England."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bolt Thrower Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mor... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bolt-thrower-mn0000766533 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=AllMusic}}</ref>

==Members==
{{col-begin}}
===Final line-up===
* [[Barry Thomson|Barry "Baz" Thomson]] – guitars (1986–2016)
* Gavin Ward – guitars (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; his death)

<gallery caption="Bolt Thrower in 2013" class="center">
File:Tuska 20130628 - Bolt Thrower - 29.jpg|Barry Thomson
File:Tuska 20130628 - Bolt Thrower - 03.jpg|Gavin Ward
File:Tuska 20130628 - Bolt Thrower - 27.jpg|Jo Bench
File:Tuska 20130628 - Bolt Thrower - 37.jpg|Karl Willetts
File:Tuska_20130628_-_Bolt_Thrower_-_06.jpg|Martin Kearns
</gallery>

===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)
{{col-end}}

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize =width:800 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea =left:100 bottom:60 top:5 right:10
Alignbars =justify
DateFormat =mm/dd/yyyy
Period =from:09/01/1986 till:09/14/2015
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1987
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1988
TimeAxis =orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend =orientation:horizontal position:bottom

Colors=
id:vocals value:red legend: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_release
id:bars value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData=
at:06/12/1988 color:black layer:back
at:10/28/1989 color:black layer:back
at:02/01/1991 color:black layer:back
at:09/02/1992 color:black layer:back
at:11/24/1994 color:black layer:back
at:11/09/1998 color:black layer:back
at:11/14/2001 color:black layer:back
at:11/14/2005 color:black layer:back

BarData=
bar:Alan text:"Alan West"
bar:Karl text:"Karl Willetts"
bar:Martin text:"Martin van Drunen"
bar:Dave text:"Dave Ingram"
bar:Barry text:"Barry Thomson"
bar:Gavin text:"Gavin Ward"
bar:Alex text:"Alex Tweedy"
bar:Jo text:"Jo-Anne Bench"
bar:Andrew text:"Andrew Whale"
bar:Martin2 text:"Martin Kearns"
bar:Alex2 text:"Alex Thomas"

PlotData =
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Alan from:09/01/1986 till:02/01/1988 color:vocals
bar:Karl from:02/01/1988 till:12/31/1994 color:vocals
bar:Karl from:12/01/1997 till:12/31/1998 color:vocals
bar:Karl from:05/10/2004 till:end color:vocals
bar:Martin from:01/01/1995 till:07/04/1997 color:vocals
bar:Dave from:01/01/1999 till:05/10/2004 color:vocals
bar:Barry from:09/01/1986 till:end color:guitar
bar:Gavin from:09/01/1986 till:08/01/1987 color:bass
bar:Gavin from:08/01/1987 till:end color:guitar
bar:Alex from:08/01/1987 till:10/01/1987 color:bass
bar:Jo from:10/01/1987 till:end color:bass
bar:Andrew from:09/01/1986 till:12/15/1994 color:drums
bar:Martin2 from:12/15/1994 till:06/01/1997 color:drums
bar:Alex2 from:06/01/1997 till:05/01/1999 color:drums
bar:Martin2 from:05/01/1999 till:09/14/2015 color:drums
}}

==Discography==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Studio albums===
*''[[In Battle There Is No Law!]]'' (1988)
*''[[Realm of Chaos (album)|Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness]]'' (1989)
*''[[War Master]]'' (1991)
*''[[The IVth Crusade]]'' (1992)
*''[[...For Victory]]'' (1994)
*''[[Mercenary (album)|Mercenary]]'' (1998)
*''[[Honour – Valour – Pride]]'' (2001)
*''[[Those Once Loyal]]'' (2005)

===Extended plays===
*''[[The Peel Session (Bolt Thrower EP)|The Peel Session]]'' (1988)
*''[[Cenotaph (EP)|Cenotaph]]'' (1991)
*''[[Spearhead (album)|Spearhead]]'' (1992)
{{col-2}}

===Live albums===
*''[[War (Bolt Thrower album)|War]]'' (2010)

===Compilation albums===
*''[[The Peel Sessions 1988–90]]'' (1991)
*''[[Who Dares Wins (album)|Who Dares Wins]]'' (1998)
*''The Best of Bolt Thrower'' (2016)

===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)
{{col-end}}

== Tours ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Region !! Name !! Supported/supporting bands
|-
| 2015 || Canada || ''Overtures of War'' Tour || [[Razor (band)|Razor]]
|-
| 2014 || Europe || ''Overtures of War'' Tour || [[Morgoth (band)|Morgoth]], [[Soulburn]], [[Incantation (American band)|Incantation]], [[Vallenfyre]]
|-
| 2013 || United States || ''Return to Chaos'' Tour || [[Benediction (band)|Benediction]], [[Autopsy (band)|Autopsy]]
|-
| 2010 || Europe || ''The Next Offensive'' Tour || [[Rotting Christ]], Benediction
|-
| 2006 || Europe || ''Those Still Loyal'' Tour (2nd leg) || [[God Dethroned]], [[Kataklysm]]
|-
| 2006 || Europe || ''Those Still Loyal'' Tour (1st 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 (American band)|Crowbar]], Totenmond
|-
| 1996 || Europe || ''Fuck Price Politics'' Tour || [[Sentenced]], Power of Expression, [[The Varukers]]
|-
| 1995 || Europe || ''No Guts, No Glory'' Tour || [[Cemetary (band)|Cemetary]], Brutality
|-
| 1994 || United States || ''World Crusade'' Tour || Benediction
|-
| 1993 || Australia || ''Australian Spearhead Assault'' Tour || [[Armoured Angel]]
|-
| 1993 || Europe || ''World Crusade'' Tour || [[Vader (band)|Vader]], [[Grave (band)|Grave]]
|-
| 1992 || Europe || ''This Time It's War'' Tour || Benediction, [[Asphyx]]
|-
| 1991 || United States || ''War Mass'' Tour || [[Believer (band)|Believer]], [[Sacrifice (band)|Sacrifice]]
|-
| 1991 || Europe || ''War Mass'' Tour || [[Nocturnus]], [[Unleashed (band)|Unleashed]]
|-
| 1990 || Europe || ''Bloodbrothers'' Tour || Autopsy, [[Pestilence (band)|Pestilence]]
|-
| 1989 || United Kingdom || ''GrindCrusher'' Tour || [[Morbid Angel]], [[Napalm Death]], [[Carcass (band)|Carcass]]
|-
| 1988 || United Kingdom || ''In Battle...'' Tour || [[Cerebral Fix]]
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite magazine |last=Wagner |first=Jeff |date=January 1999 |title=Bolt Thrower: War Is Hell |magazine=[[Metal Maniacs]] |location=US |publisher=[[Sterling Publishing]] |pages=22–25}}

==External links==
* [http://www.metalblade.com/uk/artists/boltthrower/bio.php Bolt Thrower page @ Metal Blade]
* [http://www.boltthrower.com Official Bolt Thrower website]
* [http://www.xs4all.nl/~kmachine/btfaq/ Extensive Bolt Thrower FAQ]
* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/251587-Bolt-Thrower Bolt Thrower] on [[Discogs]]
* [https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Bolt_Thrower/234 Bolt Thrower] on the [[Encyclopaedia Metallum|Metal Archives]]

=== Audio files (mp3) ===
*''[[Mercenary (album)|Mercenary]]'' (1997)
**8. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160108071632/http://soundcloud.com/metalbladerecords/bolt-thrower-no-guts-no-glory/download "No Guts, No Glory"]
*''[[Honour – Valour – Pride]]'' (2001)
**1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160108071632/http://soundcloud.com/metalbladerecords/bolt-thrower-contact-wait-out/download "Contact - Wait Out"]
*''[[Those Once Loyal]]'' (2005)
**5. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160108071632/http://soundcloud.com/metalbladerecords/bolt-thrower-those-once-loyal/download "Those Once Loyal"]

{{BoltThrower}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:English death metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Coventry]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1986]]
[[Category:Mixed-gender musical quintets]]
[[Category:Earache Records artists]]
[[Category:English musical quintets]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:2016 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:Metal Blade Records artists]]

Bolt Thrower - Revision history

imported>FMSky: /* Rise to popularity and departures of Karl Willetts and Andy Whale (1989–1994) */