THE BEAST

[photo: Marvin Wassink]

Dutch heavy metal titans MARTYR have returned from the shadows with a vengeance, premiering the video for the searing title track off their forthcoming studio album, Dark Believer . Slated for release on August 15th, 2025 , via Rock of Angels Records (ROAR!) , the new single marks the first taste of what promises to be one of the most anticipated metal albums of the year.

📺 Watch the official video for “Dark Believer” here:

🎧 Stream the single now:
https://martyr.rpm.link/dbsinglePR

🛒 Pre-order the album on CD, Vinyl, or Digital:
https://martyr.rpm.link/dbalbumPR

Embrace the Shadows

“The first single from our upcoming album Dark Believer is HERE,” the band announced. “During the writing and recording process, this song evolved into something dark and mysterious. Embracing the shadows—where demons lurk, witches chant, and lost souls are drawn into the unknown. Heaviness meets melody. Crushing riffs. Epic vocals. Relentless bass and drums. It’s pure MARTYR metal.”

Indeed, “Dark Believer” plunges the listener into an abyss carved with chilling atmosphere and punishing instrumentation—a sonic assault drenched in themes of evil, despair, and the hypocrisy that stains the soul of humanity.

Four Decades of Dutch Metal Legacy

Formed in Utrecht, Netherlands, in 1982 , MARTYR has long been a cornerstone of the European metal underground. Their early breakthrough came with the inclusion of "En Masse (Stand Or Die)" on Metal Blade's iconic Metal Massacre VI compilation in 1985, which also featured genre legends like Possessed and Dark Angel. That same year, their debut full-length For The Universe was released to critical acclaim and has since become a cult classic.

MARTYR's legacy only deepened with the 2014 Dutch Steel (80's Metal From The Netherlands) compilation, while in 2018, the band was formally recognized by Utrecht’s Mayor Jan van Zanen for their contributions to promoting Dutch culture globally.

Their 2022 record Planet Metalhead was hailed as a triumph, earning "Album of the Year" honors from Metalfan.nl and securing a re-release deal with ROAR! the following year. With decades of experience and a reputation for explosive live shows, MARTYR has toured across Europe, Japan, and India , sharing the stage with icons like Trivium , Iced Earth , Saxon , Raven , Flotsam & Jetsam , and Iron Maiden alumni Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley .

The New Chapter Begins

With Dark Believer , MARTYR is poised to reaffirm their place at the forefront of classic and modern metal. The album—set to drop on August 15th —will be their seventh full-length release , and is already generating buzz thanks to the thunderous and theatrical first single.

Between festival appearances, club gigs, and more surprises on the way, MARTYR continues to fly the flag high for Dutch heavy metal on the global stage.

Stay Connected with MARTYR:

Website | https://www.martyronline.nl
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MARTYRONLINE
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/martyronline
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@martyronline