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Martyr - Planet Metalhead Reviewed at Metallerium! Thursday February 24 2022, 10:52 PM

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Martyr - Planet Metalhead - Reviewed at Metallerium ! Check it out here at this link: https://www.metallerium.com/martyr-planet-metalhead-2022

Fifth album of this veteran band, whose formation dates (according to the carbon 14 tests) of 1983, therefore these guys are not counted within the current retro fashion that is proliferating in heavy metal, because they are part of those origins and in "Planet Metalhead" they want to demonstrate that experience and antiquity.

Martyr are currently Robert Van Haren on vocals, Rick Bouwman and Geoffrey Maas on guitars, Vinnie Wassink on bass and Rick Valcon on drums. This new album consists of ten songs for fifty minutes, so the songs try to have epic parts and moments of technicality, however not the whole album is very inspired.

The songs are heavy, really heavy and powerful riffs for what is traditional heavy metal, even at times they resemble an American power or speed band, but only moments. The voice is well accommodated however not with much variety, so at times when the parts should be epic, they do not become so because the melodic line of the voice is not so ingenious for the base behind, but that does not take away strength from the songs that in the end is the strong point of this album, and it is enough to listen to "Children Of The Night" to feel the strength that Van Haren imposes on music. In the same way but with a heavier and more solid music we have "Fire Of Rebellions" with a fairly good power in guitars. The almost ballad "No Time for Goodbyes" gives him some respite and variety when listening to the album, although Van Haren lacked more inspiration to put the voice, because for example in "Metal Overdrive", at least he complies.

Martyr's "Planet Metalhead" goes beyond heavy metal, but in that heavier form the majesty of the genre is left aside, so this album only shows us one side of the coin in style. - Metallerium

Release Date: February 24, 2022

FFO: Judas Preist, Iron Maiden, Helloween

Location: The Netherlands

WELCOME TO MARTYR - METAL TORTURE SINCE 1982!

Martyr is a heavy / speed / power metal band from Utrecht / The Netherlands that exists since 1982. During their career, a few demo cassettes were released as well as a number of long players. The general public first became acquainted with Martyr in 1984 when Roadrunner Records released the ' Dutch Steel ' compilation album.

Martyr's contribution to this release entitled ' Snow And Fire ' is still a highlight on the band's setlist today. In 1985 their song ' En Masse (Stand Or Die) ' appeared on the notorious ' Metal Massacre VI ' album from the legendary U.S.A. based ' Metal Blade ' record label. Both releases gained interest from metalheads from all over the world.

The debut mini album ' For The Universe ', which was released the same year, nowadays is considered a genuine heavy metal classic. The well-known website ' Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives ' states: "Martyr's songwriting is vastly superior to most of its competitors".

Its successor ' Darkness At Time's Edge ' (1986) made Martyr's fanbase grow larger and larger and the band gigged and performed all over Europe. Martyr even was aired on MTV's 'Headbangers Ball' show.

After a few years however the band members decided to go separate ways and explore other musical directions in acts such as Medallion, Mindscape, Syrenade, Vangouw, Hot Legs and Wild Ride .

Needless to say, Martyr went on hiatus for a while... The flame however never flickered out and reignited around 2005 when they were asked to reunite to play old school metal festivals such as Heavy Maniacs Fest , Keep It True and Headbangers Open Air .

After the very successful reunion shows Martyr was back on track which resulted in the ' Fear The Universe ' compilation (2009, Rusty Cage Records ) and their highly anticipated comeback album ' Circle Of 8 ' on Metal Blade Records in 2011.

In 2014, Martyr was featured on the ' Dutch Steel (80's Metal From The Netherlands) ' compilation and their sophomore " after reunion " studio album ' You Are Next ' was released in 2016 by Into The Limelight Records .

The group frequently performs home and abroad, as a headliner or as a support act such as Manilla Road , Lizzy Borden, Saxon, Iced Earth and Trivium . The absolute highlights in Martyr's career so far have been three tours in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Their performance at the sold out 2019 edition of the legendary True Thrash Fest in Osaka was recorded and released on their most recent output ' Live In Japan ' which was released worldwide through Pt78 Records (The Netherlands) in co-operation with Rock Stakk Records (Japan). The album contains songs from their career-spanning back catalogue.

Martyr is releasing their new full-length on 24 February 2022. The 3 previously released songs ' No Time For Goodbyes', 'Fire Of Rebellions' and ' Raise Your Horns, Unite !' already showed an excellent performance beforehand. With 2 online listening sessions in December 2021 the band got confirmation that this material was the best thing Martyr has ever produced and it will be the next step forward. All songs are written by MARTYR, produced, mixed and mastered by drummer Rick Valcon at RA Recordings and are of excellent production quality. The new artwork is created by Wasi Kendedes .

"Planet Metalhead" will prove Martyr is still a force to be reckoned with.

Check out this video!