Otep

Biography

Otep was an American nu metal band formed in November 2000 in Los Angeles by frontwoman Otep Shamaya. The band is noted for their "art-house nu metal", and their political stances. Throughout several lineup changes over the years, Shamaya was the only constant member in the band.
After Sharon Osbourne selected them to appear at Ozzfest 2001, Otep signed with Capitol Records without a demo in March 2001. Otep released two albums through Capitol, Sevas Tra×Sevas Tra18 June 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Tortured1:392Blood Pigs4:043T.R.I.C.3:054My Confession5:325Sacrilege4:096Battle Ready4:227Emtee3:598Possession4:559Thots4:1010Fillthee3:3611Menocide4:5212Jonestown Tea9:4713Brother7:05 (2002) and House of Secrets×House of Secrets24 July 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Requiem2:412Warhead3:293Buried Alive3:434Sepsis3:305House of Secrets4:026Hooks & Splinters3:337Gutter1:028Autopsy Song3:439Suicide Trees6:2610Nein4:1411Self‐Made3:4012Shattered Pieces4:12 (2004); both were moderate successes and sold a total of 400,000 copies worldwide by 2006. Otep's third album, The Ascension×The Ascension30 October 2007 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Eet the Children3:462Crooked Spoons4:193Perfectly Flawed3:484Confrontation3:135Milk of Regret5:596Noose & Nail3:407Ghostflowers4:238Breed3:279March of the Martyrs4:1610Invisible5:2411Home Grown4:2012Communion4:2613Andrenochrome Dreams9:5714Special Pets3:5615Necessary Accessories4:12, was due for release 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 parted ways with the label, and the album was issued through Koch Records in October of that year.
In February 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records. The band released three albums through the label; Smash the Control Machine×Smash the Control Machine17 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Rise, Rebel, Resist3:592Sweet Tooth4:213Smash the Control Machine3:434Head5:105Numb & Dumb4:266Oh, So Surreal4:217Run for Cover3:348Kisses & Kerosene4:129Unveiled3:2710UR A WMN NOW4:1811Serv Asat2:2912Where the River Ends11:5713I Remember8:34 (2009), which reunited the Sevas Tra lineup, Atavist (2011), and Hydra (2013), a concept album. Hydra was intended to be the band's final album, but Shamaya continued the band, and they released two more albums through Napalm Records, Generation Doom×Generation Doom15 April 2016 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Zero3:132Feeding Frenzy3:563Lords of War5:064Royals3:275In Cold Blood3:596Down2:547God Is a Gun2:478Equal Rights, Equal Lefts3:319No Color5:4310Lie3:3411Generation Doom4:2812On the Shore11:14 (2016) and Kult 45×KULT 4527 July 2018 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Hail to the Thief0:282Halt Right2:383Molotov3:174Said the Snake3:365Undefeated2:446Trigger Warning3:427Cross Contamination3:068Shelter in Place2:389Boss2:3010To the Gallows3:0411Sirens Calling1:4112Invisible People2:4213Be Brave2:4914Wake Up4:3715Feral Oracle1:5716The Tribe Speaks31:57 (2018). Otep's ninth and final album, The God Slayer×The God Slayer15 September 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1My Violent Appetites0:482Ostracized3:343Good 4 U3:434Exit Wounds2:275You Should See Me In A Crown3:026The Way I Am5:027California Girls3:068Pet4:209Territorial Pissings2:1510Star Shopping2:2211Purity4:2412God Slayer3:50, was released through Cleopatra Records on September 15, 2023. Shamaya announced her retirement from music in November 2024, ending the band.

Early years, Jihad and Sevas Tra (2000–2003)

Otep began in Los Angeles in November 2000. They were invited to play Ozzfest before they had signed to a label after Sharon Osbourne saw their fourth live performance. They played Ozzfest several times. Otep signed with Capitol Records after four shows and without a demo, on the strength of their live performance. They started playing around Los Angeles and released the EP Jihad×Jihad19 June 2001 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Possession5:052The Lord Is My Weapon3:403Germ8:314Fillthee3:305T.R.I.C.2:55 in June 2001. After Ozzfest, guitarists Marsh and Aguilera were fired and replaced with Rob Patterson for the rest of the tours that year.
The band released their album Sevas Tra×Sevas Tra18 June 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Tortured1:392Blood Pigs4:043T.R.I.C.3:054My Confession5:325Sacrilege4:096Battle Ready4:227Emtee3:598Possession4:559Thots4:1010Fillthee3:3611Menocide4:5212Jonestown Tea9:4713Brother7:05 with Terry Date on June 18, 2002, and played several shows at the Ozzfest and was considered a prime band there in 2002. Their first time at Ozzfest was in 2001 with their eighth show. The first album peaked at 145 on the Billboard 200 and 86 on the UK Albums Chart.

House of Secrets (2004–2006)

On July 27, 2004, Otep released their second album, House of Secrets×House of Secrets24 July 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Requiem2:412Warhead3:293Buried Alive3:434Sepsis3:305House of Secrets4:026Hooks & Splinters3:337Gutter1:028Autopsy Song3:439Suicide Trees6:2610Nein4:1411Self‐Made3:4012Shattered Pieces4:12, produced by Greg Wells. The album peaked at 93 on the Billboard 200 and 102 on the French Chart.

The Ascension (2007–2008)

After three years of touring, the band recorded a third album, The Ascension×The Ascension30 October 2007 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Eet the Children3:462Crooked Spoons4:193Perfectly Flawed3:484Confrontation3:135Milk of Regret5:596Noose & Nail3:407Ghostflowers4:238Breed3:279March of the Martyrs4:1610Invisible5:2411Home Grown4:2012Communion4:2613Andrenochrome Dreams9:5714Special Pets3:5615Necessary Accessories4:12, 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.
The album was delayed indefinitely due to the Capitol Music Group merger in January 2007. 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. Capitol dropped them in May 2007.
In September 2007, the band signed with Koch Records, who released The Ascension in October. Upon release, it peaked at 81 on the Billboard 200 and 6 on the US Independent Charts. The album sold about 10,200 album copies in its first week of release.

Smash the Control Machine (2009–2010)

In 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records. Their 2009 album, Smash the Control Machine×Smash the Control Machine17 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Rise, Rebel, Resist3:592Sweet Tooth4:213Smash the Control Machine3:434Head5:105Numb & Dumb4:266Oh, So Surreal4:217Run for Cover3:348Kisses & Kerosene4:129Unveiled3:2710UR A WMN NOW4:1811Serv Asat2:2912Where the River Ends11:5713I Remember8:34, released on August 18, 2009, included a reunion with former members Mark "Moke" Bistany on drums and Rob Patterson on guitar. The album featured Koichi Fukuda on piano, and Emilie Autumn on violin, and a song co-written with Holly Knight, which resulted in "UR a WMN NOW". Knight previously co-wrote "Perfectly Flawed" with Otep on The Ascension. It peaked at 47 on the Billboard 200 and 6 on the US Independent Charts.
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.
On September 30, 2010, bassist Jay McGuire left the band.

Atavist and Sounds Like Armageddon (2011–2012)

On April 26, 2011, Otep released their fifth studio album, Atavist×Atavist26 April 2011 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Atavist Animus0:462Atom to Adam4:053Drunk on the Blood of Saints4:044Remember to Forget4:245Skin of the Master3:476We Dream Like Lions3:137I, Alone3:418Baby’s Breath7:129Fists Fall3:5010Stay4:4311Bible Belt5:3812Not to Touch the Earth5:32Disc 21Baby's Breath6:492Spiritual Intercourse13:313Alchemy & Atavism12:534Run for Cover3:375Rise, Rebel, Resist3:506Smash the Control Machine3:49. It peaked at 61 on the Billboard 200, 10 on the Independent Charts and 19 on the US Rock Charts. On November 6, 2012, Otep released their first live album, Sounds Like Armageddon×Sounds Like Armageddon6 November 2012 · Album · LiveSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Battle Ready5:262Fillthee3:493Crooked Spoons4:534Blood Pigs7:165Confrontation5:166My Confession7:357Rise, Rebel, Resist3:508T.R.I.C.4:099Ghostflowers6:1310Fists Fall4:3811Breed4:26.

Hydra and further activity (2013–2014)

In an interview, Otep Shamaya said that Hydra would be the band's final album. The album was released on January 22, 2013 and peaked at 133 on the Billboard 200.
The band toured the U.S. east coast and Australia for their Sounds of Armageddon tour. 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. 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×Sevas Tra18 June 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Tortured1:392Blood Pigs4:043T.R.I.C.3:054My Confession5:325Sacrilege4:096Battle Ready4:227Emtee3:598Possession4:559Thots4:1010Fillthee3:3611Menocide4:5212Jonestown Tea9:4713Brother7:05.' 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."
On February 4, 2016, Otep announced that the album would be titled Generation Doom×Generation Doom15 April 2016 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Zero3:132Feeding Frenzy3:563Lords of War5:064Royals3:275In Cold Blood3:596Down2:547God Is a Gun2:478Equal Rights, Equal Lefts3:319No Color5:4310Lie3:3411Generation Doom4:2812On the Shore11:14 and would be released on April 15. They released the album art on their Facebook page. 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.
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.
Generation Doom sold 5,825 copies in its first week of sale in the United States. 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

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, with the same equipment used for Otep's first album, Sevas Tra×Sevas Tra18 June 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Tortured1:392Blood Pigs4:043T.R.I.C.3:054My Confession5:325Sacrilege4:096Battle Ready4:227Emtee3:598Possession4:559Thots4:1010Fillthee3:3611Menocide4:5212Jonestown Tea9:4713Brother7:05 (down to Shamaya's microphone, a SHURE Beta 58), 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.
It was mentioned that the lyrics would tackle 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.
Otep's ninth album, The God Slayer×The God Slayer15 September 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1My Violent Appetites0:482Ostracized3:343Good 4 U3:434Exit Wounds2:275You Should See Me In A Crown3:026The Way I Am5:027California Girls3:068Pet4:209Territorial Pissings2:1510Star Shopping2:2211Purity4:2412God Slayer3:50, was released through Cleopatra Records on September 15, 2023. The album features original material and covers of songs by artists including Lil Peep, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and Eminem. After its release, Otep Shamaya said that the album would 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". From April to May 2024, Otep toured with Doyle. In November 2024, she announced her retirement from music and began "liquidating" her collection of musical equipment.

Musical style and influences

The band's style is primarily nu metal, and is also considered alternative metal. It has also been labelled as gothic metal, rap metal and extreme metal. AllMusic has described Otep as "art house nu-metal". 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. Although the band's style is primarily nu metal, their music incorporates strong elements of death metal.

Band members

Former members

Touring musicians

Timeline