Origin: England
Genres: Death Metal
official site

Bolt Thrower  


Bolt Thrower was formed in 1986, then more as a hardcore/thrash band. They signed to the hardcore Vinyl Solution label for their 1988 debut album (In Battle There Is No Law), but feeling that they didn't belong on a purely hardcore label, they signed with the then-fledgling Earache label, for whom they recorded for several years before switching to Metal Blade in 1998. Their sound, which has remained consistent throughout much of their career, retains elements of thrash, death metal, and grindcore (the latter of which is the term most commonly attributed to them, though the band themselves prefer to be called death metal), with lyrics often based on war themes. In addition to releasing consistently well-received albums, the band is notable for being one of a very few extreme metal bands to feature a female bass player, in Jo Bench.

A new album was planned for recording in 2004, but those plans were placed on hold as vocalist Dave Ingram left the band for health reasons. Former vocalist Karl Willetts has since rejoined the group, and the long-awaited new album, Those Once Loyal, was released in late 2005.

Current Members

Karl Willets

vocals

Barry Thompson

guitars

Gavin Ward

guitars

Jo Bench

bass

Martin Kearns

drums

Former Members/Guests

Dave Ingram

vocals (Benediction)

Andy Whale

drums

Alex Thomas

drums


Discography


In Battle There Is No Law 
1988 VinylSolution
  1. In Battle There is no Law
  2. Challenge for Power
  3. Forgotten Existence
  4. Denial of Destiny
  5. Blind to Defeat
  6. Concession of Pain
  7. Attack in the Aftermath
  8. Psychological Warfare
  9. Nuclear Annihilation
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Andy Whale

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Realm Of Chaos 
1989 Earache
  1. Intro
  2. Eternal War
  3. Into the Eye of Terror
  4. Dark Millennium
  5. All that Remains
  6. Lost Souls Domain
  7. Plague Beater
  8. World Eater
  9. Drowned In Torment
  10. Realm of Chaos
  11. Prophet of Hatred (CD bonus track)
  12. Outro
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Andy Whale

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


The Peel Sessions 1988-1990 
1991 Strange Fruit
  1. Forgotten Existence
  2. Attack in the Aftermath
  3. Psychological Warfare
  4. In Battle There is no Law
  5. Drowned in Torment
  6. Eternal War
  7. Realm of Chaos
  8. Domination
  9. Destructive Infinity
  10. Warmaster
  11. Afterlife
  12. Lost Souls Domain
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Andy Whale



Warmaster 
1991 Earache
  1. Intro... Unleashed (Upon Mankind)
  2. What Dwells Within
  3. The Shreds of Sanity
  4. Profane Creation
  5. Destructive Infinity
  6. Final Revelation
  7. Cenotaph
  8. Warmaster
  9. Rebirth of Humanity
  10. Afterlife
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Andy Whale



(EP) Cenotaph 
1991 Earache
  1. Cenotaph
  2. Destructive Humanity
  3. Prophet of Hatred
  4. Realm of Chaos
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Andy Whale



The IVth Crusade 
1992 Earache
  1. The IVth Crusade
  2. Icon
  3. Embers
  4. Where Next to Conquer
  5. As the World Burns
  6. This Time It's War
  7. Ritual
  8. Spearhead
  9. Celestial Sanctuary
  10. Dying Creed
  11. Through the Ages (Outro)
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Andy Whale

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


(EP) Spearhead 
1992 Earache
  1. Spearhead
  2. Crown of Life
  3. Dying Creed
  4. Lament
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Andy Whale



... For Victory 
1994 Earache
  1. War
  2. Remembrance
  3. When Glory Beckons
  4. ...For Victory
  5. Graven Image
  6. Lest We Forget
  7. Silent Demise
  8. Forever Fallen
  9. Tank (Mk.I)
  10. Armageddon Bound
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Andy Whale



Mercenary 
1998 Metal Blade
  1. Zeroed
  2. Laid to Waste
  3. Return from Chaos
  4. Mercenary
  5. To the Last...
  6. Powder Burns
  7. Behind Enemy Lines
  8. No Guts, No Glory
  9. Sixth Chapter
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Alex Thomas

Reviews:   Chronicles Of Chaos  Metal Observer 


Who Dares Wins (compilation) 
1998 Earache
  1. Cenotaph
  2. Destructive Infinity
  3. Prophet Of Hatred
  4. Realm Of Chaos (Live)
  5. Spearhead (Extended remix)
  6. Crown Of Life- Dying
  7. Creed
  8. Lament
  9. World Eater '94
  10. Overlord



Honour Valour Pride 
2001 Metal Blade
  1. Contact Wait Out
  2. Inside The Wire
  3. Honour
  4. Suspect Hostile
  5. 7th Offensive
  6. Valour
  7. K-Machine
  8. A Hollow Truce
  9. Pride
  • Dave Ingram
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Martin Kearns

Reviews:   Blabbermouth 


Those Once Loyal 
2005 Metal Blade
  1. At First Light
  2. Entrenched
  3. The Killchain
  4. Granite Wall
  5. Those Once Loyal
  6. Anti-Tank (Dead Armour)
  7. Last Stand of Humanity
  8. Salvo
  9. When Cannons Fade
  10. A Symbol of Eight (bonus track)
  • Karl Willets
  • Barry Thompson
  • Gavin Ward
  • Jo Bench
  • Martin Kearns

Reviews:   Blabbermouth  Chronicles Of Chaos  Sea Of Tranquility  Lords Of Metal  Metal Observer 

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