Rick B.
I am now 40 years (OK with a little pause of 17 years) in the band MARTYR (a.k.a. The Dutch Metal Legends) and started this as a young teenager.
Didn't know anything about the business and 40 years further things still surprise me. Will things go wrong? Yes, they will.
I always keep telling myself with every release or whatever we do it will be absolutely awesome and great but there will be things that go wrong. So, I am anticipating upfront to that.
Putting it into perspective and counting to 10 before responding (or don't respond at all and focus on the good parts).
1 trick i use regarding socials and avoiding all the shit that is on there is I never respond to the stuff I don't like or disagree. I always click on the things I am interested in and let the algorithm offer me more of those fun or interesting stuff. It helps.
About Me
Rick Bouwman of Dutch Heavy Metal legends, Martyr. During the five years that Martyr was alive and kicking (1982‐1987) the band released two albums that are considered cult in the metal scene today. ‘For The Universe’ (1985) and ‘Darkness At Time’s Edge’ (1986) are classic metal, a delight for those who love strong melodies, speedy riffs and a high level of technicality.
In those years Martyr appeared on compilation albums from Roadrunner and Metal Blade, was voted Holland’s best new metal band in Aardschok magazine, has toured with several international acts and appeared on Sky Channel’s Monsters Of Rock.
Martyr disbanded in 1987 but reunited in 2001 to play the Heavy Metal Maniacs festival. Four years later the band revived almost the complete 1982
line up to play the Headbangers Open Air and Keep It True festivals. The flame started burning again and the band have continued to play live ever since. December 2008 MARTYR supported US Shock Rockers Lizzy Borden on their European tour. In 2009 and 2010 MARTYR hit the European stages sup-porting great acts like Flotsam & Jetsam , Vicious Rumors, Jaguar, Evergrey. In 2009 the first new Martyr record in almost 25 years was released. That’s when the new EP ‘Fear’ was coupled with a re‐release of the classic ‘For The Universe’ album as a double digipack entitled ‘Fear The Universe’ on Rusty Cage Records (RCR0017).In 2010 and 2011 Martyr re‐entered the studio between the live shows, working on the successor for ‘Fear’. A complete new album entitled “Circle Of 8” was released by Metal Blade Records in November 2011 world‐ wide and has proven to be a significant impulse in Martyr’s revival after it’s release. With 30 years of MARTYR (with a big celebration in their home town Utrecht – Tivoli) and 30 years of Dutch Steel signed with Metal Blade again : “The Clan Is Back Home and stronger than ever…..”And the band proves it again in 2015 and 2016 with new national and international tours and with the new and heavy album ‘You Are Next” released by Into The Limelight Records in cooperation with Pure Steel Promotions and Soulfood distribution to be unstoppable. More headline shows , festivals and support tours followed where the always hard working band conquered a bigger audience. Especially noticed also in Japan, where MARTYR toured Sept - Oct 2017. This resulted in a special release on Edge Trax Records and a tour in the
land of the Rising Sun. In 2017 MARTYR continues promoting "You Are Next" , celebrating it's 35 years anniversary headlining the Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival. Also the band participated in special projects like the “ANA - Metal for Charity” project and “Breaking The Chains.”In 2018 the band shows to be unstoppable. With a new line-up and tours through the Netherlands, Belgium , Poland and Germany at hand and a 2nd and 3rd tour in Japan in February 2019 and February 2020, while meanwhile the band signed a new record deal with Pt78 records for 2 albums ! A Live In Japan album is released May 31 2019 which captures the MARTYR eXperience at it’s finest. This release also resulted in an official Japanese release at Rock Stakk Records Japan and a double white vinyl release January 2020 on both labels. While live shows were on hold due to Covid-19 the band did live streams for the famous Dynamo Metal Fest and for the South American fans. With more time on their hands to deep dive into the new material and recordings as well exploring new territories makes the future look bright for the Dutch Metal Legends. With a new full-length released at 24 February 2022 called “Planet Metalhead” MARTYR has again shown the metal world to be a very strong force to be reckoned with! With three singles released in 2020 and 2021 'No Time For Goodbyes', 'Fire Of Rebellions' and 'Raise Your Horns, Unite! the strong heavy metal power but also diversity of the new release “Planet Metalhead” is very clear and that is exactly what press and fans love about “Planet Metalhead”. The artwork is created by Wasi Kendedes and captures the 80s metal spirit. The album is by Pt78 records and different partners all over the world.