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Bolt Thrower

Real Name:
Baz Thomson (Guitar), Gavin Ward (Guitar), Jo Bench (Bass), Karl Willets (Vocals), Martin Kearns (Drums)
Profile:
Bolt Thrower was formed in England in 1986 by Barry Thompson (guitar) and Gavin Ward (bass). They were soon joined by Alan West (vocals) and Andy Whale (drums) and then recorded two demos, "In Battle..." and "Concession of Pain", both in 1987. The last demo was sent to John Peel who offered them a session. Gavin switched to guitar and Jo Bench (bass) was then brought into the band. "The Peel Sessions" was then recorded in 1988 and shortly after Alan West was replaced by Karl Willetts and the band then recorded their debut album, "In Battle There Is No Law", which was released same year. After several live shows the band was signed to Earache Records and then released the second album, "Realm of Chaos", in 1989. The band also made a deal with the fantasy company Games Workshop who agreed to make artwork on future albums.

After a tour in Europe they recorded the third album, "War Master", and the band then embarked on another tour in Europe and one in the US. "The IVth Crusade" was then released in 1992 along with the EP "Spearhead". They promoted the album with tours in Europe and Australia. In 1994 "...For Victory" was released and shortly after both Andy Whale and Karl Willetts left the band. They were replaced by Martin Kearns (drums) and Martin Van Drunen (vocals). After two tours Martin van Drunen left the band due to an illness. The band also switched from Earache Records to Metal Blade Records and then played at festivals with Dave Ingram as the new vocalist.

Martin Kearns then left the band and was replaced by Alex Thomas. "Mercenary" was recorded in 1997 and released the following year and it became a huge success. After the recording was done Martin Kearns rejoined. In 1999 a compilation album, "Who Dares Wins", was released and in 2001 "Honour Valour Pride" was released and it was another success. It was followed be several festivals, tours and live shows.
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Discography

Releases:
In Battle There Is No Law (Album) (5 versions)   Vinyl Solution ... 1988
The Peel Seesions (12")   Strange Fruit 1988
Realm Of Chaos (Album) (5 versions)   Earache 1989
Cenotaph (Single) (2 versions)   Earache 1990
War Master (Album) (4 versions)   Earache ... 1991
Spearhead (EP) (2 versions)   Earache 1992
The IVth Crusade (Album) (6 versions)   Earache ... 1992
...For Victory (Album) (6 versions)   Earache 1994
Mercenary (Album) (5 versions)   Metal Blade Records 1998
Who Dares Wins (Comp) (2 versions)   Earache 1998
Honour - Valour - Pride (Album) (3 versions)   Metal Blade Records 2001
Those Once Loyal (Album) (2 versions)   Metal Blade Records 2005
Appears On:
Sorting Of The Insects East Coast Tour 1992 (Cass) Bolt Thrower, What Dwe... Not On Label 1992
Necronycism: Distorting The Originals (CD, EP) Cenotaph Poserslaughter Records 1994
Human Hunting Season (CD, Album, Enh, RE) World Eater Goregiastic Records 2006
Grind Show (CDr, Album) In Battle There Is No Law Flying Buffalo 2008
Tracks Appear On:
Hardcore Holocaust (87-88 Sessions) - The Peel Sessions (Album, Comp) (3 versions) Attack In The Aftermat... Strange Fruit ... 1988
Polka Slam / Crisis Point (7") Drowned In Torment Sisters Of Percy Records 1988
Grindcrusher (Comp, Single, Album) (6 versions) Through The Eyes Of Te... Earache ... 1989
Earache Sampler (Cass, Promo, Smplr) Cenotaph Earache 1990
Hardcore Holocaust II - The Peel Sessions (Comp, Album) (2 versions) Forgotten Existence Strange Fruit 1990
Masters Of Brutality 2 (2 versions) Dying Creed Fnac Music 1992
Earache Presents Earplugged : The Videos (VHS, Comp) Cenotaph Earache 1994
Earplugged (CD, Smplr) ...For Victory, When G... Earache 1994
Out Of Control (Cass) Rememberance Terrorizer 1994
Dynamit Vol. 13 (CD, Car) No Guts - No Glory RockHard 1998
Earplugged 3 (Comp) (2 versions) World Eater '94 Earache 1998
Hard N' Heavy Vol. 6 (CD) No Guts, No Glory Hard N' Heavy 1998
Off Road Tracks Vol. 12 (CD, Comp, Promo, Car) Mercenary Metal Hammer (Germany) 1998
Hard N' Heavy Vol. 20 (CD, Comp, Smplr) Infiltrator Hard N' Heavy 1999
Hard N' Heavy Vol. 41 (CD, Smplr) Inside The Wire Hard N' Heavy 2001
Hard 'N' Heavy: Grindcore (DVD, NTSC, Reg) Cenotaph Metal Print 2003
Death Metal Special (CD, Comp, Car) The Fourth Crusade RockHard 2005
Legacy 05/05 (CD, Comp, Smplr) Entrenched Legacy Magazine 2005
Metal Blade: Los Angeles 1982 (CD, Comp) The Kill Chain Metal Hammer (UK) 2007
Metal II: A Headbanger's Companion (6xCD, Comp) Cenotaph, Spearhead Earache 2007
Metal: A Headbanger's Companion (6xCD, Comp + Box) World Eater, Through T... Earache 2007
Grind Madness At The BBC (3xCD, Comp) Forgotten Existence, A... Earache 2009
Unofficial Releases:
Demolishing England (CD, Ltd, Spl) Concession Of Pain, Ch... Not On Label 2004
In Battle There Is No Law! (Cass, Album)   Takt Music  
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YouTube Videos

Bolt Thrower - Realm of Chaos