Otep

This article's listed sources may not meet Wikipedia's guidelines for reliable sources. Please help by checking whether the references meet the criteria for reliable sources. (April 2013)

Otep
Otep performing at The Marquis Theater in Denver, CO.
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, USA
Genres	Nu metal, alternative metal, extreme metal[1][2]
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Capitol,[3] Victory,[3] Koch,[3] EMI[3]
Website	Official Site
Members	Otep Shamaya Markus Estrada Rani Sharone Gil Sharone

Otep (also written as OTEP or OT3P) are an American nu metal band formed in the fall of 2000 in Los Angeles, California fronted by Otep Shamaya. They have released one EP, five studio albums and two live albums. They also are currently signed to Victory Records.

History [edit]

Early Years, Jihad and Sevas Tra (2000–2003) [edit]

Otep began as a band in Los Angeles, California in late 2000.^[3] They were invited to play Ozzfest before they had even signed to a label after Sharon Osbourne witnessed their live performance. They have since played Ozzfest several times.^[3] Otep signed with Capitol Records after only a few shows and without a demo, purely on the power of their live performance.^[3] They started gigging around Los Angeles a lot and released Jihad in 2001.^[3]

The band released their album Sevas Tra with Terry Date^[4] on June 18, 2002^[5] and then played several gigs at the Ozzfest and was consider one of the prime bands there in 2002.^[3] Their first time at Ozzfest was in 2001 with their 8th gig.^[3] The album peaked at 145 on the Billboard 200^[6] and 86 on the UK Albums Chart.^[7]

House of Secrets (2004–2006) [edit]

On July 27, 2004, Otep released their 2nd album House of Secrets^[8] and it was produced by Greg Wells.^[3] The album peaked at 93 on the Billboard 200^[6] and 102 on the French Chart.^[9]

The Ascension (2007–2008) [edit]

After 3 years of touring, on March 20 during 2007 they signed to Koch Records and they released their third album titled The Ascension^[10] and supported it with constant touring with Static-X starting in the spring of 2007.^[3] Despite the original release date, the album was delayed indefinitely due to the recent Capitol/Virgin Records merger.^[11][12][13] It peaked at 81 on the Billboard 200^[6][14][15] and 6 on the US Independent Charts.^[15][16] The album also had about 10,200 album copies sold in its first week of release.^[14]

Smash the Control Machine and Departure of Jay McGuire (2009–2010) [edit]

In 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records.^[3] Their 2009 album, Smash the Control Machine released August 18 during 2009,^[3][17] included a reunion with former members Mark "Moke" Bistany on drums and Rob Patterson on guitar. The album also featured Koichi Fukuda on piano, and Emilie Autumn on violin, and a cowrite with songwriter, Holly Knight which resulted in 'You're A Woman Now'. Holly Knight previously cowrote Perfectly Flawed with Otep on The Ascension.^[18] It peaked at 47 on the Billboard 200^[6] and 6 on the US Independent Charts.^[16] The band appeared with 2Cents, Five Finger Death Punch & Shadows Fall on the 'Shock & Raw Tour' of North America in the fall of 2009.^[19]

On September 30, 2010, former bassist Jay McGuire left the band.^[20]

Atavist and Sounds of Armageddon (2011–2012) [edit]

During April 26, 2011,^[21] Otep released their 5th studio album, Atavist.^[3] The album peaked at 61 on the Billboard 200,^[6] 10 on the Independent Charts^[16] and 19 on the US Rock Charts.^[22]

On November 6, 2012, Otep released their first live album, Sounds Like Armageddon.^[23][24]

Hydra and Recent Activity (2013–present) [edit]

In an interview, Otep Shamaya has stated that Hydra will be her band's final album.^[25] The album was released on January 22, 2013^[26] and peaked at 155 on Billboard 200.^[6] However, the band are still touring and have tours in places such as the USA's east coast and Australia for their Sounds of Armageddon tour.^[27][28]

Style and influences [edit]

The band's style is primarily nu metal.^{[8][20][21][24][26][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]} The band is also considered alternative metal as well.^[23][27][28] Other than that, the band has also been labelled as goth metal,^[4][31][37] industrial metal^[10][31] and death metal.^[27][38] Allmusic has described the band as "art house nu-metal".^[39] The band's influences include Sepultura, Black Sabbath, Tool, Deftones, Pantera, Korn, The Doors, Slipknot, Celtic Frost, Skinny Puppy, Slayer, Alice in Chains, Siouxsie and the Banshees, L7, Babes in Toyland, Melvins, Nine Inch Nails, Hole and Nirvana.^{[29][40][41][42]}

Awards [edit]

In 2004, the music video for their single "Warhead" was on the top ten of MTV Headbanger's Ball.^[43]

In 2010, Otep was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Music Artist" for their album Smash the Control Machine during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards.^[44]

Band members [edit]

Former members [edit]

• Jason "eViL j" McGuire – bass (2000–2010)
• Rob Patterson – guitars (2001–2004, 2009)
• Mark "Moke" Bistany – drums (2001–2004, 2009)
• Brian Wolff – drums (2006–2008)

Touring musicians [edit]

Guitars

• Lee Rios – touring guitars (2004)
• Scotty CH – touring guitars (2005)
• Aaron Nordstrom – touring guitars (2007–2008)
• Steven Barbola – touring guitars (2008–2010)
• Ari Mihalopoulos – touring guitars (2010–present)

Drums

• Scott Coogan – touring drums (2003)
• Doug Pellerin – touring drums (2004–2005)
• Dave Gentry – touring drums (2008–2010)
• Joe Fox – touring drums (2011)
• Chase Brickenden – touring drums (2010)
• Justin Kier – touring drums (2013)

Discography [edit]

Albums [edit]

Studio albums [edit]

Live albums [edit]

Extended plays [edit]

Singles [edit]

Promotional singles [edit]

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• Otep Official Site
• Otep on Facebook
• Otep on Myspace
• UnRated Magazine's Review of The Ascension
• "Otep's Next Step," by Niki D'Andrea, Phoenix New Times
• Hard Rock Albums Charts on Billboard