Formed in 1982 in Utretch, Holland, by guitarist Rick Bouwman, this short-lived quintet adopted the already common name Martyr and quickly established a technically demanding, pre-thrash approach to melodic speed metal. Their initial demo, “If It’s Too Loud, You’re Too Old,” appeared later that same year, yet it was the follow-up recording, 1983’s “Metal Torture,” that attracted the attention of the influential Aardschok magazine, resulting in several compilation spots and, ultimately, a deal with the Dutch label Megaton Records. By the time the band issued its debut album, For the Universe, in 1985, the lineup featured vocalist Gerard Vergouw alongside guitarists Bouwman and Marcel Heesakkers, bassist Antoine Van Der Linden, and drummer Elias Papadopoulos. The group then embarked on a European tour in support of the Canadian thrash outfit Exciter. While preparing its second album, Darkness at Time’s Edge, Martyr signed with Metalloid Records; the LP surfaced in 1986 to largely favorable notices, bolstered by the band’s first music video and joint shows with Dutch hard rockers Helloïse. Despite the positive reception, sluggish sales prompted the label’s inadequate distribution efforts, and Martyr disbanded the following year. The members reconvened in October 2001 for a one-off appearance at the Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival and later staged occasional reunions, eventually revealing plans for a new studio album slated for 2009.
