FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL… BOLT THROWER DOUBLE HEADER!
Before we get into this release, can we have a moment of silence in remembrance of Martin Kearns (March 7, 1977 – September 14, 2015), Rest In Peace.
Bolt Thrower drummer Martin Kearns died unexpectedly at the age of 38, on September 14, 2015. The band posted on Sputnikmusic that Kearns reported breathing troubles and lightheadedness during a practice session, and, after trying to relax with a shower and nap, was found to have died peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack. The following year, the remaining members of Bolt Thrower eventually decided to dissolve the band rather than replace Kearns, with frontman Karl Willetts stating, "I can confirm that Bolt Thrower are definitely over for good. There will be no reunion tours etc... no compromise."
Let us continue with the celebration of this release…
On November 14, 2005, Bolt Thrower released their eighth and final full-length studio album Those Once Loyal in Europe via Metal Blade Records.
It was released three days prior (November 11, 2005) in Germany, and one day later (November 15, 2005) in the United States, also by Metal Blade Records. It was recorded and mixed at Sable Rose Studios in Coventry, England. It is produced by the band and Andy Faulkner.
With Bolt Thrower deciding against releasing a follow-up to Those Once Loyal, it was Bolt Thrower's final studio album before breaking up a year after drummer Martin Kearns' death in September 2015.
Background:
In 2004, the band began working on new material for the album. They intended to record it in May 2004, with the release set to the end of the year by Metal Blade.
Meanwhile, a European tour and a US tour were being prepared. Unfortunately, right before the recording could begin, Dave Ingram decided to leave due to health and personal issues. This postponed the new record and tours, and priority was set to finding a new singer.
On November 18, 2004 the band announced the return of Karl Willetts.
Recording of the album, titled Those Once Loyal, started in May 2005.
Like all of Bolt Thrower's albums, Those Once Loyal dealt with war, specifically World War I. The cover shows a World War 1 QF 18 pounder field gun and its crew in action and is based on an original WW1 photograph. The picture is also found on the back side of the Guards Memorial in St James's Park in London.
A European tour followed in January and February 2006. A second leg followed in April, with dates in Scandinavia, the UK, Spain and more.
Bolt Thrower announced that, as they were satisfied with the Those Once Loyal album, they would be indefinitely postponing the recording of another LP. The band stated that their goal was always to stop after releasing "the perfect Bolt Thrower album". However, Karl Willetts had mentioned work on a ninth album.
Critical Reception:
Those Once Loyal has been met with widespread critical acclaim from magazines such as Rock Sound, Rock Hard and Metal Hammer.
Ian Finley praised the album in Terrorizer Magazine as "immune to the corrupting influence of all musical trends" while offering "the epitome of what a metal album should be: hard, fast and uncompromising".
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
Follow Us:
Subscribe to Into the Wells at: https://intothewellsabyss.wixsite.com/intothewells
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Intothewells.abyss
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/into_the_wells
You can also follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/into_the_wells?s=21&t=ISh9VpVYRrOy70MsZZVXTQ
Comments