{"id":13772,"date":"2025-02-06T22:52:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T03:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=13772"},"modified":"2025-02-12T20:25:04","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T01:25:04","slug":"news-christian-thrash-legends-martyr-resurface-with-once-upon-a-tale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/06\/news-christian-thrash-legends-martyr-resurface-with-once-upon-a-tale\/","title":{"rendered":"News: Christian Thrash Legends MARTYR Resurface with ‘Once Upon a Tale’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The wait is almost over. After decades in the underground metal vaults, the legendary Christian thrashers Martyr<\/em> are making a triumphant return with Once Upon a Tale<\/em>\u2014a blistering new compilation that\u2019s been a long time coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slated for release on March 28, 2025<\/strong>, via Roxx Records<\/a><\/strong>, Once Upon a Tale<\/em> is a career-spanning collection that captures the raw energy and unrelenting intensity that made Martyr<\/em> one of the most revered names in Christian thrash. For the first time ever, fans will hear a fully remastered selection of tracks pulled from the band\u2019s storied past, culminating in two never-before-released songs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Legacy of Thrash and Resurgence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hailing from Van Nuys, California, Martyr<\/em> first stormed onto the Christian thrash and punk crossover scene in the mid-\u201980s with their debut four-song demo, Fall on Your Face<\/em> (1986), followed by the cult-classic nine-track Death Is Dead<\/em> (1987). Their underground success led to more DIY cassette-only releases, including 1988\u2019s Imminent Warfare<\/em> and 1989\u2019s Frantic<\/em>, solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The band quickly gained momentum, sharing the stage with other Christian thrash and punk heavyweights, including a high-profile show with The Crucified<\/em> in Porterville, California. However, despite their promising trajectory, Martyr<\/em> faced the same hurdles as many independent bands of the era\u2014competition, shifting tides in the Christian metal scene, and life pulling them in different directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1993, Martyr<\/em> resurfaced with the CD-only compilation Wickenstraut<\/em>, compiling 18 tracks from their demo years alongside a few new songs. Then, in 2001, the band released The Passing of Time<\/em>\u2014an ultra-limited CD that included material from Frantic<\/em> and Imminent Warfare<\/em>, three unreleased tracks, and songs from Betrayal<\/em>, the thrash band that emerged from Martyr\u2019s<\/em> remnants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then\u2026 silence. Until now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Long-Awaited Resurrection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After years of persistence from Roxx Records, Martyr<\/em>\u2014with the help of Ladislao and Chris Ackerman (Betrayal\/Martyr)\u2014has finally opened the vault. For the first time ever, fans can experience Once Upon a Tale<\/em> on vinyl and newly remastered CD<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This definitive collection of Martyr<\/em>‘s history features 10 tracks<\/strong>, including highlights from each of their releases and two previously unheard songs recorded in 1995.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track Listing:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Imminent Warfare<\/strong> (Imminent Warfare<\/em> demo, 1988)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Frantic<\/strong> (Frantic<\/em> demo, 1989)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. War Circus<\/strong> (Wickenstraut<\/em> compilation, 1993)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Impiously Deranged<\/strong> (The Passing of Time<\/em> compilation, 2001)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Fallen Deceived<\/strong> (The Passing of Time<\/em> compilation, 2001)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Plead the Blood<\/strong> (The Passing of Time<\/em> compilation, 2001)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Escaping the Altar<\/strong> (The Passing of Time<\/em> compilation, 2001)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. When Darkness Reigns<\/strong> (The Passing of Time<\/em> compilation, 2001)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. American Holocaust<\/strong> (Previously unreleased, 1995)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Truth<\/strong> (Previously unreleased, 1995)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Limited-Edition Vinyl and CD Details<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Once Upon a Tale<\/em> has been meticulously <\/strong>remastered by Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) <\/strong>and features a fresh layout and design by Scott Waters (NoLifeTilMetal Graphics). With the original master tapes lost to time, every track has been sourced from demo tapes and CD pressings, delivering the best possible sound quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n