In 2000, four musicians came together and formed the heavy metal band, Otep.  Sharon Osbourne caught part of their act at a local venue, and they were invited to participate in Ozzfest before they even had a recording contract.  Otep is known to combine poetry, spoken word, and nu-metal aspects; they call themselves a fusion band.

Otep

We are still searching for that perfect moment on stage.... When nothing else exists ... except joy and pain.... and all the secrets of universe are revealed.... Maybe this time.

Becoming a Band

In 2000, four musicians came together and formed the heavy metal band, Otep.  Sharon Osbourne caught part of their act at a local venue, and they were invited to participate in Ozzfest before they even had a recording contract.  Otep is known to combine poetry, spoken word, and nu-metal aspects; they call themselves a fusion band.

They released their debut album, Sevas Tra, in 2002 on a Capitol record label.  The album title, when read backward, says Art Saves.  While no singles stood out commercially, the album hit #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and #145 on the Billboard Top 200.  

Picking Up Momentum

Their 2004 release, House of Secrets, debuted at #93 on the Billboard Top 200.  The video for their single, Warhead made the Top Ten on MTV's Headbanger's Ball in 2004. They performed in their third Ozzfest in 2004 also, with a prime spot on the second stage.  Their next album, The  Ascension, was released in 2007.  The release of the album was delayed due to the merger of Capitol Records and Virgin Records.  After the album was released, the band launched a tour with Static-X to promote the album, and when they returned, they dropped the label.

In 2009, Otep, on the Victory Records label, released their album, Smash the Control Machine.  It was produced by Ulrich Wild who had worked White Zombie, Static-X, Bleeding Through, and Pantera.  The album debuted at #47 on the Billboard Top 200 and sold 10,400 copies in its first week.  To promote the album, Otep launched the Shock & Raw tour of North America with Five Finger Death Punch, Shadows Fall, and 2Cents.  

Here and Now

The title single from Smash the Control Machine has been enjoying moderate radio play, and has been frequently requested on line for streaming or for mp3 format.  They are currently tour the nation on their Bury Your Dead Tour.  In June of 2010, they are scheduled to perform in the Rockin' Roots Tour in California.

Upon return from touring later in the year, the band is expected to return to the studio, although no release date has been predicted for their next album.  Their videos can be streamed through YouTube or through their website or MySpace page.  

Did you know . . .

1. The band's lead singer, Otep Shamaya is a published poet.  She has written to books of poetry and was featured on HBO's Def Poetry.

2. Otep Shamaya and her band, Otep, are actively involved in several political and social organizations, including PETA and Carbon Rally, which is a group aimed at ending global warming.

3. Otep started the organizations, All Shapes and Sizes, the purpose of which is to empower people no matter their weight, and Girls Out Now, an online safe place for lesbieans to meet one another.

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