OTEP, the band led by singer, poet, illustrator, author and activist Otep Shamaya, will release a new studio album, “The God Slayer”, on September 15 via Cleopatra. The follow-up to 2018’s “Kult 45” offers up a mix of inspired original tracks as well as transformative takes on chart-topping hits from a variety of influences, including pop, rap and grunge, by such artists as Eminem, Billie Eilish, SLIPKNOT, Lil Peep and Olivia Rodrigo.
The LP’s second single, “Ostracized”, is the first original song from the upcoming album. Shamaya harnesses the power of her raw, unapologetic emotion and passion-filled poetry, which act as the driving forces behind “Ostracized”. This dynamic musical masterpiece was forged in the fire of unadulterated rage, with an edge sharpened by an ear-shattering blend of high screams, death growls, and guttural vocals, galvanized by gritty guitar, pounding drums, and a face-melting solo, courtesy of VIGIL OF WAR guitarist Kiki Wong.
Pre-save the album is digital format HERE and pre-order the physical AT THIS LOCATION
The first single from “The God Slayer”, a cover of Eilish‘s “You Should See Me In A Crown”, was releases during OTEP‘s U.S. tour earlier this year and has been generating massive buzz as well as landing in top 10 most popular tracks on Spotify.
“The God Slayer” track listing:
1. My Violent Appetites
2. Ostracized
3. Good 4 U
4. Exit Wounds
5. You Should See Me In A Crown
6. The Way I Am
7. California Girls
8. Pet
9. Territorial Pissings
10. Star Shopping
11. Purity
12. God Slayer
Not only is Shamaya a revered musical figure, known for her intrepid blending of metal genres and hip-hop, as exemplified on her notorious 2002 debut album “Sevas Tra”, but she’s also amassed an enormous following based on her fearless performances and confrontational, spiritually tinged lyrics. It’s that combination of radical artistry and galvanizing message that the world desperately needs now more than ever, and OTEP is ready to answer the call.
“You Should See Me In A Crown” was the lead single from the 2018 debut album of another controversial female figure who cut across musical and social norms to carve out an identity all her own. That artist is, of course, Billie Eilish, and OTEP‘s cover version is no mere homage to a young acolyte but rather a radical reimagining of the song that mines all of its dark sonic complexity as well as its bold lyrical message, transforming it into the kind of modern metal epic that nobody does better than OTEP.
As Shamaya herself puts it: “To me the song is a warning against cultural reduction, biased underestimation and the volatile anti-Newtonian reaction of judging someone before you know their true power.”t their own – a style they created and crafted carefully for more than 25 years strong. The album is a celebration of the imagination and craft of those who lead rather than follow. Artwork came in like magic from Joey Tessier – a world of magic and flowery creatures.”
