With influences drawing from a range of musicians such as: Marilyn Manson, Selputura, Black Sabbath and Nirvana, Otep (the stage name of frontwoman Otep Shamaya while also functioning as an anagram of poet) created a strong live presence from the get go.
In 2001 the band were invited onto the bill of Ozzfest after impressing Sharon Osborne at one of their live shows, amazingly their performance at the festival was only their eighth live show. As word got out, they caught the attention of Capitol Records and signed with them later that year. Playing several shows around their hometown of California, Otep generated a loyal following before releasing their highly anticipated debut in the form of the “Jihad” EP. The following year came the release of their full length album “Sevas Tra” peaking at number 175 on the US Billboard charts. The album featured the singles “Blood Pigs” and “Possession”.
Teaming up with Grammy nominated producer Greg Wells who’s worked with the likes of Aerosmith, Elton John and Burt Bacharach, Otep began work on their second album “House of Secrets” released in 2004. Spending the next three years touring, Otep played alongside: Black Label Society, Slipknot, Lamb of God and Hatebreed while making regular appearances at Black Sabbath’s annual Ozzfest.
In 2007 Otep signed with Koch Records to release their third album “The Ascension”, heavily supported by their tour with Static-X, the album peaked at number 81 in the Billboard charts while scoring number three in the US Independent charts. A move to Victory Records in 2009 for the album “Smash the Control Machine” featured appearances from Koichi Fukuda and Emilie Autumn and a co-write on the track “You’re a Woman Now” with songwriter Holly Knight.
On the up as they released their fifth studio album “Atavist” in 2011 has seen Otep to rise in the charts as they continue to wow audiences with their electric and memorable live performances.
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Charli XCX
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