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MARTYR
Dark Believer

RPM-ROAR (2025)
Rating: 8/10

I was introduced to these Dutch metallers way back in the 80s via their debut album For The Universe. I recently revisited this cult item in order to prepare myself for the current version of Martyr. Maybe I hold For The Universe close as a comfort blanket in case Dark Believer stiffs.

So, onward I trudged to Martyr in 2025 fully aware that, and like many veteran bands, the original line-up has been decimated. Thankfully, two original members do remain and they are probably the most important: vocalist Robert van Haren and guitarist Rick Bouwman. Fronted by Gerard Vergouw, the Utrect-based band released two decent albums – the aforementioned For The Universe (1985) and Darkness At Time’s Edge (1986) – before van Haren returned to the fold. However, Martyr split in 1989 until a reformation of sorts in 2005.

In 2011 Martyr issued a third album, entitled Circle Of 8, which was followed in 2016 by You Are Next. Fifth album Planet Metalhead emerged after a six year gap in 2022. It was a solid affair but somewhat epitomised Martyr’s inconsistency, not aided by the revolving door of band members.

With Dark Believer, the line-up consists of van Haren, Bouwman and bassist Vinnie Wassink, who joined the ranks in 2017. So, while there’s some consistency there, Martyr has recently recruited two new members: Justin Schut (guitar), who joined two years ago, and newest recruit, Ed van Wijngaarden (drums).

Dark Believer consists of nine tracks, the first being ‘Darkness Before Dawn’. Martyr certainly hasn’t lost their touch for providing borderline speed metal but with the mystical finesse of Dio, especially in the richness of the vocals. What Martyr continues to do so well though is marry atmospheric traditional metal with speedier outbursts, some of which (‘Insidious’) border on Judas Priest’s classic 1990 album Painkiller.

Those of you expecting a continuation of last opus Planet Metalhead look away now, because Dark Believer, as the title suggests, is a far blacker album. With the veteran tag team of van Haren and Bouwman behind this record, there was no way that Dark Believer was going to fail.

‘Cemetery Symphony’ is a brooding, simmering mini masterpiece. There’s a doomy starkness to its drawn out opening. Then there’s the cinematic and gothic Dio-esque change at the 2:30 mark as the combo provide truly grandiose rhythms, resulting in what is arguably Martyr’s most majestic slab. As equally foreboding is ‘The Weight Of Words’ which aches and creaks like a funeral sermon channelled via van Haren’s oozing booms. Again there’s that overly Gothic feel adding an emphatic texture to proceedings as the guitars mournfully sigh beneath the layer of thunder clap drums.

It’s impressive as to how the clan shifts from such sombre rituals to speedier processions that flirt with both power and thrash metal. ‘Wrath Of The Fallen’ reminds me of Sanctuary; cold rushes of thrashing Gothic splendor delivered so tightly upon wings of black steel. There’s so much drama enshrouding the songs, although Martyr never sacrifices weight (just check out the riffage on ‘Harvest Of Souls’). but what’s also evident is an odour of Queensrÿche as the gang drift into contemporary designs rich in U.S. power metal ideology.

Martyr is one of the best bands that remain from the halcyon days of heavy metal. So many bands which return from the grave succumb to overproduction, and while Dark Believer can never enable Martyr to return to the sound of their roots, this is an album that oozes quality.

Neil Arnold

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