After over four decades in the metal scene, Dutch heavy metal veterans MARTYR are still firing on all cylinders. With the release of their latest album Dark Believer, they’ve not only followed up on the success of Planet Metalhead — they’ve surpassed it. We spoke with founding guitarist Rick Bouwman about the creative process behind Dark Believer, the impact of new band members, and what keeps MARTYR charging forward after all these years.
“Dark Believer” has been described as not just meeting but exceeding the high bar set by Planet Metalhead. What changes in your writing or recording process do you think helped push this album to the next level?
Correct. Planet Metalhead was already a milestone for us, but with Dark Believer we wanted to raise the stakes in every possible way. There were no big changes in the writing process but we were very creative with lots of inspiration. The only change i think was that we approached the procuction, mixing and mastering process when all songs were complete. For Planet Metalhead , which was recorded during Covid 19) it was done song by song. For Dark Believer every member delivered or ideas or their parts that brought new inspiration to the table, and we refined them together until they were undeniable.
Just as with Planet Metalhead we took our time to experiment with arrangements, vocal harmonies, and guitar layering. We also worked closely after that with our producer Jory Hogeveen to capture the raw, old-school MARTYR energy, but with a more modern punch and clarity. The result is heavier, more dynamic, and more emotionally charged — we didn’t just want to match Planet Metalhead, we wanted to surpass it in every dimension.
The addition of Justin Schut and Ed Van Wijngaarden seems to have injected new life into your sound. How did their backgrounds in thrash shape the aggressive edge of Dark Believer without compromising your classic metal roots?
Both play the kind of fire we are looking for. Both have deep roots in thrash but also classic metal, which naturally adds speed, precision, and a more aggressive attack to the music. Justin’s guitar playing pushes the riffs into sharper, more relentless territory, he is a great solo guitar player. While Ed’s drumming is a tight, driving force that gives the songs extra urgency and the [ower to perform it live onstage too..
The key, though, was blending raw energy with MARTYR’s classic heavy metal DNA. Both understand the importance of melody, hooks, and atmosphere, so instead of overpowering the old-school vibe, they both amplify it.
You’ve been honored in your hometown and recognized globally. After over 40 years in the scene, what motivates Martyr to keep creating and performing with such intensity?
For us, it’s pure passion — it always has been. After more than four decades, MARTYR isn’t just a band; it’s part of who we are. The thrill of writing a killer riff, stepping on stage, and seeing fans — old and new — connect with our music still gives us the same rush it did in the early ’80s.
We’ve been through our highs and lows but we think heavy metal and our style is timeless. As long as there are people out there who feel the same fire we do, we’ll keep pushing ourselves to play harder, write better, and deliver every performance at our best. That intensity isn’t something you can fake — it comes from loving what you do and believing in it with every fiber of your being.
“Cemetery Symphony” showcases a wide emotional and musical range — was this track particularly challenging or rewarding to compose and record?
Although it came sort of naturally from Rop, he is very good at wrting that kind of songs, playing it , composing it , adding the instrumental parts were both a challenge and a reward in the best way possible. From the beginning, we knew it had to be more than just a heavy song — it needed to tell a story and take the listener on a journey. It blends melodic passages, intense riffs, and dramatic shifts in dynamics, which meant we had to be very deliberate with the arrangements to keep everything flowing naturally.
Vocally and instrumentally, it pushed us out of our comfort zones. There are moments of pure power and aggression, but also haunting, almost cinematic sections that required a different touch. Recording it was intense, but when we heard it come together, we knew we’d created something special. For me, it’s one of the tracks that truly shows the depth and versatility of Dark Believer.
Martyr has shared stages with heavyweights like Trivium, Iced Earth, and Blaze Bayley. Can you share a particularly memorable or unexpected moment from one of those tours?
We’ve supported many incredible bands — Lizzy Borden, Vicious Rumors, Flotsam and Jetsam, Raven — and every tour has its memories. One that stands out was with Raven. We did a tribute cover of Don’t Need Your Money on our 2016 album You Are Next, and played it for them live. I remember John Gallagher saying, “You guys play it with more intensity than we ever did.” That was a huge compliment. Also, I’ll never forget the completely illogical tour routing on the Lizzy Borden tour — driving north, then south, then back north just to end up in southern Europe again. It was crazy, but the main thing we learned from these bands is this: give everything you’ve got — whether it’s for 10 people or 10,000. Every fan matters.
“Dark Believer” blends NWOBHM tradition with contemporary energy. How do you walk the line between honoring your legacy and staying relevant in today’s metal landscape?
That balance is something we take very seriously. MARTYR was born in the NWOBHM era, so those roots will always be in our DNA although ji must say our main influences are US metal and Japanese metal — the twin guitar harmonies, the soaring vocals, the storytelling are very important. But we’re not interested in staying a nostalgia act. The challenge is to keep that classic foundation while injecting it with the energy, production, and attitude that speaks to today’s metal fans.
We do that by staying open-minded in our songwriting, experimenting with arrangements, and letting the influences of newer members like Justin and Ed together with Vinnie for a powerful pounding rhythm section to push the sound forward. It’s about evolving without losing identity. Dark Believer is the proof that you can respect where you came from while still sounding fresh, relevant, and ready for the future.
With the recent passing of Ozzy Osbourne, a towering figure in metal, what influence did his work — either with Sabbath or solo — have on Martyr’s sound or philosophy over the years?
Ozzy’s passing is a huge loss — not just for metal, but for music as a whole. For MARTYR, his music as a solo artist but also with Black Sabbath was of great importance to us. We are fans. An dofcourse the 2 albums with Randy Rhoads, my personal hero , the best ever on guitar. Black Sabbath essentially laid the foundation for so many bands: heavy riffs, dark themes, and that unmistakable atmosphere.
As a solo artist, Ozzy showed how you could take that heaviness and combine it with melody, hooks, and showmanship. His work ethic, his larger-than-life stage presence, and his ability to connect with fans on an emotional level is an inspiration. What Ozzy also taught us that metal can be both uncompromising and accessible — you can stay true to yourself while still reaching people all over the world. That’s a lesson we’ve carried through all these years, and with Dark Believer i think we do this as well.
Martyr’s guitar work on Dark Believer is both aggressive and precise. Can you give us a rundown of the key gear — guitars, amps, effects — that shaped the tone of this record?
I did all my recording but one on my ESP Edwards Anchang Star. It has a heavy tone but you can still here every string you hit and every nte. When we record we play through a VST into reaper. For The Weight of Words i played on an ESP crying Star (by Syu Galneryus). It needed a little less gain as it is a bit lower. Justin plays Solar guitars V shaped.
In the studio we reamped through a Mesa Boogie triple rectifier (which i use live) and an ENGL Fireball (which Justin uses live). We keep the tone as dry as possible. In that case you can always add some effects in stead of being in need of reducing it afterwards.
If Martyr had to perform a metal cover of a non-metal song at a royal banquet in Utrecht, what unexpected track would you pick — and who in the band would rock the most ridiculous outfit?
Ow that’s not an easy question. I think we’d go completely off the rails and do a metal version of “Modern Talking you’re my heart, you’re my soul” it’s over-the-top 80s and one of the fun things we play in the bus , it is almost let’s say ridiculous like a secret pleasure. It would raise a few royal eyebrows when the heavy part kicks in haha.
As for the most ridiculous outfit? Ed would show up in full 80s glitter outfit. The rest of us would just try to keep a straight face while playing.
With Dark Believer, MARTYR proves that legacy doesn’t mean standing still. It means building on everything you’ve done, pushing your craft further, and staying hungry — even after 40 years in the game. The album is a testament to evolution without compromise: rooted in tradition, sharpened by experience, and driven by sheer passion.
Whether you’ve been following them since the early days or you’re just discovering their brand of powerful, melodic heavy metal, Dark Believer is the sound of a band that refuses to fade quietly into history — because true believers don’t just play metal. They live it.
New Album Release: August 15th, 2025
Order Martyr– “Dark Believer” HERE!
Genre: Heavy Metal
Album Tracklist:
01 – Darkness Before Dawn
02 – Dark Believer
03 – Wrath of the Fallen
04 – Cemetery Symphony
05 – Insidious
06 – The Weight of Words
07 – Venoms Scent
08 – Harvest Of Souls
09 – Legions Of The Cross
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