Iconic rockers OTEP are about to unveil they’re most uncompromising, candid, all-inclusive and controversial assessment of the current residing political regime that they have ever released in the form of their eighth full-length album, aptly titled Kult 45. Drawing influences from politically-charged recording artists of the past but allowing her artwork to remain fully and undeniably OTEP, Otep Shamaya continues her nearly two-decade invasion of the senses on July 27, 2018 when Kult 45 drops via Napalm Records. This is OTEP like you’ve never heard them before.
Kult 45 is available for pre-order now exclusively via the Napalm Records Online Store, and will be available in CD (jewel case) format with bonus tracks and Vinyl format in black, as well as individual red and gold Vinyl colors (each Napalm Records exclusives). Digital pre-orders will become available soon.
Throughout the span of her career, Otep Shamaya has been an undeniable force in bringing awareness via various acclaimed mediums to social and political injustices felt by various communities and subcultures. For years, publications such as Revolver Magazine have lauded Shamaya for ‘following in the footsteps of outspoken musicians from folk singer Woody Guthrie to Rage Against The Machine’s Zach de la Rocha’ dubbing her “one of music’s catalysts for social change”. So, with the political climate as it is today, it’s prime time for OTEP to make their voices heard in their primary medium – song.
‘You can expect a complete and total mutiny of the senses on Kult 45,’ says Shamaya. ‘That said, it’s important for fans to know that this record is not just an indictment of Trump. The idea was rather to empower people to stand up and remind them this is our country and we have the power. It’s primarily a rallying cry for people with common sense and good-natured patriots to rise up and know that we own this nation.’
‘Although the album is produced well technically, lyrically, it’s very raw. Musically, we explore different genres – we’re trying to reach everyone. I don’t want to be limited to one genre or to be anchored to a particular space where I can only reach certain political minds. It was important to me that what I was sending a clear and concise message to the Resistance – the people out there bending the barricades and fighting for justice is this country.’
Kult 45 was recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, completely utilizing the same equipment used OTEP’s first album, Sevas Tra (down to Shamaya’s vocal microphone, a SHURE Beta 58), in order to create a sound reminiscent of their roots. Kult 45 was self-produced by the band, with assistant engineering from Larry Goetz, Nicolas Schilke and Lizzy Ostro.
Shamaya explains that Kult 45 is the most authentic album OTEP has ever released, at least since their first record, and self-producing it helped achieve this result. ‘We had the freedom to be able to write, record and exist within the songs on Kult 45. Things needed to be said and songs needed to be written that reflect the times. We weren’t under anyone else’s agenda, there was no pressure to create a “single” or a song for radio, and the band was really able to shine.’
Kult 45 track listing:
1- Hail To The Thief
2- Halt Right
3- Molotov
4- Said The Snake
5- Undefeated
6- Trigger Warning
7- Cross Contamination
8- Shelter In Place
9- Boss
10- To The Gallows
11- Sirens Calling
12- Invisible People
13- Be Brave
14- Wake Up (cover of Rage Against the Machine)
15- Feral Oracle (Bonus Track)
16- The Tribe Speaks (Bonus Track)
OTEP will go out on a headline tour supporting Kult 45, beginning July 5 in Las Vegas, NV at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The tour will run for nearly a month and a half, coming to an end in Ventura, CA on August 18. See below for all currently confirmed tour dates.
OTEP Summer 2018 Headline Tour Dates:
7/5 – Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino*
7/6 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall*
7/7 – Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theatre*
7/8 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater*
7/9 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep*
7/11 – Merriam, KS @ Aftershock*
7/12 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Icon Lounge*
7/13 – Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest – hosted by Lou Brutus
7/14 – Joliet, IL @ The Forge#
7/15 – Detroit, MI @ Diesel Concert Lounge#
7/17 – Toronto, ON @ The Rockpile
7/18 – Ottawa, ON @ Brass Monkey
7/19 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre – w/ Kore RozZik
7/20 – Reading, PA @ Reverb – Rock Room#
7/21 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance#
7/22 – Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Iron Works#
7/23 – Warrendale, PA @ Jergel’s Rhythm Grille#
7/25 – Lexington, KY @ Manchester Music Hall#
7/26 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts#
7/27 – Cleveland, OH @ The Odeon Concert Club#
7/28 – Findlay, OH @ All American Rock House#
7/29 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar#
8/1 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Ruins Live&
8/2 – Austin, TX @ Come & Take It Live&
8/3 – Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Live!&
8/4 – Houston, TX @ Scout Bar&
8/5 – San Antonio, TX @ The Rock Box&
8/7 – Mesa, AZ @ Club Red&
8/8 – Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A Go Go
8/9 – Flagstaff, AZ @ The Green Room&
8/10 – Tucson, AZ @ The Rialto Theatre&
8/11 – Anaheim, CA @ The Parish @ House of Blues&
8/12 – Sacramento, CA @ Holy Diver&
8/14 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven&
8/15 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre&
8/17 – Fresno, CA @ Fulton 55&
8/18 – Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theater&
* w/ Dropout Kings & One Day Waiting
# w/ Dropout Kings & Kore RozZik
& w/ Dropout Kings & Ragdoll Sunday