R.I.P. KIDDIE, R.I.P. BOLT THROWER
One year after the bitter loss of Martin Kearns, long-standing BT drummer, Bolt Thrower have called it quits. While it is still very hard for me to accept this fact - I am never going to see them play another show, there will never be another album, what has once been an integral part of my musical life is no more - I admire the band for the integrity of this decision.
When they decided to postpone the production of a new album until they had written material that would kick the living shit out of Those Once Loyal - and thus setting the standards to such insurmountable heights that truly no other band could have made that jump - they had ensured that their legendary status would never be compromised, that they and their fans would not be embarrassed by a sub-par output, unlike the sad stories of legions of other bands... (for notable exceptions even in the BT back catalogue kindly refer to the vinyl section of this website.)
And now they have applied these same principles to the basis of the band's existence: If there is a chance it will not feel like BT, then let's not do it. If it means replacing someone who cannot be replaced, then let's not do it. If there's any chance BT will end up like any other re-re-union embarrassment, then let's not do it.
And thank you so much for not doing it, even though it rips out my heart to say so.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
But check out Memoriam to see how the story continues.
OR check out SPEARHEAD to see how the glory of BOLT THROWER is worshipped and carried further. Obey the warmaster!
MYBOLTTHROWERSHIRTS
Arguably, there's no merch like Bolt Thrower merch. At least not to the die hard fan. Apart from a few exceptions in the early nineties, BT merch has only been sold at their shows - and always priced considerably below their would-be competitors in the metal genre. For a while, the band used to print the shirts themselves, even to the point of fitting a screen printing carousel in their tour bus to be able to keep up with the high demand while keeping production cost minimal.
While the aesthetic value of the prints may vary, BT shirts are a much sought after crown in the metalhead's wardrobe. Reguarly, BT shirts come up on ebay and fetch prices way beyond their original cost but that reflect their cult status. Some may scorn purchases in this secondary market, but for a lot of people, this is the only way to get hold of great old shirts they missed out on buying in the good old days (perhaps replacing shirts that have turned into unwearable rags through frequent and proud public display).
I had the idea that it would be great to share pictures of my collection with others, sort of as a virtual shrine, and was prompted by this nice page...
So check out my BT shirt collection from the early days well into the mid 2000s, the later shirts, various objects like bootlegs and DIY, my beloved BT vinyl collection and stuff like hats, beanos etc.