Completionist

Completionist is the second studio album by American Christian metal band Blood of the Martyrs. This is the first album to feature David Sanders on guitar and Michael Pak on drums and Bobby Huotari on Bass and the last to feature vocalist/keyboardist Lee Zook until 2023's Here at the End of All Things.

About
The album's title stems from the word completionist. All of the song titles are references to the TV show The Venture Bros..

Background and recording
The album was produced by Jamie King, who has produced for notable acts such as Between the Buried and Me and For Today.

After numerous DIY tours in support of their debut album the band parted ways with members Brian Paulette, Chris Oberholtzer and Tyler Ferrell. David Sanders and Michael Pak joined the band to fill these positions leaving the band with numerous temporary touring guitarist, including (now current guitarist) Jay Hathaway. On August 17, 2012, the band announced that they were working on an EP and released the music video for "Colonel Gentleman". For the next few months, little was heard about the album due to the bands extensive touring schedule. On June 14, 2013, a lyric video was released for the single "The Action Man", which featured Karl Schubach of Misery Signals. With the song's release, the band had announced that the EP was going to be a full-length as they had surpassed their Kickstarter goal of $2000 by nearly a grand. To tie fans over until the album's release, a cover of The Offspring's "Gone Away" was released on August 9 via YouTube and free download.

Release
Completionist was released independently on October 4, 2013. The band urged fans to purchase the album off of iTunes.

"Colonel Gentleman" was re-recorded for the album, and now featured guest vocals by Micah Kinard. The song "Semper Fidelis Tyrannosaurus" which debuted as a single in 2009 originally and was released on the band's demo in 2010 was re-recorded/written for this release as well.

The band embarked on a month-long tour, known as Gears of Tour, with My Heart to Fear and Alive in the Dark to promote the album.

"Lost & Found"
The music videos for "Swifty" and "H.E.L.P.eR." form a short film called "Lost & Found". "Swifty" was the first video released and features a man wandering around various places after a zombie outbreak. The video features cuts of the band performing the song, along with the story. "H.E.L.P.eR." serves as the prequel to "Swifty". The video shows the same man from the previous video with his girlfriend. The two are scavenging through places, before they are saved by the band members and taken to a camp. At the song's climax, various zombies attack the camp causing the man and his girlfriend to be separated and thus setting up for "Swifty".

Reception

Upon its release, Completionist has received mainly positive reviews.

HM Magazine reviewer Chelc Eaves praised the intro as it "opens like a haunting score to horror flick" as well as the band's ability to "deliver a solid, faith-based messaging" as it "doesn't seem to choke others out on faith". Eaves stated the album delivers "the good news in an oxymoronic kind of way - light-hearted and brutal all at once". He criticized the electronic elements as they "frequently border on amateur", but also said it gave the album "some twang" from other metalcore bands.

Indie Vision Music reviewer Brody B. praised the band's DIY ethic and listed "Otto Aquarius", "The Action Man", "Colonel Gentleman" and "Swifty" as the album's top tracks. He also criticized the over use of electronics, saying it "felt a bit forced, rather than natural".

Track listing
All lyrics written by Bobby Huotari. All music composed by Blood of the Martyrs.

Personnel
Lee Zook–lead vocals, keyboards
Bobby Huaroti–bass, backing vocals
David Sanders–guitar
Michael Pak–drums
Jay Hathaway–guitar

Additional personnel
Produced and mixed by Jamie King
Guest vocals on track 4 by Karl Schubach
Guest vocals on track 7 by Micah Kinard

References

2013 albums
Blood of the Martyrs albums
Self-released albums
Electronic albums by American artists
Albums produced by Jamie King (record producer)