Otep

Otep was an American nu metal band formed in November 2000 in Los Angeles by frontwoman Otep Shamaya. The band is noted for their "art-house nu metal", and their political stances. Throughout several lineup changes over the years, Shamaya was the only constant member in the band. After Sharon Osbourne selected them to appear at Ozzfest 2001, Otep signed with Capitol Records without a demo in March 2001. Otep released two albums through Capitol, Sevas Tra (2002) and House of Secrets (2004); both were moderate successes and sold a total of 400,000 copies worldwide by 2006. Otep's third album, The Ascension, was due for release through Capitol in March 2007, but was delayed indefinitely following the label's consolidation into Capitol Music Group two months prior to its planned release date. The band parted ways with the label, and the album was issued through Koch Records in October of that year. In February 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records. The band released three albums through the label; Smash the Control Machine (2009), which reunited the Sevas Tra lineup, Atavist (2011), and Hydra (2013), a concept album. Hydra was intended to be the band's final album, but Shamaya continued the band, and they released two more albums through Napalm Records, Generation Doom (2016) and Kult 45 (2018). Otep's ninth and final album, The God Slayer, was released through Cleopatra Records on September 15, 2023. Shamaya announced her retirement from music in November 2024, ending the band.