Betrayal

    Betrayal

    Van Nuys, California8 reviews across 6 releases

    death metalindustrialspeed metalthrash metal
    Discogs

    Betrayal was a Christian metal band from Van Nuys, California, formed in the late 1980s by musicians who had been involved with Martyr. Its first phase was a technically played thrash project with a death-metal edge: the independent Reviling Darkness demo used fast, sharply arranged riffs, while the 1991 debut Renaissance by Death added brief classical passages and jazz touches without softening the attack. The songs paired harsh vocals with explicitly Christian warnings, including material shaped by Marcus Colon's former involvement in Satanism. By The Passing in 1993, the writing was more controlled and the band had widened its vocabulary with industrial textures, jazz interludes, and hardcore-style delivery. Guest vocalists gave several songs the character of a scene-wide exchange, but the core remained intricate, high-speed metal.

    A car accident in May 1993 was followed by the band's decision to disband, ending the original run after two Wonderland Records albums. Marcus Colon revived the name in 1999, initially working almost alone; Leaving Nevermore moved away from thrash toward dark, brooding music built around keyboards and electronic textures, with subdued vocals. Former member Matt Maners assisted with the recording, while Chris Duncan contributed guest vocals. The Passing Of Time then gathered older Martyr and Betrayal demo material and included live footage, presenting the earlier period as a document of the band's beginnings. By In Remembrance Of Me in 2002, Colon had brought the guitars forward again, using drum loops and keyboards around heavier riffs. It was distributed through donations, with proceeds intended to help place the album free with non-believers.

    6 releases reviewed