B.T.R. (band)

B.T.R.
Some members of B.T.R. with special guest Glenn Hughes
Background information
Origin	Sofia, Bulgaria
Genres	Heavy Metal, Hard rock
Years active	1984–present
Website	http://www.btr.cc
Members	Atanas "Nasko" Penev (vocals), Slavcho Nickolov (vocals & guitars), Ivan Kalfov (vocals & bass guitar), Ilian Dikov (drums), Kiril Bojkov (guitars)

B.T.R. is a Bulgarian modern rock band, founded in 1984.

BTR was established in the period 1984-86.During the early years up to nearly thirty musicians pass through the band.For the first time BTR is on stage on the rock festival in Troyan in 1990.For their first album, the band consists of: Hristo Angov ( vocals),Valentine Guevski ( guitar), Kiril Bozhkov (guitar ), Ivan Kalfov (bass), Georgi Milev (drums ) . It was released by " Riva Sound " in a concert, with performances from the concert hall " Valentin Andreev " of 29.01.1992 g.In 1993 BTR released their first studio album Bending the Rules. The album consists of powerful heavy metal tracks, mixed with some more melodic ballads. It is distributed by Unison - RTM and became one of the best-selling albums in Bulgaria during 1993.

Since 1993 B.T.R. consists of Kiril Bojkov (guitars), Ivan Kalfov (bass guitar), Ilian Dikov (drums), Slavcho Nikolov (guitars, vocals) and Atanas Penev (vocals). Their first album with this lineup is "Feel the Life" and it consists of traditional heavy metal tracks. Following extensive promotion in small clubs and concert halls, the band makes an impression in France and gets positive reception amongst the French fans. B.T.R.'s arrival in Nice coincides with the soccer victory of Bulgaria over France, and the band is invited to play soccer with the semi-professional University of Nice soccer team.

In 1994 the band is invited to play in F.R.A.C.A., a large musical forum in Southern France in which over 20 bands perform. A year later, the band opens for the legendary Iron Maiden in Sofia.

In 1997, "B.T.R. '97" is released, which is a significant step forward for the band. The album is actually recorded in 1996, but not released until a year after. Amongst the songs is the instant hit, and perhaps one of B.T.R.'s most recognized songs "Elmaz i Staklo" (Diamond and Glass). Following the critical success of "'97", the band is again invited to perform in the French festival Cosmopoliten, featuring various international acts.