Randy Blythe | |
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Blythe at Rock im Park 2015
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Background information | |
Birth name | David Randall Blythe |
Born | February 21, 1971 |
Origin | Richmond, VA, United States |
Genres | Groove metal, Metalcore, Thrash Metal, Sludge Metal, Death Metal (early) |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, actor, author |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1995—present |
Labels | Epic, Roadrunner |
Associated acts | Lamb of God, Halo of Locusts, Gojira, Cannibal Corpse, Chthonic, A Life Once Lost, Metal Allegiance, Haste, Deafheaven, Power Trip, Eyehategod, Sourvein, DevilDriver |
David Randall "Randy" Blythe (born February 21, 1971), is an American singer, best known as the vocalist and lyricist of American heavy metal band Lamb of God. He has also performed guest vocals for Cannabis Corpse, Overkill, Gojira, and EYEHATEGOD and he is also the lead singer of side-project band Halo of Locusts. As a teenager, he looked up to bands of the hardcore punk scene such as the Sex Pistols, Bad Brains, and Black Flag.
In June 2012, Blythe was arrested in the Czech Republic and was indicted on manslaughter charges related to the 2010 death of Daniel Nosek, a 19-year-old fan, after a Lamb of God concert. The Czech court found that Blythe had pushed the fan off the stage and was "morally responsible" for the killing, but held that liability for Nosek's death also lay with promoters and security members, and ultimately acquitted Blythe of the criminal charges specifically.
After his acquittal, Blythe recorded the album VII: Sturm und Drang with Lamb of God, an album inspired by the manslaughter case and his detention time in the Czech Republic.
Blythe joined Lamb of God in 1995, when they were still known as Burn The Priest. Before Lamb of God was successful, he had previously worked as a cook.
Blythe also has a side project band known as Halo of Locusts, who were founded around 2004. A full-length release was planned, but has yet to be released. They contributed to For the Sick, the tribute album for Eyehategod, covering "Dixie Whiskey". In 2005, Blythe worked with the metalcore outfit A Life Once Lost on their album Hunter. He provided additional vocals on the track "Vulture" as well as helped in the vocal processing of the track. He later worked with them again in 2007 on "Iron Gag." He also appeared on the song "Skull and Bones"" by the band Overkill and "Adoration for None" on Gojira's album The Way of All Flesh. He was also featured on Shadows Fall song, King of Nothing, on their 2009 release, Retribution.