OTEP Calls Out the NRA in Shocking New Music Video for “Shelter In Place”

Just over one week ago, iconic rockers OTEP unleashed their most uncompromising, candid, all-inclusive and controversial assessment of the current residing political regime that they have ever released – the new album Kult 45. Today, they have released a shocking new music video – pointing a finger at the NRA and their allowance of continued gun violence – for the single “Shelter In Place”. The video, directed by OTEP and filmed by PR Brown, can be viewed now, here: 

 

Otep Shamaya says, “The video for “Shelter In Place” challenges the NRA’s irrational claim that “only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun”. It aims the blame of mass murders of our children in school shootings directly on the NRA, not necessarily its members, but the administration who continue to fight for people on Terrorist Watch Lists to own a gun. Why? It’s my belief the more murders that occur, the more money they make from weapons manufacturers and increases in membership which strengthens their ability to be a political power that continues to frighten the Republican owned Congress.

Kult 45 is available now in digital formats here, and/or CD and vinyl formats via the Napalm Records Online Store. You can also stream Kult 45 in full via Spotify here.

 

“Protest music is alive on well on Otep Shamaya’s new bible for dissenters.” – Alternative Press

 

“Kult 45 sees OTEP at their controversial best, assessing and tackling the issues swimming around the political pool party that currently harbours their capital.” – Metal Wani

 

“OTEP speaks out, savages President Trump and stands tall on Kult 45.” – Salt Lake City Weekly

“[OTEP] is a powerful voice for civil rights, for people of color, for the LGBTQ community, for the working class, for animal rights.” – Reading Eagle

“OTEP‘s message is one that needs to be heard.” – Jamestown Post-Journal

 

 

Throughout the span of her career, Otep Shamaya has been an undeniable force in bringing awareness via various acclaimed mediums to the social and political injustices felt by various communities and subcultures. For years, publications such as Revolver Magazine have lauded Shamaya for “following in the footsteps of outspoken musicians from folk singer Woody Guthrie to Rage Against The Machine‘s Zach de la Rocha”, dubbing her “one of music’s catalysts for social change”. So, with the political climate as it is today, now it’s the perfect time to impact with Kult 45.

 

Kult 45 was recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, completely utilizing the same equipment used for OTEP‘s first album, Sevas Tra (down to Shamaya’s vocal microphone, a SHURE Beta 58), in order to create a sound reminiscent of their roots. Kult 45 was self-produced by Otep Shamaya and Aristotle, with assistant engineering from Larry Goetz, Nicolas Schilke and Lizzy Ostro.

 

OTEP does not hold back on Kult 45, pointing out all sorts of political duplicities and leaving them in their wake. The band explodes on aggressive, adamant anthems like “Halt Right” and “Molotov”, which act as timely outcries against the recent resurgence of hate groups.Tracks like the in-your-face “Cross Contamination” explore the hypocrisy of the evangelical right giving Trump a pass on his infidelities, and cherry-picking scriptures to fit their ideologies. “Invisible People” approaches immigration issues while pointing a strong finger at Trump, the electronically-charged “Boss” aims to break, fight, and redefine gender roles, “Shelter In Place” investigates the topic of school shootings, and “Trigger Warning” targets rape culture – specifically Stanford rapist Brock Turner -with a vengeance.

 

One of the last tracks on the album is a true-to-form cover of “Wake Up” – an homage to political music icons, major Kult 45 writing inspirations, and original track recording artists Rage Against The Machine. The album closes with the bonus track “The Tribe Speaks”, featuring recorded voicemails from fans expressing how OTEP‘s music has changed their lives. Shamaya says the voicemails are truly moving and keep her fighting as an artist and activist.

 

 

8/7 – Mesa, AZ @ Club Red&

8/8 – Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A Go Go

8/9 – Flagstaff, AZ @ The Green Room&

8/10 – Tucson, AZ @ The Rialto Theatre&

8/11 – Anaheim, CA @ The Parish @ House of Blues&

8/12 – Sacramento, CA @ Holy Diver&

8/14 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon&

8/15 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre&

 

Otep Shamaya: Vocals

Aristotle: Guitars

Drewski Barnes: Bass

Justin Kier: Drums