Randy Blythe

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Randy Blythe

| image = LAMB OF GOD @ Rock Al Parque 2017 (35391620650).jpg

| caption = Blythe at Rock al Parque 2017

| birth_name = David Randall Blythe

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|2|21}}

| birth_place = Fort Meade, Maryland{{cite book |last1=Blythe |first1=D Randall |title=Dark Days: A Memoir |date=July 12, 2016 |publisher=Da Capo Press |location=Philadelphia, PA |isbn=978-0306825095 |page=29}}

| origin = Franklin, Virginia, U.S.

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| occupation = {{flatlist|

Singer
songwriter

}}

| years_active = 1994–present

| current_member_of = {{hlist|Lamb of God|Halo of Locusts|Burn The Priest}}

| past_member_of = Pigface

| website =

}}

David Randall Blythe ({{IPAc-en|b|l|aɪ}},{{Citation|title=Lamb of God's Randy Blythe - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?| date=May 20, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zugKbKk33QM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/zugKbKk33QM |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-03-11}}{{cbignore}} born February 21, 1971) is an American vocalist, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of heavy metal band Lamb of God and Burn The Priest. He has also performed guest vocals for Cannabis Corpse, A Life Once Lost, Overkill, Gojira, Pitch Black Forecast, Eyehategod, Eluveitie, Bad Brains, Soulfly, Clutch, Body Count, DevilDriver, Suicide Silence, Doyle, Metal Allegiance, and Voodoo Glow Skulls, and is the lead singer of side-project band Halo of Locusts.

Professional career

Blythe joined Lamb of God in 1995, when they were still known as Burn the Priest.{{cite web|title=The Burn the Priest Story|url=http://www.burn-the-priest.com|access-date=February 20, 2013}} Before the band was successful, Blythe had previously worked as a cook and a roofer.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/randy_blythe_for_10_of_the_20_years_i_was_in_lamb_of_god_i_was_a_roofer_and_restaurant_worker_at_the_same_time.html|title=Randy Blythe: 'For 10 of the 20 Years I Was in Lamb of God, I Was a Roofer and Restaurant Worker at the Same Time'|website=Ultimate-Guitar.Com|access-date=March 12, 2019}} He 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".{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r932715|pure_url=yes}}|title=Various artists – For the Sick: A Tribute to Eyehategod|work=Allmusic|access-date=September 1, 2008}}

File:Randy Blythe Ozzfest 2004 2.jpg]]

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. Blythe was featured in many of his peers' DVDs, such as Killswitch Engage's (Set This) World Ablaze and Machine Head's Elegies. Blythe was also featured in Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, Working Class Rock Star, Melissa Cross's The Zen of Screaming,{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} and Suicide Silence's Ending Is the Beginning: The Mitch Lucker Memorial Show (2014).

He appears as Luke in the movie The Graves (2009), written and directed by Brian Pulido.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1203517|title=The Graves (2008)|work=IMDb|access-date=September 1, 2008}}

On January 5, 2012, Blythe announced that he would be running for President of the United States via a blog entry entitled "I want to be The Big Cheese".{{cite web|url=http://randonesia.tumblr.com/post/15251001685/i-want-to-be-the-big-cheese|title=I want to be The Big Cheese.|website=Randonesia.tumblr.com}} His official campaign slogan was "Fuck the dumb shit. Let's get real here." Blythe did not appear on the ballot in any of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.McKenna, Dave (January 29, 2012) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/lamb-of-god-gives-local-blast-before-global-tour/2012/01/29/gIQAPvh0aQ_story.html "Lamb of God gives local blast before global tour"], "Blythe – who announced recently via YouTube that he was bidding to become president in 2012...." The Washington Post, Retrieved February 8, 2013.Dörting, Torsten & Wigger, Jan (February 9, 2012) [https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fkultur%2Fmusik%2F0%2C1518%2C813584-4%2C00.html&act=url "The most important metal albums of the month: 4th Part: Lamb Of God – healing for hip-hop artists"], "Statement: If you have even traced in part in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in the U.S., suspects that it is finally time to infiltrate the political system of the United States. This man is ready: LOG singer Blythe has recently announced his candidacy.", Spiegel Online; retrieved February 8, 2013.

On November 20, 2014, was announced that Blythe is to star in an action movie being made by Taiwanese metal band Chthonic.{{Cite web |url=http://metalhammer.teamrock.com/news/2014-11-20/randy-blythe-to-star-in-chthonic-action-movie |title=Randy Blythe to star in Chthonic action movie - Metal Hammer |access-date=November 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235048/http://metalhammer.teamrock.com/news/2014-11-20/randy-blythe-to-star-in-chthonic-action-movie |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }} On July 14, 2015, Blythe's first book, Dark Days: A Memoir was released by Da Capo Press. During its first week of sales, it made the Publishers Weekly non-fiction National Best Sellers list.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

In February 2016, he joined Deafheaven on stage at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles with their song "Dream House". Seven months later, in September 2016, he was recruited by Eyehategod as a replacement for lead singer Mike Williams during their US tour.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/eyehategod-lamb-of-god-randy-blythe-fill-in-mike-williams-tour/|title=Eyehategod Recruit Randy Blythe in Place of Mike IX Williams|website=Loudwire.com|date=September 22, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/watch-lamb-of-god-randy-blythe-front-eyehategod-in-portland|title=Watch LAMB OF GOD's RANDY BLYTHE Front EYEHATEGOD In Portland|date=October 9, 2016|website=Blabbermouth.net}}

In July 2018 he collaborated with DevilDriver on the covers of "Ghost Riders in the Sky" by Johnny Cash and "Whiskey River" by Willie Nelson from Devil Driver's country covers album.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/av/heres-randall-blythe-doing-vocals-for-devildrivers-version-of-a-johnny-cash-song|title=Here's Randall Blythe Doing Vocals For DEVILDRIVER's Version Of A JOHNNY CASH Song - Metal Injection|date=May 25, 2017|access-date=November 30, 2017}} In October, his voice appeared in the Soulfly song "Dead Behind the Eyes" from Ritual. On April 4, 2019, Blythe made a music video for the Black Queen song "The End Where We Start".{{cite web|access-date=June 24, 2020 |publication-date=April 4, 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jELls7vciKc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/jELls7vciKc |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|author=The Black Queen (official channel)|website=YouTube|title=The Black Queen - The End Where We Start(Randy Blythe DC Montage)}}{{cbignore}}{{primary source inline|date=June 2020}}

In November 2019, Blythe was a member of the supergroup, Pigface, during the group's first tour in fourteen years. Initially, Blythe had agreed to perform with the group for the first five dates of the twelve-date tour but due to his enjoyment of it, he agreed to stay on for the remaining seven dates.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2019/11/randy-blythe-pigface-entire-tour/|title=Lamb of God's Randy Blythe to continue as vocalist for industrial supergroup Pigface for entire fall tour|date=November 19, 2019|access-date=December 11, 2019}}

In April 2020, Blythe and Scottish brewery BrewDog announced a collaboration that yielded a non-alcoholic beer named "Ghost Walker". The name is taken from the Lamb of God song "Ghost Walking" which is on their 2012 album Resolution. Blythe wrote the lyrics to the song whilst beginning his journey to live an alcohol-free lifestyle.{{cite web |title=Lamb Of God release 'Ghost Walker' non-alcoholic beer |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/32966/Lamb-Of-God-release-Ghost-Walker-non-alcoholic-beer|publication-date=April 14, 2020|website=LambGoat |access-date=April 15, 2020}}

Manslaughter charges and acquittal

{{wikinews|Lamb of God vocalist arrested for Czech manslaughter}}

File:Randy Blythe's defense team.JPG

At the end of June 2012, Blythe was arrested, charged and remanded in custody by the Czech authorities in connection with an incident that had happened during Lamb of God's previous concert in Prague two years earlier. According to the prosecution, Blythe shoved Daniel Nosek, a 19-year-old fan, off stage, thus inflicting fatal wounds on him. After being released on bail, which was contested by the State Attorney, Blythe denied responsibility for Nosek's death and pledged to return to attend the trial, which began on February 4, 2013.Kenety, Brian (March 5, 2013) [http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/05/showbiz/music/lamb-of-god-randy-blythe-acquitted-rstone/index.html?hpt=hp_bn9 "Lamb of God's Randy Blythe acquitted of manslaughter"] CNN, Retrieved March 7, 2013.

According to a verdict delivered by the Municipal Court in Prague on March 5, 2013, it was proven that Blythe had shoved Nosek off the stage and Blythe thus has the moral responsibility for his death. Due to the circumstances, however, Blythe was held not criminally liable with most of the blame lying with the promoters and the security members.{{cite web| url = http://www.novinky.cz/krimi/295059-soud-metaloveho-zpevaka-blytha-osvobodil-je-nevinen.html| title = Soud metalového zpěváka Blytha osvobodil, je nevinen | author = Josef Koukal | date = March 5, 2013| work = novinky.cz| language = cs|trans-title=The court has acquitted Blythe the metal singer, he is innocent| access-date = April 7, 2013}} The State Attorney appealed the verdict,{{cite web| url = http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/domaci/217626-kauza-usmrceneho-fanouska-zpevak-blythe-zprosten-obzaloby/| title = Kauza usmrceného fanouška – zpěvák Blythe zproštěn obžaloby | date = March 5, 2013| work = ceskatelevize.cz| language = cs|trans-title=The case of the killed fan – singer Blythe cleared of charges| access-date = April 7, 2013}} but the acquittal was upheld by the Prague High Court on June 5, 2013.{{cite news |date=June 5, 2013 |title=Czech appeals court clears Randy Blythe in fan's death |newspaper=Richmond Times-Dispatch |url=http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/music-movies-tv/music/article_7b1ce6ce-cdd3-11e2-ba80-0019bb30f31a.html |url-status=dead |access-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616021637/http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/music-movies-tv/music/article_7b1ce6ce-cdd3-11e2-ba80-0019bb30f31a.html |archive-date=June 16, 2013}}

Discography

file:Randy Blythe featuring Danzig at Wacken Open Air 2013 02.jpg 2013]]

=With Lamb of God=

==Demos (as Burn the Priest)==

Demo Tape (1995, independently released)
Split with ZED (1997, Goatboy Records)
Split with Agents of Satan (1998, Deaf American Recordings)
Sevens and More (1998, mp3.com)

==Studio albums==

Burn the Priest {{small|(as Burn the Priest)}} (1999, Legion Records)
New American Gospel (2000, Prosthetic Records)
As the Palaces Burn (2003, Prosthetic Records)
Ashes of the Wake (2004, Sony / BMG Music)
Sacrament (2006, Sony / BMG Music)
Wrath (2009, Sony / Roadrunner)
Resolution (2012, Epic / Roadrunner)
VII: Sturm und Drang (2015, Epic / Nuclear Blast)
Legion: XX {{small|(as Burn the Priest)}} (2018, Epic / Nuclear Blast)
Lamb of God (2020, Epic / Nuclear Blast)
Omens (2022, Epic / Nuclear Blast)

=Guest appearances=

The Mercury Lift (2003) by Haste − guest vocals on "God Reclaims His Throne"{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}
Without Any Remorse (2004) by Bloodshoteye − guest vocals on "F.U.B.A.R"
Hunter (2005) by A Life Once Lost − guest vocals on "Vulture"
Immortalis (2007) by Overkill − guest vocals on "Skulls and Bones"
Iron Gag (2007) by A Life Once Lost − guest vocals on "Pigeonholed"
Absentee (2008) by Pitch Black Forecast − guest vocals on "So Low"
Lesser Traveled Waters (2008) by Gollum − guest vocals on "Cross-Pollenation"
The Way of All Flesh (2008) by Gojira − guest vocals on "Adoration for None"{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=100650 |

title=Lamb of God frontman to guest on new Gojira album|

work=blabbermouth.net|

access-date=September 1, 2008}}

Icons of the Illogical (2009) by The Kris Norris Projekt – lead vocals
Retribution (2009) by Shadows Fall − guest vocals on "King of Nothing"
Jasta (2011) by Jasta – guest vocals on "Enslaved, Dead or Depraved"{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=123904 |

title=SHADOWS FALL: New Song Featuring RANDY BLYTHE (GOD in the flesh) Posted Online|

work=blabbermouth.net|

access-date=July 25, 2009}}

Tour dates with Chthonic in Taiwan as guest vocals{{cite web| author=Metalship |date=February 22, 2012 |url=http://en.metalship.org/interviews/210-Lamb%20Of%20God |title=Interview with John Campbell (Lamb of God bassist) |website=En.metalship.org|access-date=February 28, 2012}}
Cannabis Corpse (2012) – guest vocals on the 'Cory Smoot Memorial' show
Suicide Silence (2012) – "You Only Live Once" (vocals) at the Ending is the Beginning: Mitch Lucker Memorial Show
Teenage Time Killers (2015) – guest vocals on "Hung Out to Dry"
Metal Allegiance (2015) – guest vocals on "Gift of pain"
Aquatic Occult (2016) by Sourvein – guest vocals on "Ocypuss"
Westfield Massacre (2016) – guest vocals on "Underneath the Skin"
Deafheaven (2016) – guest vocals (live) on "Dream House" at Hollywood, California
Ironshore (2016) by Oni – guest vocals on "The Only Cure"
Bloodlust (2017) by Body Count – guest vocals on "Walk with Me…"
Doyle II: As We Die (2017) by Doyle – guest vocals on "Virgin Sacrifice"
Souls of the Revolution (2017) by ChthoniC – guest vocals
Outlaws 'til the End: Vol. 1 (2018) by DevilDriver – guest vocals on "Whiskey River"
Ritual (2018) by Soulfly – guest vocals on "Dead Behind the Eyes"{{cite web |last1=Kaufman |first1=Spencer |title=Soulfly premiere new song "Dead Behind the Eyes" featuring Lamb of God's Randy Blythe |url=https://consequence.net/2018/09/soulfly-dead-behind-the-eyes-lamb-of-god-randy-blythe/ |website=Consequence of Sound |date=September 14, 2018 |access-date=September 15, 2018}}
Anesthetic (2019) by Mark Morton – guest vocals on "Truth Is Dead" (with Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy)
Ategnatos (2019) by Eluveitie – guest vocals/narration on "Worship"
The Weathermaker Vault Series, Volume 1 (2020) by Clutch – guest vocals on "Passive Restraints"
Veritas (2024) by P.O.D. – guest vocals on "Drop"{{cite web |title=P.O.D. Releases 'Drop' Music Video Featuring LAMB OF GOD's RANDY BLYTHE |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/p-o-d-releases-drop-music-video-featuring-lamb-of-gods-randy-blythe |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=September 21, 2023 |access-date=25 September 2023}}
Lacuna Coil (2024) – guest vocals on "Hosting the Shadow"