Eyes of the Betrayer

Eyes of the Betrayer was a metalcore band based out of Kansas City, MO, formed in 2003. They were signed to Recorse Records the vast majority of the duration of their existence. The band broke up in July 2007.

Origins

Eyes of the Betrayer (EOTB) was created from the demise of Kansas City metal band Forever has Fallen. The former made up of drummer Jimmy Little, guitarist Dusty Ferrell, and bassist Ryan Beye, started the group along with guitarist Chip Anderson, and vocalist Matt Russell.

Recording

Within 6 weeks, the band was slated to appear on a split CD with other local Kansas City Metalcore act "Flattery Leads to Ruins", on Recorse Records (a previous label for Love is Red, Saved by Grace, Given with Honor, and Winds of Plague).

Development

Shortly after the release of the split CD in June 2003, EOTB severed its musical ties with Matt Russell, giving way to drummer Jimmy Little to leave his kit to take up the mic, and make the addition of Scott Koelzer to take Little's place. Not long into Koelzer solidifying his place in the band, and the group as a whole setting foot into the studio with producer Aaron Crawford, now of Flee the Seen fame, to record a 5-song EP on Recorse Records, Little officially announced his departure from the band to pursue a fighting career, as he was vigorously training in Muay Thai and Ultimate Fighting professionally. After holding a few auditions, and what they dubbed a "hardcore karaoke" show (something of which they've had to use on other occasions since, during times when members would get injured, or were in last minute predicaments that personal or family matters kept particular members from performing out of town shows), they decided on Dustin Albright to take over Little's vocal duties.

Misfortunes

The band went into immediate turmoil when only 4 months after Albright joined the fold, guitarist Dusty Ferrell ended up in a work-related accident that smashed his right forearm - making him unable to perform live, write material, or record for their upcoming EP. Not to lose ground, the band decided to find a temporary replacement to fill in for live events they were booked on and ultimately decided in guitarist Austin Turney, who then was playing for Blue Springs, MO local band The Arms of Agony. After 3 months of therapy, and his arm being in a cast, Ferrell eventually took his spot back, and in August 2004, the band completed and released .

Another dark cloud had cast over the band temporarily when in February 2005 they parted ways with Ferrell, and hired his previous temporary replacement, Austin Turney, who at this time was playing in a now-defunct Blue Springs, MO hardcore band called "Nervous Wreck", alongside EOTB vocalist Dustin Albright, who subsequently played bass as well at the time. The band had toured promoting ' with the likes of DTYK, With Dead Hands Rising, and labelmates Winds of Plague.

In May 2006, the band announced that their first studio recording since the release of ' would appear in a compilation album for local e-zine Heavy Frequency, and had stated that they were continuing to write material for another release that never saw the light of day.

The Future/Break Up

In November 2006, the band appeared at a live event for Heavy Frequency Magazine (a celebration of the release of the e-zine's first compilation album) with Dusty Ferrell, recovered from his injury, on guitar. Not long after, the band officially announced Dusty was back in the line-up full time, and that the band was working on completing songs to their follow-up of Recovery. However, in May 2007, long-time singer Dustin Albright announced he was quitting the band (he went on to join Diskreet), and was replaced by former EOTB guitarist Austin Turney. Then drummer Scott Koelzer announced he would be quitting the band, and soon after the group announced their official break-up. They played their final show July 20, 2007, in Lee's Summit, MO, though they played a reunion show on February 24, 2008, with old tour/label mates Winds of Plague.

Band members
Final Line-Up
Chip Anderson - Guitar

Dusty Ferrell - Guitar

Ryan Beye - Bass

Scott Koelzer - Drums

Dustin Albright - Vocals

Austin Turney - Guitar (was pending to take over lead vocal duties directly before the band broke up, came back as a 3rd guitarist for the reunion show in 2008)

Previous members
Jimmy Little - Drums; Vocals (2003)

Matt Russell - Vocals (2003)

Austin Turney as a guitarist (2005-2006)

Albums
*Eyes of the Betrayer/Flattery Leads to Ruins split (2003)
* (2004 EP)

Awards

* "Best Frontman: Dustin Albright" 2005 Heavy Frequency Awards
* "Best Frontman: Dustin Albright" 2004 Heavy Frequency Awards
* "Best Hardcore/Metal Band: Eyes of the Betrayer: 2004 Heavy Frequency Awards
* "Album of the Year: Recovery " 2004 Heavy Frequency Awards

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