Eyes of the Betrayer

Infobox musical artist
Name = Eyes of the Betrayer


Img_capt = Eyes of the Betrayer (L to R): Austin Turney, Scott Koelzer, Ryan Bey, Dustin Albright, Chip Anderson
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = Blue Springs, Missouri
Genre = Metalcore
Years_active = 2003–2007
Label = Recorse Records

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Current_members = Austin Turney
Chip Anderson
Dusty Ferrell
Dustin Albright
Ryan Beye
Scott Koelzer
Past_members =
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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 "Recovery".

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 " [Recovery] " 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 " [Recovery] " 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 made somewhat of a surprise at a live event they performed at for Heavy Frequency Magazine to celebrate the release of the e-zine's first compilation album in which they recorded a track for by appearing with Dusty Ferrell 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 the previous EP Recovery. In May 2007, long time vocalist Dustin Albright announced he was quitting the band. Former EOTB guitarist Austin Turney, again, came back into the fold to become his replacement. Not too long afterwards drummer Scott Koelzer announced he would be quitting the band, and within a few days on July 18th, 2007 the group announced their official break up. They played their final show July 20th, 2007 in Lee's Summit, MO. Months later, the band announced they would be playing a pair of final/reunion shows as they felt the final show in 2007 was not given enough time to promote it as their final show. The first of which was performed on February 24th, 2008 with old tour/label mates Winds of Plague. The second is not scheduled, and is being hinted as possibly not even happening at all. One-time guitarist Austin Turney, who was slated to take over full time lead vocal duties upon Albright's departure came back in to handle 3rd guitar duties for the event while Albright retained the vocal slot.

Former members new projects

Most of the former members of Eyes of the Betrayer are currently involved in the following bands/projects:

Jimmy Little - Drums, then Vocals, Founding Member (2003)

Jimmy is currently not performing in any band, at the moment.

Ryan Beye - Bass, Founding Member (2003-2007)

Ryan Beye is still playing guitar and doing vocals in the punk band, Don't Die. He also runs a t-shirt pressing company in Kansas City by the name of Bandwagon Merchandise (www.bandwagonmerch.com). Lately he has also been taking up bass guitar duties for Kansas City Hardcore/Power-Pop-Punk band Dead Set.

Chip Anderson - Guitars, Founding Member (2003-2007)

Chip is currently not performing in any band, at the moment.

Dusty Ferrell - Guitars, Founding Member (2003-2005, 2006-2007)

Dusty is now playing guitar for experimental rock outfit, In the Grove.

cott Koelzer - Drums (2003-2007)

Nothing official has been mentioned from Scott, but in Summer 2007 he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree for recording at the University of Central Missouri, and finished up his first full project for The Roman Holiday and is currently recording Snake Eater and AngelsAmongUs.

Dustin Albright - Vocals (2003-2007)

Dustin is currently the full time bassist for Diskreet, on Siege of Amida Records. He, as well, started the record label "Disgorge Media".

Austin Turney - Guitars (2005-2006), Vocals (2007)

Austin has started a new project with Vedera drummer Drew Little, "Tank", a rock and roll band. He is also, otherwise, a full time student at the University of Central Missouri.

Other previous bands

The members of EOTB have also previously played in the following bands during or after the course of their tenure in the band.

*Nervous Wreck (Austin Turney - Guitar/Dustin Albright - Bass)
*The Arms of Agony (Austin Turney - Guitar)
*The Underdog Conspiracy/Don't Die (Ryan Beye - Guitar)
*Angel of the Odd (Jimmy Little - Vocals)
*Molech (Dustin Albright - Vocals)

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)
* [Recovery (2004 EP)|" [Recovery] "] (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