Due to the huge number of bands playing at Bloodstock this year, and the fact that our two roving reporters will actually want to watch some of them, we’re doing a little round of pre-festival interviews this year. We’re focussing on the bands playing the Jagermeister and Hobgoblin New Blood Stages so they get a chance to convince you to go and watch them. Remember, these guys and gals are the future of our musical world!
Vocalist Louis Hale answered these questions…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
The birthplace of heavy metal, the West Midlands!
How did you meet?
I knew Ash and Josh W through playing on the Midlands circuit. We were all in different bands. Josh J answered an ad to audition for the band after Ant Rickett left.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
This particular line-up has only been together for a few months as Josh J has only recently joined. Previously the line-up had been settled for almost 3 years.
Where does the name of the band come from?
An old Myspace Porn Name Generator! We put a girl’s name into the generator and it came up with Marta de Moana and we adjusted the spelling to Martyr de Mona.
What are your influences – individually or as a band?
Alice In Chains, Tool, Soundgarden, Alter Bridge, Iron Maiden, Sylosis, Periphery to name a few!
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We are predominantly a modern heavy metal band but we don’t just play one style of music. We can mix it up and show our diversity. There aren’t too many metal bands around with clean vocals at the moment either.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Our live shows are energetic, loud and pretty full on! We’ve played literally countless shows over the years so we’re an experienced live act and always bring our ‘A’ game!
When/how did you find out you’d been selected to play at Bloodstock?
We received a bit of a teaser/clue from our management the day before we received an e-mail from Simon Hall inviting us to play!
What sort of setlist can we expect?
The set list will be concentrated on our heavier material from our latest album, Impera. We’ve timed the set and it’s gonna be frantic from start to finish to cram everything in that we want to play.
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not clashing with so you can see them play?
I’d hate to miss Opeth and Within Temptation.
What are you working on at the moment?
Our Bloodstock set! We will start writing again soon.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
Just the usual stuff really, getting insanely pissed and not remembering anything as you do!
What advice would you give to a young band just starting out today?
Always try to be professional in everything you do and concentrate on making your live show into something that people want to see again and again.
If you could be part of any 3-band line-up (as support or headlining) who else would you have on the bill?
Alice In Chains and Tool.
Martyr De Mona play the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage on the Saturday.
Martyr De Mona: official | facebook | twitter | instagram | soundcloud | vimeo
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