11/10/2006


 

Samir: How re you doing?

François : I m doing great! The new album is completed and we’re very satisfied of the result.

Samir : First , could we start with a small band presentation ?

François : Martyr began in 94. We recorded a demo in 95 and recorded Hopeless Hopes in 97. We played a lot in Quebec and then recorded Warp Zone in 2000, we toured Canada in 2001 and then released a live album : Extracting the Core. We had musician changes as Patrice in 1997 on drums and Martin in 2003 for the guitar. Then we recorded Feeding the Abscess.

Samir : How come you named the band "Martyr", what's the story behind that name?

François : The name Martyr was chosen to express the pain we endure every day. We must hang on to our beliefs, principles and goals, even if sometimes everything may seems to be against us. It's an image, a state of mind.

Samir : How about the sound of the new album? Tell us more about the recording of "Feeding the Abscess".

François : We wanted a sound where we could clearly hear each instrument. It was not and easy task but Pierre Remillard succeeded at it. We recorded at the Wild Studio and it was a great experience. We had the honor to have guest appearances like Blacky, former bass player of Voivod to play in a cover song : Brain Scan on Dimension Hatross. We had a guest violonist, vocalist, former guitar player Pier-Luc Lampron for a solo in a song… The writing of the songs was more of a team work than before and it gives the album a richer sound, a more versatile style.

Samir: What are the lyrics on 'Feeding the Abscess' about?

François: Its about what we’re force fed (information, medias, education, politics) and that we need it to be in the system, but by doing so, we lose all our freedom of thinking.

Samir: Did you play any cover tunes in your early days?

François : Yes, a lot! We began to play Guns and roses, then Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Testament, Forbidden, Annihilator, Sepultura, Coroner… it’s a good way to lean music and to find affinities with some styles, some musicians… but an important thing is not to limit yourself with metal music… every musician should learn many styles to push his evolution forward.

Samir: Tell us something about your gigs. What was the best live experience?

François: We like a lot to play live… too often, bands that are playing complex music are static on stage… we try to move a lot and to interact a lot with people. That’s fun. We had some wonderful gigs, and I can tell you that on big stages with major bands it’s very cool, and in small villages it’s great too because it’s more of a party than a show. We like both a lot. We liked a lot the New-Jersey metal fest in 2003, and some memorable shows in Quebec as at Rouyn where we recorded our live album in 2001.

Samir : Can you tell me a little bit about the metal scene in Quebec?

François : Metal scene in Quebec is very intense, very active and prolific. There’s a good gig circuit and good places to record too. The crowds are very good. Ten years ago it was harder but now the scene is very healthy and growing. There are good bands as Quo Vadis, Ghoulunatics, Despised Icon, Neuraxis…

Samir : Are you think that the metal is so popular in Canada?

François : I Canada, it has a certain level of popularity but the best place is definitively in Quebec. Many festivals are offered and there is a great crowd.

Samir : What was the favorite band you toured with?

François : We liked a lot Obliveon (rip). These guys were very cool. We played many gigs with them.

Samir : Where do you see the band in 5 years, 10 even?

François : I honestly don’t know! We’ll promote the new album and then we will look for new songs and a fourth album but only the future will tell!

Samir : What is your favorite song of "Martyr" and why ?

François : I like a look Deserted waters for the music and lyrics. This song come from outer space, Dan has written a hell of a song.  I like a lot Hopeless Hopes for the lyrics (I wrote it in one draft and was very inspired at the moment). On Feeding the Abscess, I like a lot Feast of Vermin and Dead Horizon because I think they are very visceral.

Samir : If you 'll be invited to playing here in morocco, do you accept about this invitation?

François : It would be great! But it depends on a lot of things, as the expenses, the time of the year etc. We are all very busy as every member is working or studying, but if we can find a way we’ll check this out!.

Samir : What are, according to you, the 6 best metal albums of 2006? And the albums of all times?

François : I don’t know I don’t listen much to metal. Albums of all time : Divine Intervention, Slayer, And Justice for all, Metallica, Destroy Erase Improve, Meshuggah,

Samir : Can you tell me more about "Warp Zone"? What is your feeling about it?

François : Warp Zone was a concept album but very difficult to understand, even for us. The songs were good but there were problems in the mixing so we cannot hear every instrument clearly.

Samir : Do you have anything you would like to say to the readers of Zero tolerance webzine  ?

François : That’s great to see a metal community in Morocco! Keep supporting metal bands as you do!

Samir : How do you look at the music you play? Is it just extreme music? Do you think about the technicality at all

François : I don’t look at the technicality because technicality alone is so boring. It must be musical and emotional. Yes, technical stuff may be an interesting challenge and may be interesting to listen to but technicality alone will NEVER make a good song.

Samir : What else are you listening to and what are your favorite bands?

François : I listen to Japanese traditional music, baroque, many traditional styles. My favorite bands are Meshuggah, Slipknot, Dimmu Borgir, Slayer.

Samir : What can you tell us about "Hopeless Hopes" ?

François : Hopeless Hopes is an album of emotions but we used to play more technical stuff at that time (we were younger!). Some songs were taken from past demos. We put a lot of time for the recording and mixing and for the time, I think the result was very good.

Samir :Thanks for the interview. So what do you want to say to your Moroccan fans?

François : Both albums Hopeless Hopes and Warp Zone are re-issued as remastered versions for a crisper and clean sound, with four demo tracks each. It’s a good idea to get them.
Keep listening to music and try to listen to different styles. And stay metal!

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