THE METAL TIMES: Grinder interviews Martyr !!

During the five years that Martyr was alive and kicking (1982‐1987) the band released two albums that are considered cult in the metal scene today. ‘For The Universe’ (1985) and ‘Darkness At Time’s Edge’ (1986) are classic metal, a delight for those who love strong mel-odies, speedy riffs and a high level of technicality.

In those years Martyr appeared on compilation albums from Roadrunner and Metal Blade, was voted Holland’s best new metal band in Aardschok magazine, has toured with several international acts and appeared on Sky Channel’s Monsters Of Rock.

Martyr disbanded in 1987 but reunited in 2001 to play the Heavy Metal Maniacs festival. Four years later the band revived almost the complete 1982 line up to play the Headbangers Open Air and Keep It True festivals. The flame started burning again and the band have con-tinued to play live ever since. December 2008 MARTYR supported US Shock Rockers Lizzy Borden on their European tour. In 2009 and 2010 MARTYR hit the European stages sup-porting great acts like Flotsam & Jetsam , Vicious Rumors, Jaguar, Evergrey.

In 2009 the first new Martyr record in almost 25 years was released. That’s when the new EP ‘Fear’ was coupled with a re‐release of the classic ‘For The Universe’ album as a double digipack entitled ‘Fear The Universe’ on Rusty Cage Records (RCR0017).

In 2010 and 2011 Martyr re‐entered the studio between the live shows, working on the successor for ‘Fear’.

A complete new album entitled “Circle Of 8” was released by Metal Blade Records in November 2011 world‐ wide and has proven to be a significant impulse in Martyr’s revival after it’s release. With 30 years of MARTYR (with a big celebration in their home town Utrecht – Tivoli) and 30 years of Dutch Steel signed with Metal Blade again : “The Clan Is Back Home and stronger than ever…..”

And the band proves it again in 2015 and 2016 with new national and international tours and with the new and heavy album ‘You Are Next” released by Into The Limelight Records in cooperation with Pure Steel Promotions and Soulfood distribution to be unstoppable.

More headline shows , festivals and support tours followed where the always hard working band coquered a bigger audience. Especially noticed also in Japan, where MARTYR toured Sept - Oct 2017. This resulted in a special release on Edge Trax Records and a tour in the land of the Rising Sun. In 2017 MARTYR continues promoting "You Are Next" , celebrating it's 35 years anniversary and participated also in special projects like the ANA - Metal for Charity project and Breaking The Chains.

In 2018 the band shows to be unstoppable. With a new line-up and tours through the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany at hand and a 2nd tour in Japan in February 2019 the band signed a new record deal with Pt78 records for 2 albums !

A Live In Japan album is released May 31 which captures the MARTYR eXperience at it’s finest

A complete new album to be expected in 2020.

Please join us in the MARTYR eXperience !

1.Introduce yourself and your band and tell us why we should listen to you.

Hi , I am Rick Bouwman, guitarplayer for The Dutch Metal Legends MARTYR. MARTYR is a Dutch cult , classic heavy metal / thrash metal band established in the the 80’s when the band has been seen as one of the most important Dutch Metal bands that arised from the lowlands.

In the mid zero’s the band reunited to re conquer this position , touring all over Europe and releasing new albums with the same vision and attitude and without limitations. Our songs are powerful and since the start of the band MARTYR has been working on an own sound and has been keeping true to that.

2.What do you classify your sound as, Who do you tell people you sound like?

Our sound is based non traditional Dutch , meaning we strated in a way to be different than any other Dutch metal and rock band back in the days. More speedy , more technical and riff orientated. People often ask , are you influenced by NWOBHM back then but in fact our biggest influence has been japanese metalbands like Loudness, X Ray , Bow wow and more.

3.With digital music in today's world would you vote to keep or eliminate physical media?

I would vote to keep it . It will return (or has returned with vinyl). It smells better.

4.What is the reason you decided to be a musician and has that reason paid off?

The reasosn is just passion for music and to be able to expose your creativity. It is the most beautiful thing to make something out of nothing, out of just an idea. So yes that reaon paid off with multiple albums and touring all over Europe and japan.

5.How do you feel about females in metal getting special attention? Do you feel it is fair?

Special attention just because being female (or male for that matter) is not what I prefer. Special attention you deserve because you are good, or different, or have something unique.

6.In the world climate with hatred being at an all time high and metal being an “ angry” music

Do you think your music contributes to anger and hatred?

Not at all .And we don’t have such messages in MARTYR’s songs anyway. Also I never got that feedback about our songs.

7.Are you opposed to religious beliefs or politics being used in music?

No , everybody needs to be able to create their own path in what or what not to write about. As long as you as you are not using it to be aggressive towards another.

8.We have dive into some pretty deep issues here do you think your music sends a message and if so what is it?

No , we dont write our music and lyrics to send a message over to the audience, the only message we have is to enjoy it and have a good time when we play the MARTYR songs Live on stage.

9.The market has changed and many bands believe that record labels are a thing of the past, with many labels now charging bands to “sign” how do you think a band can make it in todays scene?

Yeah , I know, It is so hard for a band to get that proper deal. Being charged to get signed is a new thing, I cannot believe it in fact. Pay to play is also something I am really not into. How to make it as a band nowadays is for me still hard work , hard work and more hard work. Play all the stages you can at the beginning, to get that fanbase, then release an album and do it again. Next to that a bit of luck to get recognized, and a proper network in the scene is also needed.

10.Why with the thousands of options including netflix , sporting events everything on demand

Why do you think people should take the time to listen to what you have to say in your music?

Only 1 reason , to enjoy it , bang to it. As said we don’t bring a specific message although we do take care of our lyrics.

11.How do you feel about pay to play? Do you think it is fair for a band to have to pay money to play?

No , it is not. Of course I do understand all those reasons as it is more difficult for bands to go on those tours and rent those nightliners but as a band I will not do this. But a lot of bands do , so it will stay.

12.It is fact that you are the talent and the entertainment explain what you think is the most important key to success?

Hard work, play a lot, tour , make an adventure, make it kmnow , get that fansbase enad expand it . Mst of all write good quality music , be different ,stand out.

13.In country music and even in some cases rock music is written and performed by different people would your band perform a song written by someone else?

We did , but just once as a tribute to Raven (Don’t Need Your Money). But normally we are more into original material . I am not into tribute or coverbands myself as well. There are really good ones, but simply I prefer to be creative and express that creativity to the fans.

14.If you are pro female in music are you pro using sex to sell your music?

No I am not. It is not about that in my opinion.

15.What is your view on the lawsuits against people saying lewd or unprofessional things to women or men and how does that affect an art described as sex drugs and rock n roll ?

Hmm difficult question. I think where I live freedom of speech is such an important subject that I don’t believe this is happening in our scene that much. Not that I agree on verbal violence or something but where do you draw the line.

16. Ok lets lighten up a bit. What is your favorite band of all time and why?

My favorite band of all time are the first 2 Ozzy albums , but only due to Randy Rhoads.

17.What would you be doing if you were not in a band?

I think I would be doing something in photography, I love that but I am not that talented for photography I think.

18. Do you have a favorite sports team?

I live in Utrecht , in the middle of the Netherlands, so It has to be FC Utrecht (Soccer)

19.If you could get on stage with anyone dead or alive who would it be?

Randy Rhoads without a doubt.

20.This is your shot to let loose, Throw down your biggest complaint about the music biz

My biggest complaint, hmm. There are a few, but my biggest right now is probably that the scene is not cooperating with each other and therefor can get weaker instead of stronger. An example is the overkill on the amounts of festivals and shows every week , every summer. There is just too much, fans can only choose a few, venues get emptier. Also bands are not supportive to each other sometimes, I think especially smaller bands . They need to help and support each other to get stronger ! Go get to see you local bands and other bands instead of leaving right after your set on a festival .

Thanks for the interview and thanks for the continuous support for MARTYR