Martyr (band)

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Martyr

Background information
Origin	Trois-Rivières, Quebec Canada
Genre(s)	Technical Death Metal
Years active	1994 - Present
Label(s)	Galy Records Skyscraper Music
Associated acts	Gorguts Death Cynic
Website	Official Site
Members
Daniel Mongrain (Guitars, Vocals) Francois Mongrain (Bass, Vocals) Martin Carbonneau (Guitars) Patrice Hamelin (Drums)
Former members
François Richard (Drums) Pier-Luc Lampron (Guitars)

Martyr is a Canadian technical death metal band.

Following Atheist, Cynic or Death style, Martyr plays very technical metal. Notice that Luc Lemay, the singer of Gorguts (another Canadian death metal band) delivers a monologue on the last song "Realms of Reverie" of the Warp Zone album. Daniel Mongrain played guitar for Gorguts on their From Wisdom to Hate record, and toured. Daniel Mongrain has also toured as a second guitarist for Cryptopsy and session-recorded for Quo Vadis.

Lyrically Martyr explore the human psyche, mostly its darkest corners, giving the listener a cynical view of humanity in general. For example, in Virtual Emotions (Warp Zone), they are claiming that life, or the dream of life, is just a grand illusion. Daniel uses intense vocals in his songs, which often approaches the sound of someone in enormous pain. François is the backup vocalist but can sometimes be heard singing verses. He uses growls, giving a touch of animalism to some songs.

Musically, Martyr writes technical metal meaning that their guitar, bass and drum techniques are elaborate and difficult to reproduce. The time signatures change frequently, making it hard for listeners to follow the rhythms. In addition, they use dissonant chords which are harder to listen to and are more subtle than power chords. In summary, they compose mind twisting riffs that complement the philosophical topics they explore.

All of these characteristics would give Martyr a place in the progressive metal sub-genre, along with Dream Theater, Opeth and Pain of Salvation.