Martyr Art - ABCv3 Album Review Monday, 24 August 2009 Written by Andrew B. Wilkins This album makes me want to have kids, wait a few years for them to grow up, and then one day explain to them not to talk to the people who made this album. It's scary, but not in the way that makes you tell your friends about it. It's as though someone jumped into my brain, asked me what I wanted to listen to, beat up that thought, and then played this album. That's the best way to describe this album. I feel more confused listening to this album, then trying to figure out the inner thinking of my neighbor who told me he thinks that he can channel the spirit of Adolf Hitler.
After four months of production, "Hi.Low.Fi" (the first production) was released August 16, 2004. Once the production of "Hi.Low.Fi" finished, Brad Lane joined the ranks as live programmer and bassist. "Hi.Low.Fi" had a limited release of 75 copies, of which all copies were sold in under 2 months with no touring.
In September 2004, the opportunity presented itself to open for KMFDM on October 30, 2004, of which production for the 2nd release "Art.Beauty.Chaos Volume One" was under way. In mid-October, Brad Lane left Martyr Art to join grind-core metal band Crag. From that moment on, Martyr Art became a one-man band. This was a challenge on every level but never the less, Joseph persisted. "Art.Beauty.Chaos Volume One" released October 30, 2004 to positive reviews. This album also had a limited release of 75 copies, of which all sold with only four performances to promote the album.
In April 2005, Martyr Art began it's affiliation and future partnership with Hit The Road Productions, a digital media facility founded and operated by Gonzalo Quintero. The respect and friendship that developed between Joseph and Gonzalo pushed Martyr Art into new directions musically and in digital production, resulting in "Art.Beauty.Chaos Volume Two", the third Martyr Art release and the first collaboration between Martyr Art and Hit The Road Productions. The album was released on August 12, 2006 to mixed reviews. The album sold poorly due to discrepancies with distribution and live musicians, which resulted in no performances until October 2007 (over a year after the album was released).
In 2008, Joseph made the decision to rebuild Martyr Art from the ground up. In this time of reinvention, Joseph re-engineered, re-mixed, and
re-mastered all of the previously released albums. Every release would also see digital and hardcopy distribution ("Art.Beauty.Chaos Volume
Two" was the only album to that point to be release in both formats)
"Hi.Low.Fi (Remastered)" was the first to be re-released in both formats. Problems occurred while re-releasing digital versions of "Art.Beauty.Chaos Volume One " and "Art.Beauty.Chaos Volume Two", so both titles were released as "ABCv1" and "ABCv2". During this time, production began on "ABCv3". In September 2008, towards the end of production, Brad Lane rejoined Martyr Art.
"ABCv3" was released March 31, 2009 to overwhelmingly positive reviews. Currently, Martyr Art is in post-production of their 2-hour live show, and developing a podcast series. Martyr Art is scheduling to tour locally and online starting late-2009.
What is the story behind the band's name? JG: I came up with the name while I was contemplating providing consulting services in the field of graphic design. But after a week or so, I sold myself on using the name for a new music project Describe your music for someone who has never heard it. JG: I would describe our sound as being musically eclectic, spacious in atmosphere while maintaining a foundation in progressive industrial metal. BL: Martyr Art has something for everybody. We combine the elements of every music genre to please the ears of all our potential listeners.
How does Martyr Art embody the true artist? JG: Martyr Art embodies the true artist through devotion, principle and understanding ones' inner self and expression through art.
What is essential to every one of your songs? JG: Before we develop or produce anything, we search for the heart and soul of the song. Whether it's a riff, groove, melody or sequence - it has to move us in a way that it creates an audio-visualization in the mind. BL: Every song is catchy and has its own feel to it... and when you listen to as many different types of music as Joe and I do, I feel that's very essential.
If you could collaborate with one band/artist, who would you choose? Why? JG: I would love to collaborate with Faith No More. They've been such a huge influence on us, both as a band and as independent musicians. Personally, Faith No More helped me discover / rediscover my musical ambitions and goals. BL: Yeah... what Joe said. But to be a bit more creative, I'll throw out another one... Snoop Dogg. To chill out with him and write some music would be an amazing experience. Either one I could never forget.
If you could put together a bill with three other bands, who would you choose to play on the bill with you? JG: Genesis, Metallica and Faith No More. BL: Faith No More, King Crimson, and "The Mighty" Morbid Angel
Give me your pitch to buy your album.
Do you listen to music with pumping grooves, addictive beats, heart, great musicianship, orchestral value and catchy melodies? Do you enjoy
music that is unique, energetic and that has a universal message? Do you like to feel that you are within in the atmosphere of the music? Are
you interested in listening to an album designed in 3.1 Surround Sound within a Stereo Field? Do you want to experience something that is
truly unique and original?
Then pick up a fresh copy of "ABCv3", the new album by Martyr Art. For your convenience, you can purchase the album Digitally for $5.00 or the Limited Edition CD Hardcopy for $12.00 (including S&H). You can purchase the album through our online store at www.martyrart.com. Also available at martyrart.com is our entire music catalog and merchandise. Support Martyr Art, Your DIY Independent Musicians.
What is one thing you feel you must accomplish in your music career? JG: I feel that creating your own style and sound are the most important elements to any band, big or small. BL: A world tour. What would you be doing if you weren't making music? JG: Its almost impossible for me to think of my life not to revolve around music. But if I never became a musician, I would have devoted myself to science. BL: I'd be listening to it. Or doing work I don't enjoy while thriving to play music. Either way music would still be involved."Art.Beauty.Chaos Volume Two" Album Review August 2008 by H.K of Outsider Magazine (Newburgh, NY) Throughout the making of this album, my pal JD dropped hints as to what he was up to. I must say, my anticipation was growing. When I finally got my copy from JD, I took it home, popped it in my stereo, sat back and let the experience begin. Martyr Art creates an atmosphere for the listener, and this sophmore album really seems like a journey through the life of it's creator. While JD's music is always highly personal, Vol. 2 conquers the task of making you feel at home in the music. Just like Vol. 1, Vol.2 is written and performed entirely by JD. This album has that "satisfied" quality to it that musicians like Trent Reznor pull off. This is achieved not just in styling, but in a level of perfectionism that tells you this album was not released until everything was just the way it should be. Each song has it's own feel to it. Undertones range from Industrial, New Wave, and Thrash to Punk. JD's vocals even have a much broader range than on his proceeding effort.
Gagliardi has been playing music since he was 7 years old, playing piano before deciding to pick up the guitar at eight after the band Metallica "destroyed" his mind. Gagliardi's been playing as Martyr Art since 2004. He's tried the band route, but conflicting personalities amongst bandmates led to Gagliardi's decision to branch out on his own. He says he's recently tried to audition new members, but he has yet to meet a fellow musician that can follow this unique style, switching from metal to punk, classical or pop, then back again. Listen to Gagliardi play, and you'll know that his influences are as varied as the music genres he taps into.There's Metallica of course, as well as Depeche Mode, and soundtracks, especially those attached to Tim Burton's films (credit for those goes to the musical brilliance that is Danny Elfman). Gagliardi's major influence, however, has to be Faith No More. "They're so dynamic with their different styles of music, covering the Bee Gees, then ABBA, and just being really out there," said Gagliardi, adding that Faith No More's singer, Mike Patton, has been a huge influence to him (Patton's the singer in about 13 bands, each one more varied and dramatic then the next). "Just how he sings is like an instrument in and of itself." Currently, Gagliardi says he's been rediscovering a lot of music, retracing his steps and finding influences from groups he could never appreciate when he was younger. "It's just kind of like I've tried to sponge everything up, the knowledge and tastes [in music] and everything else. The more you observe, the more you take in, the more it's going to diversify you." Being only one man, touring has its limitations, so Gagliardi's created video pieces to go along with his compositions. "I've compiled together some things I've created, but there are also things that I've seen, or pictures that are burned in my head in a sense. It make me seem schizophrenic to some people, butit makes sense to me", said Gagliardi. Gagliardi says that his lyrics mostly concern introspective things: love, hate, religion. "Sometimes I also include things that I've witnessed, or just try to writethings from an outer-body experience type of thing, like anunbiased point of view," explained Gagliardi. A major literary influence is, of all people, JK Rowling and her Harry Potter series. Gagliardi sees himself as an artist who stands alone. Although he says there's a lot of great music coming outof the Hudson Valley, "It's mostly centered around hip-hop or some punk, and although he says his music gets respect from both sides, his style isn't like anything else emerging in the area. "I'm just kind of out there by myself, like, hey," said Gagliardi. Martyr Art can be seen Friday, October 12th at 18 Liberty St. Doors open at 5p.m. For more info, call (845) 562-3086.
"Art.Beauty.Chaos Volume One" Interview and Album Review January 2005 by H.K of Outsider Magazine (Newburgh, NY) The correct definition of "Martyr Art" is the embodiment of the true artist who would sacrifice himself orherself to maintain the utmost respect, integrity, loyalty and truth to their craft. This said, Martyr Art isn't a band, it's a one man show. Since the age of 9, JD has been playing music his way. Oh sure, he tried to play in bands with other people. That didn't quite work out. He got tired of making music for other people. Not getting satisfaction out of these collaborations, he decided just to do it on his own. JD has something about him, at times he exudes an aura of being much older than his years. He's the kind of human being that makes you think. He's also the kind of person who will call you in the middle of the day and make you laugh with strange voices and impersonations. He has given Martyr Art a sound that is a blend of unusual proportions. With musical influences that range from Metallica, Nirvana, Madonna, Faith No More and Depeche Mode, the outcome is at times somewhat surreal. When I listen, I hear alot of Depeche Mode with a twist of Kurt in there with blends of funk and synthpop, horror and industrial, a little like Ministry, but without being repeatedly kicked in the head. The depth of sound one encounters when listening to Martyr Art can be attributed to now vintage cords and riffs JD has recorded on tape and then resurrects when he writes a song worthy of their addition. He writes alone, records alone and when he plays live - he had his 1st show in 3 years recently at the Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY opening for KMFDM - it's just like his albums, he plays alone. This can sometimes be a bit difficult. Everything, save the instruments he plays on stage and his vocals are played pre-recorded whilst he accompanies. "They turned off my monitors. I couldn't hear anything, but I got through it. Some of the guys in KMFDM came up to me and said they liked it and I sold some copies of my album, so I guess I did well." All difficulties aside, the uniqueness of Martyr Art shines through. JD's 1st full-length album is out now, titled "Art.Beauty.Chaos Volume One" and available online at www.MartyrArt.com.
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