UN: I’m curious to start with asking about how the slight change in musical approach came about. Did the bands outlook on how it wanted to sound change during the two former members and Karl ad Andy joined? Did the new blood interject new life into the band?

MARTYR AD: Absolutely they did make it seem like a new band again. They made it fun again. after so much instability it was nice to know that we had a good solid like up and people who wanted to contribute. as far as the music goes, lots of people ask about our style changing and I don't think its changed that much, just progressed. nobody wants to make the same record twice.

UN: When did Victory become interested in the band? Was it during the hiatus or not until the lineup issues were figured out and you began working on the newer material?

MARTYR AD: It was actually a couple of years ago when we had our old singer. they were very patient while we went through some line up changes. We’re very thankful that they gave us the time we needed to make the record we wanted.

UN: Were you guys worried about the reaction that a change in sound might cause? It’s probably not something you’d think about but it had to be there in the back of your mind. Hardcore fans are especially picky, but I think the band changed for the better and has brought the Martyr AD sound to the next level.

MARTYR AD: I don't think we really thought about it because we didn't think it was that much different, just faster. if people are gonna be that close minded that they're not open to change, then there's not much we can do about it. there’s no point in worrying if people are going to like it if we do. that's all that really matters we just really hope that they do.

UN: Do all of the Haunted comparisons in the reviews of the new album bother you at all? They are definitely a good band, but I just don’t hear it myself. I find that the faster sections are more thrash influenced then anything. I guess some people maybe not familiar with the style forget that Swedish death metal wasn’t the first bands to play fast melodic riffs. There were melodic riffs in thrash as well.

MARTYR AD: I agree. there are definitely more bay area thrash influences than Swedish metal but there are so many young kids involved in the scene so they probably have never heard of exodus or testament so you just get compared to what they know. plus, Swedish metal is popular so that's what people are familiar with now so its just easy to say.

UN: I would say that the new album is pretty bleak. Do you think it is a healthy thing to be able to get these dark thoughts off of your chest? Do you think that in the end it comes across as something positive. I’m sure the last thing on your mind when looking over a sea of kids singing along and dancing is everything that is wrong with this world.

MARTYR AD: Absolutely. playing a show is the best way to vent frustrations. I always feel so great after playing a show. I know that the lyrics may seem dark and depressing but really were a positive band as a whole. we don't sit around cutting ourselves, we sit around and watch the family guy and full house. we’re really just closet nerds.

UN: I was really impressed with the album name. In a time when there are a lot of cliches being thrown around it’s cool to see an album name that makes you think. I’ve always thought of the world being a little similar to hell. There is suffering, torture and while there aren’t lakes of fire and devils running around, it’s a connection that I’m sure a lot of people would see. How did the idea for the album name come together?

MARTYR AD: To me that's exactly how I think of the title of the record. to me its less of a religious reference and more of a statement as to what's going on in the world. the hell we live in where people enjoy torturing others and killing for oil. the world is a really fucked up place right now which makes metal a great outlet for lots of people.

UN: How does the artwork reflect the album title? I was trying to think of what the cover art looks like and I keep coming up with the idea that it’s an angel skeleton.

MARTYR AD: Yeah its a skeleton of a female. We just found this artwork that we really liked and we thought it fit the album.

UN: Was it important to record with a producer that was familiar with the band? Seeing as though you recorded in your hometown it must have been a bit less stressful then having to travel to record. Was there an ideal sound you wanted for the record?

MARTYR AD: Well, Joel is the mastermind when it comes to recording. he writes all the songs, and knows how he wants the songs put together and how the record is going to be when its all done. recording at home is nice because it’s less expensive but next time we will definitely be going somewhere else because there aren't very many people in Minneapolis that know what kind of sound were going towards. I love the songs on the record but I would like to remix it if given the chance. its just not heavy enough. hopefully well get to work with Adam from killswitch in the future. he does an amazing job.

UN: Do you think the Minneapolis scene rarely gets it’s due? I’ve been to the city a few times and just for Extreme Noise the city offers a lot to the punk/hardcore community. Would you say that the city has a strong scene when it comes to hardcore music?

MARTYR AD: That is an amazing store that's been running for 10 years all by people who donate their time. nobody has ever been paid for working there. I think we get some slack just because people think its so fucking cold here. it may be a small scene but its nice. I like it here. of course, I don't like the fucking cold either, but what can you do?

UN: Are you guys going to try to make up for lost time by being out on the road for as much as possible? I’m sure all of the people that caught you live after the debut album are dying to see the band once again. Do you think this will help the turn out and intensity of the shows? Just the fact that people have been possibly waiting awhile to see the band?

MARTYR AD: Hopefully. we are planning on being a full time band. were working on some tours for the rest of the summer. probably after hellfest we’ll do something and then hopefully around October well get to Europe. hopefully well get to Canada too because I fucking love it there.

UN: Are you guys excited to see how far the new album can take the band? This is the type of album that could blow up with both metal fans as well as hardcore fans. Is it exciting to see how different people react to the bands new material?

MARTYR AD: Yeah we’ll see what happens. I definitely think that we could make a living doing what we do. You don't have to be a millionaire to make it. Paying the bills works for me. Lots of bands don't get radio play and sell a shitload of records. So. We’ll see what happens. we’re ready to takeover the fucking world.