EMQ’s with FORCE OF MORTALITY
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Oxford, UK based Heavy Metal band, Force Of Mortality. Huge thanks to vocalist/guitarist, Andrew ‘Mazza’ Marriott, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hi, my name is Andrew ‘Mazza’ Marriott, I play the guitar and I’m also the lead vocalist. Force Of Mortality started in 2016 to better reflect the tone and attitude of its then-current line-up. On March 6th, 2017 “Reincarnate The Immortal”, our debut EP, released. In late 2018 lead guitarist LJ left the band. From November 2018 to July 2019 this time was spent recording our next offering. With recording completed and mixing starting in late 2019 an early 2020 release was hoped for, but due to the global pandemic it was delayed. However, the 9-track album, “New Dark World”, has now finally been released. The band continues to look for a new lead guitarist and is keeping a close eye on the live music scene to ensure that they can get back out and perform live at the earliest opportunity.
How did you come up with your band name?
Very early in 2016 we were a band in another form so to speak, and with the music we were developing getting heavier, the name we had didn’t fit the music. Our bass guitarist, Dr Col had a name he was using for his side projects and suggested that we consider that name, so Force of Mortality we became to be.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We hail from Oxford in the UK. The scene was still thriving pre pandemic with all kinds of new bands emerging and venues churning out live music. Post pandemic though, who knows what will be and how it will have affected the local scene.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our latest release is the album “New Dark World” featuring nine tracks. It was released on 23rd October 2020. On our YouTube channel there are nine featurettes which represent each track and these represent the journey of the recording process.
‘Driver’ (Official video)
Who have been your greatest influences?
My greatest influences are my bandmates, they inspire me to be better than I am and we bounce off each other when writing new tracks
What first got you into music?
I’ve always been into music since a very young age and I first picked up a guitar when I was fifteen. But the inspiration for forming a band and getting into music seriously was I think December 2003, I went to see Metallica at Earls Court and it blew me away and the feeling of walking away from that had my mind racing on what I wanted to do.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
In a recent interview we did as a band I named a specific vocalist who I would’ve wanted on a track to sing for us. But Dr Col and dB gave a different answer. Reflecting on their answer I would absolutely choose dB’s sister, DaGeena. She was part of the band before 2016 and unfortunately passed away in late 2016. So, she would be the musician I’d most like to interact/collaborate with again. (She is missed)
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
It would have to be Download at Donington, UK. So many iconic bands have played there. It would be great to play and associate ourselves with that iconic festival.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I haven’t received a gift from any fans, but I received an email from a fan in France asking for my autograph, now that doesn’t happen every day.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Keep the music alive, this pandemic has been devastating to both local and national music scenes. As we are all fans, we must continue to support the industry and do what we can, once this pandemic is over, get out there, get back in the venues and support your local bands.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Freddie Mercury
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Playing live, getting that buzz from the audience. I cannot stand the recording process, very boring.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Needs to be more balanced for unsigned bands, certain radio stations devote no time for unsigned bands, surely this is detrimental to the future of the rock and metal scene. So for me, more time should be devoted to unsigned bands on radio and in magazines.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“…And Justice For All” – Metallica.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Downloads are good but I’m old skool. I like to study the lyrics, so it has to be either record (vinyl) or CD.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
That would be at the O2 Academy in Oxford, Biggest venue we’ve played at the biggest crowd.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I would be listening instead of playing.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
James Hetfield, Freddie Mercury, Eddie Van Halen, Brian May, Cliff Burton and DaGeena Bhatt
What’s next for the band?
At the moment the live scene is shut down and we as a band can’t get together. So, we are developing riffs and ideas in respective personal spaces. Plus, we are still promoting the album and in the process of searching for a new lead guitarist.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
www.facebook.com/ForceOfMortality
www.instagram.com/forceofmortalityofficial
www.youtube.com/channel/UCCtcngN_QP_gyTXJkRZ3V7w
www.soundcloud.com/force-of-mortality
www.slaps.com/Mortality
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Both.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
“New Dark World” is out now on all major digital formats.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.