Martyr or (french phonetics)
- One who makes great sacrifices in order to further a belief, cause, or principle.
- A Cruel sadness. A constant physical or moral sufferer.

History
Lineup
Concept
Discography

(Need the French version? / Version française ici)
HISTORY & ACTUAL LINEUP

Martyr is based in Quebec, Canada. Their music is often seen as technical progressive death metal.

Martyr's intricate and aggressive Technical Metal style is built on complex structures which allies a multitude of emotions from many different musical approaches. The music is not limited to the conventions of traditional metal music, the band striving to push those limits to create a more open-minded concept.

Martyr's concept was officially created in 1994 by François and Daniel Mongrain.

In September 1995, Martyr released a promotional demo, OSTROGOTH.

In May 1997, Martyr began the production of their debut album, HOPELESS HOPES.

In September 1997, a very talented drummer, Patrice Hamelin joined the band after François Richard's departure. HOPELESS HOPES was then released in November (independent release).

In the Winter of 2002, Martin Carbonneau joined the band as a replacement for Pier-Luc Lampron on the guitar. In the past, Martin happened to play with Patrice's debut band.

In January 2012, drummer Patrice Hamelin has decided to leave the band Martyr due to personal reasons.

LINEUP
PATRICE DANIEL MARTIN FRANCOIS

 

ACTUAL LINEUP
François Mongrain Bass, vocals
Martin Carbonneau Rhythm & lead guitar
Daniel Mongrain Lead & rhythm guitars, vocals
FORMER MEMBERS
Patrice Hamelin Drums (1997-2012)
Pier-Luc Lampron Rhythm & lead guitar (1992-2001)
François Richard Drums (1995-1997)
Stéphane Bélanger Drums (1990-1995)
Éric Beauchemin Guitar (1989-1992)

In 1999, Martyr recorded the WARP ZONE album at Victor Studio with producer Pierre Rémillard (Anvil, Gorguts, Cryptopsy, Quo Vadis). Guest vocalist Luc Lemay from Gorguts made a narration on the last track of the album.

In the Summer of 2001, Martyr recorded a live concert in Rouyn (QC, Canada) for the production of a live album, EXTRACTING THE CORE, which was released in September 2001 through Skycraper Music.

In 2003 and 2005, Martyr did two pre-productions of their album FEEDING THE ABSCESS.

In October 2006, Galy Records released the reissues of HOPELESS HOPES and WARP ZONE, along with the third album FEEDING THE ABSCESS, recorded at the Wild Studio with Pierre Rémillard and Yannick St-Amand, and mastered by Alan Douches.

In April 2008, Galy Records released a 187 minutes DVD entitled HAVOC IN QUEBEC CITY. The concert was recorded with eight cameras at the Imperial of Quebec City.

MAIN CONCERTS

Since 1998, a lot of great things happened for Martyr, as the Milwaukee Metalfest XII and important opening acts as for Cryptopsy, Overkill, Brutal Truth, Napalm Death, Kataklysm, Macabre, Internal Bleeding, Punchdrunk, Despised Icon... Martyr also played at the 2003 New-Jersey March Metal Meltdown, 2007 Chicago Powerfest with Atheist, and the 2008 Maryland Deathfest.

MARTYR CONCEPT

Themes like affliction, oppression, and agony had to be conveyed by a single word. With this concept in mind, the name "Martyr" was decided upon.

Martyr’s music is reflected through lyrics which express emotions such as anguish, outrage, revolt and indignation towards humanity, and the need to improve oneself within this harsh environment. But all in all, the best way to understand this is to listen to the music... and let it drown into your soul.

DISCOGRAPHY

Title: HAVOC IN QUEBEC CITY
Type: DVD
Release: April, 2008
Label: Galy Records
Number of tracks: 15 + bonus features
Duration: 187 minutes

LIVE CONCERT:
15 live songs (72 minutes)
BONUS FEATURES:
Documentary (57 minutes)
Recording sessions (33 minutes)
5 additional live songs (25 minutes)

This DVD was recorded and mixed at the Wild Studio by Pierre Rémillard (The End, Cryptopsy). Video editing by Benoit Nantel. Photos by Marc-André Paillé and Fred Laroche.

Special guest: Jean-Yves 'Blacky' Thériault ex-Voivod on ''Brain Scan'' (Voivod cover) in the additional live songs section.

Title: FEEDING THE ABSCESS
Type:
CD
Release:
October, 2006
Label:
Galy Records
Number of tracks: 13

This album was recorded at the Wild Studio with Pierre Rémillard and Yannick St-Amand. Mastered by Alan Douches.

The concept of the album is to describe the force-fed information by governments, mass media phenomenon. Also, the album tells about the social classes conflicts for power.

Special guest: Jean-Yves 'Blacky' Thériault ex-Voivod on ''Brain Scan'' (Voivod cover).

Title: EXTRACTING THE CORE - LIVE 2001
Type:
Live CD
Release:
September 2001
Label:
Skyscraper music
Number of tracks: 9

This album includes nine live songs taken from both previous studio albums.

It was recorded live in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, in Summer 2001. The cd has a multimedia presentation for CD-Rom drive offering many live pictures and video footage.

Title: WARP ZONE
Type: CD
Release: March 11, 2000
Reissue: October, 2006
Label:
Galy Records (reissue)
Number of tracks: 9 + 4 bonus tracks

This album, recorded at Victor Studio, offers a very intense and professional sound. The album's concept is an exploration within one's life evolution, transitions, self-questionings and reflections.

October 2006: Galy Records released a remastered reissue of the album with four bonus tracks.

Special guest: Luc Lemay (Gorguts) on vocals.

Title: HOPELESS HOPES
Type: CD
Release: November 7, 1997
Reissue: October, 2006
Label: Galy Records (reissue)
Number of tracks: 9 + 4 bonus tracks

The band searched for different moods, playing with the dynamics, using different scales, odd rhythms and bars. The sound is very aggressive. The album's concept is to serve as a mirror of the human state of mind.

October 2006 : Galy Records released a remastered reissue of the album with four bonus tracks. Three of them are from Ostrogoth demo. Updated layout.

Title: OSTROGOTH
Type:
demo
Release:
September 1995
Label:
independent (retired item)
Number of tracks: 3

Tracklist:
1) Prototype
2)
Ostrogoth
3) Ars Nova

These tracks can be found on the re-issue of Hopeless Hopes.