An Interview with
'Matt Marek'
Lead Vocalist of Folk Metal Band
who play the 'Mountains Of Metal' All-Dayer
on Saturday, July 20th 2024 @ Record Junkee, Sheffield
Tell us all about how your band came to be and what roles you all have?
Matt: The band started out as an idea by Lead Guitarist, Rob Hilton who wrote the initial demo version of our song 'White Beer'. After a period of carving out the band's identity, Rob was joined by Andy Powroznik on Drums and Myself on Vocals and Guitar. With Josh Thomas and James Waldron joining us for 'Flameheart', we have finally found a core that we feel confident in and one where every musician is exceptional at their role.
Where did your name initially come from?
Matt: It just sounds like a Folk Metal band! Haha!
Who would you say have been your main inspirations and influences and why either individually or as a band unit?
Matt: Lyrically our biggest inspirations are Sabaton and Amon Amarth because of their Bardic approach to storytelling. We tell tales of Slavic history ranging from famous battles to Slavic folk tales. Our most recent EP, 'Flameheart', centres around the legendary Slavic Chieftain, Daurentius and his campaign against the Byzantine Empire.
Musically, our heaviness and aggression is influenced by bands like Amon Amarth, Trivium and As I Lay Dying. This is mixed with elements of traditional folk metal inspired by bands like Equilibrium, Alestorm or In Extremo (first time I ever heard folk metal was in the game Gothic which featured a cover of Herr Mannelig by In Extremo).
Individually for me as a vocalist, Corey Taylor has been a major inspiration with how he rhythmically places the screams in his songs.
How would you describe your band to somebody who had never heard you before that will be seeing you live on Saturday July 20th?
Matt: If Parkway Drive met Ensiferum.
What Songs / Albums are you most proud of that you have released so far and for what reasons?
Matt: We are all very proud of our most recent 'Flameheart' EP. We have put a lot of time and work into this EP and we believe that it sums us up perfectly as a band with elements of folk being intertwined with the heaviness and aggression of extreme metal.
What would you say have been the most stand-out moments/highlights in the bands career so far and why?
Matt: Opening for German Power Metal Legends, Victorius and making it to the final of Nottingham's 'Metal 2 the Masses'. Seeing the professionalism of a band like Victorius was inspiring. Our first tour abroad was also a stand out moment in the band's career. The reception we had in Poland was a big surprise and an incredible experience.
What have been the funniest, most Spinal Tap moments in the band?
Matt: Andy taking us out for a kebab minutes before our second show in Poland. I spent more time burping into the microphone than actually singing.
What revs you up and gets you going before getting on stage?
Matt: White Beer early in the morning. But seriously, hearing stories from fans who have travelled far to see us, it is for them that we play and it is from them that we get our energy.
What would you most like to fulfil as a band when it comes to the bucket-list?
Matt: Only one thing, to one day put on a headline show in a solid venue that our fans deserve.
What does it mean to you to play the 'Mountains Of Metal' All-Dayer alongside the other bands on the bill?
Matt: It's an honour to be invited to the inaugural 'Mountains of Metal'. We will give it our all and bring the full energetic show that we always put on.
What special message do you have to the folk who are coming to the show?
Matt: Bring your Drinking Horns, fill them to the brim, enjoy yourselves, smile, and party along with us.
Feel free to check out the links below:
Mountains Of Metal Events Page:
Mountains Of Metal Events Ticket Link:
