Luna Mortis Info
Luna Mortis' last show before going to Orlando to record an album is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Den in Monroe. Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is $5 in advance or $6 at the door.Also on the bill are Basement Brewha, Midnight at Noon, Point of Suspence and Skinner Hollow.
The band also has a MySpace page, www.myspace.com/
lunamortismusic
MONROE - Take some Dream Theater, Children of Bodom, Arch Enemy, In Flames, early Metallica, Iron Maiden and Pantera and throw all those in a blender.
Add a female vocalist, and you're at least in the ballpark of Luna Mortis, a local band that has signed a five-record deal with Century Media.
"Tidbits of those bands get thrown in, but we don't sound exactly like any of those bands," said Brian Koenig, principal songwriter and one of the band's two lead guitarists.
Instead, Luna Mortis, formed in 2001 as Ottoman Empire, is what Koenig calls a hybrid of classical and heavy metal music.
"We're progressive thrash metal with some European-sounding stuff," Koenig said. "We play a fairly heavy style of music."
The group changed its name to Luna Mortis shortly before signing its record deal in June. It wanted a name that wasn't used by another band and one that reflected its European parts.
Koenig is one of three band members with Monroe ties. He lives in Monroe, as does co-lead guitarist Cory Scheider. Drummer Erik Madsen is from Monroe.
Other band members are vocalist Mary Zimmer and bass guitarist Jacob Bare.
With such a Monroe influence, the band will play its last show in Monroe before going to Orlando, Fla., to record its first professional album. That show is at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Den in Monroe.
For Luna Mortis, a record deal means separation from the other acts at its show. For Koenig, it's the start of what he hopes is a career.
"This is something I've wanted to do since I started playing the guitar in 1995," Koenig said. "I want to be a rock star ... signing this deal is the means for us to take the next step, to go beyond just being a local band."
Koenig writes the music and lyrics for the band. It plays all original songs, no covers.
The group is leaving for Orlando at the end of August. They will spend a month in Orlando recording an album that will include six new songs and four songs put together as a demo CD in February to attract the attention of Century Media.
Koenig said he believes there is a market the CD will appeal to. Most of the lyrics are from Koenig's personal experiences. Sometimes he creates a story and tells it through song.
"My lyrics come from anywhere and everywhere," Koenig said. "A lot of the lyrics are darker, angrier, like the style of music."
Koenig said the music industry works in trends, and the band's current style of guitar leads and singing combined with guttural screaming is "on the upswing."
The band does work on its MySpace page, to positive reaction.
"It's been overwhelmingly positive," Koenig said. "I think once we get out there, we're going to have a snowball sort of effect. It's going to get bigger and bigger.
"We provide a style and sound that a lot of people become aware of us, they're going to enjoy it and really dig it."
Add a female vocalist, and you're at least in the ballpark of Luna Mortis, a local band that has signed a five-record deal with Century Media.
"Tidbits of those bands get thrown in, but we don't sound exactly like any of those bands," said Brian Koenig, principal songwriter and one of the band's two lead guitarists.
Instead, Luna Mortis, formed in 2001 as Ottoman Empire, is what Koenig calls a hybrid of classical and heavy metal music.
"We're progressive thrash metal with some European-sounding stuff," Koenig said. "We play a fairly heavy style of music."
The group changed its name to Luna Mortis shortly before signing its record deal in June. It wanted a name that wasn't used by another band and one that reflected its European parts.
Koenig is one of three band members with Monroe ties. He lives in Monroe, as does co-lead guitarist Cory Scheider. Drummer Erik Madsen is from Monroe.
Other band members are vocalist Mary Zimmer and bass guitarist Jacob Bare.
With such a Monroe influence, the band will play its last show in Monroe before going to Orlando, Fla., to record its first professional album. That show is at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Den in Monroe.
For Luna Mortis, a record deal means separation from the other acts at its show. For Koenig, it's the start of what he hopes is a career.
"This is something I've wanted to do since I started playing the guitar in 1995," Koenig said. "I want to be a rock star ... signing this deal is the means for us to take the next step, to go beyond just being a local band."
Koenig writes the music and lyrics for the band. It plays all original songs, no covers.
The group is leaving for Orlando at the end of August. They will spend a month in Orlando recording an album that will include six new songs and four songs put together as a demo CD in February to attract the attention of Century Media.
Koenig said he believes there is a market the CD will appeal to. Most of the lyrics are from Koenig's personal experiences. Sometimes he creates a story and tells it through song.
"My lyrics come from anywhere and everywhere," Koenig said. "A lot of the lyrics are darker, angrier, like the style of music."
Koenig said the music industry works in trends, and the band's current style of guitar leads and singing combined with guttural screaming is "on the upswing."
The band does work on its MySpace page, to positive reaction.
"It's been overwhelmingly positive," Koenig said. "I think once we get out there, we're going to have a snowball sort of effect. It's going to get bigger and bigger.
"We provide a style and sound that a lot of people become aware of us, they're going to enjoy it and really dig it."