Formed at the end of the year 2006 by Rob Purnell and Martyn Evans, TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED have been creating some of the most extreme music in death metal, fusing new with old school. Trigger The Bloodshed’s blistering blast-filled death metal is a devastating assault earning them the title of ‘UK's heaviest band’.

In a scene so quick to criticize, Trigger The Bloodshed have emerged with their heads held high, receiving acclaim from all generations of death metal fans and music media alike. This led to the band signing to Rising Records (UK) and subsequently a great reception for their debut album ‘Purgation’. With a relentless attitude to touring and a new home found in the venues up and down the UK, Trigger The Bloodshed have played and toured with Napalm Death, Suffocation, Dying Fetus, Narcosis, Mistress and many more.

With a focus solely on composing the heaviest, most extreme music possible, Trigger The Bloodshed do not conform to any of the trends that are becoming increasingly prevalent within this overcrowded scene and set no boundaries for their music.

After their debut Trigger The Bloodshed came back with a vengeance on their sophomore album, ‘The Great Depression’. This time around, the band has a new vocalist and bassist in its ranks, and a shift in sound from grind/deathcore to technical death metal á la Suffocation and Nile. The United Kingdom quintet tears a hole through the listener’s skull with sheer, violent brutality.

‘The Great Depression’ is a step forward in almost every aspect. Only a year has passed since ‘Purgation’, but ‘The Great Depression’ shows a marked improvement in the band’s musicianship and songwriting. Everything seems to be finally clicking with the band, a hopeful sign that their magnum opus might be on the horizon.

So it seems there is much to talk about and guitarist Martyn Evans was available to answer some questions. Here you can read what he had to say to the readers of Metal-Experience.com
 

Congratulations on the release of your new album ‘The Great Depression’ which will be out soon, of course we’d like to ask you a couple of questions about it.

First of all, could you start this interview off with a short introduction of the members and explain the name Trigger The Bloodshed?

Martyn: The lineup at this point in time consists of myself on guitar along with Rob, his brother Dave on bass, Jonny on vocals and Max on the drums. We’re just five normal guys who love to play heavy music and have fun when we are doing it.

The name of the band was just a joke to begin with, we didn't have a name so TTB was ok for now but before we knew it it was too late to change it. We like it now though, it’s direct to the point.

How did you launch into writing material for ‘The Great Depression’ and how much time did you spend on the songs?

Martyn: We toured the whole of 2008 so trying to find time to write was difficult. Rob and myself would just come up with riffs and when we got home he would structure them in to rough songs, it’s difficult to say how long we spent on each song, we kept working on them until we felt they were perfect. We are always writing, it never ends, we all have little home recording studios so if we get any ideas we put them down for later.

What were the goals you had in mind when you started to record ‘The Great Depression’, any elements you definitely wanted to have on the album?

Martyn: We just wanted to make a heavy as fuck album with some good song writing, we wanted to create something we would listen to and that we enjoyed. I feel we achieved it but there are always new things we can try and I’m sure they will crop up in the future.

What about the lyrics, where do you get your inspiration from and can you tell me something about them?

Martyn: The whole album is about  what’s happening in the world at the moment.

We are in a modern Great Depression, hence the name of the album.

We just wanted to write songs about what pisses us off and how much of a joke the goverment is etc.

How important is it to you that people pay attention to the lyrics apart from listening to the music?

Martyn: Not greatly important, if someone comes to a show or likes the band because of the drums or riffs that’s fine by us, if they like us because of the lyrics that’s great too. As long as they get enjoyment from the band and have a good time we’re all happy.

What is the utmost important ingredient for a song according to you? Is there any typical way that your songs comes into being?

Martyn: Not really, it’s just got to flow and be interesting, otherwise you get bored you know. When a song is written we all look at it and see if it’s got a Trigger sound,

if it sounds like a song we would write or play.

What comes first, lyrics or melodies? Is it like you sit down and write a new song because you need more material now or do you wait until you get an idea?

Martyn: Melodies and riffs always come first, Jonny fits his lyrics round them.

We never write because we need new material, we are always writing because it’s what we enjoy doing.

After the release of ‘Purgation‘, Charlie Holmes (vocals) left the band and soon after that Jonny Burgan stepped in. Did this line-up change have an influence on the new songs?

Martyn: Dramatically, Jonny came into the band with fresh ideas, more drive and just a stronger work ethic in general. I couldn't imagine anyone else fronting this band.

How did the recording process proceed and how much time did you spend in the studio?

Martyn: It was pretty smooth. Of course you get technical problems but nothing we’re not used to so it was pretty good. We spent just over a month in there I think.

Did you work differently than you did on the previous album?

Martyn: Yeah, we made sure that the playing by all the members stepped up drastically.

We were really precise about the playing. Everything had to be note and beat perfect.

What do you think are the main differences between your debut album ‘Purgation‘,  and your new album ‘The Great Depression’?

Martyn: ‘Purgation’ is the sound of five young guys just playing as fast as they can and putting all there energy into one thing at once. and ‘The Great Depression’ is the sound of five maturer men playing some controlled and well written death metal with more thought and passion behind it all.

Your debut album ‘Purgation‘, was well received but ‘The Great Depression’ is actually the first album on which Trigger The Bloodshed shows its full capabilities: What are your thoughts on this statement?

Martyn: I agree in a way, but I think we are capable of doing more. We know we can play technically and we have shown that. I think the goal is to become great song writers and write songs that people enjoy and are passionate about.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and the kinds of things that motivate you in your writing, your poetry, and your lyrics? What are you into?

Martyn: I am a big fan of art. I think art has so much emotion and it tells a great story, sometimes even better than music does. Of course I’m a big metal head and thats all I do really. I get inspired by things around me, not just one thing in particular.

What have been the highlights and low points throughout your career?

Martyn: There have been no low points. I love doing this every day and I’ll do it till I die.

The highlight so far has to be Download Festival 08, but we are about to do Download 09 and I’m expecting that to go to the top of the list.

What makes Trigger The Bloodshed different from the other Technical/Brutal Death Metal bands out there?

Martyn: I think we have our own style, we sound a bit different from a lot of bands, we are a death metal band but I think some people who are into mainstream metal could get into it just as easy.

What goals did you have when the band started out and how do those goals stand now?

Martyn: As for goals we have accomplished them all apart from going the States, Australia and Japan but I’m sure we will get there.

What’s the most precious thing you would give up for landing a great record deal and/or lots of publicity?

Martyn: Nothing man, we are not bothered by that shit. we are a death metal band so clearly we are not going to be the next Motley Crue. We just want people to enjoy what we do and come hang out at shows. If they keep doing that we will keep putting the records out.

Are there any particular bands who’ve been a big influence on your song writing, metal or otherwise?

Martyn: Yeah sure, Decapitated, Nile, Necrophagist, Misery index, behemoth, I could go on for ever. There just many great bands that write good songs.

How would you describe your own music?

Martyn: Death Metal straight up.

What can we expect from Trigger The Bloodshed in the near future, any touring plans for the mainland of Europe?

Martyn: Yeah, loads but I can't talk about them yet sorry.

Where do you see the band going within the next couple of years, and where do you see the band’s musical direction going for the next album?

Martyn: I really couldn't tell ya man. We will see what happens. I guess we are always up for trying new things.

Anything left to say to our readers?

Martyn: Thanks very much, pick up a copy of ‘The Great Depression’ and spread the word.

Thanks for your time.

Best regards,

Eugene Straver

Current members:

Jonny Burgan - Vocals

Rob Purnell - Lead Guitar

Martyn Evans - Guitar

Max Blunos - Drums

Dave Purnell - Bass

Former members:  

Charlie Holmes - Vocals

Jay – Bass

Albums:

2008 - Purgation

2009 - The Great Depression