Interviews: A.Moortal

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal artist, A.Moortal from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

When I decided to start a solo project, I couldn’t decide between coming up with a “band” name or using my real name. So, I kinda did both. I went on Google and searched for words that started with “AMO.” I found “amortal” and looked up what it meant. “A being that was never born, that has always been.” That really stuck with me. I’ve been playing in bands since I was 14 or something, and I’m usually the primary song writer. I’m always doing all the work, recording, promo, social media, booking, all of it. So when I read that, I felt it was perfect. The project had always been withing me. Then I just put my name in it by adding the period and an extra “O”. Aaron Moore = A.Moortal

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

I got into metal in middle school. Some friends showed me Disturbed and Slipknot and that’s what really got me started. Around the same time I started playing bass in my friends band. When I got to high school is when the metalcore wave really took off. I started listening to All that remains, Killswitch, As I Lay Dying, Shadows Fall. That’s what was huge then. That and Emo, which didn’t click for me until I was much older. But I really liked how metalcore took riffs that almost sounded like melodic death metal and had groovy drums and not a lot blast beats. Weirdly I didn’t like breakdowns at first and I live for them! Playing came really natural to me when I started playing guitar and I dunno, it just felt right ya know? 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

I’ve known me my whole life!

4. Each band member favourite band?

Picking just one favorite is so difficult. Lamb of God is probably my biggest influence. I have LOG tattoo. I also have some Winds Of Plague lyrics tattooed on me too. Right now I’m listening to a lot of Dragged Under. If I had to pick just one band, I’ll have to go with Lamb Of God. They always put out great music and most albums have zero skips.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

This is a tough to answer. When I first started writing, it was a lot of stuff I dealt with growing up. Being treated shitty by exes, getting picked on for being the “goth” kid. Being depressed and suicidal. That last one is probably the biggest. I’m dong a lot better these days, but the memories are still there and fresh so that’s an easy one to write about. I’ve done songs about co-workers, people who told me metal music will never pay the bills. I’m working on a love song, because my girlfriend, Heather, is awesome and so supportive and she deserves it. Really everything that happens to me can end up in a song.

6. Where was your last gig?

I started this project during quarantine so I haven’t done any gigs yet. But I did do a live show on TikTok a while back that was fun. I did Redwood Cyberfest II, which was a streaming show twitch.

7. Where would you like to act?

Anywhere people are gonna like my music. A dream show would be a big festival. I know OzzFest isn’t a thing anymore, but anything like that. Or warped tour.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Aaron Pauley from Of Mice and Men. We’ve actually been good friends since middle school and I miss hanging out with him. A collab would be sick, but also I just wanna hang out again.

9. Whom not? 

Not to be political, but anyone racist. I don’t mess with that.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

My very first show when I was like 16 or something I had pretty bad stage fright. I still get nervous before every show, especially if I’m doing something new. The first time I played drums live I was super nervous. The first time I ever did vocals live I was so nervous I actually threw up on stage. Even playing guitar, my main instrument, I get a little nervous, but it goes away as soon as I start playing. The best advice I can give is just go for it. No amount of worrying or thinking is gonna make it go away. You just have to power through it. If this is what you love you’ll get past it.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Slipknot is probably the biggest. I wouldn’t consider my style Nu Metal, but Slipknot is probably the band that got me full on into metal. Musically Lamb of God, Killswitch, and As I Lay Dying are probably the main ones. Those really shaped me when I got into guitar. I’m also really inspired by other small artists that are grinding it out in local venues. I love going to local shows, or shows for touring bands and watching the local opener.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

To pet my beard. I’m sure it’s usually a joke, but it’s always strange. I usually just laugh it off.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I think I need more of them. Jokes aside, my fans are awesome. I have a really active fanbase on tiktok that’s really cool. I just feel lucky that anyone wants to check out my music.

14. What do you think of our site? 

I really like that you have the genre feature for looking at bands. That’s so useful! I love all types of metal, but some subgenres are so different it’s really nice to have an idea of what’s coming. Also, your lineup is very impressive. So many bands!

15. Something to add?

Two things: first, if you’re a musician who’s waiting to do something. Stop waiting and just do it. You don’t need more gear, you don’t need to read ten more blogs explaining how to do something. Just start. You’ll be glad you did. And second, Thank you to you guys for taking the time to interview me. Thank you, Misanthropik Records and Metal Devastation PR, for making this happen.