Interviews: Mori Metanoia

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal/Hard Rock band, Mori Metanoia from Japan. 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?

John came up with the name. He liked the meaning of the word metanoia. But there are already several bands with that name. So he added the word mori to it. The name perfectly defines how this project came about, and the theme we had already decided on for the album. Mori is the Latin word for death. Metanoia is a Greek word with meaning in the psychology of a psychotic break brought about by tremendous trauma that causes a massive cathartic awakening in consciousness to occur. The pandemic caused many people to “die” from their old way of thinking and living. Almost everyone knows someone whose life was radically changed by it, and often in a traumatic way. Not only physical, mental, and emotional trauma, but the trauma of having to adapt to a new way of living that so many people had to go through in that first year of massive lockdowns all over the world.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

John and I heavily played out and recorded in the 90’s, and we both have a special love for that era of music. So PRAYER is also a kind of homage to all of the music of that decade. Which is why the album is so musically diverse.

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

Yes. We would cross paths at different shows. Sometimes we were at each other's shows. But we never actually wrote together until 2020.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Mark: Soundgarden and Jeff Buckley

John: Alice In Chains, Tom Waits and Queensryche

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Mark: With me it’s often a mood, or something I read, or words or music that just pop into my mind and want to be expressed with often only a vague idea at the time what that expression will ultimately be.

John: I honestly don't know. typically something just pops into my head and I need to make it real.

6. Where was your last gig?

We’ve not played it out yet. 7,000 miles apart makes that impossible right now. But we do want to perform live in the near future.

7. Where would you like to act?

A big festival with lots of other bands we dig.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Alice In Chains, Coheed and Cambria, Porcupine Tree, Placebo

9. Whom not?

A show is a show. If it offers the opportunity to get in front of a lot of new faces, it is worth it. Heck, we’d even do a country gig. You just never know who will like your music. I think we would turn down an opportunity if it was someone we had zero respect for.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Mark: At times I would get slightly anxious, especially if I’m feeling a bit under the weather. But my job on that stage is to give a good show in every way. This keeps me focused on the audience and not on me. Because I want them to leave saying, “That was awesome!”

John: Never, I loved every chance to play. The bigger the room and crowd the better I played. I feed a ton off the energy of the room.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

As a whole, this project has been inspired by Alice In Chains, NIN, Chris Cornell, Jeff Buckley, Tool, Radiohead, Faith No More, and 90’s goth

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

Still waiting for a weird request. Any takers? Feel free to contact us. Maybe we should have a contest.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We are super grateful to every person who supports what we do, in whatever way they do.

14. What do you think of our site?

Your site is well-organized, easy to navigate, and looks good. Great that you have these deep dive sections for the tracks and artworks. That is a pretty cool feature not usually seen. Well done!

15. Something to add?

Please give us a chance, and take a listen!