MONO INC. rose from the ashes of several band projects, the frustrations of being forced into unwelcome directions by major record labels and the fervent wish to make uncompromising music. Founder members were MARTIN ENGLER, mastermind and songwriter, CARL FORNIA and MIKY MONO. In 2003 MANUEL ANTONI joined the band on bass guitar and also as a sound designer. It was made clear from the start that MONO INC. would never sell their souls for a major record label deal and they decided to sign with the independent label NoCut. The Debut HEAD UNDER WATER was released in 2004 and was critically acclaimed as a new sound called ‘MONOROCK’. Two singles from the album made appearances in the most important German trend charts for rock, metal and gothic music such as DAC, MRC30 and Native25. The release was followed by extensive touring throughout GERMANY and EUROPE. At the end of 2006, as the band gathered in the studio to prepare the material for the 2nd album, they were witness to a totally unexpected event: the break-up between the band and their front man; after endless discussions and the odd flying instrument the tensions between MARTIN and MIKY had run so high that the band asked MIKY to leave and decreed that MARTIN should take over the microphone. Strangely this was not a spectacular change in sound for the band, as they were so used to MARTIN’s voice from his many demos, and he has been lead vocalist ever since. The free seat behind the drums was soon occupied by KATHA MIA, probably Germany’s best-looking female drummer. MARTIN and KATHA first met backstage at a DEPECHE MODE concert in Aarhus, Denmark, in the summer of 2006. KATHA knew of MONO INC. and half-jokingly offered her percussive services in the event of MARTIN ever breaking a hand during the drum solo. He remembered this kind, misguided offer and decided to take a chance and invite her to the studio. On that fateful day the band was immediately, jaw-droppingly impressed by this sweet, enchanting beauty who sat behind the drum kit and packed such an unbelievable punch. The decision to grab her was made in seconds. With this exciting new line-up complete, the band relished recording TEMPLE OF THE TORN and the fruits of this labour will be released worldwide on June 15th 2007. The eponymous single insinuates a fair impression of what’s coming up; an intoxicating mixture of extra-strong melody, big fat guitars, and a double portion of electronic wizardry combine with MARTIN’s sad, mesmerising voice to make what in Germany is already known as ‘MONOROCK’. It is impossible to put MONO INC. into any of the normally accepted categories. They are truly unique. The explanation for the long break between the two albums? Martin’s answer is striking honest: “HEAD UNDER WATER was recorded on drugs; TEMPLE OF THE TORN on detoxification, and I needed the long gap to find myself again. After HEAD UNDER WATER I spent nearly a year and a half constantly touring and I just tried to drug away the monotony of hotels, buses, interviews and sound-checks. Unfortunately I did a really good job and for quite a while I was unable to take song ideas to a desirable end. There were a lot of blank sheets of paper, and I’m forever grateful to the band for allowing me the time and space to get myself back on track. I am not generally a very positive person but right now I’m looking at the future more positively than ever before.” The new CD from MONO INC. is, well.. different. Fall deeply and lastingly in love with Germanys Dark-Rockers… An absolute must for every hardcore fan. Somber, sad, stunning and quite fantastic. Welcome to the TEMPLE OF THE TORN! If you dare . . . <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/+noredirect/Mono+Inc">Read more on Last.fm</a>. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.