Manntis pour l'album "Sleep In Your Grave"

First, could you please introduce Manntis to our readers, your main influences and the style which could best define your music ?

Manntis is an up and coming Metal band from Riverside, CA. that originated in November of 2000. Our main influences vary from Pantera, Slayer and Sepultura to anything from GNR, Motley Crue and Johnny Cash. We like it all, if it’s good and powerful we will listen.

How have you ended up being signed on such a big label as Century Media with no album at all? Dind't you won "the battle of bands" at the ozzfest, or something like this?

We have toured our asses off and written good music for some time, we did not win "Battle for Ozzfest" but we did get plenty of exposure to make our name stand out. Century Media saw strength and determination in us and that is what they will get till the end.

"Sleep in your Grave" features very short songs: was it deliberate to keep such short song structures?

When we wrote the album we wanted to get to the point and get the record out there. We didn’t want to waste time with the money we had to record, so basically we were in and out and I am stoked on the outcome.

Last song "The End where it begins" is a very moody and quiet song. What's the story behind it?

That song was written for Rob Halford (Judas Priest) during the whole "BFO" series. It actually took first place and Rob was impressed with it, not to mention kids were asking for it.

What are your lyrics dealing with?

Everyday life and situations we have to deal with. Mostly all positive lyrics that the fans might relate with as far as relationships our some one they may have lost in the past.

You'll soon be touring in Europe with The Haunted and God Forbid. What do you think of both bands?

We are no longer on that tour. Finacially we could not afford it but I love both of those bands and look forward to playing with them in the future. We will get over sea's someday.

Is it the first time you'll come to Europe? What do you expect / fear from this experience?

It would have been, soon (NDC: arf...)

Any thoughts about France in particular?

I've heard it beautiful, that’s about it.

What do you do for a living apart from the band?

This is my life, this is all I put my heart and time into. We travel a lot so there would be no time to do anything else, except hanging with my girl and family.

What is the best (and the worst) memory you have from your musician's life?

A near fatal accident I was involved in. About two years ago I broke my neck in two spots and had surgery done which involved going through my vocal cords and put me out of singing for 4 months. It was an awful experience!

Do you know the French metal scene? What do you think of it?

I do not...I am always down for new things though.

What are you listening to these days? Any good metal / non metal albums to recommand?

Iam really into the new Darkest Hour, Black Dahlia Murder and God Forbid. FUCKIN GREAT! We are currently on tour with God Dethroned, Nightrage and Hell Within and they are all great bands and good people.

If you could change something in this fucked up world, really anything you want, what would you choose?

That Mexican Food wasn't so bad for you and Jack Daniel's wasn't so expensive.

Last words are yours!

Thank you for your interest in the band, and everybody spread the word about Manntis!