by Christine Greyson
Andy Martongelli’s new album Ultra Dead sports emotionally powerful solo work.
The sheer gravity of a singing guitar; firing up tragedy and yearning, stitching us to the cries coming from strings of sweating metal.
Andy Martongelli has proved his skills are nothing to push aside. A founding member of Italian metal group Arthemis, he’s played for numerous bands and other world-renowned musicians, being featured in some of the biggest music publications out there. With one solo album behind him, he’s recently released the hellacious new Ultra Dead.
The guitar tones are hypnotically vicious, pushing against the rhythms. It’s an almost spellbinding trip into the abyss of sonic perception. Andy is a guitar instructor and regularly encourages the dreams of other artists. He graciously gave us his time for an interview in support of Elevar.
CG: I know when I’m making music, I sometimes kind of fall in love with one part of a song, or one particular song.. and it just comes together differently than the rest. Could you talk about what your creative process was like- on a particular piece or song that you really found dear to you as you composed it?
Andy: Yeah, you’re absolutely right, because that happens often when you write Music by heart and instinct and not by rules…. and that’s what I’ve been doing for years. And above all— my way of life, not just in Music. I always relate a song to a life experience or something that resonates first with me of course, but also with other people who feel the same, or have been in that particular mood or situation, and that’s what Music is all about. Songs like “Ultradead”, even if instrumental, tell about when you have a dream and you really wanna make it come true, so you don’t sleep, you do a thousand things during the day and life is not always easy, but a true adventure with highs and lows—and you gotta go for the ride. But even if you’re dead tired and sometimes don’t feel that 100% full-power, the dream kicks in and you find the strength and enthusiasm and become the Ultra-Dead—strong and fiery, so the forces are back… more than ever helping you to go where you really wanna go!
CG: Playing live is different than composing in the studio… is there a way you connect these different experiences of playing and draw upon them to aid each other?
Andy: I just keep everything true and as powerful as possible, like if it sounds loud live, then in some way it has to give you the same perception and feelings without losing any, and it has to generate good vibes and strong sensation all the time, no matter what. This of course is easier to write than to do, so it creates a lot of challenges between you and the Music instrument. It drives you to let the Music do the talking and take everyone away with you, where words simply cannot go. It’s exciting and once you “connect” with your guitar …. it’s all natural and flows.
CG: You teach music. Have you seen any new or upcoming musicians who’ve impressed you lately? Do any of your students or clients inspire your music in new ways?
Andy: Gotta say I’m always very impressed when I see new talents, musicians; and it makes me really happy because I know how these people feel inside and it’s not just the talent but the hard work behind that nobody seems to see. The sleepless nights, not going out with friends every time like “normal” people do. So yeah, I’m always inspired and amazed by them; I just help them to let their inner energy come out fearlessly, like I learned to do by myself through the years and… it’s still a never ending learning process…
CG: How does music and other aspects of your life (non musical) “feed back” into each other? Do they blend, or do you keep a separate space for yourself that doesn’t involve your musical work at all?
Andy: Life is Music and Music is life, and they are impossible to separate for me. They live together. Life is just a big… huge song played on 10 every day, giving you strong feelings, and it’s never boring if you listen to it for real! It’s exciting and evolving.
CG: You work a LOT. What do you do to rest from it all and get recharged?
Andy: I do boxing. I’ve been doing that for many years and still training a lot. That’s what relaxes me the most! I watch movies during the late night to stop the brain from just working constantly, thinking about melodies, hahaha! Sounds funny, but it’s just so true! These things just reset the brain and give me a proper kick-off every day—especially boxing. And I like to travel too, even if I’m not playing or touring. The world is an open book.
Ultra Dead is out and gaining traction right now, and I’m excited about this one! My favorite on the album is Army of Darkness. The solo deviates into a captivating downpour of sensation before pulling you back up at the end with crunchy, energetic fervor. The whole album is an emotional roller coaster ride.
