Katha Mia - Drums, Vocals
Carl Fornia - Guit… Read Full Bio ↴Martin Engler - Vocals
Katha Mia - Drums, Vocals
Carl Fornia - Guitar, Vocals
Manuel Antoni - Bass, Vocals
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. Their debut album 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 drumkit 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 their 2nd longplayer Temple of the Torn, which was released worldwide in June 2007.
The Hit-Single of this album (In My Heart) was the key for Mono Inc. to becoming a constant component of every Rock-DJ’s program and was changing the bands status of being an insiders’ tip into being resounded throughout the land. The 2nd half of the year 2007 the band enjoyed their new born harmony on the road and played all over the country and entered the next level when their song Burn Me was picked to become theme music of a new serial by a big German TV station. This serial started in September 2007 and still continues…
And now, in May 2008, Mono Inc. is back with a vengeance! The 3rd album CD Pain, Love And Poetry is steamrollering the gothic-scenery only 11 months after their last full length album. And it’s once again full of unbelievably good compositions. Musically the new album has everything we've come to expect from this band: breathtaking drum patterns, soaring bass lines, rich guitar walls, gorgeous keyboard pads and empathetic vocals create an evocative soundscape that captures the listener immediately. That’s what we expected… but Martin is singing his new songs with more confidence and authority than ever and you feel and believe every single word and note.
Lyrically the focus is (as the title already implies) intensely personal throughout, and anyone who has experienced the ups and downs (especially the downs) of love will find himself poetically echoed here. The first single Teach Me To Love, which comes as a duet with Lisa Middelhauve (female ex-vocalist of Goth-Metal-Band Xandria).
Not to be slowed down Mono inc released the EP Comedown in 2010, and the EP Revenge in 2011. Full Length albums poured out in the shape of Viva Hades in 2011 and freshly released After the War full length and EP. Listen now and fall deeply and lastingly in love with Germanys Dark-Rockers...
Saving Grace
Mono Inc. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An empty body with aboulic lips
I couIdn’t breath, couldn't think
oouldn’t speak l‘ve seen the poison spring
I heard my heartbeat and heard the angels sing
So if I stare tonight
Into your deep wide ocean
So if I plunge tonight
In good faith and devotion
I see the saving grace in your eyes
I tried it harder but I couIdn‘t move
It came and got me I ain't acid-proof
I bring you freedom, peace and changes
said this crushing thing
But gravity just made my angels sing
The lyrics of Mono Inc.'s song "Saving Grace" provide a powerful and emotional description of somebody who has fallen deeply into addiction, a state where they feel empty, suffocated, and powerless to escape. They express their sense of desperation and helplessness as they "took the bait" and ended up "choking on it." The individual realizes that they have become nothing more than "an empty body with aboulic lips," unable to move, think or speak. They are consumed by the "poison spring" of addiction and can only hear the sound of their own heartbeat and an angelic chorus making the situation even more profound, which intensifies their experience.
However, the person finds hope and comfort in the presence of someone they believe will be their salvation- somebody who they can look towards to be their "last resort at all times." They believe that this person's love and support will help them overcome their addiction and find redemption. The individual sees the "saving grace" in the other person's eyes and is willing to plunge into the depths of their love in "good faith and devotion," hoping to find the peace and freedom that they desire. The lyrics touch upon the idea of the importance of support in overcoming addiction, that one needs someone who they can depend on to guide them through the darkness and towards recovery.
Overall, the lyrics of "Saving Grace" are a moving portrayal of the struggles that individuals with addiction face, showcasing the importance of finding faith, hope, and support to overcome the difficulties they face on their journey to recovery. The song encourages those going through addiction to find their saving grace, someone to rely on to help them through their struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
I took the bait but I was choking on it
I fell for something that appeared good to me but it ended up suffocating me
An empty body with aboulic lips
I became lifeless and without willpower to change my circumstances
I couldn’t breath, couldn't think
The situation was overwhelming me and I couldn't come up with a way to handle it
oouldn’t speak l‘ve seen the poison spring
The situation made me speechless as I realized the negativity it was bringing into my life
I heard my heartbeat and heard the angels sing
My heart was pounding and it felt like the universe was trying to communicate to me through singing angels
So if I stare tonight
Assuming that I look intensely today
Into your deep wide ocean
At your vast pool of love and protection
You‘ll be my last resort at all times
You are the one I'll turn to when all options seem exhausted
So if I plunge tonight
If I take the risk tonight
In good faith and devotion
Believing with conviction and loyalty
I see the saving grace in your eyes
I see hope and deliverance in your looks
I tried it harder but I couIdn‘t move
I did my best but the challenge was too hard for me to overcome
It came and got me I ain't acid-proof
The difficulty hit hard and I couldn't resist it
I bring you freedom, peace and changes
I offer you liberation, calmness and progress
said this crushing thing
Making known my weighty problem
But gravity just made my angels sing
The challenge was so severe that it felt like it triggered a divine intervention
Contributed by Reagan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.