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...
Somberland
Mono Inc. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause of mad world disease
Longing for sympathy
Somberland we come
One track minds – on one way streets
House the poor refugees
Clemency is what we came for
Night falls on our minds
Make us numb and blind
‘cause there’s nowhere else to go to
Somberland we come
Gather all your lambs
Make this torture end
‘cause there’s nowhere else to go to
Somberland we come
No good god - no belief
We did so unworthy
Arrogance - our defeat
Somberland we come
It’s destroyed what we had
We’re alive - dreams are dead
Let’s admit we failed test now
Somberland we come
Night falls on our minds
Make us numb and blind
‘cause there’s nowhere else to go to
Somberland we come
Gather all your lambs
Make this torture end
‘cause there’s nowhere else to go to
Somberland we come
The lyrics to Mono Inc.'s song Somberland depict the struggles of a group of people who feel lost and hopeless in a world that has failed them. They were once great enemies, brought together by the common experience of the "mad world disease" and the longing for sympathy. The reference to the "mad world disease" could be interpreted as a metaphor for any of the many global issues that divide people, such as conflict or environmental destruction. The singer suggests that they have come to Somberland, which can be seen as a metaphor for a place of despair and suffering, seeking clemency and a way out.
The second verse seems to suggest that the people have lost faith in any higher power or system that might provide them with guidance or salvation. The arrogance of human beings has led to their defeat, and their dreams are dead. They have failed a test, but it's not clear what the test represents. The chorus repeats the idea that there's nowhere else to go to but Somberland, and that they are numb and blind. However, there is still hope that they can escape this torture and find a better future, by gathering their lambs, which could represent their vulnerable and innocent community members.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the state of the world, and the desperation felt by people who are struggling to survive in the face of immense challenges. It suggests that there is still hope for people to come together and create a better future, but that this will require admitting failure and seeking clemency.
Line by Line Meaning
We were great enemies
We used to be enemies
Cause of mad world disease
Due to the madness of the world
Longing for sympathy
Desiring to be sympathized with
Somberland we come
We come to the land of sadness
One track minds – on one way streets
Our minds are focused on one thing and we can't turn back
House the poor refugees
Give shelter to the refugees who are poor
Clemency is what we came for
Mercy is what we are asking for
Night falls on our minds
Our minds are darkened by the night
Make us numb and blind
Make us unable to feel or see
‘cause there’s nowhere else to go to
Because we have nowhere else to go
Gather all your lambs
Bring all your innocent people together
Make this torture end
Make this pain come to an end
No good god - no belief
There is no good God or belief
We did so unworthy
We were unworthy
Arrogance - our defeat
Our arrogance led us to our own defeat
It’s destroyed what we had
It has destroyed what we once had
We’re alive - dreams are dead
We are still alive, but our dreams are gone
Let’s admit we failed test now
Let's face the fact that we have failed the test
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.