Martyrs Unveil the Halloween Dream EP: A Journey Through Atmosphere and Introspection

Welsh genre-agnostics Martyrs have returned with their latest offering, the Halloween Dream EP, a collection that further expands their uncategorised sound. Building from drum machine beats and sequenced synths, the duo stretches into the realms of acoustic indie rock and beyond, creating a record that is immersive, intricate, and richly textured.

The lead track, Delta Rain, is a swooning slice of atmospheric electronica. Propelled by a juddering bassline and delicate guitar, it is an ode to places that feel like home. Singer Michael describes it as a love song dedicated to a place rather than a person, inspired by his own experiences in Barcelona. Multi-instrumentalist Jon adds that the track is their most immersive yet. He layered acoustic guitars in different ways, combined them with warm analogue synths and a heavy bass foundation, and added lo-fi, tape-saturated drums, bells, choral vocals, and generous reverb to create a sense of being inside the song rather than listening from the outside.

October Kind unfolds as an intricate labyrinth of piano and guitar jangle, with tightly harmonised vocals drifting across an ever-shifting musical landscape. Michael describes it as a catalogue of Autumnal memories and the intangible feelings they inspire. He explains that the song reflects the qualities of light, the contrast of cold and warmth, and the changing colours of the season, evoking both nostalgia and a sense of belonging. The video, a found-footage journey through Halloween celebrations from the 1920s to the present, reinforces the magical atmosphere of the song. Jon says that the unusual rhythms of the track came naturally, with big acoustic folk strums landing in 7/8 and the chorus in 5/4.

For the first time, Martyrs have included a cover on their release, reinterpreting Super Furry Animals’ 1998 cult classic The Man Don’t Give A Fuck. The duo have twisted the original into something more intense and aggressive while retaining moments of sublime serenity. Jon describes the recording as chaotic but purposeful, with over a hundred layered tracks in the choruses and a breakdown featuring drums, acoustics, and church bells, culminating in a surreal UK wrestling crowd chant. Michael adds that the song offered a rare opportunity to express anger and protest through their music.

Bandcamp listeners will also find a demo called Midnight Mass and an instrumental version of The Man Don’t Give A Fuck. A series of in-house videos will accompany the EP, including the Halloween-themed October Kind clip that is already available.

Written, recorded, mixed, and produced entirely at home by childhood friends and longtime collaborators Jon and Michael, the EP continues Martyrs’ DIY ethos. It follows two albums, Un Diavolo In Casa (2022) and Luminism (2024), as well as a series of standalone singles. Initially, the band planned to release ten singles in a year, but the decision to make EPs and produce videos for every track slowed the process while enriching their creative output.

Musically, Delta Rain and October Kind mark a departure for the band, with acoustic guitar taking a prominent role for the first time and lyrics moving away from the narrative-driven character studies that usually shape their songs. Michael explains that the acoustic guitar inspired more personal and impressionistic writing. Jon describes their approach to the EP as deliberately dense and detailed, designed to reward careful listening rather than serve as background music.

With Halloween Dream EP, Martyrs reaffirm their place as fearless, uncompromising artists who invite listeners not just to hear their music, but to inhabit it.