TEMPLES ON MARS: Build It, Burn It, Keep Playing

TEMPLES ON MARS: Build It, Burn It, Keep Playing

Author: HEAVY Magazine August 12, 2026 Duration: 19:21
Interview by Ali Williams 
There are bad weeks, and then there are weeks where the rehearsal studio you spent a year building burns for 4 days, TEMPLES ON MARS guitarist and vocalist James Donaldson joined HEAVY’s Ali Williams somewhat later than originally planned, although his excuse was considerably better than forgetting to check the calendar. Back in the end of June, the London building housing the band’s newly completed rehearsal space and studio went up in flames, bringing 150 firefighters and 25 fire engines to the scene and taking 4 days to extinguish. 
Nobody was hurt, which remains the only part of that story worth celebrating, but the timing was particularly brutal given TEMPLES ON MARS had only just finished creating the space in the first place. 
Building their own headquarters had been a practical answer to the expensive and restrictive reality of London rehearsal rooms. After spending the better part of a year getting everything operational, the band finally had somewhere they could rehearse and record on their own terms. After having a rehearsal there on the Wednesday night, by the following Friday , they were receiving photographs of the entire building burning.
Full interview heavymag.com.au

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Dive straight into the raw, unfiltered conversations happening behind the amplifiers and drum kits. HEAVY Music Interviews, straight from the team at HEAVY Magazine, pulls you backstage and into the green room for genuine talks with the most compelling voices in rock, punk, metal, and the wider heavy music landscape. This isn't about polished press releases; it's where artists open up about the craft of a crushing riff, the stories behind an iconic album, and the realities of life on the road. Each episode delivers a new perspective, whether it's a legendary frontman reflecting on decades of noise or a breakthrough band explaining their explosive sound. You'll hear the passion and personality that fuels the music, directly from the musicians creating it. For anyone who lives for the energy of a heavy track and wants to know the people behind it, this podcast serves as a regular, essential connection. Tune in for authentic discussions that go far beyond the surface, keeping you directly plugged into the heart of the scene.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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