Come with us to experience one of Viennas most unique and loudest Band! The four-piece Band formed through a shared love of music, family influences, and the drive to create something powerful and authentic.
Every member of Mad Prophet has a unique story, but all of them share one thing in common: music has been with them since day one.
Linus, the band's lead singer and bassist, grew up in Salzburg in a household where music wasn’t just a hobby—it was a way of life. His father played bass and often performed at local events. Linus started playing piano at the age of five, picked up the guitar at fifteen, and eventually found his way to bass.
Alex, the drummer of Mad Prophet, also grew up surrounded by instruments. His parents were musical, and his stepfather—a drummer—left a lasting impression. After years of being pushed into playing the flute, he eventually began playing drums and played them for six years. After a long break, he picked up the bass and later became the frontman and guitarist of Mad Prophet before returning to his first love: the drums.
David, one of Mad Prophet’s guitarists, was encouraged by his father to learn the guitar at the age of ten. His breakthrough moment came when he learned to play the entire Nirvana Unplugged album. Influenced by his dad’s passion for music, David’s journey was one of determination and discovery.
Matthias, the band’s other guitarist and main songwriter, also came from a music-filled household. Though he initially wasn’t that interested, everything changed when, at around ten or eleven, a kid on the train showed him Smells Like Teen Spirit. From there, it was a deep dive into the world of alternative rock—Guns N’ Roses, Falco, underground concerts and festivals. He started modifying guitars, attending every show he could, and writing his own songs from an early age.
The beginnings of Mad Prophet go back to high school, when Alex transferred to a new school and met Matthias. The two quickly bonded over music and the dream of starting a band. Initially, they had slightly different ideas—Alex wanted to write songs and find a guitarist, while Matthias had been writing his own songs and was looking for a singer. But everything clicked when Alex heard Matthias’ third song—he knew this was the direction to follow.
The two started an acoustic duo called Pillow, but it didn’t take long before they felt the urge to expand. They brought in a bassist and drummer and played their first festival gig. Then came the big move to Vienna. Matthias met Linus during a university lecture, and soon after, they connected with a drummer on their way to the subway.
One turning point came when Alex decided to step back from being the frontman and focus solely on drums. Linus took over as lead vocalist—a move that elevated the band’s dynamic. The final piece of the puzzle was a second guitarist. After going through several candidates, Matthias reached out to David, whom he had worked with on a side project. David, still active in another band at the time, quickly agreed and learned the entire setlist in no time.
Mad Prophet’s sound is rooted in the 90s—grunge, alternative, punk, hard rock—with clear influences from Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, Placebo, and Queens of the Stone Age.
About 95% of their songs begin with an idea from Matthias. Often late at night, he’ll hear a melody or riff in his head, pick up his guitar, and jam it out. He brings these ideas to the band, where they refine the songs together. Occasionally, ideas come from Linus or Alex, and some songs even date back to the early days when Alex and Matthias were still in school. While the songwriting process might start solo, it's the full band that shapes each track into the final version.
One of Mad Prophet’s biggest priorities is playing live. Linus takes care of organizing gigs and building connections in the vibrant Viennese music scene. They’ve performed under several names in the past—Pillow, Stereotyp, Jeffrey—but ultimately, they wanted something new. One night, they drew cards, and one card read: Mad Prophet. It stuck. It felt right.
The band is currently working on two new songs and plans to play as many shows as possible, not just in Vienna but across Austria. They're determined to carve out a fanbase, connect with other bands, and grow beyond their local bubble.
And if they weren’t already busy enough? David and Alex also play in a black metal band called Grümphrö and Linus has a second Band called Ginger Shot - check them out as well!
Mad Prophets next gig will be on the 23rd of May together with two other Bands: Take Out and Lost Dose. Get your tickets now and support them!
At the end we can say that Mad Prophet is a one-of-a-kind Band that puts a lot of passion and energy into their music, and we are so looking forward to what comes next.
Written by Vanessa
Edited by Anna