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| Martyrdöd |
Martyrdöd unleashed one of the most intense records of 2012 and have in turn arguably raised the stakes for other emerging bands to follow. With such a blistering record under their belts and having toured America last year with the likes of Enabler and Black Breath as part of the Southern Lord tour. Martyrdöd are set to arrive in the UK, alongside Rotten Sound and label mates, Enabler.
With that in mind, I thought It would be a good opportunity to hook up with the band, to talk about the immending tour, the history of the band, their latest record, 'Paranoid' and plans for the future. Enjoy the interview and as ever, thanks for reading!
Q) Where are you guys at the moment and what are you doing in terms of the band? I know you have just been announced as support for Rotten Sound with your label mates, Enabler for 2013 Euro tour.I am hoping to see you guys in Leeds.1st of all, congratulations, you must be psyched for that?It is a great package.
A) Hell Yeah we're psyched about this tour w/ Rotten Sound and Enabler. Enabler are very close and special friends of ours since the last U.S tour. Jeff and Amanda are very sweet persons and we're stoked to be able to travel with them once more. We have met Keijjo from Rotten Sound and he is a nice guy so this package will be superb and easy going. That is essential on the road.
Q). Sorry, to get down to the boring stuff and I am certain you have been asked this a millions times, but for the benefit of our readers who may be new to your band, could you tell us a little about the history of the band and some of the bands you've played with? Where you’re from? When Martyrdöd first formed? Current band members?
A) Martyrdöd formed in 2001. Martyrdöd members has played in tons of others bands over the years as well. Acursed, Agrimonia, Miasmal, Skitsystem, Sunday Morining Einsteins, Sanctuary in blasphemy and tons more. To many to mention hehe..
Q) Is Martyrdöd a full time commitment?
A) Yes. but I do not make a living out of it!
Q) What was your motivation to start the band? Did you all know each other before you formed the band?
A) We just discovered this by accident, got into electric guitar the songs were just there, three thousands riffs all related to each other somehow.
Q) Since your inception, what were your aspirations for the band?
A) Now when we've just existed for our own sake to write music for ten years , It's time to play live more in the future.
Q) With all the changes in the music industry, it genuinely does appear harder to make a commitment to a band, what with potential for constant touring, promotion for very little financial reward, what motivates Martyrdöd?
A) This question is beyond us. The only drive we have for Martyrdöd is to get our demons out.
Q) How easy is it for bands such as yourselves to gigs? From talking to other bands, some venues/promoters just won’t book them, Is it a struggle?
A) We have rejected so many chances to play live, but feel there are many standing offers left though :)
Q) If someone was unfamiliar with your band, how would you describe your sound and do you feel it has evolved? Can you sum up what the blackened d-beat crust sound is, as this is often how your sounds is describe? Is that fair?
A) No Martyrdöd is just music with a distinct rhythm yes, there is Swedish extreme music, Anti Cimex is A and Bathory is B.
Q) Are you big fans of rock/metal, if so what are you listening too at the moment? Were you fans of roster bands on Southern Lord? Too me they seem to get better and better, how pleasing is it for you to be part of that?
A) We are all big music fans really or freaks
Q) Who would you say are your influences/heroes both musically and artistically in terms of the bands sound and subject matter for your lyrics?
A) PJ harvey, J Mascis, Discharge, Bad Brains, Cro Mags, Swedish crust, Anti Cimex Bombanfall, Oral, Totalitär, Missbrukarna G-anx and a handful more
Q) You called your record ‘Paranoia’, which is a thought process believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. It is a very subjective title, what is your understanding and is the name reflective of the theme running through your new record?
A) Yes, it's a very subjective title but it's directly against the new nationalism/racism that is spreading like a plague in Europe. Paranoia is saying that all these ideas are paranoid and disturbed views because that's what they really are.
Q) I’m assuming all musician like to talk about gear, so with that in mind what gear do you use in terms of guitars, amps and why? Also what tuning do you use?
A) Guitar Gibson Les Paul, Engl Amps
Q) Much is said about the metal scene in Sweden and rightly so. Wolverine Blues by Entombed is one of my all time favourite records. What is the scene like in your hometown? What are your thoughts? Where do you think Martyrdöd within that? Any bands we should be keeping an eye out for?
A) We come from the punk scene but and think we have now created like a haven of our own.
Q) How you feel your band has generally been received and does it surprise you when people buy your music and merch?
A) No! Because we always been popular, but before we were popular within a smaller circle perhaps.
Q) How valuable are blogs such as the Sludgelord reviewing your records, as opposed to mainstream music magazines? Does all forms of media coverage translate to people buying merch, downloading music etc, coming to shows?
A) Not Sure because we don't think this matters with Martyrdöd. Right
Q) Reviewing records within the genres of sludge/doom/stoner/punk etc, you often listen to a lot of stuff which is quite similar. What sets you apart from your peers and what are your thoughts about being part of any scene?
A) You'll just have to listen, not sure to how to answer, but we do put a lot of time and effort into songwriting but many bands do?
Q) Do you have any interesting stories from your tours, favourite’s places you’ve toured and bands you’ve toured with?
A) Last summer tour with Black Breath, Burning Love, Enabler was absolutely amazing friendliest tour ever even for misfit Swedes...
Q) You barricaded yourselves into the infamous Studio Fredman (At The Gates, Amon Amarth, Opeth) recording their debut label LP, Paranoia. What was the thinking about recording there? Did that environment or production team bring a particular vibe to the record you were looking for?
A) Yeah we basically did that and it was very hard but we're still happy to record there . Fredrik knows how to set a damn heavy sound from start so it's an experience with sound.
Q) Did you agenda when you began writing the new record?
A) Yes, we had set an Agenda and written the album in it's entirety with demo versions and so on.
Q) Following the release of ‘Paranoia’, you took part in the Southern Lord Tour with such bands as Black Breath, Enabler and The Secret, how was that experience? Enabler are also playing on your European tour, what can we expect from this package and how does European crowds compare to the U.S.
A) We're so looking forward to this tour because it's a real friendship tour again with Enabler and also Keijo and Rotten Sound, Yes!
Q) What were your aims for Paranoia and how do you feel about the record now that it has been unleashed on the unsuspecting public? Did you feel under any additional pressure to produce something killer, to impress Southern Lord?
A) We feel we are beyond underrated in Swedish music but remotely popular outside of Sweden in contrast, haha!
Q). In terms of the band, do you feel that 2012 has been a good year for you and what are your plans for the rest of the year and 2013. Are you planning to tour throughout 2013
A) We're always spending time with Martyrdöd at some level but that's because we have a very intense relation with song writing.
Q) Thanks for answering my questions, but one final question, you got anything you like to say to your fans?
A) Check out Vrak - I Dream, It's amazing..
Thanks and see you in Leeds.
The End!
Thanks to Martyrdöd for taking the time to do the
interview and Lauren Barley for her assistance in helping to organise. As ever
show your support to the band by buying their merch and
checking the various links below. Cheers for reading as ever. Many thanks.
Martyrdöd tour dates with Rotten Sound / Enabler
ROTTEN SOUND
MARTYRDÖD
ENABLER
22.02.13 Norway Oslo @ John Dee
23.02.13 Sweden Gothenburg @ Showdown
24.02.13 Sweden Stockholm @ Bergsunds Strand 43
25.02.13 Denmark Copenhagen @ Pumpehuset
26.02.13 Germany Hamburg @ Hafenklang
27.02.13 Holland Leeuwarden @ Gloppe
28.02.13 UK London @ Underworld
01.03.13 Ireland Dublin @ The Pint
02.03.13 UK Leeds @ The Library Pub
03.03.13 Belgium Brussels @ Magasin 4
04.03.13 Germany Frankfurt @ Elfer
05.03.13 Slovenia Nova Gorica @ Mostovna
06.03.13 Germany München @ Feierwerk
07.03.13 Germany Berlin @ Bi Nuu
08.03.13 Poland Warsaw @ Progresja
09.03.13 Germany Bischofswerda @ East Club
MARTYRDÖD
ENABLER
22.02.13 Norway Oslo @ John Dee
23.02.13 Sweden Gothenburg @ Showdown
24.02.13 Sweden Stockholm @ Bergsunds Strand 43
25.02.13 Denmark Copenhagen @ Pumpehuset
26.02.13 Germany Hamburg @ Hafenklang
27.02.13 Holland Leeuwarden @ Gloppe
28.02.13 UK London @ Underworld
01.03.13 Ireland Dublin @ The Pint
02.03.13 UK Leeds @ The Library Pub
03.03.13 Belgium Brussels @ Magasin 4
04.03.13 Germany Frankfurt @ Elfer
05.03.13 Slovenia Nova Gorica @ Mostovna
06.03.13 Germany München @ Feierwerk
07.03.13 Germany Berlin @ Bi Nuu
08.03.13 Poland Warsaw @ Progresja
09.03.13 Germany Bischofswerda @ East Club
