One of Norway’s most interesting bands, Madder Mortem, has always defied any attempt at genre-labeling. Fronted by Agnete M. Kirkevaag’s unique, wide-ranging voice, it can be said that they pretty much define the “All Things To All Men” category, drawing fans who profess a liking for genres that range from Prog to Metal, Rock to Extreme.
But make no mistake, this is not a band that wanders aimlessly through the genre minefield. Madder Mortem know exactly what they are doing and where they want to go, and have had almost 30 years to hone their very considerable skills. Skills that will be used to good effect on what will be the band’s 8th full-length album, which will be titled “Old Eyes, New Heart” and will be out on Dark Essence Records on January 26th 2024.
And while we wait for the release day, Dark Essence have brought us the first single from the album titled ‘Towers’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzf7cvrk3jU&ab_channel=DARKESSENCERECORDS
Madder Mortem comment on the track: “Drawing inspiration from grunge, post-metal and 70s rock, “Towers” is about how people sometimes create defences in their heads to protect themselves. However, those defences can become too strong over time, and what was once built to lock out, becomes something that locks in.”
Track-list: 1. Coming from the Dark 2. On Guard 3. Master Tongue 4. The Head that Wears the Crown 5. Cold Hard Rain 6. Unity 7. Towers 8. Here and Now 9. Things I’ll Never Do 10. Long Road
It has been five years since Madder Mortem released their seventh full-length album “Marrow”, and it has been a long, hard journey, beset by turmoil and heartbreaking loss, which culminated in the death of Jakob, father of the band’s vocalist Agnete and guitarist BP.
Jakob had always been a huge supporter of the band, and his backing was fundamental to the launch of Madder Mortem‘s career. Being an artist himself, Jakob had worked on two paintings for “Old Eyes, New Heart”, and, thanks to the band’s long-term collaborator artist and video producer Costin Chioreanu, who was able to adapt Jakob’s work and provide additional design, the cover art was completed. Even though Jakob didn’t live to see the finished album, he would have been immensely proud to see his art on the cover, and the album is dedicated to his memory.
“Old Eyes, New Heart” was recorded and produced by BP M. Kirkevaag, and shows Madder Mortem‘s lineup of Agnete M. Kirkevaag on vocals, BP M. Kirkevaag on guitar & vocals, Anders Langberg on guitars, Tormod L. Moseng on bass and Mads Solås on drums embracing a multitude of directions, spanning from post-metal heaviness to soft Americana grooves and everything in between.
It is an album full of surprises. Lyrically and musically, “Old Eyes, New Heart” deals with hope, disappointment, and the ambivalence between them. It is music from old hearts and deep roots, with new eyes open to the unlimited possibilities of 12 notes, but always with the desire to write a good, honest song. Which makes it unmistakably Madder Mortem. Style: Prog, Avant-Garde, Post-Metal
Madder Mortem line up: Agnete M. Kirkevaag: Vocals / BP M. Kirkevaag: Guitar, vocals / Anders Langberg: Guitar / Tormod L. Moseng: Bass / Mads Solås: Drums
Recorded at Skytterhuset and Studio Omnivore on and off between May 2021 and February 2022. Engineered and mixed by BP M. Kirkevaag. Produced by BPMK & Madder Mortem. Mastered by Peter In de Betou at Tailor Maid. Cover: Jakob Kirkevaag & Costin Chioreanu