Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Greetings to all from the Martyrium Horde – since all the work which was put down and the ultimate birth of Lamia, we’ve already gone back to our ouija board to conjure the spirit of the next album; musically this has already started to shiver into form and shaping up to what looks as a very positive next chapter in the band’s history, coming up next in a shorter span of time.
Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
‘Lamia Satanica’ seems to have drawn some of the best elements that transpired from the previous four albums, and though at times even unintentional, it seems to have worked in the best interest of the ambience of the whole. You may rediscover those sweet, melodic, even ethereal passages reminiscent of the first two albums contrasting with the merciless shredding of the later ones, all weaved together to produce what we consider a very well thought, all rounded and sounding opus.
This is also your first album since 2016, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
That time frame has seen the band touring relentlessly, and in the process building up on its stage presence and experience. We do believe that any band, whichever direction, style, or genre it may belong to is mostly as good as the show it can deliver, so we’ve naturally invested heavily in that. Apart from it being something very important and close to our musical heart.
A lot of your lyrics cover satanic and occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?
Beyond what own are beliefs are, whether personal or collective, the Dark Arts shall always nourish the inspiration that gets our message across. Where do our interests lie? Everywhere, and nowhere. Above what we can see, and below what we may never. Our own lives, and all the death that surrounds it all. And most of all, that same derived evil, fascinating darkness that rules the hearts of gods and men.
What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'MartYriuM?
An inborn fascination with sacrifice, and a willingness to die for whatever may be one’s beliefs – as much as these might be metaphorical in the literal sense, they represent the keys to freedom and true spirit of man, and the ultimate path to a truth that the devotion to our principles reveals.
Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
We’ve had the pleasure to work with a dedicated soul on the creation of the new artwork; he embraced the concept, both lyrically and musically, and delivered what in our opinion is a perfect background setting to the heart of the album. Lamia stands as the blind embodiment of all that rules mankind, and the raw empowerment that it derives through the extremity of its opposing emotions.
What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
The band has been lucky to play a great variety of festivals, clubs, stages and audiences – naming a few from all these would not pay justice to the amazing welcome we’ve had everywhere. Our stage performance? We hope that it can be described in the exact way that we feel whilst we ourselves are up there: breathless, tingling, fiery with emotion.
On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
We are very pleased with the feedback received so far, not only from the fans (which we hold dearest and at heart) but also from the metal community in general. And we’re also very pleased that this same feedback has been honest and productive – praise has been given for the right reasons, wherein constructive criticism applied where due. These are the comments we expect, and this is what helps the band to move onward and forward and always improve on its next delivery.
What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Not much going on, apart from our full commitment to Martyrium – Sandra is in another two bands, me and the guys also have or do some side collaborations from time to time (and in better times) however much, if not all is pretty much stalled right now. In a way, this has helped greatly to concentrate further on the recording and production of the new album, so at least the (alas, forced) time off the road or other endeavors has seen us focus to the full on Lamia’s birth.
Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Any musical project, whether it’s a band, solo or even a collaboration, is like a journey without a destination – you know from where why you started but can never tell when it will be over. The band has been and seen many different incarnations during the past twenty years, and different times, places and circumstances have etched their mark on everything that it produced. Right now we are drawing on these past experiences to shape the music which Martyrium will stand for in time.
What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
This would be close to a rhetorical question for all of us, since our influences, whether musical, lyrical or artistic in any sense, are too vast, varied and too encompassing of both time and space. We listen to anything which may fall on our ears and that calls the occasion, and again, narrowing that down to either names or styles would be pretty much impossible.
Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
We hope that you like the new album, and that we get back to playing it on those stages we yearn for so much soon. To our fans, we miss you, and thank you all for being part of this amazing ride... stay strong and safe until the next!
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