MARDUK Mainman Says Bandmembers 'Must Have This Vision And The Will To Triumph'

Tormentor Erich of Holland's Lords of Metal e-zine recently conducted an interview with MARDUK guitarist Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Lords of Metal: Morgan, what can you tell us about the title "Rom 5:12"?

Morgan: It is a chapter from the bible. At first we didn't know if we would use the title but it grew on us during the process of the album. Although "Rom 5:12" is not a concept album the overall theme is death, and especially death in the Baroque period. With this album we wanted to give an impression about death in that period of time. In the end death will always be there. There is even a phrase in the chapter that says it all, it goes like: "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned."

Lords of Metal: In the first song "The Levelling Dust" singer Mortuus sounds like he is choking or strangled or something. What did you do to him?

Morgan: You don't have to do a lot to get him like that. This is what I like so much about him as a singer, he uses his voice for more then just for singing, it is not just an instrument. He wants to give an expression by inflecting his voice.

Lords of Metal: On "Cold Mouth Prayer" we hear ex-MARDUK singer Joakim Gothberg again. Wasn't it strange to record with him again?

Morgan: Not at all. We kept contact through the years, so it did not felt like a stranger passing by. It was the idea of Mortuus to ask him. He always liked Joakim's style, and when those two where together it felt like magic. It felt like being united in blood.
Lords of Metal: It seems that MARDUK knows this special place where good drummers are waiting for you. How did you find this new one?

Morgan: The new drummer is Lars, and he lives about two hours away from us. We noticed him for a while and we have this ideology for the band. We want the band members to be committed to MARDUK for one hundred percent. We tell them what to do and what we expect, and then you have to step up to it. Lars agreed and joined us. When all band members work like this, it will make you better, you can develop your skills, the confidence in the band will grow and in the end this it what counts. If you do not work like this, it won't work.

Lords of Metal: And so it is fair to conclude that after seventeen years of MARDUK, after ten records and numerous tours, the band is still very alive?

Morgan: Oh yes. It all comes down to dedication, and that's why MARDUK had so many changes in the lineup. People have to work for the band, they must have this vision and the will to triumph, as long as this will is there it is good and we can continue, and I for sure still have that will and my vision.

Read the entire interview at www.lordsofmetal.nl.