Peaceville

Female fronted Norwegian act Madder Mortem are currently enjoyed widespread critical acclaim for their new album ‘Eight Ways’. The band formed in 1993 as Mystery Tribe, and recorded the demo ‘Days in Sorrow’. The name was subsequently changed to Madder Mortem, and in 1997, the MCD ‘Misty Sleep’ was recorded. The result was mailed around, and the debut ‘Mercury’ was released in February 1999 on the now-defunct Misanthropy Records.

‘Deadlands’ was the third album for the band. It was recorded over a period of 3 weeks at Sweden’s Studio Underground in May 2002 & saw the light of day later that year. Shortly after the album’s release the band embarked upon a 6 week European tour with fellow Scandinavian prog masters Opeth, due to Mikael Akerfeldt's personal interest in the band.

‘Deadlands’ is a fine blend of the best of goth and progressive metal, with technical riffing and soothing melodic passages finely woven together in Madder Mortem’s own unmistakable style. The album contains a darker, more groove-oriented approach than on previous albums, topped with Agnete Kirkevaag’s beautifully expressive, often angst-ridden vocals.

This re-issue features 2 new recordings exclusive to this release in the shape of ‘The Exile’, structured around extras from the writing process from the ‘Deadlands’ era, & ‘Deadlands Revisited’ a spine-tingling re-imagining of the original with violin courtesy of Sareeta from Ram-Zet. Also included are new liner notes written by Agnete.

“Absolutely gripping music… for fanatic music-freaks and innovation-junkies” Metal Observer