Mikael Kjellman (Martyrdöd)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2013? (In order 1-5)
Darkthrone - Underground Resistance
and I also have to mention Doomriders which are very impressive but I have to listen to it more. It was difficult answering this one because all the "new" records I discovered were recorded in 2012. 2013 was bleak or I have missed out.
Oh, I forgot to mention album of the year for me would be Agrimonia - Rites of Separation, but forgot because it’s such a close band to me. Anyway, this record and the title kinda sums up 2013 for myself, and I think Pontus Redig has outdone himself once again with this one.
2. What band did you discover in 2013 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Pontus turned me on to Crystal Castles this year with the song “The Plague.” Other than that, I haven't made so many discoveries this year. Perhaps it’s just me or has this year been very bleak ?
3. How will you remember 2013? (In terms of music)
Personally this year has been challenging in many ways and much effort has been put in the recording of Vrak - all the way album [recorded by Pontus Redig (Martyrdöd, Agrimonia, Miasmal at the Helm engineering and featuring members of At the Gates, Burning Kitchen, and many more to say the least hehe)]
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2014?
Great news! Martyrdöd will return to Studio Fredman in March to record our fifth album Elddop and right now I’m really absorbed in the writing process--lots of late nights but I actually think winter is the best period of year to be creative and finish therapy hehe.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2014?
I have to say that next Martyrdöd will be something passionate and exciting for me, also I hope that we manage to bring Skitsystem to the studio next year as well. Right now my dear friends in Enabler and Miasmal are both recording albums I’m super excited to hear, Jeff (Enabler) played me some of his demos when we toured with them last time and it sounded really promising and intense and Miasmal will be a blast to hear too..
6. There is a lot of debate over streaming sites and royalties, namely with Spotify. What is your stance on the economic policies behind the current streaming services? Do you have a preferred one?
Not sure. I guess it's for availability but it could best be considered a tip I guess when it comes to digital formats. I think it’s great that people listen to Martyrdöd at last.fm and the likes but I’m not sure at all how it works. [I] haven’t heard anything about it really, but if kids can discover our music its great!
