Interview with Miseration (Marcus Bertilsson)

Miseration is a Death Metal band from Sweden and in the eve of the release of their second album "The Mirroring Shadow" we managed to ask a few questions to Marcus Bertilsson, and here is the transcript of this conversation:

Thanks for the interview, and let’s get started:

Infernal Masquerade: Most of the band members play in several different bands, was this a problem when recording the latest album “The Mirroring Shadow”? Also how does this work out when playing live shows?

Marcus Bertilsson: It worked out very well. We had a not so busy summer so we concentrated on doing this album. Also we where not everyone in the studio at the same time. We had already made demos at Janis homestudio so the real recording session actually started with the vocals. Christian did that alone with Plec. Just getting the lyrics from Pär Johansson(Satariel, Torchbearer) and improvising and creating the vocal arrangements in the studio. Then it was bass and drums and then we ended with recording the guitars during the last weekend in august.

When it comes to playing shows we have had only one problem and that was for the first show we did, november 2008. It was in the netherlands and we had booked flight tickets to get there but at very short notice The Weakening(containing Johan, Jani and myself, I am Marcus btw) got an important gig in a swedish unsigned bands competition the day before. So we had to hire a car instead for the plane. It was one hell of a drive since we had summer tyres on the car and when we came to skåne(southern sweden) it started snowing, and went on snowing throught denmark and some northern parts of germany. We had to go for 20km/h. And did I mention we started the journey at around 01.00 the night before the gig?

It took 16 hours of driving and at arrival at the club all of us where exhausded, except Rolf. Rolf had fallen asleep just after we left Gothenburg and had stay asleep during the whole trip.. That lucky bastard.
But otherways it has worked just fine. In may we did our first european tour along with Inevitable End (containing myself and Johan) and that worked out extremely well. Sharing stages and members across europe.

I.M: What is the overall concept of the band? Why did you choose the name Miseration? And why unlike many Death Metal bands you don’t talk about abortions, blood and guts?

M.B: The concept of the band is to make music we like, blend brutality and melody togheter without it becoming melodicmetal.
Miseration was a cool name wich Christian came up with.
Since gore lyrics has been done so much that no one even cares anylonger. Shure gore can be funny but it is more interesting to write about other stuff.

I.M: What are the main ideas behind “The Mirroring Shadow” is it a ‘concept album’?

M.B: The lyrics are written by Pär Johansson (Satariel, Torchbearer) and I have no clue what they are about. I guess it's up to the listener to make their own interpretions.

I.M: How do you think “The Mirroring Shadow” differs from the band’s first album “Your Demons - Their Angels”?

M.B: It's more of a band effort. When the debut was made the band consisted of just Jani and Christian. The rest of us joined forces later and offcourse it affects when three out of five people are new ones. We have stripped of the cleanvocals to make place for more grunts and there are almost no keyboards in the backgrounds. We have kept some melodic parts but it's more hidden in the rythm guitars then it was on the previous release. To make a long story short. It's more brutal, and more Miseration.

I.M: Are you planning any touring (either in Europe or the USA) to promote the new album?

M.B: Yes, but nothing is officialy booked yet. If any promoters reads this and wants us to come and play at their clubs or festivals, please feel free to contact us on either myspace or email. www.myspace.com/miseration miseration(a)gmail.com

I.M: If you had to write a few lines to promote the bands new album, what would you say about it?

M.B: If you like brutality but are tired of bands that looses them selves in to many riffs without going anywhere. If you are tired of melodic deathmetal that feels to predictable. Go buy the new album from sweden's finest Miseration. Out now via Lifeforce Records.

I.M: If you had unlimited resources for a stage layout and props, what would you pick to use with Miseration and why?

M.B: Machine guns, mines, tanks and a nuclear bearing chopper. The audience had to digg holes in the ground the even survive the shows... I think it would fit the music quite well. And it would be something the visitors would remember for their whole lives.

I.M: Lastly, what do you think about all the younger kids playing guitar hero and similar games instead of learning how to play actual instruments? Do you think this type of games are beneficial or not to kids? How about yourself, do you, or any of the band members play any of these games?

M.B: I do not play guitarhero or the likes. It gives me nothing. I prefer to play for real instead. And since I often play like five hours a day (give or take some) or something I would like to do something else when/if I am to play some games. I like only games where you kill people...

However I think that kids might get their eyes open for music through games like the ones you mentioned. Giving them inspiration to start with the real thing. aswell as giving the kids good music taste. It's not like an average youngster these days gets exposed to good music like Carry on Wayward Son by a good band like Kansas any other place.

I.M:Is there anything else you want to add for our readers and the band’s fans?

M.B: Yes, buy all of our cd's and merchandice, go and see us on every show we play and remeber that you only live once so you gotta make the best of what you got!

I.M: Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and good luck with the promotion of the new album.

M.B: Thank you. Good luck with interview's and such in the future. //Marcus Bertilsson, Miseration