In the beginning Madder Mortem was formed in 1993 as Mystery Tribe, and recorded the demo "Days in Sorrow". The name was changed to Madder Mortem, and in January 1997, the MCD "Misty Sleep" was recorded. The result was mailed around, Misanthropy Records reacted and the debut "Mercury" (X-ray Studios) was released in February 1999. "Mercury" was well received, but sadly, Misanthropy decided to close down, which left the Madders with neither company nor contract.
In 1999 Christian Ruud (guitars), Boye Nyberg (bass) and Sigurd Nielsen (drums) left the band to pursue educations and other pastimes.
This was naturally a setback, but after some time Agnete and BP found new musicians. Eirik Ulvo Langnes (guitars), Pål Mozart Bjørke (bass) and Mads Solås (drums) joined the band. All former acquaintances, the new members fitted in perfectly.
In December 1999 Century Media got in touch. The Madders promptly got to work, and in January 2000 a new demo was recorded (Space Valley Studios). This demo, containing three of the "AFIG" songs, saw the Madders turn in a new and heavier direction. Century Media received this demo exclusively and Madder Mortem became a CMR band. Madder Mortem's second album, "All flesh is grass" (Studio Underground, Sweden) was released in February 2001, with cover art from former guitar player Christian Ruud. Reviews were very good, and the aggressive and driven music lent another face to Madder Mortem.
September/October 2001, Madder Mortem supported Tristania, Rotting Christ and Vintersorg on a 23-date European tour. Returning back home, the Madders started writing again. Studio Underground was re-invaded in May 2002, and after a hard-as-hell period of three weeks, "Deadlands" was born. It is darker and groovier than its' predecessor, but also shows even more sides to the Madder face. Music, lyrics and cover art (by Christian) was developed together, and the conceptual whole is a bleak but organic monster not fit for the faint of heart.
"Deadlands" was released 21st October 2002. The End Records licensed it for the US, and on 11th February 2003 we had our first album release in the US.
In February and March 2003 Madder Mortem supported Opeth on the European leg of their "Deliverance" tour. A chance like that doesn't come often, and the reason for it was Mr Åkerfeldt's personal interest in the Madder music. We had 6 fantastic weeks on the road with a band that have mastered both musical and social skills, and we're very grateful to the Opeth guys for giving us this opportunity. In addition to taking us all over Western Europe, the Opeth tour also saw us entering the UK shores for the first time.
2006 saw the release of Madder Mortem's 4th full length studio album, Desiderata. The album is more polished than deadlands and sees a shift back away from any "nu-metal" stylings that had crept into the deadlands album.
Eight Ways is the all new album from Madder Mortem, released in June 2009.
Hangman
Madder Mortem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And screams from my song
I've left the bright lights
Left for the river without bridges
Slow and silent:
In it's waters I can dream of peace
I know of no hope
Down and into the flood will be my way
And to my hangman I will bow
My scaffold will follow me down
Sing as the soul falls
Over the water your voice lingers
Just be by my side
When the river sweeps my feet away
Though I gave you no hope
And all your love I have repaid with pain
I will go down
Stay with me
My light is all gone
Stay with me
The lyrics of Madder Mortem's "Hangman" are a poetic depiction of a person who has lost all hope, and is willing to accept their fate. The opening lines, "I know that death hides in my eyes and screams from my song" convey a deep sense of torment and anguish. The singer has reached a point where they believe that death is inevitable and that there is no hope for them. They have abandoned their previous life, as represented by "left the bright lights", and have decided to embrace death, even though it comes at the expense of leaving loved ones behind. The river without bridges symbolizes the inevitability of death and the inability to escape it.
As the song progresses, the singer speaks directly to their hangman. They have accepted that their time has come and that they must bow to the hangman's will. The scaffold represents the physical manifestation of death, and the singer is willing to embrace it. The soul falling over the water is a metaphor for the moment of death, and the voice that lingers represents the memories that the person leaves behind. The singer asks their hangman to be by their side as they face death, even though they know that they have caused the hangman pain and have nothing to offer in return. The final plea, "stay with me, my light is all gone," shows that the singer is completely engulfed in darkness and is seeking comfort in their final moments.
Overall, the lyrics of "Hangman" are a haunting portrayal of the futility of human existence and the inevitability of death. They highlight the need for companionship and empathy even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that death hides in my eyes
I am aware of my impending death, which is reflected in my eyes.
And screams from my song
My music reveals the pain and suffering that I am going through.
I've left the bright lights
I have abandoned a life of fame and fortune.
Left for the river without bridges
I have decided to take on a new journey that has no clear direction or support.
Slow and silent:
This journey will be quiet and lonely.
In its waters I can dream of peace
I seek solace in the river and hope to find peace in it.
I know of no hope
I have no hope for the future and am resigned to my fate.
Down and into the flood will be my way
I accept that my journey will take me through a flood and will bring about my demise.
And to my hangman I will bow
I am ready to accept my punishment and will willingly bow to the hangman.
My scaffold will follow me down
I am aware that my scaffold will be with me until my last breath.
Sing as the soul falls
My soul will leave my body as I fall, and the hangman will sing in response.
Over the water your voice lingers
The sound of your voice is the only thing that will remain with me as I fall into the water.
Just be by my side
All I ask is for you to be with me as I meet my end.
When the river sweeps my feet away
The moment when the river takes me away will be the end of my journey.
Though I gave you no hope
I understand that I have not given you any reason to hope for a better future after I am gone.
And all your love I have repaid with pain
I regret that all the love you have shown me has been met with pain and suffering.
I will go down
I am ready to accept my fate and descend into the water.
Stay with me
All I ask is for you to be with me until the very end.
My light is all gone
I am ready to leave this world and all that I have ever known.
Stay with me
All I ask is for you to be with me until the very end.
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.