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.
The Little Things
Madder Mortem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a gentle slide nears the point where you and I converge
I won't have you say that my wilful ways is a vast new land just now emerging
You know what I am
I'm the fire you thought you'd lost
I'm that breathless touch of frost
The cancer and now the cure
And you seem to find a pleasant peace of mind in the fact that I'd take on the world for you
Does it strike you then, when you withdraw again, that it might be worth your while to see it through?
Make a leap of faith
Trust the riddles and the signs
Cross that cold, forbidding line
Find the trail between the words and chase down what you have stirred
'Cause I know you feel it change
From a whisper to a storm
From a keyhole to a door
From a flow of honeyed brine
To your tremors locked in mine
I was never moved by serenades beneath my window, but by your gentle touch on my spirit and on me
I am!
I am spirit, I am clay
I am growth and I'm decay
I'm a saint ablaze with sin and I end where I begin
And I will not be defined by another's set of rules; by a Reason void of Truth
My own path is mine to choose, but my heart is all for you
It's the little things, like this need to sing
Like the way your voice resounds in me
Like the way you resound in me
The lyrics of Madder Mortem’s song “The Little Things” are poetic and metaphorical, describing the complexities of a relationship. The opening lines describe a convergence between two individuals, using the imagery of a rolling tide and a gentle slide. The singer then refers to the listener’s misconceptions about their wilful ways, stating that they are not a new land, but rather a fire that is reignited. This is followed by a list of contradictions: the frost that is also breathless, the cancer that is also a cure. These contradictions allude to the idea that relationships and emotions are multifaceted and not easily defined.
The singer urges the listener to take a leap of faith and trust in the riddles and signs that they will encounter on their journey. They promise that the chase will be worth it as they can sense the change in the air between them. The song acknowledges that relationships can be tumultuous and encourages the listener to enjoy the small moments between them. The song ends on this note of appreciation, with the singer singing about the little things that they treasure, such as the sound of their voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a rolling tide
The overwhelming feeling of our connection is like the relentless, powerful force of the ocean.
Like a gentle slide nears the point where you and I converge
Our love is growing and drawing us closer together, like a gentle slope that leads to a merging point.
I won't have you say that my wilful ways is a vast new land just now emerging
Don't discredit my strong personality as a new trait, it's always been a part of me.
You know what I am
You understand who I truly am and accept me for it.
I'm the fire you thought you'd lost
I reignited the passion and excitement that was once missing from your life.
I'm that breathless touch of frost
I bring a shiver of excitement and a rush of new sensations with every touch.
The one spell that will endure
Our love is a powerful enchantment that will last forever.
The cancer and now the cure
I was once a destructive force in your life, but now I am the cure and the source of healing.
And you seem to find a pleasant peace of mind in the fact that I'd take on the world for you
You feel secure and at ease knowing that I would do anything for you, even if it means taking on the world.
Does it strike you then, when you withdraw again, that it might be worth your while to see it through?
When you have doubts or pull away, do you realize that it's worth persevering and fighting through it for the sake of our love?
Make a leap of faith
Take a risk and put your trust in me and in our love.
Trust the riddles and the signs
Believe in the mysterious and unclear signs that lead us towards our destiny.
Cross that cold, forbidding line
Bravely overcome the barriers and challenges that seem impossible to cross.
Find the trail between the words and chase down what you have stirred
Look beneath the surface and find the hidden path that leads to the true meaning of what you began.
'Cause I know you feel it change
I can sense that you feel our love evolving and growing stronger.
From a whisper to a storm
Our love went from a small, subtle sensation to a powerful, breathtaking force.
From a keyhole to a door
Our relationship transitioned from a small opening to a wide open door that leads to infinite possibilities.
From a flow of honeyed brine
Our love transformed from a sweet, intoxicating feeling to a deeper, more meaningful connection.
To your tremors locked in mine
Our bodies and souls have become intertwined as one, shaking with the intensity of our love.
I was never moved by serenades beneath my window, but by your gentle touch on my spirit and on me
Grand gestures and romantic songs never captured my heart, it was your loving touch that truly moved me and made me fall in love.
I am!
I exist and am real, with all my flaws and perfection.
I am spirit, I am clay
I am both strong and fragile, and my spirit is molded by my experiences in life.
I am growth and I'm decay
I am in a constant state of change, growing and learning while also dying and shedding my old ways.
I'm a saint ablaze with sin and I end where I begin
I have the potential to be good, but I also have a dark side to me. In the end, I will always be true to myself.
And I will not be defined by another's set of rules; by a Reason void of Truth
I will not conform to society's standards and expectations, or base my beliefs on false reasoning.
My own path is mine to choose, but my heart is all for you
I have the freedom to choose my own path in life, but my love for you will always guide me and be my foundation.
It's the little things, like this need to sing
It's the small, seemingly insignificant moments that truly matter, like the need to express our love through music and song.
Like the way your voice resounds in me
The sound of your voice echoes in my heart and soul, filling me with warmth and comfort.
Like the way you resound in me
The essence of who you are resonates within me, connecting us on a deeper level.
Contributed by Samantha N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.