BLOOD OF MARTYRS “Even The Dead Long For Spring” EP
FREE DOWNLOAD Now Online: http://www.mediafire.com/?2b2ca75v7q9pqvn
Portland, Oregon based extreme metal band BLOOD OF MARTYRS have issued a FREE EP entitled “Even The Dead Long For Spring.”
Recorded before the present lineup was formed, “Even The Dead Long For Spring” features BLOOD OF MARTYRS mastermind Markus Launsburry on Guitar and percussion madman Chris Wozniak (Lair of the Minotaur) on drums.
“Even The Dead Long For Spring” Track List
I. Blood For The Moon
II. Praise Thee Duende, Boundless Sea
III. Beneath a Blue and Silent Sky
IV. Immortality
BLOOD OF MARTYRS new lineup will be debuting live on January 13th 2011 @ Ash Street Saloon, PDX w/ Cemetery Lust, Aranya & Excruciator.
The following is an interview conducted by underground journalist Bruce Moore of The Metal Minute, PureGrainAudio & the extreme metal-oriented culinary book “For Those About To Cook” (soon to be published). The interview features both Markus Launsburry & Ryan Bartek speaking of their collective projects.
(***NOTE: Bartek will now be handling vocals/third guitar/samples with the recent addition of yet another ripping, unstoppable, juggernaut of a guitarist).
I recently had a conversation with Ryan Bartek and Markus Launsburry of the experimental black metal band BLOOD OF MARTYRS. The band is preparing to release their new material on January 1st and they are hoping to follow it up with a few short tours both here in the States and overseas in Europe. The conversation was quite interesting to say the least and covers many different topics including music, philosophy, religion and current events. Here is how it went…
You recently joined the experimental black metal band BLOOD OF MARTYRS and also released a slew of other projects this year. How did BLOOD OF MARTYRS come about and can you give our audience a brief description of your current endeavors?
Ryan Bartek: To any reader first encountering me, let me give a little background because it will make more sense. In short, I lived in Detroit until I was 25 and was heavily involved in the music scene. I’d been in bands, worked on hundreds of shows, wrote for a host of newspapers/magazines and also put out a book in 2005 (“THE SILENT BURNING”) that gained some notoriety in the underground. In 2006 I got a gig writing for Metal Maniacs (because of “THE SILENT BURNING”) which eventually led me to quit my Detroit grindpunk band A.K.A. MABUS to go on the road as a traveling journalist. For a year I was all over the USA reporting for Metal Maniacs & a half-dozen other zines. Simultaneously, I wrote a book about the American underground called “THE BIG SHINY PRISON.” Once I completed the final draft in June 2008, I decided to take a breather. I’d just moved to Seattle and was trying to plant roots & build foundations. One thing leads to another… By Febuary 2009 I was ready to tour the entire summer as a freelance journalist again. But the Wall Street Crash destroyed the market, and Metal Maniacs went down with plenty of others. So I did two national USA tours with Downtown Brown as a documentary filmmaker/merch guy/acoustic opener, both of them 6? week campaigns (you can watch the video collection here: http://www.youtube.com/user/sasquatchagnostic ). In September 2009 I began writing a new book about the past 8 years called “ACROPOLIS NOW” and in November released “THE BIG SHINY PRISON” as a FREE PDF Download. It has since become something of an underground hit and I am actively plotting the European sequel to take place Summer 2011. [***SHAMLESS PLUG: ”THE BIG SHINY PRISON” is a 315 page nonfiction beast that chronicles 293 days of non-stop extreme journalism (12.21.2006-10.13.07) throughout 32 states, 606 hours on Greyhounds, two national tours & hundreds of interviews with artists/musicians and can be downloaded FREE here: http://ryanbartek.angelfire.com/blog/ ***END SHAMLESS PLUG] Anyway… I move to Portland, Oregon in April 2010 with high hopes of starting a full-time, real-deal, skull-crushing extreme metal commando unit. After much struggle I find BLOOD OF MARTYRS. Our debut show is Thursday, January 13th @ The Ash Street Saloon, Downtown Portland. We are also confirmed for the Northwest Black Circle Fest in May 2011. Amidst this flurry of obsessive practice & fine tuning, I pulled off some other interesting feats. On July 4th 2010 I released my entire back catalogue as a FREE DOWNLOAD – three albums from my grindcore project SASQUATCH AGNOSTIC, the unreleased A.K.A. MABUS record & my acoustic album as JACK CASSADY. On 9/11 I also released a free reissue of my first book “THE SILENT BURNING.” Also, on 10/20 (the 6 month anniversary of the BP OIL SPILL) I released my report on the subject which has been widely received & promoted virally on the internet.
Every band has its musical influences. What are some of the other bands and artists that have greatly influenced you guys and your music?
RB: BLOOD OF MARTYRS is the brainchild of lead guitarist Markus Launsburry. He’s been recording material with this for a number of years, but this is the first time the band has been a solid, live entity. He has a huge stockade of fully developed songs, so we’ve been working on his designs with each member adding their own unique feel to the material. The bassist & drummer both recently moved from San Diego and were previously in the experimental metal band ACRISIA (www.myspace.com/acrisia), so that will give a feel of our rhythm section. My own description of BLOOD OF MARTYRS is if you took oldschool BETHLEHEM (like S.U.I.Z.I.D. & Dictius Te Necare), added the razor-sharp BM slicing of Impaled Nazarene, some thrashy, hard-rocking classic metal; a little Morbid Angel/Melechesh mysticism, interspersed with tidlewaves of droning, tribal, blackened psychedelic doom. Markus used to play in NACHTMYSTIUM for a stretch, and was a big contributor to the Instinct/Decay album which, in my opinion, was the only NACHTMYSTIUM album I was ever into. So that is a big part of the sound. Luckily Markus wants to chime in, so…
Markus Launsburry: As Bartek said, I've been working on this material for quite some time now. Some of the songs we are now playing were written nearly ten years ago, while others are only a few weeks old. There is a backlog of about 40 songs for BLOOD OF MARTYRS, and I am always writing new material. I find myself in a pretty much perpetual state of creativity, and this is doubtlessly fueled in no small part by my ravenous consumption of various forms of music. While underground metal is what first drew me to playing music -- and continues to be my life's blood -- over the years I have immersed myself in everything from free jazz to progressive rock, African and Middle Eastern trance music, noise and power electronics. Really anything that expresses deep conviction and resonates on a highly energetic level. So while BLOOD OF MARTYRS is firmly rooted in the filthiest underground metal tradition, my compositions aim to reflect the depth and diversity of creative energies that surround and flow through me. As far as actual specific influences, off the top of my head I would say early Voivod, early Enslaved, Bathory, King Crimson, Swans, Sun Ra, GodspeedYou!BlackEmperor, Neurosis, Bitches Brew era Miles Davis, Interstellar Space era Coltrane, Can, Acid Mother's Temple...
The band keeps things interesting thematically. Can you talk about some of the subjects you will be tackling on your new material?
RB: I’ll hand that one to Markus…
ML: Thematically the lyrics of most BLOOD OF MARTYRS songs are similar, and stemming from the basic existential premises that 1) this world we find ourselves in is devoid of explicit divine guidance 2) that 'fate' or 'destiny' are fallacious concepts and 3) that life is, at it's very foundation, lacking any appreciable meaning or value. But while this realization is often the catalyst for despair, utter hopelessness, and self-destruction, I see it as enabling the opposite -- it is a realization of one's potential for ultimate freedom. As such, most of my lyrics relate the struggle of the soul that is Awakened yet not yet Free -- the endless cycle of despair, anger, hatred, loss, pain, catharsis, and the return of hope (however fleeting). This cycle is as inevitable as it is trying, and it is through this suffering that we are able to burn away our elemental weaknesses and imperfections, ultimately revealing a Divine form. The lyrics of any given song may reflect a singular aspect of this cycle, or the cycle in its entirety. To put this inner struggle into terms that relate to the world at large, we see that if we reject as intrinsically false the patterns of socialized thoughts and behaviors that harness mankind to the yoke of oppression, then mankind may indeed one day arise and fulfill his massive potential. So the work of BLOOD OF MARTYRS is to convey this consciousness to all those who have eyes to see and ears to hear; our aim is nothing short of the apotheosis of ourselves and those who would come with us on this inner journey.
When can we expect new material?
RB: The new record Even The Dead Long For Spring comes out January 1st 2011 (1.1.11). It’s a four song EP that was originally meant for a split, but Markus decided to move forward. The current live lineup does not play on that record – instead it’s Markus & Chris Wozniak, the drummer from LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR. We hope to record something in the next few months, if even a raw live album from a DAT mix. In my opinion, raw is usually the best…
ML: Even the Dead Long for Spring is a strange bit of BLOOD OF MARTYRS history. Originally it was just a rehearsal recording of myself and Woz (Chris Wozniak) playing through some material. A couple years back I suffered an injury that was, for all intents and purposes, crippling. I had a lot of time on my hands and just to keep myself occupied I decided to flesh out those rehearsal recordings by overdubbing vocals and solos. Somehow the good men at Lundr Records got a hold of the tracks and asked me if I would like to put out a split with Wheels Within Wheels. Although the material I had was very raw, I agreed because I fully enjoy and support the Lundr roster (Panopticon, Wheels Within Wheels, Seidr, Lake of Blood). It is an honor to be associated with those bands, and I find myself more in agreement than disagreement with their expressed values -- something very rare for me. Unfortunately, that release has been pushed back a number of times. So as 2011 drew near I decided to just go ahead and put out the BLOOD OF MARTYRS material from the split on my own, just to have something for fans when we play live. But, as Ryan said, we are hoping for at least a raw recording with the new lineup very soon. To that end we have something planned for the first week of January that should accomplish that goal.
What is the toughest lesson you ever learned in the studio and on the stage?
RB: That once you finally break that shell and become your instrument deep in the middle of a razor-sharp live set, when the entire world disappears and you’re just raging, it’s like a drug that has no parallel and that all life outside of it becomes negligible… In the studio I’ll sum it up as “never work with an unprofessional.” That’s the make or break moment for a lot of bands – if you got a guy that can’t hack it in the recording process.
Besides musical influences what other artists and philosophies contribute to the main messages you try to convey to the listeners?
RB: The overall theme of my work, ranging across the variety of media I’ve employed, is the harsh reality of absurdity and man’s personal & collective entrapment by it; furthermore, man’s personal & collective response. As for BLOOD OF MARTYRS…
ML: My whole life I’ve been a student of history, philosophy, religion, the occult. As a result, all the combined wisdom, revelations, breakthroughs, and insights that I have come into contact with have made their impression on my psyche. So every thing I have ever read, or thought, or experienced, has shaped my inner world, and, by extension, my art. One finds foreign ideas, assesses them, then chooses to reject or assimilate them. We can expropriate a couple terms from the Greeks here, and say that we find what truth 'is' (cataphasis), versus what it 'is not' (apophasis). In more concrete terms, you could say I am influenced by the ideas and writings of Jung, Austin Osman Spare, Nietschze, Baudrillard, Hesse, Phil Hines, Foucault, Camus...the list goes on. The bottom line is that all these ideas are part of my syncretic approach to philosophy and spirituality; they are facets of the crystalline structure of my consciousness. I find that when the mind and the soul are fixated on the Path, there is a greater understanding of the proper relationship between oneself and other aspects of consensual reality -- such as concepts of politics and socio-economic structures. So the anarchist ideals which we espouse are informed by a certain level of spiritual consciousness; when one rejects the concept of a Cosmic King, it is only natural that he would also reject the idea of a worldly King. In this way, we can see that the slogan 'No Gods, No Masters' is not just a convenient catchphrase, but in fact represents self-determination at its deepest level.
What kind of music are you listening to? Do you keep abreast of new music? What artists would fans be surprised to find on your Ipod?
RB: This year I discovered a lot of old-new stuff – chiefly albums I missed or never had by Type O Negative, Frank Zappa, TSOL, DRI, Boxcutter, Bad Brains, Burial, Angry Samoans, AUS-ROTTEN, Circle Jerks, Dr. Octagon, Elvis Hitler, Haujobb, Scala & Kolancy Brothers, Skinny Puppy & The Revolting Cocks…
How important do you consider a stage show for your band?
RB: Extremely important – I attempt productions as opposed to random bands in slop order at a drunken bar. Every band I’ve been involved with has had some over-the-top live aesthetic. My last full-time band A.K.A. MABUS was like a grindpunk LAIBACH with the exploration/manipulation of propaganda as a central theme. We handed out Jehovah’s Witness-style pamphlets before shows, had a mountain of TV’s playing an array of stolen media, had crazed onstage antics, weird consumes, sound sampler. BLOOD OF MARTYRS will be another intense presentation, but thematically rooted in an earthy, ethereal & tribal vibe. Markus will elaborate further…
ML: BLOOD OF MARTYRS’ live presentation is more of a ritual than a rock concert. Generally the performance will start with an ensemble of drummers pounding out deep tribal rhythms as a troupe of burlap clad, clay covered dancers leap and swirl about, while walls of feedback saturate the room. When the crescendo of otherworldly energy is palpable, the band will segue into our first song. From that point on it is an utter onslaught of alternating chaos and order; imagine the craziest, most visionary experience you've had... one where you see Pure Light, and Pure Darkness, and when you finally return to a place of 'normal' consciousness, you realize that you have seen the face of God - and the face was your own. BLOOD OF MARTYRS is not concerned with simply being a 'great metal band' -- although we do intend to be that. Instead we approach each performance as an act of ritual catharsis, enacted for the edification and enlightenment of ourselves and our tribe.
Tell me about a book or two that you’ve read that you think other people should read?
RB: I read like a machine, constantly, and am a sucker for ranting literature. Yet above all, at least in my universe, Henry Miller is the king. There is nothing I can say about the human experience that isn’t summarized already better in Tropic of Capricorn & Tropic of Cancer. Other highly recommended points of interest that people probably haven’t heard of include Fernando Pessoa’s The Book of Disquiet, Comte De Lautreamont’s Maldoror & Celine’s Journey To The End of The Night.
If you had not become a musician what other career path would you have liked to attempt?
RB: If I’d gone to college for journalism instead of just going at it full-tilt DIY I’d just be graduating into a dead field economically with astronomical debt. So I’m content having been able to fulfill that need. For myself, art is all-embracing. Find a way to live cheap & make the ends meet. To be a road dog & serious musician at 29 means most of the early characters in the struggle have long-ditched out and in the end it’s you vs. the machine. The only way to “make it” is to bust your ass, accept material sacrifice, swallow uncertainty & keep fighting the endless Sisyphean battle in a heroic-yet-losing struggle with fangs bared to the bitter end. Better to go down a legend of opposition to compromise then to close the curtain a meek worm.
What three words best describe your band?
RB: Magick, Anarchy & Evolution.
ML: Gnosis, Catharsis & Apotheosis
Do you have any touring plans made yet?
RB: Markus and I have both toured the USA a number of times with different projects, so yes, we can definitely set something up and have been ruminating on what might work. There is a possibility we might be able to schedule a short European tour that will coincide with my European Book next year. Most likely there will be a short West Coast tour, probably Seattle down to San Diego then back up in 2 weeks. I personally have turned down a number of tours this year. I get acoustic tour offers, spoken word offers, merch-work offers at times. However, I’ve stayed put because I wanted to do a band and do it right. The real bitch is that once I finally get to this point, the economy explodes. It’s not like it once was, where one can just crash on a couch in some random city and find some bullshit job in one day. Now you go on tour, wash up broke somewhere & get stuck. I’m forced to play it safe & I don’t like it.
Any closing words?
RB: We are now entering a rather interesting & historic pinnacle in United States history. It’s fever pitch now at every conceivable angle & 2011 will be a game-changing, world shaping year – in an extremely 1984 sense might I add. The second WIKILEAKS drops the encryption password for their “DOOMSDAY FILE” the entire illusionary history of everything we’ve been force-fed will crumble to ruin. Above all, the catastrophe of the BP OIL SPILL will be publicly documented & the murderous effect their Corexit 9500 oil dispersant is having on all human life it touches. Too much to relate now, but I highly suggest anyone reading this to look up my report on the subject ( http://www.scribd.com/doc/39720625/ACROPOLIS-NOW ). Apart from this looming reality, I will continue my Sisyphean struggle & encourage any interested parties to check out BLOOD OF MARTYRS. My entire book catalogue & music discography can be downloaded 100% FREE at the following link -- http://ryanbartek.angelfire.com/blog/ … Thanks to any out there taking the time to read this and to yourself for the interview & support.
ML: If there is an overarching impression we, as a band, wish to leave, it is of a vast and bleak post-apocalyptic wasteland, whose forbidding expanse nonetheless holds untold secrets and unworldly beauty for those intrepid enough to open there minds
to the Unknown. Godhood awaits those who are unafraid to stand naked and unafraid, and leap into the Void. Step into the Darkness - and embrace the Light... they are one and the same.
*****
BLOOD OF MARTYRS (Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Blood-of-Martyrs/173269106036253
Ryan Bartek (Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001763126860
