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From Switzerland comes this innovative Doom/Death Metal band,
their promo CD "MMIV"
is an interesting blend of influences and uncommon ideologies. The music of
Morrigu goes far from their influences and
breaks the
barriers of the common Doom Metal, or even common Metal. So it was an honor to
contact this band and talk to them about their
Cd and
future plans...
BB: First I would like to thank you for giving us this
interview. Can you
tell us about
Morrigu's
beginnings?
Mirko:
Morrigu
was formed 1999! It all started in a little rehearsal-room,but
only with
Sevi, Christoph and me. So
we had to build the first
Morrigu-songs without any drummer!
Was a cool time! Damian entered the band
2001, we recorded our début “forgotten embrace” 2002 and
played a couple of
gigs. After the decision to take a second guitarist, Viktor
joined the band
and we seem to be complete since 2003.
BB: What is
Morrigu
doing nowadays?
Christoph: Currently we're
playing gigs all around Switzerland. We also sent
our new recorded Demo to some Labels trying to get a contract
for recording
one or two CD's and maybe touring a bit outside of
Switzerland.
Mirko:
-…While composing new songs besides, because we definitely will
record a second studio-album. With or without recording-label!
 BB:
Can you tell us about your debut "Forgotten Embrace"? What's the main
difference between "Forgotten Embrace" and "MMIV"?
Christoph: The main difference
is of course our second guitar-player
Vik.
He
makes the sound far more virtuoso, gives it additional pressure and
"completelyness".
BB: By the way... what is the meaning of the name "MMIV"?
...besides its
numerical roman meaning...
Mirko:
Oh…, there is unfortunately no hidden message behind the name
MMIV.
It’s just the recording-year 2004, written in roman letters.
Viktor: i agree so far. For myself i consider it
as a kind of milestone,
for on the cover it IS written on a Milestone obviously. An old roman
Milestone,or
celtic, i
don't know if they had some.
Anyway, it is "just" the year, but we hope it's
gonna be a
Milestone for
us!
BB: How has been the reception of "MMIV"
worldwide?
Mirko:
Difficult to say, you are the first magazine reviewing “MMIV”!
Our ‘campaign’
just started, but we’re all looking positively forward to it.
BB: Your musical style is a little uncommon, highly original
in fact, a
little up tempo, to be a standard Doom Metal band... Is
Morrigu a Doom Metal
band?
Christoph: I'd say Doom-Metal
Band would be the most fitting name at last.
But as you mentioned
Morrigu
isn't "just" a Doom-Metal Band but has as well
Death-Metal influences. I actually don't like to categorize Bands. Whether
it is
Morrigu or
any other Band because it never takes out the special
elements of what makes this Band what it really is.
Viktor: As you mentioned, we are a highly original
Doom Band. There's much feeling and intuition in our Music
i
think, we just take what sounds great and what feels right. That feeling is at
last still doomie,
isn't it?
BB: The music of
Morrigu
sounds like were in between the early sound of
Doom/Death Metal bands like
Amorphis, My Dying Bride and the
late sound of
Amorphis (again), Anathema or
Opeth. Why do you think it is? What phase of
the mentioned bands do you prefer?
Christoph: Well, we all like
the above listet
Bands. I for myself like
almost every My Dying Bride recording. I also really enjoy listening to
Tales from a
thousend
lakes or Elegy from
Amorphis.
Mirko:
In my opinion they are bands, which all of us like. They certainly
had quite an influence on us.
Viktor: Here again,
i
point out the feeling of the sounds. How does
it feel for player's and listeners...? Every listed Band, and we too
brings up music in a huge variety and complexity, but though
simple come along. It's a very intense form of music in my eyes.
BB: What are the most influential bands in the sound of
Morrigu?
Mirko:
I think with your choice above you really got them.
BB: Your music seems to be influenced by the nature, ancient
Celtic
philosophies and folk music in some inexplicit way. Am I right? What are
your sources of inspiration?
Mirko:
Absolutely! But we’re trying to adapt ancient Celtic philosophies
into modern times and to comprehend them with an actual approach.
Viktor: Inspiration comes from anywhere. It's
mostly 'bout the thought
that we should more consider nature as pure and beautiful it is/(was?)
given to us.
BB: The artwork is pretty accord with the music, and reminds
me a little the
artworks of
Agalloch... What does it mean?
Mirko:
Thanks! I think it’s important, that the artwork reflects the sound
of
Morrigu.
Viktor: It shall represent exactly the recognition
of natures beauty!
At least for me it does. Though it's a bit dusty and seems to be
behing
veils, it's looks peaceful, beautiful... calm, timeless. Look through
the veils and you get that picture anywhere.
BB: Your info sheet said the last minute of the last track
was live
recorded. I couldn't find some "live" sounds in this minute, just forestry
sounds... were those recorded outdoors?
Christoph: It actually was
recorded in our rehearsal room with only one microphone and is called a
live song because we played it in one piece and did not overwrite any part
afterwards. It was of course
remastered
afterwards.
BB: How is
Morrigu's
composition process? I read you like different musical
styles... How you balance all your different musical influences? ...By the
way you seem to be very open-minded...
Mirko:
A Morrigu
song is mostly growing on the base of some guitar-ideas
standing at the beginning. It’s important, that everyone feels which ideas
harmonize with
Morrigu,
because we’re really all very open-minded in case of
music.
Viktor: It is often a longer process. The songs
grow with us in a way.
If someone's hit by inspiration it usually goes fast and there's a song
ready, raw. Then by taking it in set, exercising, recording, much changes,
becomes more concrete and perfect. Until everyone would not change any single
note anymore.
BB: I understand you have a firm posture in front of racism.
Can you tell us
about it?
Mirko:
Yes, that’s because a lot of racist organisations abuse the Celtic
mythology for their identification. We just want to make sure that we’re
standing far away from racist ideologies. But we are not a political band!
BB: I must admit that
Morrigu
is the first band from Switzerland I ever
heard. Can you tell us about the Swiss Metal scene? What Swiss bands can you
recommend us?
Mirko:
Oh, there are a few better known bands from the past like Celtic
Frost or Coroner or you may heard from later bands as
Samael,
Alastis or
Messiah. Besides we have a big underground-scene with a lot of good-quality
bands.
(BB
note: I’m so deeply sorry about this incredibly stupid question!! Of course I
know Celtic Frost, Coroner,
Samael
and Alastis!!
I made this question during a huge mental lapse… or maybe I was drunk)
BB: Is "MMIV"
an advance of some forthcoming album? When can we expect a
brand new work of
Morrigu?
Mirko:
As said we will record a second album in autumn 2005.
MMIV
should
somehow be part of that, but who knows…, it should be out next winter!
BB: Thanks again for this interview...this last lines are all
yours...
Mirko
&
Christoph:
Thank a lot to you and the
B.B.-Mag
for this interview
and the really fine review! Keep the fire burning!
Greets
Mirko,
Viktor,
Christoph and Morrigu
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