Swiss metal veterans Morrigu reflect on their 25-year journey from doom-death roots to melodic evolution. In this interview, Sevi discusses resilience, creativity, and their upcoming single All I Feel.
1.
Morrigu has been around since 1999. Looking back at your journey from Forgotten
Embrace to your upcoming release All I Feel, how would you describe the band’s
evolution over the years?
The best
way to describe it would be a turbulent roller coaster ride. In our early days,
we had very big dreams and aspirations, from major record deals to big tours.
However, these have faded over the years and with the experiences we've gained.
Here in Switzerland, the biggest challenge is finding motivated and talented
musicians who are willing to endure difficult times with a band. But we don't
regret anything. Our goal from the beginning was to release music in a
professional setting.
2. In
the early days, your sound was deeply rooted in classic doom-death metal. What
were some of your biggest influences at that time, and how have your
inspirations changed since then?
Yes, that's
true. My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, Morgion, and Anathema were big influences
for us, but bands like Nile and Unleashed, which aren't doom at all, also
inspired us. I think our musical spectrum has expanded a lot, and of course,
we've also become better at our instruments. We've definitely become
more agile and diverse.
3. The
Flock of Crane (2006) and The Niobium Sky (2009) both showcased different
phases of your musical identity. What do you remember most about creating those
albums?
"The
Flock of Crane" was our first album that we recorded ourselves, except for
the mastering, and it's still a masterpiece of songwriting. The performance
could be better, but it represents our experience and capabilities at that
time. I've been toying with the idea of re-recording one or two of its songs
for some time.
I associate many memories with "The Niobium Sky," both good and bad.
My and Mirko's mother died of cancer around that time, which was a very
life-changing experience for us. On the good side, I remember the time in the
studio in Hanover (Horus Sound Studio) together with Merlin Sutter (Cellar
Darling, ex-Eluveitie). Back then, he was still a fledgling in the music
business and very shy, far from the confident man/rock star he is today. We had
a great time in Hanover. Musically, I found my time at Kick the Flame Studio in
Leipzig very educational. The daily creativity that Andy Schmidt (Disillusion)
displayed impressed me greatly, which is why Disillusion is still one of my
favorite bands.
4. After
parting ways with Dark Balance, you chose the self-release route for Before
Light / After Dark in 2014. How did that experience shape your approach to
independence and creative control?
Dark
Balance was a very small label, and support wasn't very strong. We didn't
really notice much of a difference, except that 100% of the proceeds went to
us. I think it's better to have no label than to have a label that doesn't
support you but still makes demands. Today, it's very easy to release
your music worldwide.
5. Over
the years, Morrigu has gone through several lineup changes. How have these
shifts influenced the band’s sound and dynamics?
I don't
think so much, since Mirko and I have been pulling the strings musically from
the beginning. As mentioned before, it's very difficult to find suitable
musicians in Switzerland, so we're always very cautious when new musicians join
the band. Many leave faster than they came, especially when it comes to
recording and the pressure is on. Chilling in the rehearsal room and playing
concerts have always been popular, but recordings, where there's a piece of
work involved, are less so. I have to say, though, that we're currently a very
motivated team with Luca on guitar and now Vangelis on drums. We're trying to
keep that going as long as possible.
the only
thing we still miss is a singer.
6.
You’ve also worked with remarkable guest musicians, including Adrian Erlandsson
and Elektra Amber, for In Turbulence (2021). What was it like collaborating
with such diverse talents?
Very good,
they're professionals and down-to-earth people. Adrian was very helpful, and I
tried to adapt the songs on "In Turbulence" to his style. That's why
the album is more in the melodic death/doom genre. But he also showed me again
how quickly you can find yourself in financial difficulties as a professional
metal musician. I think he's currently working as a truck driver alongside The
Haunted. We all know that At the Gates is going through a very difficult time
following the death of Tompa. Things aren't looking so good for him at the
moment. I wish him all the best, of course. Elektra was also very professional
and nailed it right away. I think it's crazy that such a talent doesn't achieve
more musically.
7. Your
upcoming single All I Feel releases on October 17, 2025. Can you tell us about
the inspiration behind the track and what listeners can expect?
Yes, of
course. The track was created during a very difficult phase in our band's
history, about three years ago. We didn't have a drummer or a singer, so we
simply continued where we left off with "In Turbulence." I looked for
a session drummer and singer who could implement my ideas. I found Sam Bowles
from England on drums. I tried out a few different singers until I finally
settled on Sebastian, who goes by the stage name "Sol1dude," or the
Metal Monk. He simply fit my vision best.
The song is about a Holocaust. I'm explicitly not saying "the
Holocaust" because there are currently very disturbing events that could
definitely be described as such. It's about the way we confront innocent
children with violence, kill them, or sexually abuse them. Children who, in my
opinion, are the purest and most innocent things there are on this earth.
Imagine you are new to this earth and open to everything, be it language,
appearance, religion, no matter what you want, only to experience love, and the
first thing you experience is violence, bombs, death. How evil people are.
These actions must simply never be forgotten. But the song is also about the
powerlessness of parents in such a situation. As a parent, you wish for nothing
other than peace and love for your child. I was very inspired by the story of
Samuel Willenberg. Study his story and you will know how low people have sunk.
8. The
song has both heavy and melancholic passages. How do you balance aggression and
atmosphere when writing new material?
I simply
like both, and one only works with the other, like good and evil, yin and yang.
Aggression gains more power when preceded by calmer passages, and it also takes
the strain off your neck and ear canal, haha.
9.
Morrigu has always embraced change and experimentation. Do you see this
constant evolution as part of the band’s identity, or do you aim for a more
defined sound now?
Yes,
definitely. Maybe it's also because we take our time before releasing new
material. Just as we change in life, our music changes too. But we're
also simply open to experimentation.
10.
After so many years, what drives you to keep creating and pushing Morrigu
forward, despite the challenges you’ve faced?
It's simply
still our passion for music and creating art. It's still a hobby; everything is
voluntary, so we don't have to do anything, but we can do anything. What I
would hope for as a reward is for people to simply buy more music again,
whether it's Morrigu or other bands. Buy the music you like.
11. If
you could revisit one era of Morrigu’s history and play a show with a past
lineup, which would it be and why?
That would
be with Merlin during the Niobium Sky era. We were able to play as support for
Eluveitie in front of 1,000 people, and the crowd went ballistic. There are
videos of that show on YouTube. I think we were a very strong band back then;
of course, we still are, but we haven't been as complete for a long time.
12.
Finally, what are your plans after All I Feel—can fans expect a full album,
more singles, or perhaps live performances in the near future?
Live will
be very difficult without a permanent singer, but I would love it. Our plan is
to release individual singles until we have an album together, and then we'll
see. You'll be hearing from us in the near future, though. We're currently
figuring out how best to manage all of this.
Cheers, Sevi, Morrigu.
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