Recenze/review - MARTYRIUM - Malevolent (2026):
https://www.deadlystormzine.com/2026/09/recenzereview-martyrium-malevolent-2026.html
Ave MARTYRIUM! Greetings from the Netherlands. Something strange just happened to me. I was listening to your new album, “Malevolent,” in my home office when a thunderstorm broke out. I opened the window, and everything came together in my mind. The new album has a beautifully chilling atmosphere. It literally captivated me. How difficult was it to follow up on your previous album, “Abandon Hope”? How did the new album come together?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce Martyrium.
After our last album Abandon Hope. I took time on writing new material for the new album. The new music came naturally and sounded promising. You can hear the result in Malevolent.
I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to certain things, so I’ll have to order both the CD and a T-shirt from you. It will be very fulfilling for me to hold such a perfectly crafted piece of work in my hands. And I’m not just talking about the music. The cover art was created by Derikersani from Indonesia. What exactly does the artwork mean? And how does it relate to the new songs.
The artwork is called The Bringer. It reprecents an entity who command and brings the darkness.
It fits perfect with the atmosphere I wanted to create. Together with Jos his dark lyrics.
You’ve had a new singer since 2020 Jos Lemmen. I’ve noticed that your band has had several vocalists over the years. Why is that, exactly? In any case, I really like the vocals this year—they’re brutal and melodic at the same time.
Jos was also on our previous album, Abandon Hope. Our first vocalist was Jan van Eersel who was on our first album, Ideology of Death. After that recording we did some live shows with another vocalist because Jan was not into live performing at that time. So we choose another guy. But after some gigs we fall apart.
Your sound is great again this year cold, dark, and captivating. Erwin Hermsen is behind it all. How was the album actually recorded? I still live with this romantic notion that musicians gather in one studio, have a good drink, and get to work or am I wrong?
Haha that sounds great, but no. We recorded it seperatly in the studio.
MARTYRIUM is a band made up entirely of experienced musicians. Everyone has a huge body of great work behind them. But you know how it is everyone also has their own ego that they want to assert. How does that work in your band? Does anyone have the final say? Do you ever argue, for example? And what about cabin fever have you experienced that yet?
Without the other guys, Martyrium is nothing. In the end it’s my call but everyone is free to put in ideas. So yes everyone is important. I work with Sander for a very long time now and I now what he is capable of. It was the first time working with Roel van Helden but that was also a great experience. We now eachother for a very long time and because our drummer Job had other priorities this time, Roel stepped in to help us. He did a great job.
“Malevolent” straddles the line between death metal and black metal. You have your own unmistakable style at least that’s how I see it as a fan. I’d be curious to know how you compose the basic riffs themselves. A lot of musicians just jam around on their own in the studio, and then “something comes out of it.” Others, on the other hand, put everything together in the studio. How do you approach songwriting?
I just start jamming and try to catch that dark sound riffing. It comes naturally. I create a world in my own to write that perfect riff. After that it’s trying what works in songwriting. It has to be catchy, fast and evil.
I’ve been reading through the lyrics and find them very interesting. A lot of metal bands overlook this aspect, but your lyrics are very well-crafted. Where do you get your inspiration for the lyrics? Is it from books or movies? Or personal experiences?
The lyrics on “Malevolent” are written by Jos (vocals). The lyrics are about dark sorcery, inner conflicts, demons and medieval times. They defenitly adapt to the music.
And for Jos it was also a sort of therapy because of his health issues.
New album practically demands a live performance. Are you planning a tour? I realize you’ll probably play at some big festivals, but what about small club shows? Can we look forward to them? I can totally picture a dark club… fog… the first riff rings out…
I have to dissapoint you. Martyrium is a studio band. In the beginning we did some live shows but because of several reasons we don’t play live anymore.
MARTYRIUM is now one of those veteran bands that has gone through a certain evolution. I’m sure you’re music listeners yourselves. What influenced you in your early days, and what do you listen to today?
I listen to mostly black and death metal. But I also listen to Dead Can Dance for example. I like the dark atmosphere in it. What influenced me are bands like Satyricon, Darkthrone, Absu, Morbid Angel, Gorgoroth. But at this time I am currently listening to Hulder, Tulus and the last Paradise Lost album.
Everyone had to start somewhere. What was the initial impulse that made you pick up a guitar? Was it because of the girls? And who was your role model when you were starting out? Is there a period you remember most fondly?
Haha I wish...No I was inspired by all the live bands that I saw back then. One day I just bought a guitar and started messing around. I remeber the great No Mercy festival in Nighttown. That was fantasic with bands like Immortal, Limbonic Art and Deicide.
What does music mean to you? How do you see it in relation to your life? Is it a curse, a joy, a necessity? I, for one, couldn’t live without music I listen to it all day long, and when I can’t, I miss it… how about you? Feel free to get into some philosophical musings.
Yes indeed. I am addicted to music. I can’t immagine life without extreme music. It is a joy, a sort of therapy and a great way to express yourself. Be yourself in life. That feeling that you get when for example Angel of Death kicks in. Wow! Or Rapture from Morbid Angel. It‘s like a fist in your face but in a good way haha.
What does MARTYRIUM have planned for the coming months, and what can we look forward to? If you have a message for promoters, labels, or fans, this is the place for it!
I am doing lots of interviews and enjoing the attention from all media. I just want to thank everyone who supports us by buying a shirt or a vinyl. It really means a lot to us. We are just extreme metal fans making music for ourselves and other like-minded. Hopefully everyone enjoys Malevolent.
Thank you so much for the interview. I see it’s still raining outside I think I’ll head into the woods and put your new album on my player. Thanks so much for it there’s plenty to listen to. I wish you and your new album all the best, and I look forward to seeing you at a concert someday. MARTYRIUM FOREVER!
Thank you!
Recenze/review - MARTYRIUM - Malevolent (2026):
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