1.Hello Seb how are things going in Sweden this week?
Hello! Although we are located in Sweden, I am, currently, living in the Netherlands. I am replying to this interview in my office in Maastricht. Things are going great. We’re about to release our second album ‘Proclamation of War’ so the band is quite busy at the moment, with the release, promotion, and planning of our live gigs. We’re excited to share our new album with you. We are very proud of it and we know you’ll be kicking ass and taking names with this soundtrack of the apocalypse.
2.When did you first discover Thrash Metal and who were the first bands that you listened to?Who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?
I started listening to metal in the mid-90s due to the influence of cousins and then friends that liked heavy music. Kreator was one of the first thrash metal bands that I listened to back in the day. The song ’Tormentor’ blew my head. Among other bands that I listened to when I was a kid were Sepultura, Pentagram, Slayer, Destruction, Sodom, Iron Angel, Overkill, Minotaur, etc.
Nowadays, I keep listening to the same bands that I listened to in the mid-90s. I realized I have a limited but vast number of albums I listen to on repeat. ’New bands’ thrash (or in the vicinity) that I’m into are Municipal Waste, Wraith, Toxic Holocaust, Destroyer 666, Desaster, Sabbat, Abigail, Violator, Iron Reagan, and more on the heavy side Enforcer, Stallion, Ambush, Screamer, etc. By ’new bands’ I just mean, that are new to me or new addition to my album collection, not that they’re just starting in the scene.
3.When did you first meet the other members of Morphetik and was it long before you started this band?How did you choose Morphetik as the name of the band and does it have a special meaning?
I met Anton (Bass) around 2016. Back then him, Julle, and our former drummer Germán played in Nazghor (and still play, except for Germán). I went to one of Nazghor’s shows and I got to talk to Anton and through him, I met, years later, the other members of Morphetik.
The idea of Morphetik was conceived by Julle and Anton, around 2017-2018. I joined later as the guitarist and we started playing in 2018.
Morphetik doesn’t have a specific meaning, we were looking for a strong formula when thinking of conjuring the spirit of thrash metal. ’Morphetik’ was that formula.
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4.What is the current line-up for Morphetik? Who would you say are the bands biggest influences?For the readers unfamilar with the bands music how would you best describe the style and sound?
The current line-up is the following: Julle (vocals), Anton (bass), Jester J (drums) and yours truly (guitars).Some of Morphetik’s influences are Sabbat, Sodom, Iron Reagan, Toxic Holocaust, and Municipal Waste.I think the best way that I can describe our sound is direct, violent, old-school thrash metal in the vein of the South American, Japanese, and German schools of thrash. If you enjoy moshing, and headbanging then you might want to check us out.
5.Proclamation Of War is the bands second full length that is being released through Witches Brew Rec. when did you and the band first come in contact with this label?
We got in touch with Witches Brew last year (2022). We already had the cover art and the music mixed and mastered when we start looking for labels. Witches Brew was immediately hooked with our sound, and they have been nothing but great when it comes to the planning, promo, and release of Proclamation of War.
6.How long did it take the band to write the music for this release?Does the whole band work on the music or does one member usually write everything?
Proclamation of War songwriting process was during the pandemic. We had some songs written already in 2020 after the release of Omens of War. But the big bulk of it was in 2021.
We all collaborate when creating songs. Although different kinds of thrash metal influence us, we have a core view regarding what is our brand of thrash metal.
7.Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the songs?What are some topics written about on the new release? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
Julle usually writes the lyrics and I make the arrangements. Typically, the music comes first, hence my contribution to the lyric arrangement. I just try to make them it within the particular rhythm or time signature of the song.
8.Besides the upcoming .Proclamation Of War are the bands previous releases still availible for the readers to purchase?Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently availible for the readers to purchase?If yes what is availible and where can the readers purchase it?
Omens of War was released under Heathen Tribe, a limited digipak edition of 150 copies. They’re mostly all sold out. We still have some copies that we sell at our gigs. It’s a pretty cool edition and the fact that there are only 150 copies in the world makes it a bit special to have one.
We also have t-shirts. We tend to produce a limited number of t-shirts of different colors. Once the badge is sold out, we order a different one. However, we are not repeating the t-shirt model or design. Our first badge was 30 white t-shirts with the red ‘Morphetik’ logo. Those are sold out and we are not making more of those. Our second badge is the fire red t-shirt with the white logo. We ordered 50, and we still have some but once they are out, we will not make more.If you’re interested in getting merch, feel free to contact us at morphetik@gmail.com. You can also check our stuff on our bandcamp morphetik.bandcamp.com
9.Has Morphetik had the opportunity to perform live or do you prefer working in the studio? What have been some of the bands most memorable shows so far?Who are some bands you have shared the stage with?
Yes, we have played mostly in Sweden and headlined shows. We love playing live. We are on the looks for booking opportunities everywhere, our aim is to do a European tour hopefully soon. Actually, we had a very good experience with all the bands. Maybe the ones that had more lineage were the death metal legends ‘Sorcery’. We’ve played with bands such as Sarcator, Vometh, Nazghor, Dead Awaken, Imperial Domain, Circle of Chaos, Warfect, Putrid Vision, and many others.
We’ll be playing in the Netherlands in October at Harnbarg Fest IV. So all the maniacs of the Morphetik Army, be sure to join us and mosh.
10.Morphetik comes out of Sweden's thrash metal scene what is your opinion of the Swedish thrash metal scene over the years?
In Sweden black and death metal reign supreme. However, we have great thrash metal bands such F.K.Ü, Eternal Evil, Sarcator, Vometh, among others. Having said that, it’s interesting that such a metal culture country like Sweden, Thrash Metal isn’t more popular. But we’re getting there. You cannot stop thrash metal.
11.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Sweden and are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
I must say that Bathory, At The Gates, Vomitory, and Enforcer are at the top of my list.
People should definitely check Always War, Eternal Evil, Third Storm, and Ambush (not so new).
12.What does Underground Metal mean to you?
This is a very deep question. I mean what can one say, I cannot conceive my life without metal. I’ve been listening since I was 9 and now I’m 35. It’s part of who I am and I will be a metalhead until my part in this show is over. My best friends and memories come from our shared love for underground metal. I’m very happy to be part of this world on both sides – enjoying the music as a spectator and creating music with Morphetik.
13.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
Well, we all have our different ways to deal with non-band time. Some people in the band are parents so they dedicate their time to family. I personally work a lot and do sports – football and tennis.
14.Do any of the members currentl work with any other bands or solo projects?If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
Yes. Julle, Anton, and Jester J play in Nazghor. Last year they released their 7th album. It is great. Swedish Black Metal at its best. If you haven’t check them out your are missing out, really.
15.Thank you Seb for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thank you for your support. Through the years the Morphetik Army is growing and we can see more and more people headbanging with our music. This is all we want. Morphetik was created with the purpose of playing the most moshable thrash metal possible. This is what is all about, having fun and enjoying good metal. We hope you enjoy ‘Proclamation of War’. It is, sincerely, one of the best thrash metal albums in several years. And we are very proud of the songs and the power and rawness that we were able to inject them. With Omens of War we were able to establish a clear style that we double down in Proclamation of War. Keep the metal alive.
MER THRASH ÅT FOLKET!
Seb/Morphetik
Morphetik https://morphetik.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/morphetik/ https://www.youtube.com/@morphetik43 Witches Brew Records https://witchesbrewthrashes.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/witchesbrewthrashes https://www.instagram.com/witchesbrewthrashes/
