Hedmark's MADDER MORTEM's fare was epic laden Doom initially but the group would drift into more experimental waters by the time of the 2001 'All Flesh Is Grass' album. The group had debuted during 1993 billed as MYSTERY TRIBE for the demo session 'Days In Sorrow' armed with a line-up comprising lead vocalist Agnete M. Kirkevaag, guitarists BP M. Kirkevaag and Christian Ruud, bass player Boye Nyberg and Sigurd Nielsen on drums.

The first product under the MADDER MORTEM brand would be a January 1997 demo 'Misty Sleep', recorded at Gordon Studios with engineer Thomas Sørlie. Only 500 copies were distributed. Henning Ramseth and Rune Myklevik recorded the January 1998 demo sessions at Space Valley Studios.

MADDER MORTEM signed to the influential yet ill fated Misanthropy label in Britain for the 'Mercury' album of February 1999. However, with Misanthropy's demise the album was afforded little promotion and soon went out of print. Beset by such problems in the Autumn of 1999 the band split in two, Ruud, Nyberg and Nielsen going their own way, but would soon regroup with the addition of three new members guitarist Eirik Ulvo Langnes, bassist Pål Mozart Bjørke and drummer Mads Solås.

A new demo cut in 2000 convinced the German Century Media concern of their worth and second album 'All Flesh Is Grass' duly arrived in 2001. These sessions were recorded in Studio Underground in Västerås, Sweden with producer Pelle Saether. Violin enhancements were provided by Lennart Glenberg-Eriksson.

For the follow up, 'Deadlands, MADDER MORTEM once again utilised Pelle Saether and Studio Underground, crafting the album between 20th May 2002 and 13th June for a 21st October release.

MADDER MORTEM would support OPETH in Europe during February and March of 2003. MADDER MORTEM fractured in August when both guitarist Eirik Ulvo Langnes and bass player Pål Mozart Bjørke departed. The following month their replacements were to be announced as MYSTERY TRIBE guitarist Odd Eivind Ebbesen and bassist Tormod Langøien Moseng. The latter had previously deputised for the band previously.

MADDER MORTEM would be ensconced in Space Valley Studios, outside of Hamar, during May of 2004 crafting a new studio record entitled 'Desiderata'. By September the process, mixed at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden and mastered at Strype Audio in Oslo, would be complete, the band describing the new record as "pretty creepy and dark". MADDER MORTEM switched to Peaceville Records in mid 2005, resulting in the 'Desiderata' album issued in March 2006. Agnete M. Kirkevaag subsequently conducted guest sessions on album recordings for WINDS.

A download single, 'My Name Is Silence' issued in May 2006 included exclusive re-recorded versions of 1994 demo tracks 'All For You' and 'Winterview'. That same year Agnete M. Kirkevaag guested on the LUCID MOON album 'Last Conversation Of The Severed Heads'.

MADDER MORTEM was to join the billing of the 'X-mas Festivals' tour, set to commence on December 8th at Berlin's K17 venue, alongside GOREFEST, BELPHEGOR, TRAIL OF TEARS, DARZAMAT and PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT. However, this entire trek was cancelled just days beforehand.

Peaceville Records released the album 'Eight Ways' in May 2009. A US release was granted for 16th June. Arnfinn Moseng directed a promotional video for the song 'Armour'.

Garry Sharpe-Young