METALLIAN - Maceration

A Serenade Of Agony - 1992 - Progress Red Labels
It Never Ends… - 2022 - Emanzipation
Serpent Devourment - 2025 - Emanzipation

Members

Vocals

Ghost, Icarus, Cryptic Death, Pan.thy.monium, Brejn Dedd, Stygg Död, Diabolical Masquerade, Ulanbator, Therion, Unicorn, Edge Of Sanity, Route Nine, Masticate, Total Terror, Karaboudjan>>Day Disyraah [Dan Swanö]>>Pan.thy.monium, Unicorn, Edge Of Sanity, Masticate, Nightingale, Route Nine, Karaboudjan, Darkicide, Total Terror, Bloodbath, Solo, Diabolical Masquerade, Bloodbath, Infestdead, Another Life, Katatonia, Godsend, Ribspreader, Obliterhate, Steel, Unicorn, Demiurg, Star One, Second Sky, Nightingale, Odyssey, Darkcide, Witherscape, Anathema - Cor Vacante>>JAN BERGMANN JEPSEN>>Cor Vacante

Guitar

Iconoclasm, Transmission, PLPB>>Lars Bangholt>>Iconoclasm, Transmission, PLPB - Invocator, Self>>JAKOB SCHULTZ>>Self - ROBERT TENGS

Bass

Invocator>>Jakob Schultz – Robert Tengs - Spectral Mortuary, Exmortem, Crucifix, Encyrcle, Ad Noctum>>RUNE KOLDBY

Drum

Invocator, Eidetic>>Jacob Hansen>>Invocator, Manticora, Anubis Gate, Eidetic, Pyramaze, Ureas, Firesoul, Asinhell – Downlord, Corpus Mortale, Killing Gandhi, Procession, Illdisposed, Myrkur>>Rasmus Schmidt>>Killing Gandhi, Illdisposed - Corpus Mortale>>NICOLAI KALTOFT

History & Biography

Maceration had a live demo in 1990 and an album on the Danish label Progress in 1992 before disintegrating. Apparently Schultz and Bangholt wimped out and cut their hair after getting into hip hop! Initially, the death metal act was a follow-up project for Invocator’s main men (with Bangholt leading), but Dan Swanö’s presence meant that there was additional star power present. The debut was recorded for Germany’s Turbo Records, which never fulfilled its obligations and famously soon went broke. Drummer Stefan Lerke Nielsen (ex-Agonize) came and went. His replacement Kim Eriksen did not last either. A promised second album for 1995 never materialized. A rerelease of the debut album sported a different cover artwork.

Schultz had left Invocator because he didn’t want to take over the bass duty after handling the guitar over the years.

Denmark-based Maceration was back and had an album called It Never Ends… in autumn of 2022, which featured Dan Swanö on vocals. The band’s last album from 1992, A Serenade Of Agony, was re-issued as well. The live line-up was comprised of original members, lead guitarist Jakob Schultz and rhythm guitarist Lars Bangsholt. The new members were bass player Robert Tengs, drummer Rasmus Schmidt (Illdisposed and ex-Myrkur) and singer Jan Bergmann Jepsen (ex-Cor Vacante). The group appeared at Odense Metalfest in 2022. The band had a 2023 concert with Destabilizer, Helge and Rå Løg. 2024 started with a concert with Crocell. The band issued a 2024 single/video called Serpent Devourment off a forthcoming album. The line-up in 2024 was Jan Bergmann Jepsen (vocals), Robert Tengs, Jakob Schultz and Lars Bangsholt (guitars), Rune Koldby (bass) and drummer Nicolai Kaltoft. Tengs was previously on bass. The Serpent Devourment album was available in January 2025 and featured Dan Swanö in a duet with Jan Bergmann on several tracks. Maceration booked a European tour for the winter of 2025 and was also billed at Heavy Agger Festival and Dortmund Deathfest for the summer.

In medical terminology 'maceration' refers to steeping tissue, or something, in liquid in order to separate the constituents.

Reviews

MACERATION - SERPENT DEVOURMENT - EMANZIPATION
Crunch thy name is Maceration. That is the gist of Maceration's death metal. A Morgoth-esque intro, which is always promising, drifts into brutal growling, a divine Swedeath distortion and a powerful drum sound. It is already clear that this is going to be good. The vocals are heavily growled and distorted for added enjoyment. It gets even better when the pace picks up too. it is a melee of power and distortion and sure remains tight despite the high speed. Yet, even the atmospheric interludes wedged in-between the sheer brutality manage to satisfy. Not much for soloing or additional elements, Maceration lives for the simple things in death metal. The drums pound, the guitars rage and the listener is dragged into hell. The weak link Where Leeches Thrive begins sluggishly and even that kicks in the tremolo and picks up the pace to improve rapidly.
The sole thing not to like on this record is the mutant squid on the cover standing in front of a frame harp (Metallian guarantee: rest assured, no harp was used in the making of this CD). Maceration has improved drastically since the 1990s. Fans of Dismember, Bolt Thrower and the brutality of Maceration's country-mates Toxaemia or Thorium are bound to love this. - Ali "The Metallian"

Interviews

It is a pleasure speaking with Jakob Schultz of Maceration. The man has been involved in the metal scene since the 1980s. He is a friendly person and is happy to answer any question. Importantly, the new Maceration album, Serpent Devourment, is brutal as hell. Three Alestorm/Metallica/Taylor Swift fans died of a heart attack, after pissing their pants, when they accidentally walked within 100 meters of somewhere where someone was just looking at the album's cover artwork by coincidence! The album's review is elsewhere, but in the meantime, the guitarist flew into Metallian Towers for a sit-down interview, following a dinner at the Hall Of Arts, to discuss all things related to the group, past and present. Here is how the conversation between Jakob and Ali "The Metallian" went. - 11.12.2024

METALLIAN: Jakob, welcome to Metallian Towers. Let's begin by covering off the past and clarifying a couple of historical anecdotes so we set the record straight, before discussing Serpent Devourment. In the old days, Maceration signed with Turbo Records. This label was – even at that time – known as a rip-off and useless label. Why would Maceration sign with this company?
JAKOB: When we formed Maceration it was just a side-project and we didn’t even imagine that labels would be interested. So, when we got a fax from Turbo Music who wanted to sign us we thought it was a no-brainer and, of course. we said 'yes.' We knew they released Funeral Nation back then so we thought that it would be okay. Bad luck and they went bankrupt and luckily Progress Red Labels took over.

METALLIAN: A related question is how Maceration had left, or been dropped by, Progress Red Labels. This is strange because, in a sense, Maceration is back with the label. Could you remember what happened?
JAKOB: What happened is that the band didn’t do anything new and when we tried keeping the band up and running after the debut album, A Serenade Of Agony, with new members and shows, it fell through in early 1993. Then the band just went into hiatus and there was nothing more to do. We are not back with Progress now. We are signed to Emanzipation Productions now.

METALLIAN: I probably did not put it well. I was referring to Progress’ association with Diehard, which became related to Emanzipation, which you are signed with now. How does it feel to have come full circle?
JAKOB: Well, I never actually thought about it. I remember that Emanzipation and Diehard co-operated on some stuff, but I think that ended after a few years and the labels always were distinct companies. But, of course, Michael from Emanzipation remembered Maceration from back then and it was actually because of him that we got together in 2021 to record the comeback album!

METALLIAN: The story back then was that you and Lars wimped out, cut your hair and started kneeling at the altar of hip hop. This is your chance to lie to the readers and deny this story.
JAKOB: (Laughingly) I always explored and listened to all types of music. We also listened to different styles of metal and the bands coming out back then. We always listened to death metal, but Maceration was not a band anymore and we just played some metal-hip hop things for fun which never became anything.

METALLIAN: An album’s worth of material was recorded in 1995. What happened to this material?
JAKOB: We never did an album with material in 1995. That was just a rehearsal demo with some of the songs from the metal/hip hop rehearsals. Why that tape had the Maceration name is still a mystery today because it had nothing to do with Maceration. It was another band and style!

METALLIAN: Hold on! How is it a mystery when it was you who was in charge?
JAKOB: We have talked about it and when we did that we never completely understood why we called that project Maceration because it had nothing to do with death metal. So, that was a mistake, but I think we just didn’t have any other name popping up. Bad idea!

METALLIAN: Fast forward to the present day. Could you tell our readers about the goal for the return and reformation? Is there any reason to return other than playing and enjoying music?
JAKOB: The main factor is to enjoy and play the music we like: old-school death metal. We just want to do music, get out there and play shows and festivals and see how much we can do. We enjoy being back doing this. It's like the old days when playing on stage.

METALLIAN: Members changes are the order of the day. Could you give us an outline of what is going on including the confusing matter of who is the singer, who sings where and where Dan Swanö can be heard on Serpent Devourment?
JAKOB: Well, it's not that difficult. Dan Swanö did the session vocals on our debut in 1992. We asked if he would do the same again and also mix the album when we reformed in 2021. We did the recordings without having the live line-up in place. He agreed to growl again and he recorded. He never wanted to play live. When the songs were recorded and Dan worked on them in the studio we knew we had gigs planned so we asked Jan Bergmann if he would join and be the live singer. Then he also did some duets on a couple of songs on the It Never Ends… album with Swano. When we did Serpent Deveourment, we had been playing live with Jan so much and rehearsed that he became a permanent member so it was natural that he would record all vocals on the new upcoming album. It was the right choice. Dan Swanö still mixed and produced. He also told us he will never growl again.

METALLIAN: That is interesting to hear. He had said the same thing, more or less, around 20 years ago if I recall correctly. This iteration of Maceration is not the same as the Maceration of old. To explain better, the music of today is death metal. The music of 1992 was death metal. Yet, the two bands' sound different and distinct. Thoughts?
JAKOB: I think today we are more mature as individuals and musicians. Back then it was more spontaneous and more of a side-project so the songs came out like they did and still we got that Maceration sound. I think we still got some of that old sound, but the song writing today is more distinct and better in many ways. So there are still things from the old Maceration in the new reformed band, but back then we where young and things just became as they did more by coincidence than today where songs are more thought through.

METALLIAN: Jakob, this explanation makes sense. With minor exceptions, like on Where Leeches Thrive, Maceration eschews solos. This is odd, given that you are a metal band and have two guitarists.
JAKOB: I am not sure what you mean. On the debut album, we also did the Slayer inspired solos with high-pitched tones and dive bombs. We did that on It Never Ends… since its part of the sound we have, yet we have been doing more melodic leads on It Never Ends… and Serpent Devourment as well, which is a natural development.

METALLIAN: What I should have said here is Maceration, on Serpent Devourment, could have used more solos and there aren’t enough in my opinion.
JAKOB: Ah OK. Well, I think the amount of solos is fine and in line with what we have been doing earlier, but totally cool you have your opinion and want more leads (smiles).

METALLIAN: Speaking of Leeches... the second half is my favourite part of the record. Could you say a few words about this song?
JAKOB: It's one of the heavier songs with a very catchy riff and chorus. It have also some fast parts and is just a very catchy death metal tune.

METALLIAN: Agreed! Could you explain the title and cover artwork? It can be taken two ways: the serpent devours or the serpent is devoured. Which is it?
JAKOB: The artist Ola Larsson was given a free hand, but it fits the title very well with the serpent devouring everything. We like his style very much and there is a 'red line' between the new artwork, colours, etc. and the artwork he did on It Never Ends…

METALLIAN: You earlier referred to enjoyment, playing live including festivals. Could you fill the readers in on what is next with Maceration and whether there is any news to share?
JAKOB: We have about ten shows lined up in Denmark. In the beginning of the year we will head out with our comrades in Crown The Beast and Terrorpy. Then we will have a small three-day tour in Germany, Poland and Slovakia. We also have Stonehenge Festival in Holland and Dortmund Deathfest lined up for summer 2025 and a few others, but more will probably be added.

METALLIAN: Finally, everyone everywhere knows and acknowledges that Metallian is the best source for metal in the world. Why do you think so too?
JAKOB: Metallian is the best top-class source for your daily dose of rotting death metal because there is integrity in a magazine which has been around for so long!

The band is rounded off by singer Jan Bergmann Jepsen, guitarist Robert Tengs, bassist Rune Koldby and drummer Nicolai Kaltoft. Serpent Devourment is available in January 2025. More information is available here.

If you enjoyed this, read Grave

Maceration