In this interview, we delve into the creative mind of Martin, the mastermind behind the one-man doom metal project Blissful Stream. Hailing from Sweden, a country known for its rich doom metal heritage, Martin reflects on how his sound has evolved over time. He shares insights into the challenges of being a solo artist, the concept and cover art behind his latest album Fighting for the Cross, and what the future holds for the project. Through it all, Martin offers a glimpse into his artistic process, balancing tradition with originality, and more.
Your new album, Fighting for the Cross, leans heavily into a more classic doom metal sound compared to the faster-paced moments of your previous album, When the Wolves Start to Circle (2020). It’s also interesting to note the focus on slower tempos in your earlier release, the 2018 EP Dead Religious. What inspired these stylistic shifts, and how did it impact your approach to both songwriting and production this time around?
The path of this band hasn’t really been staked and I try to keep things varied both within each release and between releases. I think it’s a good thing if you don’t know exactly what the next song or the next record of a band will sound like. This time I was in the mood for making a slower and more epic album with more clean vocals than before. Quite challenging though since I’m not exactly David Coverdale. But my first release was an EP called Ascending Demons which was released digitally 2016 and after that there was a split cassette with Swedish band Lightsabers released 2017. Good stuff, check it out!
Blissful Stream is a one-man project. What unique challenges do you face working solo, particularly within the doom metal genre? Are there any specific difficulties that arise when you’re responsible for creating every aspect of the music on your own?
One problem is that when I’m finished with a song, I’m so fed up with it I can’t listen to it ha ha. Even though I really enjoy the process I probably spend too much time on each song, writing music and lyrics, arranging and rearranging, recording and mixing. And I only have myself to discuss the musical progression with which can be a problem since I’m not the most reliable source. But I usually think that if I like it, then probably at least one more person somewhere around the globe like it as well.
How do you view the interplay between the cover art and lyrical themes of Fighting for the Cross in creating a cohesive narrative for the album? What specific personal experiences or philosophical beliefs influenced the lyrical content of Fighting for the Cross? Are there particular themes or concepts, such as spirituality, inner conflict, or societal issues, that you aimed to explore more deeply in this album?
I found this old painting from Swedish artist Hans Wikström from 1829 and I really thought it suited the overall feeling of the album. The title track is based around the crusaders but it’s applicable to any movement of self glorification and megalomania. Killing people to make them follow your beliefs hasn’t been working really well throughout history but still we are trying. The horrors of herd mentality is a returning theme in my songs. And yes, the ever ongoing internal battles!
Mentioning general concepts, is there a particular meaning or concept behind the name Blissful Stream? What inspired you to choose this name for your project, and how does it relate to the music or themes you explore?
It’s a translation of my last name from Swedish to English. So really no deeper meaning than that!
Coming from Sweden, a country with a deep-rooted doom metal legacy, how do you feel this heritage has influenced your own approach to doom metal? Do you think there’s space for originality and experimentation within a genre so firmly grounded in tradition as doom metal? How do you personally balance staying true to those classic elements while introducing new ideas into your music?
I haven’t really thought about staying true to any genre, but since I’ve been listening mainly to metal and hard rock in it’s various forms for almost my entire life, it has become my natural musical foundation. I don’t deviate much from that road whether I want it or not. I try not to copy other bands but I won’t be inventing the wheel either. But sure, there is a lot of Doom bands to be inspired by, Swedish or not!
Looking forward, do you anticipate continuing down this path of the more epic-slower classic doom, or do you see yourself revisiting the faster, more aggressive approach of some of your earlier work? What can we expect next from Blissful Stream?
I have some new songs which are kind of slow paced but I might do some more uptempo ones to keep myself awake. I’ll have to discuss that with myself before I decide!
If you could curate a dream tour with any bands, past or present, to complement the sound and themes of Fighting for the Cross, who would you choose?
If we can get Saxon during the Crusader era and Bolt Thrower around the The IVth Crusade era I think we will have a perfect match!
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