FAQ
WHAT/WHO IS MALEDICTIS?
Maledictis is a recording project with music and lyrics written by John Marszalkowski. The debut EP features over 30 musicians, engineers, and artists. To see a list of who sang or played what, click here.
Maledictis is not a touring band. It was born and raised in the solitude of quarantine.
Maledictis is not a touring band. It was born and raised in the solitude of quarantine.
WHAT STYLE OF MUSIC is this?
SHORT ANSWER: SYMPHONIC GOTHIC METAL.
Long answer: Fans of symphonic metal and gothic metal would say that Maledictis is neither. However, in addition to standard rock instruments, Maledictis features strings, brass, woodwinds, and a choir. "Symphonic" or "orchestral" is the best way to describe that. I hesitate to call it neoclassical, since it doesn't sound like any music considered neoclassical.
As for the gothic part, it features haunting cathedral pipe organ and church-like choir parts. Also, the singer of Tristania is featured. That's why Maledictis probably meets the bare-minimum requirements to be considered gothic metal.
Is it as heavy as most modern metal bands? Not at all.
I'd be interested to hear your interpretation of what genre best describes Maledictis.
Long answer: Fans of symphonic metal and gothic metal would say that Maledictis is neither. However, in addition to standard rock instruments, Maledictis features strings, brass, woodwinds, and a choir. "Symphonic" or "orchestral" is the best way to describe that. I hesitate to call it neoclassical, since it doesn't sound like any music considered neoclassical.
As for the gothic part, it features haunting cathedral pipe organ and church-like choir parts. Also, the singer of Tristania is featured. That's why Maledictis probably meets the bare-minimum requirements to be considered gothic metal.
Is it as heavy as most modern metal bands? Not at all.
I'd be interested to hear your interpretation of what genre best describes Maledictis.
What does all the latin Mean?
Where can I listen?
The debut EP has been available since December 22nd, 2020, and is available pretty much everywhere that music can be streamed and digital music can be purchased.
There is an extremely limited number of EP vinyl records and CD's in circulation.
Posters, guitar picks, stickers, and other random merch can be found here.
There is an extremely limited number of EP vinyl records and CD's in circulation.
Posters, guitar picks, stickers, and other random merch can be found here.
Where Are You?
For the EP, all songs were written, mixed, and published in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Many parts were recorded there, too. Some other parts were recorded in other parts of Wisconsin. Other states include Illinois, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Other countries include Canada, England, Portugal, Poland, Macedonia, Italy, Uruguay, Sweden, and Switzerland. All of the recordings were mastered in New York. 🇺🇸🇨🇦🏴🇵🇹🇵🇱🇲🇰🇮🇹🇺🇾🇸🇪🇨🇭
For songs released after the debut EP, recordings are more focused on local Milwaukee musicians, but still include out-of-state and international talents.
For songs released after the debut EP, recordings are more focused on local Milwaukee musicians, but still include out-of-state and international talents.
What is "real" and what is "fake?"
Sort Answer: Almost everything is real.
Long answer: When the music for the EP was written, it was just guitar, bass, vocals, and A LOT of synthesized (programmed MIDI) instruments. It sounded like 16-bit video game music, so musicians were recruited to replace everything. Even the 11-person choir is real, except each person recorded themselves individually.
The only thing that wasn't preformed by a human on an instrument was some of the drums. However, for songs after the EP, a human drummer is tracked.
Long answer: When the music for the EP was written, it was just guitar, bass, vocals, and A LOT of synthesized (programmed MIDI) instruments. It sounded like 16-bit video game music, so musicians were recruited to replace everything. Even the 11-person choir is real, except each person recorded themselves individually.
The only thing that wasn't preformed by a human on an instrument was some of the drums. However, for songs after the EP, a human drummer is tracked.
Wait, tell me more about that choir!
Because we had a unique situation in that we didn't have a large group of people singing together in a room, we were able to record parts in a different way. For example, the ending of the song Dolorem has a choir part sung in 4-part harmony. However, rather than dividing 11 people into 4 parts with only 2 or 3 people per part, we had all 11 people sing each part. Higher voices sang an octave above the lower voices. Once all the tracks were layered on top of each other, it sounds like a 44-person choir singing 8-part harmony.
Wait, tell me more about the drums!
One of the songs (Somnium) was actually preformed and recorded on acoustic drums by Matthew Kopf in 2008, but the recorded audio files were unfortunately lost. An unusable reference track allowed John to program the parts in MIDI exactly how they were originally preformed.
The drum MIDI files were mixed using Steven Slate Drum samples.
After the debut release, Matt purchased an electronic-drum set, and now tracks drums for all post-EP songs.
The drum MIDI files were mixed using Steven Slate Drum samples.
After the debut release, Matt purchased an electronic-drum set, and now tracks drums for all post-EP songs.
Why is the EP artwork so good?
It was created by Kenneth Uzquiano. He studied at Ringling College of Art and Design. When discussing cover ideas, Gustave Doré was brought up. That lead to Kenneth focusing on extremely detailed line work, much like Doré's.
Are the lyrics radio-friendly?
Yes. There is no profanity. Lyrical themes touch on death, inequity, depression, inaptitude, torment, and meaninglessness. It does not promote violence or hate.
Is this RELIGIOUS music?
No, but it's understandable if you reached that conclusion after seeing the angel on the cover, the Latin titles, and hearing that cathedral pipe organ and choir. However, the lyrics are 100% secular.
Did you say there are some well-known musicians on these songs?
Depending on what music you listen to, you may have heard of some of the musicians on the Maledictis EP. All of the musicians are (or have been) involved in musical projects.
- Mariangela Demurtas is the lead singer of Tristania (Napalm Records), a Norwegian band that pioneered the Gothic Metal genre. Mariangela has been their singer since 2007. She more recently formed the band Ardours (Frontiers Records).
- Brian Koenig is the lead guitarist of Lords of the Trident, and formerly Luna Mortis (Century Media Records).
- J. Jacques is in the Vermont band QuaranTEAM.
- Diane Lee is in the Swiss band, Lost Journey.
- Stephanie Young is in Nine Worlds Ensemble.
- Janalynn Rose, Brett Benka, and Shane Olivo are members of Meltwater Pulse.
- The Tyson Brothers (John and Tim Tyson) are in Widacre, and previously Constant Haymakers.
- Jerry Bakkus is in All Very Tall, and previously The Everyday Motive.
- Matt Kopf was in Orphonic Orchestra.
- Maria Cantarelli Voermans was in Orphonic Orchestra.
- John Marszalkowski was in Orphonic Orchestra, The Everyday Motive, and Constant Haymakers.
How did 30 people record an album while QUARANTINED?
John wrote the songs using synthesized MIDI parts in place of the instruments he couldn't play himself. He tracked guitar and bass "direct in." He then emailed sheet music to the musicians. They recorded their parts themselves (using a metronome in their headphones) and emailed the recordings back. Some musicians had recording equipment while others recorded their parts with just their phones. All of the files were sent to Shane Olivo Audio, where it was mixed. Shane also chose drum samples as well as virtual amps and cabs. Once mixed, the files were sent to Alan Douches for mastering at West West Side in New York. The mastered tracks were sent out for production and distribution.
What influenced Maledictis?
"One of my favorite albums of all time is Darkest White by Tristania. I was listening to that album on repeat for years, including the time I spent writing the Maledictis EP.
My music is not metalcore, but some of my favorite bands are. In every song I write, there is at least one part in there that I hope Misery Signals approves of.
I grew up listening to a lot of Silverchair, and their album Neon Ballroom sparked something inside me.
I am downright jealous of the churchy parts of what Ghost is doing. If it wasn't for them, I'd feel like I was doing something really unique by incorporating the influence that years of mass had on me. But that's probably why I like Ghost.
I adore Allegri, Bach, Mozart, and the writers of any hymns I consistently hear at funerals.
I think Devin Townsend is a demigod... enough said."
- John Marszalkowski
My music is not metalcore, but some of my favorite bands are. In every song I write, there is at least one part in there that I hope Misery Signals approves of.
I grew up listening to a lot of Silverchair, and their album Neon Ballroom sparked something inside me.
I am downright jealous of the churchy parts of what Ghost is doing. If it wasn't for them, I'd feel like I was doing something really unique by incorporating the influence that years of mass had on me. But that's probably why I like Ghost.
I adore Allegri, Bach, Mozart, and the writers of any hymns I consistently hear at funerals.
I think Devin Townsend is a demigod... enough said."
- John Marszalkowski
What comes after the EP?
Several songs are in the works, so expect to see singles released periodically. The next single, Delicta, should be released in early 2022.
