Martin: Hello Britton! It's a pleasure to asked for an interview on your site. I hope that yourself and your readers are having a happy and prosperous 2006 so far. I guess I would best describe myself as one of the numerous people who've realised that there's something deeply wrong with the way in which our planet is being run. The politicians and leaders are assholes; concerned only with their own financial well-being, and who show little respect for the environment or other global issues which currently threaten us all. I have spent the last 20 years of my life trying to tell people my thoughts and opinions on this matter through my songs, poetry and other writings.

Martin: 'A few snags' would be a major understatement! The full story of what exactly has happened here is a tale which makes Spinal Tap seem like a stroll through the park by comparison. I have neither the time or the desire to go into the gruesome details, but suffice it to say that the events of the last 12 months have currently put me off making music ever again. To cut a long story short, Iscariah moved from Norway to Nottingham (U.K.) in January 2004. From the moment he arrived he was welcomed into my family and circle of friends, and we began working in earnest on The Clan Destined's "In The Big Ending..." demo recordings. The songwriting and recording process progressed slowly but surely over the following months, and this whole project began to become something far bigger and better than we'd ever imagined it could be. All was going extremely well, until on the 16th December 2004 Iscariah came over to my house and informed me that he was no longer happy with the way our project was going and didn't want to be part of The Clan Destined anymore. I asked him what was wrong and tried my utmost to resolve the problem, but it sadly appeared that his mind was made-up on this matter. The nearest I got to an explanation was that he "had a feeling in his heart that he couldn't put into words". Despite having a written agreement with Iscariah that we'd work together in order to see the TCD demo completed, it soon became blatantly clear from his emails that I was alone 'left holding the baby' as the saying goes. I realised that the only way I would get these songs completed for the fans to hear was by doing it myself. It was around this time that several pathetic individuals, (who were keen to see this project fail for reasons I cannot begin to imagine), then began saying slanderous and defamatory things about me on various internet chat-rooms and message boards. All this at a time when my old father was very ill in hospital, it is a period in my life that I dearly wish to forget and put behind me as I'm sure you can understand.

Martin: The Clan Destined demo recordings were saved from the Heavy Metal scrapheap by the kind intervention of Andy Sneap and James Murphy. They witnessed the vast amount of childish bullshit I was going through at this time, and also loved the material that I had written together with Iscariah. It is solely due to Andy and James' friendship and support that I got through this dilemma and managed to get these recordings completed, and I shall never forget the help they gave me! There were many people aside from myself and Iscariah who had worked extremely hard to make this project happen. If I had just given-up without a fight I would honestly have felt as if I'd let them all down very badly indeed.

Martin: There is a download of a TCD track called "T.C. Lethbridge" available on the downloads page of www.theclandestined.com - I don't know if it's the best example to use for what the new material sounds like, as it's just a cover-version of a song originally written by Julian Cope for a band called The Sons of T.C. Lethbridge. As to whether this TCD music sounds like nothing you've heard before, I'll have to let the fans decide that one. What I do know is that I've worked with a lot of highly talented people on this, and the line-up on these recordings is one which will sadly never be heard again.

Martin: I plan to release these recordings in a strictly limited-edition format via The Clan Destined website to begin with. If an honest and reliable distribution company present themselves then it may be released in the future to a wider audience with proper distribution. My main concern at present is to get the songs out there, so the fans can finally hear what we've done and I can have some kind of 'closure' on what has proven to be a very difficult couple of years.

Martin: When The Clan Destined project was in its early stages we talked with a lot of people about the possibility of them becoming involved. I am a big fan of Andrea's work and like her as a person, so it's a real shame that nothing came together with her in the end. I am always on the lookout for creative and like minded individuals to work with, but have no plans to do any music for the foreseeable future (if ever). The lady who ended up doing the female vocals on these tracks is called Grim Rita from www.faceparty.com The story of how we both met is one of the strangest 'coincidences' imaginable, and sadly another tale that I don't have the time to tell at present.

Martin: Cruachan contacted me a while ago about the possibility of me doing some backing vocals. I think they're a great bunch of people, and naturally agreed. I haven't yet heard the song they want me to sing, but providing my vocals will work on the track I should be going to Ireland to work with them sometime in February this year.

Martin: I'd love to do some writing for other bands. I am starting to feel very inspired lately, and am always keen to find as many outlets for my writing as possible.

Martin: I'm currently working on an illustrated book together with pagan artist and sculptor Neil Sims, (he did the sculpture of The Horned God that you can see in my photograph). It will probably be a collection of 3 short stories, and at present it's all coming together rather nicely. It will be released initially via The Clan Destined website only, then I'll look for a publishing deal if there proves to be a market for the rantings of an insane pagan Englishman.

Martin: When we began work on The Clan Destined I decided to give-up my old site, as it was proving to be a bit of a drain on my time and energy. I am still carrying-on with The Clan Destined vision, and have had numerous cool people come forward over the last year who want to become involved. I think it's more appropriate to continue this work via www.theclandestined.com as there are many different people contributing aside from myself.

Martin: I think it's a very positive thing that younger bands are starting to take an interest in their musical heritage. I'm therefore proud to think that Skyclad had a part to play in this process. It was always my heartfelt dream to see the energy of Metal music mixed with elements from more traditional styles; and if other, young bands can take this to a new dimension beyond what Skyclad achieved then I wish them all the best of luck. Mission accomplished!

Martin: Return To The Sabbat was a 'tribute' band I formed following my departure from Skyclad. People were constantly asking me if I'd ever play the old Sabbat material again, and I though that doing so would be cool as a last chance for the fans to hear these songs again live. Everyone who saw Return To The Sabbat thoroughly enjoyed themselves I reckon, and we tried our very best to play this classic music in a respectful and honest manner. Whilst I've no plans to play any Sabbat tracks again, we do have a live recording from a great live show at The Garage in London which I may release at some future date.

Martin: Unfortunately I have no say whatsoever about what happens with these old recordings. They belonged to Noise Records, who subsequently sold them all the The Sanctuary Group. I have numerous requests also for the Sabbat "Dreamweaver" album, plus many of the earlier Skyclad recordings which are no longer on general release. It is entirely up to Sanctuary whether this material is re-released or not, and so I guess that they're the people that you and your readers should be contacting. Myself and Andy Sneap have hassled them several times over the years, but with little success I'm sorry to say.

Martin: As I'm sure you can imagine, leaving a band which you formed and worked together with for over 10 years is not a decision to be taken lightly. There were numerous reasons behind my departure from Skyclad, and I had been deeply unhappy with the way things were going for several years prior to my quitting the band. When we started we were the only band playing Folk Metal, now as you stated earlier there are literally hundreds. I see little point in stepping backwards, and would prefer to concentrate my talents on future projects where they may have the most innovative impact. I think that Kevin Ridley is a great singer and lyricist by the way, his former band Forgodsake were amongst my favourite British bands. Whether he's the correct singer for Skyclad is not my place to say, that's purely for the fans to decide. I wish them the very best of luck for the future.

Martin: All my lyrics come either from personal experience or cover issues that are very close to my heart. I have always endeavoured to write with honesty and passion, as I don't see how it can truly be done any other way. It has taken me 5 years since leaving Skyclad to complete The Clan Destined recordings; and though I'm deeply proud of what we've achieved, I don't really think that this was a very productive use of my time. That's why I've turned to writing as my new creative outlet. There's nobody to depend upon apart from myself, and I will be infinitely less likely to get either ripped-off or let down in the future.

Martin: Our planet is dying, make no mistake about it! One look at the weather we're having is enough to set my alarm bells ringing, yet humanity hides from the truth like an ostrich with its head buried firmly in the sand. If all the countries of the world pulled together to combat Global Warming then something could possibly still be done to prevent drastic environmental melt-down, but I don't see that happening in the current political climate to be honest. Our 'leaders' are too busy looking for a terrorist in every closet, unwilling to even contemplate the real terror which awaits us all. When the last polar ice caps have melted and what was once lush rain forest lies deep below the poisoned ocean's surface; I can clearly see in my minds eye George W. Bush and Osama Bin Laden standing on top of what's left of Mount Everest, still argueing like madmen until their dying breath about whether it's better to worship God or Allah. I'm sorry to say that these dumb-ass fuck-wits will undoubtedly prove to be the death of us all!

Martin: Since leaving Skyclad I've sadly no idea what has happened with this. I hope that she's OK, but knowing how tight the British government are on immigration at the moment she was probably deported back a long time ago.

Martin: My son Rowan will be 16 this year. He's fine, thanks for asking...getting taller by the day, unlike his old dad. lol. He's playing guitar in a school Thrash band called Genocide. I'm printing some band shirts for him as soon as he emails me his logo. I don't plan to have any more kids, as I really don't consider that this world is much of a place to bring children into anymore.

Martin: I've been running my own merchandise label at www.prick-tees.com for the last 4 years. I print shirt designs aimed at heathen Metal-heads and also do printing work for bands who are unable to find quality merchandise at reasonable prices. It's not made me rich, but it pays the bills and is a whole lot of fun to be involved with.

Martin: My proudest moment was finally hearing The Clan Destined "In The Big Ending..." demo finished and mixed for the very first time. I always knew that doing something this unique in a different way wouldn't be easy, but never imagined that it could prove quite so demanding. The end result is awesome in my humble opinion, and can truly think of nothing else I've ever done that I would rather have as my final ever musical release. There were times when I doubted myself and thought that it couldn't be done, and a few 'nay-sayers' trying their best to put me down at every stage. Now it's done, and my hope is that it will be a lasting tribute to all the hard work put in by many talented people. It is a shining example of how teamwork and cooperation can overcome many obstacles, and I'm proud to have played a part in making it happen.

Martin: I've done countless live shows over the years, and with a rare few exceptions I've loved them all. I guess my favourites would be Wacken, Dynamo and Gods Of Metal. (Sorry I couldn't pick just one - lol!). One of my greatest regrets is that I never got to perform in the U.S. - Maybe I'll get the chance in my next life perhaps?

Martin: When Tony Blair first came to power everyone thought that he would bring about a change for the better. Britain had endured decades of Conservative (Republican) rule, and a brand-new Labour (Democrat) government promised such great things for the once 'Great' Britain. It therefore came as a huge disappointment to myself and the rest of the naive people who initially voted for Blair to discover that he's just as corrupt and two-faced as the vast majority of politicians. Oh sure, he wants us all to think that he's 'cool, hip and knows where the kids are coming from man' - hence his appearance on The Simpsons. I guess you guys don't get much of the U.K. news reports over in the U.S., but please believe me when I say that Blair's many lies have been exposed by the press and even politicians from his own party over the years. I cannot even contemplate why he followed George 'Dubya' Bush into an illegal war in Iraq, causing the unnecessary deaths of countless young men and women who should still be alive, at home and watching The Simpsons instead of sacrificing themselves merely to line the pockets of rich businessmen with the profits from Iraqi and Afghani oil. Tony B(liar), 'Dubya' and friends are all part of the reason why we live in such a stupid, fucked-up world. They have the blood of innocents on their hands, and I don't know how they even get to sleep at night.

Martin: Thanks for the great interview Britton! All the best to yourself and the rest of the Metal Coven team. I'd just like to thank all the countless kind people who've sent me encouraging, supportive messages to The Clan Destined website over the last year. It is your support that has actually got me through all this and helped to make TCD the demo happen. Though this will be my last musical release, you can be sure that I'm working hard to carry on spreading the pagan word in every way available to me. The events of the last 12 months may have taken Martin out of Metal, but they'll never take the Metal out of Martin! May your guardian-spirits be with you always. I am because we are! Martin Walkyier.