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Credits
Some of this song's recording musicians. Photo by Troy Freund.
(Left to right) Katherine, Matthew, Kara, Johnny, Christina, Emelia. |
Woodwinds
Bassoon *: Christina Feigel Garrett Flute: Emelia Rudd Brass Tuba: Nathan Marshall Trumpet: Charlotte Marszalkowski Strings Violin & Viola *: Katherine Messer Cello *: Ian Wasserman Bass: Desiree Marszalkowski Guitar: Johnny Marszalkowski Percussion Drums & Pipe Organ: Matthew Kopf Vibraphone & Glockenspiel: Mike Neumeyer Marching Snare: Brian Marshall Voices Lead Vocals : Kara Melodic Choir *: Ally Hart, John Tyson, Andy Orlowski, Irma Doreing, and Valarie Doreing * Some parts recorded on location at the Polish Center of Wisconsin (Franklin, WI). All parts written, recorded, and edited by John Marszalkowski, except lead vocals recorded by Shane Olivo at Shane Olivo Audio in Cudahy, WI. Mixed and mastered by Shane Olivo. Artwork by Kenneth Uzquiano Photography by Troy Freund |
Lyrics
It's the end, this time.
This isn't fair.
I'm trying to heal.
This can't be real.
I've broken my mind.
I've lost control.
I'm breathing in vain;
dying in pain.
I hurt
I hurt
I hurt
I love you
This isn't fair.
I'm trying to heal.
This can't be real.
I've broken my mind.
I've lost control.
I'm breathing in vain;
dying in pain.
I hurt
I hurt
I hurt
I love you
Even more info about the song
In 2021, Johnny had reached out to Christina about writing a song for her to play that would center itself around a bassoon melody. The initial riff was a fun trip up and down the harmonic minor scale. However, the song's mood began to shift dramatically with the untimely death of Johnny's mother. A reflection of life itself, the song became a contrast of major and minor highs and lows.
Despite the melancholic lyrics and music, the production of the song was an extremely joyful and therapeutic experience.
- It includes performances by Johnny's daughter, wife, brother, and nephew.
His 6-year-old daughter started trumpet lessons shortly after he started writing the song, and she was the first musician to record on it. Johnny also got to play music with his wife again, who he had been in multiple bands with in the past. Playing bass on this song marked 20 years of musical collaboration. He also recruited his brother and nephew to record marching snare and tuba. - All of the musicians are local to the Milwaukee area.
The choir is Maledictis' first in-person choir recording. On the previous recordings, the choir had been performed by individual singers from across the globe, and those recordings were mixed together to create a "virtual choir." However, since all of the singers for this song were local, the choir was able to be recorded together, in person. Unlike the Maledictis recordings of the past, Johnny was able to record almost all of the musicians himself. - Friendships, new and old.
The song features the return of several musicians, including Matthew, Emma, Nathan, Ian, and John. But it was also an introduction to Christina, Katherine, Kara, and Mike. Additionally, friends volunteered to sing in the choir, making a grand total of 17 musicians. - For what sometimes feels like a DIY recording project, it still reaps the rewards of an experienced audio engineer. Shane Olivo, who mixed and mastered the song, has been producing, tracking, and mixing for over a quarter-century.
- Album art was created by Kenneth Uzquiano, who also illustrated and designed the previous Maledictis releases.
About Maledictis
Maledictis is an unusual style of rock music, combining melodic vocals, orchestral instruments, and heavy guitars & drums. Like a reimagined secular requiem, it offers hints of sacred influence, giving it a truly unique sound.
Maledictis emerged as a means to collaborate with musicians around the world during the COVID-19 quarantine, releasing the debut self-titled EP on December 22nd, 2020.
After the EP, their first single, Delicta, was released on March 4th, 2022. It featured a hybrid of local and remote international musicians.
Their new single, Breathing In Vain, is scheduled for release on March 3rd, 2023. It features musicians entirely from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
After the EP, their first single, Delicta, was released on March 4th, 2022. It featured a hybrid of local and remote international musicians.
Their new single, Breathing In Vain, is scheduled for release on March 3rd, 2023. It features musicians entirely from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Founded by songwriter and guitarist John Marszalkowski (Orphonic Orchestra, The Everyday Motive, Constant Haymakers), the lineup has been fluid with each recording. Musicians who have been featured on multiple Maledicits releases include Mariangela Demurtas (Tristania, Ardours), Brian Koenig (Lords of the Trident, Luna Mortis), Matthew Kopf (Orphonic Orchestra), Emelia Rudd, Ian Wasserman (Memphis Symphony Orchestra), Nathan Marshall (DCI), and The Tyson Brothers (Widacre, Constant Haymakers).
Averaging just over three-thousand streams per month, Maledictis is beginning to find its audience.
