By Carl Begai

Back in 2004 former SKYCLAD frontman Martin Walkyier announced the birth of THE CLAN DESTINED, a collaborative effort with ex-Immortal/Necrophagia bassist Iscariah to create their own unique brand of metal mayhem (see BW&BK #78). With songwriting well underway the pair set about recruiting players and recording demos, but by the end of the year Iscariah had quit and The Clan Destined as a band was history. It was anything but an amicable split, with Walkyier on one side and the rest of the band on the other, both sides laying claim to the music with lawyers on board to keep things fair and square.

Ultimately it was Walkyier that ended up releasing The Clan Destined’s first and last outing, aptly named In The Big Ending… It not only represents the end of Walkyier’s dream of creating something special, but the end of his career as a professional musician.

“The full story of what truly happened here is a comical farce, which makes Spinal Tap appear almost dull and humourless by comparison,” says Walkyier, who has been able to keep his sense of humour through what is revealed to be a horror story. “Had I been watching all this as a movie on TV or cinema screen then I would undoubtedly have found the whole twisted storyline absolutely hilarious. Unfortunately, it happened very much for real. Firstly, I’d like to state that I really and truly enjoyed collaborating with Iscariah on In The Big Ending… recordings up until his both unexpected and unexplained departure in December 2004. This whole matter of The Clan Destined’s ‘split’ is a huge misconception in my opinion. If you look at the list of people who actually played and performed on the new CD, well, with the sole exception of Iscariah I would most gladly work with all of them again and I am still in regular contact with the vast majority of these people.”

The disintegration of Walkyier’s partnership with Iscariah resulted in lawyers mediating the conflict. In an interview with BW&BK in April 2005 Iscariah stated his reasons for leaving the band were “because of musical differences, but since then it's become a personal thing.” The official press release that followed claimed The Clan Destined’s break-up was “due to unprofessional behavior and defamation of character by Martin Walkyier.”

Walkyier responds: “I’m deeply sorry if ever my words or actions have unintentionally caused any distress to Iscariah. If he truly feels that I have in any tangible way defamed his character or done him wrong, then I’d suggest that the correct manner in which to attempt to resolve this matter should have been either: a) in person, b) on the phone, or c) within a court of law. Most certainly not upon the pages of Blabbermouth, metal magazines and many other internet forums as Iscariah most unfortunately chose to do. My lawyer has a thick file of printed emails, press cuttings and a PC hard drive filled with some of the most blatantly slanderous, vile and malicious messages and forum posts possibly imaginable. Thankfully, I have a very good lawyer indeed to deal with all that bullshit from now on. I am currently far too busy working on future projects and caring for my family, and I really feel that the time has come to lay this whole sorry matter to rest.”

While the release of In The Big Ending… could be interpreted as a victory for Walkyier, he sees it more as closure on a project dear to his heart.

“What I basically ‘won’ here was the right to release these recordings all alone and at my own expense, which I have tried to do as closely as possible to our original concept,” he says. “It cost me dearly in both personal time and money to complete this project, and yet it is my sincerest wish to ensure that everyone gets the fair royalties they rightfully deserve for their contribution to the finished demo. These songs were just intended as the demos for what was meant to be a long term musical venture, and it is a real shame that Iscariah couldn’t find it within himself to see this through to the end as I have had to do.”

The Clan Destined was a labour of love, but Walkyier readily admits he questioned his reasons for following through along the way. Many times.

“There were actually more times that I doubted myself than when I believed, if you get what I mean. There were certainly a few tears of anguish mixed in with the beads of perspiration while recording the vocals for this CD, I can assure you. What made me continue? I’m not sure to be honest. Maybe it was the fact that a small handful of loyal friends like Andy Sneap still believed in me? Who knows? I must be insane. There were a lot of talented people who had worked hard on this project, and had I just given up then I would have felt as if I’d let them all down very badly indeed. I’m also the type of chap who believes that once you start a job, you have a duty to see that it gets finished to the best of your ability.”

“In The Big Ending… would never have even seen the light of day had it not been for the assistance, support and true friendship shown to me by Andy Sneap (producer) and James Murphy (producer/guitarist),” he continues. “Basically, they’re responsible for saving this project from the scrap heap, and even though they’re given full credit on the CD words truly cannot express how grateful I am for their support during my darkest hour. Andy really liked the music I’d written with Iscariah and witnessed first-hand all the childish bullshit I went through once he’d decided to quit. Andy wanted to help me complete the demo, but he had the guys from Nevermore coming to the UK to record in his studio at the very same time. That’s when James most kindly offered to travel over from the US and work on getting the vocals recorded and helping Andy with the final mixes. Andy and James are both great guys, and this final stage of the recording and mixing was the most enjoyable aspect of the whole thing for me. They were not only responsible for the co-production, they also both played some lead guitar parts on the CD. James also played the bass guitar on the two slow sections of ‘More Than War’ because Iscariah hadn't completed this before he quit the project. I’ll never forget all their help and kindness.”

So, with The Clan Destined dead and buried save for a six song EP/demo, does Walkyier feel bitterness or relief now that it’s over?

“I initially thought that everything to do with this CD would forever leave a bitter taste in my mouth, but when I held a final, finished copy featuring the excellent artwork of Paul McCarroll I was instantly overcome with an enormous sense of both pride and achievement. I have never before had to be directly involved from the start to the very finish in all aspects of an album’s production. Completing this CD tested my resourcefulness and tenacity to their utmost limits, and I’ve learned very much indeed from this experience. While I would never wish to go through all this again, it has taught me to embrace a challenge and never give up no matter what obstacles fate may put in your path.”

Sadly, In The Big Ending… also marks an end to Walkyier’s focus on music as a career. And while he will be reuniting with his old band Sabbat – also featuring Andy Sneap – to open three shows for Cradle Of Filth in the UK in December, Walkyier has turned his sights on working on book ideas with Pagan sculptor and artist Neil Sims.

“I can’t really imagine what life will be like for me without making music, as it has formed such a large part of my life for so many years,” he admits. “I can’t, however, go through the nightmare I have recently endured ever again. Especially with an ill, elderly father to look after. It took six years following my departure from Skyclad to get these songs released, and even though I’m proud of the final results, this was I’m afraid not a very profitable use of my time and creativity. There is every chance that I’ll be doing some guest vocals or writing for other musicians and bands in the future. If anyone is sincerely interested then they merely have to contact me via The Clan Destined website. So long as they don’t get me to do the guest vocals, then quit and leave me to finish off and release the CD for them on my own I don’t mind (laughs). I have many lyrics and stories left inside my head, and I will do whatever it takes to enable me to share them with everyone.”

With regards to the Sabbat reunion, it’s merely a chance for old friends to get together and bash out some old tunes. There are no long term plans to keep the band going.

“I guess that myself, Frazer Craske (bass) and Simon Jones (guitar) already rediscovered those old Sabbat tracks when we did the Return To The Sabbat 'tribute band' a few years ago, but I must say it's awesome to be working together with Andy Sneap and Simon Negus again after all these years,” Walkyier says. “It was really funny when we all met together again for the first time in 17 years. Even though we're all much older now, our personalities haven't really changed that much. It kind of feels like being 18 years old all over again - sadly with less hair, but thankfully without all the acne (laughs). Personally I'm looking forward to doing this (the COF shows) because hopefully it will restore my faith in the fact that making metal can actually be fun. After all that went tragically wrong with The Clan Destined I now desperately need to do something enjoyable for a change. It's also nice to be rehearsing in Andy Sneap's lovely air-conditioned studio rather than the dark, dank, rat-infested dungeon we composed and rehearsed those Sabbat tracks in almost 20 years ago (laughs).”

“I've read a few comments on message boards saying that this reunion is us 'cashing-in' on the current thrash revival, but I can assure you that this is most certainly not the case. Our sole intention is to get out on the road and have a right good laugh with Cradle Of Filth, and possibly appear at a few of the select metal festivals. We have no intention to carry this on as a long-term venture, and even though we've already been offered several lucrative record deals for Sabbat we've no plans for recording a new album. Personally, I think it would be impossible to recreate the essential 'vibe' that made this Sabbat music what it was way back in the ‘80s. This is merely intended as a final chance for all the diehard fans to get to hear these ancient songs played live on-stage. These gigs will most probably be the last shows I ever play live, so it will be nice to have the opportunity to say goodbye to all the many loyal fans who have so kindly supported me in my numerous musical exploits over the last two highly memorable decades.”