Erik Sprooten

Interview with Erik Sprooten

(Ancient Rites, Plusminus, Inquisitor)

Hail Erik! How did you spend the summer? Did you visit some great concerts or festivals?

- I spend the summer most of the time being busy at my job, but during my three weeks off, I went to Slovenia to a festival called Metaldays. Last year I've been there too when it was still called Metalcamp, and I already got my ticket for Metaldays next year. Unfortunately I didn't go to much festivals this summer, but maybe next year I'll visit a few more. Nevertheless, I always go to a lot of concerts throughout the year, and also this year I've been to some very interesting concerts.

Please, tell us all the important information about hard rock cover-band Plusminus, where you are also playing.

- Plusminus is basically a hard rock cover-band, which performs songs from bands such as AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Airbourne, Judas Priest, KISS, Rose Tattoo etc. We try to play the songs we perform quite close to the original version, and we also present the songs with an unpolished sound, the way hardrock was meant to be in my opinion. In the end the most important thing is, that we enjoy playing these great hardrock tunes. Our line-up is: Arie Kampman – Vocals, Peter Jung – Lead & Rhythm guitar, Erik Sprooten – Lead & Rhythm guitar, Alex Bakker – Bass guitar, Chiel Lozeman – Drums. The members of Plusminus are experienced musicians with roots in metal music. Besides myself, also Arie left some mark in the metal scene. You can hear him grunt on the album “Embrace Damnation” of the dutch death metal band Houwitser. However, in Plusminus Arie doesn't grunt at all, but actually sings very versatile. Alex used to be bass-player in Inquisitor and can be heard on both demo's. Chiel used to play in a death metal band called Sublustris together with Arie. Peter did play metal for a short while, but he has developed himself as a (hard)rock & blues guitarist.

Share please with the readers some details about foundation “Noord Geldersch Metaal”. How popular metal music is in your hometown, Harderwijk?

- Metal music still has a following in my area, but about ten years ago, there used to be a great rock/metal bar for a few years, and during those years, the popularity of metal over here was at its peak. After this bar closed, Noord Geldersch Metaal (NGM) was founded. The main goal of NGM is to promote and support our local metal scene and the metal scene in general. We used to organize gigs in very small clubs in our area. Up until a few years ago, we had to organize our 'bigger' metal gigs in a venue further away from our area but nowadays we mostly organize gigs (in two formats) in Harderwijk in a venue called Estrado. We do all styles of metal (and sometimes rock) and of course a lot of bands from our area and a lot of Dutch metal bands played at our metal events, but also foreign bands like Onslaught, Holy Moses, Freedom Call, Hysterica, Crematory, Sathanas, Nunslaughter etc. 

Before Ancient Rites you played in the legendary band Inquisitor, who released an LP in 1996 called "Walpurgis-Sabbath of Lust ". We heard you wanted to re-release it this year, will this happen?

- The plan is, that the re-release of “Walpurgis – Sabbath of Lust” will happen next year via Hammerheart Records. The original release in 1996, was released on CD only. But the re-release will be available on CD and also on vinyl. Both demo's will also be part of the re-release too. And maybe some live footage will be added, but that depends on the quality. I was searching through my pile of underground fanzines with Inquisitor reviews and interviews I did, to see if there's interesting and/or useful stuff which can be used for the re-release. The search certainly brought back great memories. 

Who came up with the idea for the name? Were there other names before Inquisitor?

- It was probably our bass-player (and founding member) Alex Bakker who came up with the name I think, 'cause he wrote most of the lyrics and probably stumbled across the word Inquisitor while reading about the Inquisition as inspiration for the lyrics. There was a temporary name before which I can't remember, but we used that temporary name for a few weeks/months until we finally called ourselves Inquisitor.

What is your favourite Ancient Rites song and album and why?

- First of all, I like all our, but some of them stand out a bit more. One of our songs which I like very much is Mother Europe, probably 'cause there are some of my best musical ideas in it, but it also is a song where everybody added great musical ideas to it, which makes this song a team effort, and this song has definitely become a favorite among the Ancient Rites Troopers. 

My favourite album? That's a difficult question, but I consider the album Rubicon probably as my favourite album mainly because I find the production and mix of that album much more optimal compared to the previous albums.  

What do you think about another bands of Gunther, as Iron Clad and Lion's Pride? As far as we know, you played guitar on 3 Iron Clad songs on the album "Lost in a Dream". Tell us more about this cooperation.

- I like those bands but from a musical point of view I prefer Iron Clad more than Lion's Pride. Musically, Iron Clad feels much closer to my musical taste than Lion's Pride. I don't know exactly whose idea it was to ask me for doing some guitar solo’s on the Iron Clad album(s) and also on the “Stand and Defend” album of Lion's Pride, but I know that Gunther and Rony appreciate my way of playing guitar solo’s. In the end it was, logically, Gunther who asked me if I was interested in doing some guitar solo’s on an album for a project he was asked to collaborate, which later became the “Lost in a Dream” album of Iron Clad. The guitar solo’s were more or less recorded on the spot and mainly improvised. I haven't heard a single note of the music of Iron Clad before I entered the studio, so I didn't do any preparation to create some guitar solo’s or parts of them at home. Still the result satisfies me, and I'm glad that I'm able to improvise and create a guitar solo on the spot, if necessary. Even in live situations with Ancient Rites I do some improvisation on some of my guitar solo’s.

What was your first guitar and what model(s) do you use nowadays?

- My very first guitar was actually a right-handed Ibanez Roadster, which I restrung so I could play it left-handed. (For those who don't know or never did notice, I'm a left-handed guitarist). Basically this Ibanez guitar was some kind of a Fender Stratocaster copy with single coil pick-ups, but without a pick-guard. I don't have this guitar in my possession anymore, which I don't regret. My first left-handed guitar is my Ferrari Red LAG VRL, which is a Rhandy Rhoads Flying-V. Although this isn't a custom-made guitar, it still was made for me after I commissioned LAG (via a shop) to built their Randy Rhoads Flying-V model in a left-handed configuration. It took a few months to built but it was absolutely worth the wait. I still have this guitar to this day and I performed all gigs from Inquisitor with this guitar and (almost) every gig of Ancient Rites till just before the live-recordings of “And The Hordes Stood As One”. I still use this guitar from time to time, and this guitar is the one I consider as my real first guitar. My main guitars at the moment are Gibson Flying-V, Gibson Explorer and The Heritage H150 Black which is a Les Paul model. 

Your top 5 all-time favorite guitarists?

Michael Schenker (ex-U.F.O., MSG)

Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule)

Uli-Jon Roth (ex-Scorpions)

Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)

K.K. Downing (ex-Judas Priest)

I actually like a lot of guitarists, but the ones mentioned are the ones I admire most at this moment as individual players.

Are you into in classical music? If yes, which compositors do you prefer?

- I do like to listen to classical music but only from time to time. I can't really say that I prefer certain composers at this moment but I'm familiar with some music of Beethoven, Vivaldi, Schubert, Strauss, JS Bach and  some others. There is definitely some great classical music recorded, which I should hear. I will definitely go to a classical concert in the near future. The closest thing to a classical concert I've been to was (The Original) Rock meets Classic earlier this year. 

The Netherlands and Belgium are both well-known about famous painters. Have you any favorite painters and paintings? Would you be so kind recommend us some museums?

- We are definitely known for painters like Rembrandt, Rubens (Be), Vermeer but also Van Gogh. A well-known museum in The Netherlands is the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam where a few paintings of Rembrandt, Rubens and Vermeer can be admired. And if you want to see some paintings of Van  Gogh, you should go to the Kröller Müller Museum, which is not that far from where I live. I've been there once and there is quite a lot of modern art to be seen too. Some modern art I can appreciate but quite a lot of modern art I find extremely tasteless and a waste of money and materials. I appreciate our famous painters from the past most, but can't say that I prefer one.

Dank je wel, Erik! The last words from Ancient hordes are yours!

- Hail Georgius, thanks for this interview! World Wake Up! Keep supporting metal!

Important links: 

Ancient Rites: facebook.com/ancientrites?fref=ts


Inquisitor: facebook.com/InquisitorXtremeThrash?ref=ts&fref=ts

Plusminus: facebook.com/plusminusrocks/?fref=ts

Erik Sprooten artist-page: facebook.com/Erik-Sprooten-623899868029148

(Questions compiled by Georgius and Sorin Necrotrooper)

Peter Karlsson (The Pete Flesh Deathtrip)

Interview with Peter Karlsson 
(ex-Maze  of Torment/ex-Deceiver,
The Pete Flesh Deathtrip)

Hail Pete! While this is the first interview with you tell more what you've done since our last discussion! 

- The album finally got out after several delays (no blame to the label). Done some promotion work, little interviews etc. Just spreading the word.

Now returning to your band, you just released a new album on May 27th. On which physical formats is the album released: vinyl, tape or CD? How did you choose the title, what is it about? Do you see it as a conceptual album? 

- Only released on CD right now. But there are plans to have it out on vinyl through Temple of Whores records, lots of delays there as well. But I hope it will be out until at least December. The title came along when I've red a Swedish criminal book and when I saw it there was no question about it. The meaning of the title is "The dead teach the living". 

No, no special concept, but the title can be put in so many different contexts and forms, which attracts me in the sense that you can form a lot of different stories that fits into an overall concept.

This is your 4th album, and the 1st under the name The Pete Flesh Deathtrip. How do you see it compared to the first three albums? 

- More variation. I think all the albums have strong material and songs, but this one has better structured throughout the whole album. There are more influences, more of everything and more.....hm, space. Of course the fact that I use a different studio, different drummer and a guest vocalist on half of the album gives it a big difference also. I will always sound like I do, but will always try to put in small details that gives it a little new vibe for every release.

Mickael Broberg, one of the guest musicians did killing vocal parts on "Mortui Vivos Docent". What is Your opinion about his latest bands/projects, as Born For Burning and The 13th Passenger?

 - I like ´em both and think Micke is a really talented person and sure that he will succeed big time with his music. Much better musician than me. But I do what I do and he does what he does. I´m really satisfied with his contribution on the album and his understanding on how things should be done.

Did you start to write new tracks for The Pete Flesh Deathtrip? What is the situation nowadays with your other band/project THROWN?  

- Yes I have. It have been around 2 years since I did the last song for "Mortui Vivos Docent", so the inspiration is really big and ideas are coming up all the time. There will be no more THROWN. I will use all relevant, and in my ears, good stuff for The Pete Flesh Deathtrip. Actually one song have an pure THROWN riff that should have been used there. I don´t see any point for me anymore to have side projects etc. Everything I do sounds like me anyway. There will be more variation, but all I do and create will always have the same "fire" behind it. I try to create different atmospheres and emotional differences, contrasts etc. To be able to do that I also need to find different expressions.

What do you think about the social networks as Facebook, MySpace etc. help to reach fans for your band? 

- I´m not a big fan of Facebook when it comes to promoting your music. Seems more important on how many likes you have than that people actually listen and are interested in your music. In my point I thought that old Myspace was a lot better. You could create something more personal for the band in lay-outs etc. Also a player, band info etc. directly in your face. I have nothing against, that it´s easier to make contacts with everything, from fans to labels. But something have got lost in all this internet stuff. In my opinion there was a bigger creative spark before, people like yourself, that have that "fire" for what you do. In a sense it feels more like people are consuming music today like going to Mc Donalds or IKEA, if you get my point. But times changing, maybe I´m just an old complaining fart.

Can you imagine that you'll play with your son in a common metal band in the future? 

- Yes, for sure. We have already a band called BLOOD ON THE AXE. But there will take some time before we record anything. He is only 7 years old and are still learning, but like the band name and a lot of the riffs comes from him. I guess I´m just a guest musician that will be kicked out when stuff starts to happen. Like it should be.

Where do you take inspirations for your lyrics from? 

- Mostly, stuff that relates to the dead and death in general. We all can relate to it and have different expreciances from it, I try to make it from my experiences, reflections and journeys to find different views on it. It has attracts me since I was a kid, it comes natural for me. There are tons of topics that you can relate to this factor and write about. Of course, sometimes there are lyrics written that has nothing to do with it, but not often. I at least must find it interesting.

Could you please name some of your favourite books and documentaries or movies? 

- I explain my taste instead of name dropping. I like most that have some kind of reality behind it. It could be about a ballerina from Russia to a Satanist that have lived alone in a dungeon. You know, people that burn for what they are doing, how they reflects and explain their way of thinking. That manic side of people that almost, and sometimes have, driven them to insanity. I can relate to that. My point is, not being narrow-minded also allows you to develop and find new ways of thinking to reach your own goals. I read a lot of psychological stuff. Different disorders. About alcohol and drug addicts. Prostitution. Religions. A lot of stuff that relates to different form of music. Deep ways of thinking around death and universe. Tons of different topics.

Have you any favourite football teams from Sweden or worldwide?

 

- Beside music me and my son share a passion for watching football, also to play it ourself. DIF (Djurgårdens) in Sweden, then Liverpool and Barca outside.

Sweden is well-known for its Viking heritage. What the Norse mythology, gods, runestones mean to you? 

- I myself have no connection at all to those subjects. Not that I have anything against it, have just never interested me. I like some music that have felt with those subjects, like mighty BATHORY.

Did you ever meet Jon Nödtveidt personally? What is your opinion about Him?

- I met Jon 3 times. We played with them in 1995 in Borås, Sweden when I was in Maze of Torment. It was sick how good they were. Then at some show in Stockholm, don't really remember who was playing. But I remember we had some discussion over our love for King Diamond. The last time was in 2005 when we played at the same festival, Inferno in Norway. We talked a little in the hotel lobby, he asked a bit about my new band I had at that time, Deceiver. He knew that I was a huge Dissection fan so we talked of course about that as well. My opinion about Jon is that he was a great and unique songwriter. I never knew him as a friend or anything like that, but he was always nice to me and we always hit the nerve and passion for music the few times we talked. Nothing but respect for all the great music he created.

Tack så mycket, Pete! In the end, share your thoughts to the readers. 

- Thanx a lot bro for the support again, grateful. Other than that - "Children of all slaves, Stand united and proud, All people of bondage shall triumph, And live by the sign of...Blood Fire Death!"

Links about The Pete Flesh Deathtrip:

myspace.com/peteflesh 

facebook.com/peteflesh/info

Deceiver-fanpage :
 facebook.com/deceiversweden?fref=ts

(Interview with Pete has taken by Georgius and Sorin Necrotrooper)

 

Daniel AverX

Interview with Daniel AverX  
(Morbid Funeral, AverXu AtrIum,  
Zwarte Vlam)

Salve Daniel! How did you become a metalhead? Tell us about the bands you played in and the activity in those bands! 

- Salve my brother Georgius thanks for taking your time for this interview.

Actually the history started with my father, uncle and cousin. Since I was a young kid, they always put me rock and roll music and some heavy metal stuff, like: Kiss, Black Sabbath, Dio, Iron Maiden, old Helloween among others. I was very young but they always gave advices for buying music like: "support the real matter" , and  "if you wanna support any band, you must buy the material, no mp3, support the real music"  they said.

During all these years since i knew the knowledge of the instruments and the music I have had many bands, many mates and well, some stupid kids on the way. The working with those bands in most of the times was great, i was very proud of played the things that I really like. 

The first band was called : Children of the Grave, the sound was very heavy, inspired of old heavy metal, we recorded a couple of songs and two gigs in my country: Costa Rica. The band dissolved very quickly, the other members wanted to "continue" with their lives.

Later I began to worked with my own project, yes, a black metal project, the name was Vedar Gal ( 2006 )  We record an split with : Khephra (Italy) and Al-Azif (Costa Rica) and one demo calls : S.L.S., later I decided to finish the band and begin with a new one. During all these years, since that I founded  Vedar Gal, many of the ex-members had problems with me, I suppose because they always had another point of view different of my kind of knowledge. By now, the problems have been solved but I decided to initiate another project. These days the name of the main band is: AverXu AtrIum.

In which bands do you play nowadays? Share us please all the important info about them!

- Well, now I’m playing with 3 bands: 

1. Morbid Funeral  2. AverXu AtrIum 3. Zwarte Vlam.

1. In Morbid Funeral I am the lead guitarist, I compose the most of the songs, I'm really proud of play with this band, is one of the most older black metal bands in Costa Rica, since 1995.

I entered in the band in the latest days of 2009, we start to recording the first “7 EP of the band and the first of the black metal scene in here, the “7 EP was called :"Lord of demons". Thanks to Shaxul (ex-Deathspell Omega, Manzer) and Legion of Dead Records for this opportunity, the working  process was great and the final material was great too.

After this we started to playing in some gigs, one of them in Panamá (Brother country land) with one of the most brutal black metal bands that I heard, almighty Equinoxio. The shows in foreign lands were great, nice people, nice scene on that country. I was very happy.

Later we began to worked for the new split with Equinoxio and yes, working with these guys is always awesome, the recording session in my house was great, the composition was created by me and Samael  (main guitarist) and Balpehor H.C. (main founder of the band , and vocals from hell).

The split was called: "Fuck you all in the name of the goat", the release was very rude, black metal without mercy, directly to the brain.

By now, we are working on the new album, it will be called: "Sumerian Rites" almost of the composition songs are by me and Balpehor. If you are maniacs- followers want to more news of the band , you can contact wit us in the facebook page: www.facebook.com/morbidfuneralcr

The current line up of this moment:

Balpehor - vocals, Samael - guitars, Thomas - bass, Arnold - drums and myself - guitars. 

2. In AverXu AtrIum, I am the main founder, in the composition thing  I do everything, lyrics and music and I play all the instruments but now with the help of one of the most oldest warriors from Costa Rica, is Lord Amarok (R. Fexur VI) member and founder of  Amarok (1995). We are going to prepare a new upcoming demo I will be called:"Ω Qliphoth Sefirot Kéter Ω". The band is recently new, I’ve formed in 2013.

Current line-up of this band:

R. Fexur VI: vocals, D. AverX XI (all the instruments) 

3. And finally, in Zwarte Vlam, I am the main founder too, and I play all the instruments, the band was formed in 2009, we have two splits, the first one is:

A. Walking Down Through the Path of Desolation (With Necrosadik and Balpehor)

B.  Satanic Victory and Glory (with Amarok) 

And now the first demo: it’s calls "Let the serpent reach you" total devotion of the "SANTA MUERTE" and the ancient serpent.

Sometimes I give help to a couple of bands, like Paganus Doctrina, Amarok and Zyanide.

Would you be so kind to introduce us in scene of Costa Rica? What bands would you recommend us?

- I do not really regret to say it but the Costa Rican scenes SUCKS, most of the "metalheads" want downloaded music, they do not support the real stuff, I rarely  see a guy buying music in here, the funny thing is, here in Costa Rica WE HAVE many stores for buying music, doing trades and everything but they prefer to download music, fuck with them.

With the Costa Rican bands, well , I like few ones, like Insepulto, Paganus Doctrina, Chemical Devastation, Necrolisis, Eternal, Despair, Amarok but the rest, I don’t know, they do not complete myself , I don’t care if there are good musicians but the sound is not for me. 

This scene is very poor in my point of view, no one goes to the country concerts, no one support the bands, is very rarely to see people supporting music in here, only a few ones, we make the difference.

What is the situation with live shows?

- The situation with the gigs , well, like I said before , no one supports the bands in here, actually , with my another band Morbid Funeral , the gig in Panamá was great, that people always support, and BUY MUSIC, the funny thing is, IN PANAMA there is no METAL STORES but they buy music via internet. 

This year, Morbid Funeral, we had two gigs in here, few people, few support  but the concerts were great, we always play loud, we do not care, if is a full concert, we trying to do our best, nothing more.

Enlighten us about lyrical conception of your past and active bands!

- The lyrical conception is very primordial in any band, bands without true lyrics, without feeling are nothing, when I started to write in 2006, I always liked dark and occultism topics, I really like to read books and drown  in them – Life without reading is a wasted time.

The lyrics of bands are very occultism we have read many books , all the members of the band has the need to read. 

- In the case of Morbid Funeral, the main founder writes about the ancient occultism while in AverXu AtrIum I have more devotion for the cult of death, The santa muerte, one of the best books I ever read is: The Liber Falxifer part 1 and 2, true message, beyond the flesh.

We always trying do things to be proud of ourselves, the lyrical concept are many experiences of life, personal, professional, etc. 

Thess days I’m very proud to read and writing this kind of stuff, most of the people do not care about the lyrics …  and for me is the best escape of this carnal temple.

From where do you take inspirations for your music?

- The inspirations come out from my room, before I started to do music or lyrics, I always put my candles and I read a book, later, I take my guitar , I'm relaxing, I put some ambiental music and I start to write,  in the most of the cases je je. 

But the true is, that I always practice, day and night, I study music, I love music in all its aspects, is an art, is the best way to escape from this plane.

Thanks to Jon Andreas Nödtveidt! 

Did you play any covers with your bands? If yes, which ones?

- Yes I did bro,  in Morbid Funeral, we always play :"The Gate of Nanna" from Beherit, in some shows we playing a lot of songs from Celtic Frost.

In Averxu Atrium, last year I recorded a cover from the BEST BAND in metal history, it was Dissection , and the cover was: "Black Horizons."

Now I’m planning to record a Watain´s song, from the elder albums. 

What is your opinion about Jon Andreas Nödtveidt and heritage of mighty Dissection?

- What can I tell you about Jon? … for  me He is a total inspiration, a great man without a doubt  it, his music, his knowledge about the life and death were great. Buying his music, reading the interviews... I have no common words to express myself, Jon was great, he always will be great! 

I'm glad for you Georgius, you have the opportunity to spoke with him, a total support of this great brother! Dissection is one of my favourite bands in metal history, actually I have all the albums, his mind was beyond of this flesh, he is always one of my inspirations he was the true master, his legacy will live forever,  his music is always going to go beyond, HAIL TO JON! 616 218.

Do You have any hobbies or interests beside music? What are your favourite albums, books and movies? 

- Of course my dear friend, besides music, I like to read (a lot).

 About favorites albums, well, I have many, like: Wall of Jericho from Helloween, ALL DISSECTIONS ALBUMS , the first works of Watain, Beherit, Black Witchery, Mystifier  etc.

About books and movies, I have declared a  fan of the Lord Of the Rings history, those movies, books and everything, for me are great.

Beside I really like to enjoy books like Pandaradox, The Liber Falxifer, some Aleister Crowley books, etc. 

What do you recommend of Costa Rican national food and drink to us?

- The Costa Rican foods are amazing, and the beer too jeje, nothing like a rice and beans with a good beer (Imperial Beer of course).  In here we always eat things like with rice, chicken, meat and in some cases with fruits jeje.

What are your plans this year? (new releases, live shows)

- Well brother, by now, we are working on the new albums, with the three bands I have a lot of things to do, with the gigs, I do not know, cause we are working a lot with recording sessions, by now we are centering to record and everything but the idea of to do a show, is not too far.

Muchas gracias, Daniel! In the end send us some thoughts.

- It’s always a pleasure to speak with you, a true brother, thanks for your time, for your support to the band and everything, it was an amazing and funny interview. 

Thanks , I will keep inform you about the progress of my bands.

I would like to thank so many brothers, to Jonah From Evil Shepherd and of course to you Georgius, stay in contact!

"LET THE SERPENT REACH YOU, CORONATUS REX MORTIS 616"

Daniel AverX XI

A.M.X.G.

Official facebook-page: facebook.com/averxuatriumXI?fref=ts

youtube.com/watch?v=Fvsu4jv6fds

(AverXu Atrium - Jentyamentiu Averni)

 Morbid Funeral: facebook.com/morbidfuneralcr

http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Zwarte_Vlam/3540291397

(Interview with Daniel has taken by Georgius and Sorin Necrotrooper)

Mickael Broberg

Interview with Mickael Broberg 
(Unanimated, Born For Burning,  
The 13th Passenger, Daemonium Regni)

Hail, Mickael! Your legendary band, Unanimated, released a LP last time in 2009. Please tell us the latest infos regarding Unanimated! (actual line-up, new, possible recording, concerts)

- Hail Georgius and to you who´s reading this! 

Well, there has been some ups and downs with Unanimated since the reunion 2007/2008. 

When we decided to get back together after 13 years of silence, we did it with a believe to stay. With the members from when we ended, exept for our lead guitarist Jonas Mellberg. Who´s got fired from the band back in the 90´s. So we started the reunion with Peter Stjärnvind, Johan Bohlin, Richard Cabeza and of course with myself, Micke Broberg (I changed my last name from Jansson to Broberg, Broberg was my father’s last name. He passed away at the age of 57, and to honour him I felt it natural to wear his name). In the 2008 we played our first gig since the 90´s at Stockholm, a few days later at "Party San Festival". With the same line up, exept for our old friend and live session member Erik Wallin (Merciless, Trash Amigos, Harms Way etc.) on the lead guitar. After that short but intense "tour", we went to the studio and recorded " In The Light Of Darkness" in 10 days. There has been a lot of request about gigs and tours, but we seemed to fall back to the 90´s somehow. 

The focus were once again with side projects and other bands, there just didn´t seems to be any time over for Unanimated.

But as old friends we all are, we always seems to find back to each other no matter how long the time passes. Even if years goes by, we are as it was just yesterday.

We did one more gig in 2010, a headline in a underground black metal festival in Speyer, Germany. Since Erik left the band after our gig in Party San, Set Teitan (Dissection etc.) joined us at the guitar. We were asked to play at Maryland Deathfest 2012 but then Peter decided to go seperate ways, and the time was to short to find another drummer and Set had problems to get a visa to enter USA. And we did not want to just take in more live members just for the gig. So we decided not to play that year. But we have now another drummer, Anders Schultz (Unleashed) which will stay with us as far as we know. So now, we are writing songs to our fourth album. Which will be our first priority now. But nothing is for sure, and we have not yet found a suitable label (since Regain falled into the abyss). But we do want to continue our work, we are not close to finished with Unanimated. 

The line-up for today is:

Richard Cabeza - Bass

Johan Bohlin - Guitar

Micke Broberg - Vocals

Set Teitan - Guitar

Anders Schultz - Drums

Back to the past a little bit. When you engaged with metal and which was your first band?

-"Bathory" was naturally an important side of me that opened my eyes wide at that time and still are.  I heard some German thrash metal bands in the mid 80´s, Kreator was among the first thrash bands I heard and I was hooked of course. After that the nowadays classic metal bands and death metal was just around the corner to open my eyes even further. And then of course even black metal. Still listen to old thrash bands though, that will never die. When I was 17, I started a kind of death/thrash metal band called "Twisted Flesh" and we recorded a rehearsal "one song" demo "Twisted Flesh Of Death". Never been released though, for the best I am sure, we sounded like crap. 

One year later I ended up in the same school class as Peter Stjärnvind, and together we formed "Damnation" and I was playing the bass and vocals. In that same time, I learned how to play drums and also formed the thrash metal band "Celestial Pain" back in the early 90´s with my old friend Johan Sandberg (John Blackwar, also guitarist in the bands as "Incursion" and "Unpure"). Later on, Cabeza quit Unanimated and there was not really a question who they wanted on vocals. The rest is history you all know. 

Unanimated as musically as lyrically has a very dark atmosphere. Enlighten us about the lyrical conceptualism, please!

- I think it just comes to us naturally, its nothing we work on or make an effort to do. Even more natural now since our "Light Of Darkness" release, we are darker than ever. Older than ever to, so I think we are more balanced as people, and has found our way. It is nothing rebellious as it could have seemed to be when we were much younger. Nowadays we know our place, our beliefs are clear. Even though I would not call myself a "true" satanist at all, I am more than familiar with evil and that do has a special place within me. 

On the latest The Pete Flesh Deathtrip album, „Mortui Vivos Docent”, you have been as a special guest in vocals. How many tracks did You shared with Pete? (I’ve just heard "Fallen Bliss” and I must to say it is an awesome song)

- Yeah, I think the whole album is really great. He has captured more than just a good album, it has many different styles and depths, and I can’t see how anyone can’t love this album. It grows stronger the more you listen to it. I was asked by Pete to sing just one track "Fallen Bliss", but he found my vocals very suiting and asked me to sing some more. I had very free hands to do the vocals my own way, and I also wrote the lyrics on those I sang. After "Fallen Bliss" I did "The Eternal Dawn", and "Suicide End" we sang together, which brings a special depth to it all with both of our different styles in vocals.

"Ravens Reborn", did not wrote the lyrics on that one. "Bleed", a different song on the album. A heavy piece with a vocals I did in the moment of recording, felt natural to do it that way. And I did some lines at "God Of The Crawling Whore" and the dark talking voice. Working with Pete was very simple and I enjoyed working with him and Peter Bjärgö in the studio, he let me do what I do best with no strings attached and I think the outcome was great working that way.  I don’t know if we will ever work again, but it was great and fun doing it. 

You have an amazing band, called "Born for Burning". Tell the readers all the important things about this horde!

- Yes, "Born For Burning" is a solo project of mine. A project I’ve been thinking about to do since the early 90´s. It is very much inspired by the almighty "Bathory", and it is kind of a tribute to him and his work. Which I have lived by so many years. I recorded three songs, which will be released as a 7" Ep at "Hammerheart Records" in January 2014. This project may turn out as a live band as well, depending how the interest of live shows it will give. More songs are in the making, and we´ll see how things go. Or maybe I will stop at this 7" and lay to rest at it is, somethings it is for the best to quit it if you don’t know if you will do better. Because this project is to honour Quorthon, I would not release anything half done if you know what I mean..

Would you be so kind to give us some information about your another band, The 13th Passenger? 

- "The 13th Passenger" are close to me, this it what makes me really burn. Also a "solo project" for the time being, but this I have plans for to expand with more members.

Not sure yet, if I want just live members or more than that. This is not any extreme metal band, more like occult stoner metal Black Sabbath kind of, perhaps. I am going to let the listener decide that one. 

It started back in 2004, and was more likely Black Sabbath. I recorded one demo "The Arrival", but never did release it. Because I was not completely satisfied with the performance both musically and vocally. I am releasing a 7" EP in the mid September 2013, with two songs. In the near future there will be more serious recordings and a full- length album, with a label I can not reveal just yet.

I think my influence to "The 13th Passenger" mostly comes from a band I played drums in at that time called "Harms Way" (with Erik Wallin, Fredda Lindgren and Dimman. We released a single with 3 songs). Terra Firma and Black Sabbath with "The Devils Blood" has influenced me a lot too.

Did you ever played with your bands in Eastern-European region and what do you think about Hungarian and Ukrainian scene? (I hope we will see you live there soon)

- We never did play in that regions sadly, I think that would have been awesome. And I believe the audience is something extra, and would like to experience that. Still, it is not too late and absolutely not impossible for us to come over there and bring you the Firestorm! With Unanimated I can’t say for sure where the future will take us, first of all we will record our fourth album and after that the gates are open..There are something special with Eastern-European metal bands, something mysterious and darker way over it that I cant explain. Like the legendary "Master´s Hammer".

I think the Hungary and Ukrainian scene is as good as any, many great bands and musicians from those regions, I actually googled and found so many great bands. The future looks good for Ukrainian scene, many "young" bands are coming forth. 

What Swedish bands do you recommend us and what do you think about the Swedish scene nowadays?

- I think the Swedish scene has always been great, even nowadays. But maybe some bands do sound to much alike and need to find something of their own. I believe the scene not to be as "magical" as it used to or maybe I have grown older and things have changed in ways I am not familiar with. I am not so "into" the scene at all but I think the industry has always a negative impact at the scene as we know it.

The commercial and money-making labels are in fact destroying the true music, and at the same time they are needed to get the scene what it wants. It is complicated, even to explain. (Or I am just full of shit and have no idea what I am talking about, haha).

But I do, if I could be a selfish bastard for a moment, recommend my own bands "The 13th Passenger" and "Born For Burning". Even if I would not play it, I would listen to it.

There are numbers of metal bands I could recommend, but I think you´ve heard them all and you would feel just bored to read them. But I could give you some bands anyway, I saw a couple of months ago a band called "Serpent Omega". I was drunk at the time, but it had an impact on me and I was surprised by the live performance. 

"Atlantic Tide" is another stoner band I enjoy much, it is the same music-writer (Fredda Lindgren) behind "Terra Firma" and "Harms Way". He inspires me so much.

I must also give a word for "Witchcraft", a great 70´s inspired band. 

Many people might high their eyebrows and think "thats not metal", and no, it is not metal. But you have to go beyond that, its not all about metal. True evil has no genre or style. (Or I am just full of shit again). 

Apart from the music, do you have any interesting hobbies? 

- Interesting hobbies? No, not very interesting hobbies really. 

I like to do various of things like writing poems in the woods in front of a fire slowly burning, just kidding, haha. No, I don’t have much time to do anything else. Except for my family and my kids it’s all about the music for me..

I try to teach my children the true evil, and the hard way in life and death. That death is a natural part to life, nothing to be afraid of. But to respect and embrace when the time comes, for the fear has no meaning to the unavoidable. But they are still very young so when the time is right I will give them my wisdom. (Yeah, I am full of it). 

Recommend us please some Swedish foods, drinks, especially from your region!

- Absolutely, we have the Swedish meatballs, worldwide known. A classic, but tasty and I just could not get tired of them.

We do, specially at summertime, barbeque a lot.. I mean a lot! We fucking barbeque everything, but we like it. Meat with potatoes and brown sauce, is always served in the Swedish homes. Meatloaf with bacon, and all kinds of wieners are on our tables.

Pasta, like potatoes, is always a popular dish. 

We drink milk a lot, always milk. I like milk, I used to enjoy beer and every alcoholic beverage. But I have slowed down these days. Age thing again, I guess. 

I am from Stockholm but I moved up north where I live nowadays, up here they enjoy something called "Surströmming". It is rotten fish in a can. Repulsive, but they like their rotten fish in a can. You should try it, for the evil sake. I don’t think I can say more about food than that. 

What are Your favourite all time LP-s?

- I am just putting them down here without any ranking or alphabetic order, this is my short list of those which are meant most to me personally. Both metal and non metal.

-Bathory "The Return".

-Bathory "Under The Sign Of The Black Mark".

-Death "Scream Bloody Gore".

-Kreator "Endless Pain".

-Kreator "Extreme Aggression".

-Metallica "Kill Ém All".

-Metallica "Ride The Lightning"

-Slayer "Hell Awaits".

-Slayer "Reign In Blood".

-Slayer "South Of Heaven".

-Iron Maiden "The Number Of The Beast".

-Iron Maiden "Seven Son Of A Seven Son".

-Black Sabbath "Black Sabbath".

-Black Sabbath "Paranoid".

-Black Sabbath "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath".

-Morbid Angel "Altars Of Madness".

-Pink Floyd "Dark Side Of The Moon".

 (I could go on forever, and I know some bands and albums I´ve forgotten. But I could not steal any more of your space here).

 Tack så mycket, Mickael! Send to readers, please some thoughts in the end… 

 - Thank you! I have enjoyed this interview very much, even though I am full of shit! Haha. Hope to see you soon on tour, if not with Unanimated, hopefully with one of my other shit. A special thanks to our fans, you know that we are nothing without your burning flame. Hails to you! Watch out for our forth album! And of course my own solo releases.


Links about Mickael's bands:

facebook.com/pages/Unanimated-Official/156195984418900

facebook.com/pages/The-13th-Passenger-Official/215311388561078

facebook.com/pages/Born-For-Burning/514557828578447

(Interview with Mickael has done by Georgius and Sorin Necrotrooper) 

Update:  Daemonium Regni was formed in the Winter of 2015. It is an unsigned Black Death Metal project, and is made in a Dark and Cold way..

Facebook page: facebook.com/Daemonium-Regni-752006401594952/ 

YouTube: 
Daemonium Regni - Daemonium : 
youtube.com/watch?v=BU83YdRwFvs 

Daemonium Regni - Mortuus Est: 
youtube.com/watch?v=i992xVucDHY 

Daemonium Regni - Spiritus Inflammo: 
youtube.com/watch?v=fpKT9s3ZqfY