Lava aka Radek - Amok (November 2009)

Amok hails from Norway and I discovered them as the attachment to a Taake split EP "Nordens Doedsengel" (Where Amok delivers the "Sadistic Attack" demo). I wasn't that impressed by the music in the start, though after some spins the music started to grow on me, and when the band released their debut full length in 2006, I was hooked. Now 3 years later the band is working on their second album and I hooked up with mainman Lava also known as Radek to hear what was going on and a lot of other things!

1. Hails Radek, please start this interview up by telling a bit about yourself and what fuels your drive for metal!
I have earlier been playing guitar/bass in bands such as Aeternus, Taake and Slavia. I was also a member of Dead to This World for a short period, and did some minor contributions on Orcustus' selftitled full-length album (out on Southern Lord Records – check out this rabid grimness!). Beside that I have had Amok as my main band since 2000.

As for what fuels my drive for metal, there is a lot of stuff I guess. Today I would have to mention Megadeth's "Rust In Peace", Dissection's "Reinkaos", Tragedy's "Vengeance", Massacra's "Final Holocaust" and Deicide's "Deicide", "Legion" and "Serpents of the Light". I also recently got introduced to the Swedish band Agrimonia and had to get their album immediately. Check them out on www.myspace.com/agrimonia and buy their debut CD/LP!

When it comes to music inspiring me to compose music for Amok, it is stuff both within the metal genre as well as non-metal music.

2. You are the mastermind behind the entity Amok, how and when did you get the idea for this band?
Amok started up in 2000. I was playing in Aeternus at that point of time, but I wanted to do some more old school, furious, aggressive and chaotic music. The main inspiration then was Sadistik Exekution, VON, Blasphemy, Beherit, punk and raw thrash from the eighties. I started writing a few tracks, and got Stanley to help out with drums and bass. We recorded a 4-track rehearsal, it consisted of two tracks: "Flamethrower" and "Reptile Gate". In 2001 Mord joined us as the new drummer, and from then Stanley only handled the bass. With this line-up we recorded our two demos ("Sadistic Attack" and "LAVA Dictatorship") and did a few live performances.

3. The music you deliver with Amok is put together by quite a wide range of styles, elements and at times a quite claustrophobic atmosphere, how did you end up with that expression?
In the beginning we had kind of stricter frames we worked within, when composing material for Amok. But after a while I did not care to bother, because I felt the band would stagnate. I have always been inspired by a lot of stuff, both from music and from life in general, and I wanted to use all of this to get a more personal and diverse expression. In the end it all culminates with an annihilating darkness. This atmosphere is what we reach for while composing the material.

4. What is the philosophy behind the band?
Darkness, doom and self-honesty.

5. How do you work when you write music and how do you get inspired to make new music?
There is no certain way I create a song for Amok. Sometimes I get inspired by a lyric I have written or a lyrical theme I have come up with. Sometimes just the right chord is enough to get the ball rolling. Other times I have almost all the music already composed in my head before I start. When I have the music ready for a track, I make a pre-production of the track with guitars, programmed drums and occasionally bass. So the rest of the members can check out the stuff.

6. What is the main-inspiration behind Amok and what would you like the ones listening to your music to react from it?
As mentioned earlier, there is all kind of different stuff that inspires me to compose music. The important thing is that all the moments of inspiration are channeled through me and end up as Amok. I do not give much thought about how the listeners will react. But hopefully they will be sucked into morbidity their own mind-fucked brain processes, and discover pure beauty.

7. A thought that have popped into my head several times while listening to your music, is that it possesses the same youthful and experimenting elements as Mayhem's "Deathcrush". What does that album mean to you and have the music, atmosphere and expression from that release inspired you?
I personally like "Deathcrush" a lot. It sounds fresh even today. It is more raw and brutal than any "blast-beat band" and much more punk than any of today's bands playing punk/black metal/rock 'n' roll.

I can not say that we had this EP in mind while we composed music for Amok, but I sure can say that the expression "Deathcrush" delivers is a perfect example of the period of death/black Metal that inspires me even today.

8. You are as we speak, in the middle of preparing a new record, you have already made the pre-production for it, and is now looking for a label, if I'm not totally mistaken. Have you had contact with some interested labels and what kind of label would be a perfect fit for Amok?
We have fished the recording of all guitars and bass for the coming album.

In December we will record drums and vocals, and then mix the album in Grieghallen in the end of January 2010.

A few labels have been in touch, but nothing of great interest yet. Then again we have not been very active in contacting labels either, since we are in the middle of a studio recording. We want to make some sort of promo when the album is recorded, and send it out to some interesting labels. A label like The Ajna Offensive or Rise Above Records would be perfect.

9. Your first album "Necrospiritual Deathcore" was released by Planet Satan Revolution, why did you part with that label?

We want to sign to a bit more active label, which can support our coming album with proper promotion. The label also has to be able to pay for our studio costs and has to have a decent distribution network.
All serious labels with interest can get in touch: amoklava@gmail.com

10. How was that first album of yours received by the fanbase you made yourself with your demo and vinyl releases?
The reviews of "Necrospiritual Deathcore" have been both positive and negative. But I have got the impression that people who have been into our music since the beginning likes the album.

11. How do you yourself feel about the album, now when you have gotten some distance to it?
I am personally satisfied with that album. That goes for the music, the sound and the whole package (cover/booklet/design).

12. Let's return to your coming album, it is entitled "Exodus Reversal Hex" and consists of 5 tracks, I reckon those tracks are of a certain length and contains the same pummeling power, as your music has hold so far. Though now when I have you, why don't you tell us what we can expect of the music, how it is compared to your earlier material and what the theme behind the lyrical side of the material is?
As you have mentioned, the album will consist of five tracks. The titles are: "Remembered With Uttermost Hatred", "East Of the River Where Life Is Drunk", "Triangular Corridors", "A Glimpse of His Splendor" and "Speak Up Your Sins, the Winds Are Howling From the Sea".

The tracks length varies a bit, the shortest one being 6 minutes and the longest one being 12 minutes.

It is difficult for me to explain the music on our new album. I guess I can say it is going to sound more doom and trance. Well, people should check it out when it is released next year sometime.

The lyrics are more open for the listener's interpretation this time. It might not seem as direct as the lyrics on our earlier releases, but the message behind them is still pretty clear-cut.

13. How long time did you use on writing the material and how long time did you use in the studio recording the pre-production?
I started to write the material in the end of 2006, after the release of "Necrospiritual Deathcore". The material was finished by the end of 2008/beginning of 2009. I took my time and let things flow naturally. I did not want to repeat myself nor stress the flow of development. I guess I used a few months for the pre-production.

14. Do you already have planned where you wanna do the actual recording, who you want to produce it and what about the cover artwork, is the actual work in place or have you pinned who you want to make it?
We have already recorded all the guitars and bass for the album. All keys/effects/programming are also finished. We will start recording the drums in the beginning of December, and start recording the vocals after the drums are done. We are recording the whole album ourselves. The plan is to mix the album in Grieghallen in the end of January 2010.

I have the cover and some of the design figured out. This time we are going to work with a designer that is a friend of mine, and who is located here in Bergen.

15. You have also changed vocalist since the last release, Necrocum is gone and Kybermensch has entered. Why the change and how is Kybermensch's vocals compared to those of Necrocum?
For this album we wanted a different approach regarding the vocals. The way things ended up, I will do the main vocals. There might be some contributions from Kybermensch. He did the clean vocals on "Goatflesh Removal" ("part I (Corpus Christi)" and "II (Memento Mori)") (From the "Necrospiritual Deathcore" album, Anders).

16. You are a part of the Misantrof AntiRecords family, a site where we can find a compilation of your demos and 7" material, some live material and so forth. Why did you enter the cooperation with Misantrof and how active is the organization nowadays?
I think that Misantrof AntiRecords is really interesting concept. They asked us if we wanted to contribute with some material, and I thought it would be a good way to make our old recordings available for new listeners in a very easily accessible format. We have put up the "Execution Compilation" (consisting of: "Sadistic Attack" [demo 2001], "LAVA Dictatorship" [demo 2002] and "Effective Mass-Torture" [promo 2003]) for download. The promo-video for "Effective Mass-Torture" and Amok's debut concert is also available for download.

I think Vrangsinn is putting quite an effort into his work with Misantrof AntiRecords. He is working with some new stuff with his Phobia project and it seems sick and wicked.

Misantrof AntiRecords is something fresh compared to the regular way the corrupt record business is ran. Beside music, Vrangsinn also gives tips about open-source programs etc. People should check it out for themselves: www.misantrof.net. Support!

17. Who came up with the idea for your awesome logo of Amok and who has drawn it?
Our former vocalist, Necrocum, has designed this logo. It is developed from our first logo, that also was drawn by him.

18. In the past you used to be a part of and helping out quite a few bands, which bands are you a part of and helping out nowadays?
These days I only play in Amok. The only thing that I have planned for the future is to contribute with guest vocals on a couple of tracks for the Danish band Sagntid (www.myspace.com/sagntid). People should check out this band, it is ambient music with a great atmosphere to it.

19. How does it look on the live front, do you have some gigs lined up?
We have not played lived since 2002, and we have no plans for doing that in the nearest future. Amok has been functioning as a studio band since 2003, and we are 100% confident with our situation. I am not saying that we will never perform live again, but I do not see the point in playing live for the sake of playing live. To put it in a different way, I would rather read a book myself than having the author reading it for me.

20. Do you have more material planned to be released on vinyl in the near future?
We have recorded two bonus tracks ("Chapel of Embalmment" and "Silent Worship") in 2007 for the LP edition of "Necrospiritual Deathcore". The plan is to mix these tracks when we will mix "Exodus Reversal Hex". If all goes as planned, this LP will be released through Nuclear War Now!. We want to release the LP in 1000 copies, where 300 copies will come as a “die hard” edition including a bonus 12" EP with these two tracks.

We also want to have our coming album released on LP.

There were, by the way, some plans about releasing a 10" split EP with Iperyt. Agonia Records contacted us in 2006 and wanted to do this release. They got all the material and layout stuff, but we have not heard from them since. Seems as a pretty fucked up and frivolous label, from what I have heard from other people working with them. Amok's side was supposed to be the 2003 promo "Effective Mass-Torture" (including a bonus outro), so it was really nothing new for the listeners. The only thing is that I think Iperyt is a really energetic and violent band, and releasing a split with them would be good.

21. Thanks a lot for answering my questions, if you think I have forgotten anything or you just have something to add, feel free to add it now!
Thanks for the interview. Check out the new Amok album, "Exodus Reversal Hex", to be released in 2010.

"His blood shall be upon us and on our children."

Jason Kocol - Impaled (2005)

Once in a while you stumble across a joker while conducting an interview, some of those jokers makes you wonder if it's worth the while. Though fuck that, sometimes it's good to have it all turned upside down. Here you have a blood dripping interview with comedian, growler and guitarist Jason Kocol from Oakland's finest Carcass worshippers Impaled!


1. What’s going on in the Impaled camp at the moment?
We are doing pretty good at camp this year. We just learned how to tie a square knot. Tomorrow I think our counsellors are going to take us kayoing in the lake. At the end of the week there’s going to be a dance with lots of music, cookies and punch! Things are fun, but one of our bunk mates always wets the bed. Gross! We miss you, Mom and Dad.


2. How much do you look forward to get “Death After Life” released?
We look about as forward as one can look. Yep, eyes straight ahead, six inches above the horizon. That’s us!


3. What do you think about the album?
I think that it is way better than two kicks square in the jaw. Plus it sounds a lot better than that.


4. Is it the most complete Impaled album to date?
Yes, it was always a problem with our past albums where they would just stop somewhere between the middle and the last 2/3rds of what we intended. We finally got our technique down so it no longer does that!


5. How has the reaction been so far, if you have gotten any?
It’s been pretty varied. Many of the 13-year-old online webzine journalists have complaints about the production (you know, the fact that it’s actually really heavy yet there are dynamics and you can hear what we’re playing) and the material not breaking new ground (yet if we really broke new ground by arranging all the songs for a 15-piece contrabassoon ensemble they’d still complain), but our fans who’ve contacted us directly really seem to like it a lot. Go figure!


6. What do you expect from the album?
I expect every man, woman, transgender and child to have purchased a copy of it by the end of this week. If that doesn’t happen, at midnight we will turn into pumpkins. Very DEATH METAL PUMPKINS.


7. How do you think your fans will react to “Death After Life”?
I believe the most common reactions are loss of sleep, nausea, bloating, and just your everyday run-of-the-mill head exploding. Please ask your doctor if “Death After Life” is right for you. Oh wait, we are doctors. So yes, it’s right for you.


8. Will you tell us about the concept behind “Death After Life”?
The concept is very original: there are songs with both music and lyrics simultaneously! How we were able to stumble upon that is anyone’s guess.


9. How do you get influenced musically and lyrically?
The first step is to lock ourselves in a walk-in freezer for 3 days without food or water, with white noise blasting through speakers that are piped in through the next room. After that, we read a bunch of old Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary books and we’re good to go!


10. I think there is a more Carcass feel over this album, than your previous ones, is that correct?
If you’ve ever ran your bare hands over a carcass, you’d know how good it feels. So then it’s no surprise we decided to capture that feeling with music.


11. The touch of Swedish heavy melodic death is almost gone from the music, any specific reason for that?
It’s because Swedish heavy melodic death metal NEVER RETURNS OUR PHONE CALLS ANYMORE, THAT JERK!!! (sounds of heavy weeping) Sorry, I can’t talk about this. Next topic, please.


12. The production is kinda noisy and “old” sounding, I really like it and think it fits the music perfectly. What did you want to accomplish with such a production?
What didn’t we want to accomplish, is really the question here!


13. Are the intros made by the band?
They are indeed. We also make a mean spinach soufflé if you’d ever care to sample it.


14. How far can you take the bloody mess known as Impaled?
From here to eternity, baby. Sorry, by “baby” I really meant “sweetie”.


15. When will we see you rip open the stages and venues in Denmark?
When you send us plane tickets and loads of cash. Our bank account number is 100257849-673. Get crackin’, buddy!


16. What albums do you listen a lot to at the moment?
These days it’s mostly field recordings of various grain silos from farms stretching across this great land of ours. The production on those are TOTALLY SICK, BRO!


17. Thanks a ton for spilling your guts… If you have anything to add, feel free to do it now!
http://www.impaled.info – Just add water and watch it grow before your very eyes!

Daniel Corchado - The Chasm (2004)

This interview was conducted during the cold November of 2004 for the DK based 'zine Nocturnal Horde, so far only published in Danish, so for you death metal heads into dark mystical travels into the obscure thoughts and incantations of The Chasm, here you go! As you'll find out while reading the interview, it was conducted while the band was promoting the release of the album 'The Spell Of Retribution'! To catch up on recent news from the band, they just released their new offering 'Farseeing The Paranormal Abyss' on Corchado's own label Lux Inframundis. A release that I haven't checked out yet, so I can't tell you whether is good or bad, though having the band's past in mind, I can't imagine it beeing the latter!


1. Please start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you play metal?
My name is Daniel Corchado of the Cult of Death of THE CHASM and I play Heavy Metal because is the only music that matters to me, the only source of strength and inspiration to go on in this putrid life…


2. What do you find fascinating about metal and especially the atmospheric death metal with occult and ancient inspiration, as you make with The Chasm?
I am of the belief that Heavy Metal ,when played with conviction, honor, feeling and power,can be the most interesting and powerful form of artistic expression, when we create our songs we are not only doing music, we are also painting pictures of death and obscurity within our souls.


3. Where do you find inspiration when you write music?
Mostly from the golden era of Metal (80’s – early 90’s), my own ancestry and roots as a Mexican and of course my inner self.


4. Do you have a certain mood you have to be in, when you make your fantastic tunes?
Thanks for the compliment, yes,the majority of times I have to be in a certain mood to create our hymns of death, it may be a sad/depressive one, or an angry/hateful one, but it has to be a special state of mind.


5. What about the lyrics, how do you get inspired to write them?
It is just visions and ideals that are very personal and of big importance to me, I really don’t get any inspiration from books or movies, it all comes from deep inside, sometimes the lyrics may not make any sense to the people, but that's understandable!


6. Will you tell a bit about the lyrical content on “The Spell Of Retribution”?
The main core deals with the spiritual search of one individual for its owns roots and recover the past/lost glories, manifesting and constructing a very powerful spell to punish those individuals or circumstances that caused the decline and corruption of a once magnificent empire (and here I'm in some way metaphorically speaking about the ancient Aztec empire as well as the golden years of true Heavy/Death/Thrash/Black Metal!). I always had this vision about reaching a new place or dimension when my existence has ceased , and to find what I’m looking for, a lot of preparation must be made, learning and constructing, these ideas and visions are what The Chasm’s lyrical concept is all about…


7. You have always had a grandiose epic feel over your music, how did that come about?
As I mentioned,we are trying to create this special form of Heavy Metal of death, music that even if it’s extreme and intense, will transport ourselves (and the listener) to a different dimension, it may be one of war, or one of desolation, but we are creating Metal that goes beyond the generic and the mundane, something more transcending and with meaning.


8. What did inspire you to create The Chasm?
The urge to represent/channel my feelings into the most magnificent music in the world, Metal… That is the main reason why this band exists…


9. Have your inspirational sources changed over the years?
Not at all, the only thing that changes is that the emotions and visions are coming in different variations now, the experience of the past years and the lessons learned through this journey made this odyssey somehow different than in the beginning.


10. Will you tell us what bands and releases that has meant the most to you and the musical approach of The Chasm?
I could mention 5 that really marked my life: Slayer - Hell Awaits, Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Iron Maiden - killers, Celtic Frost - To Mega Therion and Kreator - Pleasure To Kill


11. When you first started The Chasm, what did you want to accomplish, and have you accomplished that?
I think so, because the main purpose to do this band was just to play the music that I like so much, to be able to be part of this magnificent movement, to create my own visions and ideas without any limits or boundaries, to create an authentic entity and force in Death Metal, and so far we have been lucky enough to realize this goal.


12. You are now ready with your new album “The Spell Of Retribution”, how do you feel about it?
We are very proud and satisfied with the final result, I really think it is our most destructive work to date, the way it should be, every new release has to be better (in our ears) than the last one, if one day we realize we cannot progress no more, then that day will be the day The Chasm will be put to rest…


13. How do you think your fans will react towards the album?
So far the reactions have been very strong and positive, this album is 100% in The Chasm style, but obviously taken to a higher level, so I’m sure any REAL follower of our path of destruction won’t be disappointed, because we are not, we are 100% into our new album!


14. Have heard any reactions towards the new album yet, both from the press and your fans?
Yes, so many reviews, and the grand majority are very positive and some even amazing. Of course there are a few out there who really don’t got into the album, which is ok,I ’m very glad that there is people who despise this album, and even talks shit about us. It is great to keep a balance, but in the end if the reviews are good or bad, it really doesn’t matter to us, as long as we are satisfied with our music, we will be fine.


15. It seems like The Chasm has built a huge fanbase over the years, is that correct and how do you feel about it?
Well,yes, I agree to some degree ,I mean,for a band like us, that still is very underground, I think you can call it “huge” to the amount of believers and followers that really support our crusade, it really gives us strength to continue in this battle, it shows that there are still dedicated souls who think and feel like us, who believe in the dark side of Metal… anti-trend …


16. You have always released your albums on minor labels through the years, but have still managed to get the album and name out to a lot of people, how have you managed that?
Well, I think it just is a sign of how much I care for this band,and how much I used to believe in spreading our pestilence! Back in the day the underground “network” was so much more pure, and I knew that there were individuals who maybe was interested in our style, I worked hard, sending promos, flyers etc., since our first days in Mexico, trying to spread our word and I guess that it paid off. I still try to do the same, but now with the website and internet, things are somehow simpler to do, but also the “personal” touch has been lost in one way…


17. How much did your gig in Incantation mean for The Chasm, it must have opened a lot of people’s eyes?
Probably it kinda helped our name a bit, but it was something that I tried to avoid, I mean, we always wanted to be heard and respected for what we are, as The Chasm, we don’t want to get compared to anybody. For me it just was a phase in my life, I had a good time and went to a lot of places, met a lot of people, it was great experience…


18. You have now signed to Wicked World/Earache, which must mean a breakthrough for The Chasm, what do you expect from the label?
To be honest,our expectations with Wicked World have been fulfilled almost 100% or so, I mean, we wanted to have a good recording budget, great distribution and promotion, and we accomplished that. It's been really satisfying to see our music spread to areas where we never have been before. Wicked World is doing a tremendous job promoting the album, the only thing that we may need to complete this work is to be able to finally tour worlwide. I mean, full American and European tours would be great, but it do not only depend on us, we need support from both the label and people, so we'll see, time shall tell...


19. What do you expect from “The Spell Of Retribution”?
What I expected already came true, a satisfying and unique piece of Darkened Heavy Metal of Death, that’s the way we see/hear it, that’s how we created it, that’s what we expected of it, it is done… Whatever happens on the “market” or with people’s reactions, is out of our control…


20. The latest album I own with The Chasm is the superb “Deathcult For Eternity: The Triumph”, a lot of things have happened since then. The band has developed a lot, though your still is sticking to your main idea. How would you describe the development of The Chasm since then?
It has just been a long road of keeping our own vision and conviction together and very strong, obviously there has been some changes and variations in the way we play, but the core and ideals of the band are still the same, but stronger and more focused. As we grow older I think we gain and learn from experiences and mistakes, it is a natural process, we want to keep doing this, we still feel it, and also we are more structured in several ways, not only musically but also mentally, as you said, we are developing, both as musicians and individuals. When we created “Deathcult For Eternity…” we were still in Mexico, we were younger and had a different perspective, but the style and essence I think was the same…


21. What can we expect from The Chasm in the future?
If there are no disturbing changes, and the ideas and inspiration keep flowing, then you can expect a more devastating The Chasm attack in the future.


22. How do you see the future for The Chasm?
Hard to tell, life brings so many unexpected things everyday, that it's hard to see the future clearly. I hope next year we'll be touring Europe as well as the USA, is all I can say for now…


23. Will you share your 3 favorite albums through the time with us metal heads?
Slayer - Hell Awaits
Black Sababth - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Iron Maiden - Killers


24. Thanks a ton for answering my questions, the last remark are yours!
Thanks for your time and support, keep the dark flame burning high and proud, hopefully we’ll meet soon!

Utter death

Dan Swanö - Edge of Sanity, Soundsuite Studios, Infestdead, Nightingale... etc... (July 1999)

This Interview Was Conducted on on the 24th of July 1999 with Dan Swanö of Edge of Sanity fame, who also is known to be the owner of Soundsuite Studios, and has produced many bands.

It must be noted that i did this interview back then for a music show which was on the net and was an all death/black metal show, they wanted interviews for their page but in the end never did anything with their page and have lost touch with them, I thought i would clear this up regarding question3.


1.) For The Readers who are unfamiliar with you, give some background info on the bands you have played/worked with.
I started to play with Unicorn in 1988 which can be considered as my only real band ever. I have played in tons of band but none have felt really right except Unicorn. I also did stuff like EDGE OF SANITY, PAN-THY-MONIUM, INFESTDEAD, WOUNDED KNEE, ROUTE NINE, NIGHTINGALE and much more. Try http://www.come.to/swano for a full info.


2.) since you are the owner of unisound studios you get to work with alot of bands, how does feel to work with all these well known, and some not so well known, Acts?
I quit working with other band in 1997. Unisound is closed since then, but I enjoyed that period pretty much. It was alot of hrdwork and a lot of fun buit i kinda turned out 60%-40% to the right side.


3.) The dj of The Show Khaos AD( www.khaosad.com) is a fan of your music, and he likes to play it, He was wondering if you have heard the show, If ya have, what'd ya think of it?? Also, how do you feel about the whole internet scene? Do you think will help unknown bands reach a wider audience? And maybe cut a big piece out of the the record companies market?
I haven't figured out how to listen to the radio thru internet yet. I think this will will be a great way for me to promote some of my more "hard to get" releases. I think the recordcompany must find a way to make it work out anyway, this will always be around you know.


4.) Which bands do you to listen to? and What what bands are your influences?
I listen to anything with good melodies, right now it's the latest Bryan Adams, he's a fave of mine since way back, his vocalharmonies kill me!!! My basic faves are MARILLION, RUSH, SPOCK'S BEARD and I also enjoy stuff like THE MISSION, ARENA and some other stuff fro, VERGLAS etc. My influences are the same stuff as I listen to.


5.) I Have Noticed that you have either played or sung with all of Blakkheim's projects, is there some kind of special friendship here that triggers these collaberations? Are there Any Plans for Future Diabolical Masquerade Cds?
I hope to find time for the fourth one aswell, I would hate myself if I didn't do it. We'll see. I have tons of shit coming up.


6.) How Do you feel about the religious movements in the music World? Such as the xian (christian) bands trying to gain a public through Black and Death metal, Do you Find that preaching like this is a pest in the metal scene?
I used to do that shit myself so I can only say, it's everyones choice what the wish to do with their lives and with their musicality.


7.) I Was Told you Were A Guest on the Therion - Theli cd and that you dont really like the music... If you dont like the music, why'd ya do the guest appearance?
I think the opportuinty for my to make a guest apperance on such a well selling record was great. I think that album was only a bridge to what they did on the last album, which I believe is great with real choirs and real string etc. I am satisfied with my performance.


8.) Some people have a hatred towards bands who just turn towards this music as a way of making money, like cradle of filth changing to black metal from death metal, and having sooo much merchandise, they think that cof ruined the name of metal, and they dont even sound like black metal, how do you feel about bands like this?
I think their music is pretty uninteresting but I think they have a great image and know how to market themselves in a tough world like this. The kids (and Kerrang!) seem to dig it so...cash it in. It's all about the money for some....


9.) A Friend of mine who's a fan of a band named Ghoststorm, (who's album you produced in `95) wanted me to ask you what happened to this band?
The latest I heard was they have wimped out and started to play, what their old manager reffered to as "pop music" and therefore he quitr working for them and Sekla was the main driving force behind that band in the publics eye, so they will most likely disappear..a shame because they could have been something.


10.) Most of the music you play in Edge of Sanity, Infestdead and Moontower were all quite melodic are there any plans for a Brutal death or maybe raw black metal projects? or any other kind of project in another style of music?
My solo album is kinda raw for me. I see agression and rawness coming in different shapes.I have planned to record one more album in this brutal directtion in the future, but that's far out now.


11.) Thanks alot for doing this interview=) Any Last commends or messages
you'd like to send out to your many fans out there to close off this interview?
Yeah..wait for the third Unicorn album and see what I am really all about

(Some will dig it, some will kill me!!)

Dan