1) Hello, first of all thank you for this interview ! you have almost 20 years of career behind you and you are one of the pillars of the Swedish Death Metal scene so I am not going to ask you to present the band, but what assessment would you draw of your career?
Thanks for that! I guess we don't really have an assessment yet...it feels
like we're just getting started! no reall we're just working hard and
staying true to what we do and see no end to it really...


2) You've just released your last album, Hammer Battalion, which is an excellent release. However, part of Death Metal fans criticizes your last albums and prefer to them your old ones, how would you sum up and explain the evolution of your music?
We have indeed! And actually we get far less of that than one could
actually expect. There will always be people that like to stay in the
past, and saying that there will always be bands that were better in the
past. However most of the time we get the response that our new material
is as good or better than the old so thats a great compliment!


3) Since 1990, you have never had any change in your line up, what is rare. What is your secret for such a cohesion in the band

?
We have actually. In 96 or so fredrik left and was replaced by...well,
another fredrik! But still, only one change in almost 20 years i would say
is pretty good. not sure why this...obviously it's like family and it has
of course helped maintain the focus and course we are taking.


4) You are one of the first few death metal band to write lyrics about the scandinavian history and the Vikings, which reasons pushed you to choose this themes?
It was never a conscious descision at the time, but it was a subject we
felt we wanted to explore and felt fit well with the type of music we
played.
And now of course it has become an important part of the band.



5) What do you think of the increasing viking metal scene which is becoming quite 'mainstream'?
I don't know really. I think it's a subject worthy of writing about and
good that bands cary on with it. as for the music of most these bands it's
not my thing. i prefer more traditional death metal.


6) What is your opinion about the present Swedish Death metal scene?
It's great! As good as it ever was i'd say. Most of the old bands are
still going very strong and new one

s keep coming. It's like it never
changed.


7) You are the headline for 4 metal fests this summer what are your expectations?
We expect great things! It's always an honor to headline these bigger
events and we'll take on the task as always with never ending hate and
agression!


8) You toured with the greatest death metal bands such as Death, Morbid Angel, Canibal Corpse since the beginning of your long career, which tour left you the best memories?
So hard to say, it's all been great! mostly we've had the opportunity to
go out with great bands and great people so it's impossible to say which
was best! But sure, the real early ones were special as it was our first
experiances with this life and built our career alot.


9) Last question, the typical one of our website: what is the 'spirit of metal' for you?
To stand up and fight for yourself and your music! Never take any shit
from anyone!


10) Tack så mycket ! ;) The last words are for you !
Tack! We are looking forward to meet all the unleashed warriors on tour!
join the battalion!!


anders/unleashed