RSS
Interview
Deutsche VersionInterview mit Bloodbath (19.10.2004)
HH: Congratulations to your new album. I think it's better than the previous one Resurrection Through Carnage, because it's got the better songs and a better vocal performance! How would you rate Nightmares Made Flesh in comparison to Resurrection Through Carnage?
Anders: Thanks!!! Well, my impression is that the first album had a real retro death metal production aka the Sunlight sound, more primitive, lack of blast beats and fast double bass drums, lack of guitar solos, extreme powerful but monotone vocals. The new album is heavy and raw and pro combined. Modern production with edges of retro, more varied, blast beats, fast double bass drums, guitar solos, varied vocals etc. We've taken a long step from the "joke" that emphasized the band in late 90's. You know, as we got more space to move in, more talent to play with, this came natural. You can't create a tribute retro sound album over and over. It got to stop before it becomes a parody instead of a tribute. This time we felt it was more vital and important to let Bloodbath itself show what we're about, our capacity as 3 different composers with our own styles and desires and 2 new talented musicians showing what elite death metal efforts are about.
HH: From which part of the world did you get the best reactions so far?
Anders: USA, Sweden and Germany.
HH: Peter Tägtgren replaced Mikael Akerfeldt on the vocals, how did this come up?
Anders: Mike is busy over his head with Opeth and his record label would have charged a small fortune to allow him featured on the album. His time was up. Dan and Peter had been talking about doing some stuff together for a long time. Dan told Peter we were doing another Bloodbath album and explained that our previous singer, Mike left a huge void and it would take a beast to fill it. A death metal lord was what we were looking for! I guess Peter found that challenging. He did an effort that surpassed my expectations and hopefully, his own too. Compared to Mike, he got a similar auditable voice (that is very important for Bloodbath) that reaches a guttural low, but also apart from Mike, an extreme high and everything in between.
HH: Did Peter write some lyrics?
Anders: No.
HH: Why did Dan change from drums to guitar?
Anders: Because he didn't want to compromise. Dan is not really a blaster nor a double bass drums demon, so he wanted to step back to a more comfortable position as a writer and guitarist and let somebody else do the drum work.
HH: How did you choose the new drummer Martin "Axe" Axenrot?
Anders: Dan got by a colleague of his at a record store about a dude being up for it called Axe. Based on his credits, we went for a lucky shot and it turned out to be a homerun. This guy is a real freak behind the kit and in the mind. He had 12 songs not only to nail, but also to learn. Before he came down the studio he'd only heard 3 songs. Believe it or not, but he managed to learn and record all the 12 songs on 2 bloody days!!! The result is on the album and speaks for itself. Axe is clearly one of the most talented musicians I've ever met and one of metal's top of the line drummers.
HH: How was the time in the studio? How did the recording process take place?
Anders: I, Jonas and Dan, wrote 4 songs each in our homes. We got down to the studio, played each other the songs and then started recording. We were in done 2 weeks after. Professional, fun and smooth, the way we like it.
HH: So all songs were ready at this time?
Anders: Everything was ready and waiting to be nailed.
HH: How often do you rehearse?
Anders: We have never rehearsed. We never had to really. It's one of the magic things with Bloodbath. It works.
HH: The promo sheet says that Bloodbath is not only a project but a real band. So, when can we expect to see Bloodbath live on stage?
Anders: Hopefully, during the mid part of 2005.
HH: Who will be part of the live crew? Will this be the current line-up with Peter on vocals, Dan and you on guitars, Jonas on Bass and Axe on drums?
Anders: You never know. There could be some replacements if time is short on someone's private schedule.
HH: If you could choose, what bands would you want to tour with?
Anders: Morbid Angel with David Vincent on vocals would be my #1 choice.
HH: Imagine Nightmares Made Flesh is a car, what car would that be?
Anders: It would be one of the cars in the Mad Max movies.
HH: Will there be a new record in the future?
Anders: Yeah, as long as me, Jonas and Dan are the core of this band we will always find the time and interest to gather up and do some sessions. I hope Axe will stay recording with us, because he's such a kick ass drummer, but it's not certain whether Tägtgren can commit himself to Bloodbath for the future. Then, we might have to replace the vocalist for every record and make it a tradition of Bloodbath hahah! I know we will make more albums, because the spark is there!
HH: Thanks for your time and for answering the questions. Some final words?
Anders: If Bloodbath shows up on a stage near you, I'd love to see you up front. Go to www.bloodbath.biz and get some of the merchandise and stay metal!!!