Deranged
Wywiad przeprowadził Wouter Roemers
Recently Swedish brutal death metal institution Deranged released a new record by the name of "Obscenities In B-Flat". As always, the album didn't fail to live up to expectations and Deranged's own reputation. Despite a number of label changes, line-up shuffles and tour cancellations Deranged continue to stab and hack their way through the competition. With the new album behind their belt, we caught up with the band, to talk about the bands current and future undertakings, the Killaman side-project and the general struggles of running a band in this genre. Talking to us is drummer Rikard Wermén, driving force and general spokesperson for Deranged. 
Hi! Thanks for taking time out to talk to us. How's everything in the Deranged camp as of late?
Pretty good. Thanx for asking...
Let me first congratulate you on a great new record. How have the press and fan reactions been so far?
It's been okay. I mean, you'll always get a few that'll think it's a waste of plastic, you know. That's how it is - but overall, it's been okay... A lot of people keep telling us how different it is compared to a lot of our other recordings. Whether that is something good or not, I don't know.
In the past you wrote the majority of the lyrics, and with "Plainfield Cemetery" you had a friend helping out. Who was responsible for the lyrics for "Obscenities In B-Flat"?
It was mostly me. I think Calle did 2-3 lyrics. The rest was done by me. I hope Kevin Marshall will have the time to help us out again for the next CD. I'm a horrible lyric writer, you know.
"Obscenities In B-Flat" is another highly lethal slab of blood soaked death metal. As always, the production is very warm, organic and not too pristine. Do you feel that most death metal today is too clean, triggered and generally overproduced?
I wouldn't call them "overproduced", you know. I know what you mean but as said, I wouldn't call it "overproduced". More a matter of bad taste, I guess... But hell, just a matter of what you're after.
How long was the process of putting the album together, as far as writing and arrangements is concerned?
It took like 5-6 months. We were working on the new disc on and off, as we were doing a bunch of smaller tours and gigs.
The new album was once again recorded at Berno Studios in Sweden. Is there any specific reason why Berno Studios is so fitting for a band as yourselves?
The "Obscenities" CD is the 9th full length Johan and I recorded at Berno's, counting a few none Deranged recordings. I can say right now that we will record 99% of the next disc at Berno, as well. I mean, it's not only one of the best, if not the best place for this kind of metal in Sweden. It takes us like a half an hour by car going there, so it's damn near as well. Needless to say, we have been working with Berno a couple of times before, so we know him rather well by now and that helps out.
Vocals this time around are done by Calle Fäldt. Over the years you've had a lot of people doing vocals: Per Gyllenbäck (who runs Regain Records), Fredrik Sandberg and Johan Anderberg. Is there any stability as of yet for the vocal slot?
Yes, Calle did the vocals on the CD, although we gave him the big boot a couple of months ago. New singer: Martin Schönherr... and things are working out so much better than anyone had expected. Martin was the vitamin injection the band needed. Yes, the vocal slot is very stable for the moment.
How do you feel the new album stands up next to your back catalogue? Where would you put it?
On the fucking top, hahaha!
Through out your decade plus career guitarist Johan Axelsson and you have been Deranged's creative backbone and only constant in the line-up. Has the way of writing music changed over the years with experience, etc?
No, that's the thing... It's no news that we've had A LOT of changes in the line-up but still, it's always been Johan and I doing the music. Myself doing most of lyrics and the actual vocal patterns so... All of the changes we've had have never affected the sound of the band.
Why were there so many line-up changes in the past? With bassists, vocalists, etc coming and going? Had they problems dedicating themselves 100% to Deranged?
No. It varies. I mean, to be honest... Neither Johan and I are the type of fellows that will give people "chances" or fuck around. If you act and behave like a brat, we fucking treat you like one, as well.
You do seem extremely driven. You didn't miss a beat when it came to replacing the previous members and marching on.
No! That's how it goes... Hell, why should I let someone put something I want to do down just because they don't want to do it as much or the way the rest of us wants to?
In the years prior to this album you've had a few fairly successful projects in the underground, namely the now defunct Murder Corporation and Killaman. The latter's debut album "Hate Kill" was released through Dutch quality label Displeased Records. What's the status on Killaman, any plans for a new recording or is new material still in pre-production phase?
It's still pretty much in its "pre-production" phase. I don't know. Right now are we doing Deranged. We most recently released a new CD, we are discussing a new video clip, we have started to work on a new CD so... We have plenty to do with Deranged for the moment.
I tend to find that your name commands a great deal of respect within the extreme metal scene but that respect hasn't really translated into album sales over the years. Is that situation frustrating for you?
I would be a liar if I said "no". I mean, as I see it: the more you sell the fucking better and longer tours can you do and that's what we want to do, to tour... Still, we're the type of band that will kill ourselves instead of selling out.
You are one of the unsung heroes on underground extreme metal drumming. How do you feel about people like George Kollias (Nile), Martin Maurais (ex-Kataklysm), Tony Laureano (ex-Angel Corpse) and the likes receiving awards and doing clinics, while someone like you - who has been around equally as long – doesn't get any attention?
I don't see myself as a 'great drummer', you know. It's not what you play, it's how you play it. Clinics? That is so fucking gay, hahaha!
From 1999 on all the band's albums have been released through French label Listenable Records. Are you satisfied with the work they have put in marketing, promoting and generally getting the name Deranged out of the underground?
Yeah. So far, so good... Listenable are pretty cool. For being a label, that is.
Prior to the release of the new album you have done some select shows in the Netherlands. Supposedly, you're going on tour with US death metal institution Incantation later in the year. Can you tell us something more about that?
I'm sorry to say 'no'... We have just been told that we can support Incantation in November and that's about it. I know they'll come over. I tell you one thing, tours have fucked up before.
Thanks a lot for your time. If there's anything else you want to add, here's place!
Thanx a lot for the interview and be sure to check the new CD out.
Site: www.iamderanged.com
Booking: rikwermin@msn.com
