Insision
Wywiad przeprowadził Wouter Roemers
Stockholm based death metallers Insision released their third album "Ikon" through Dental Records not that long ago. This album saw the band opting to include a number of classic genre elements while keeping their sound of previous two albums intact. Around the time of release we were able to catch up with the members of Insision to talk about their new effort. Speaking to us - after numerous delays and setbacks - are vocalist Carl Birath (CB), bassist Daniel Ekeroth (DE) with drummer Marcus "Mac" Jonsson (MJ) and guitarist Roger Tobias Johansson (RTJ) joining in for the second half of the interview.First off, I'd like to thank you for taking time to speak with me today. What is presently going on with the band? What new things are happening for Insision right now?
CB: No problem, Wouter. I'm glad we had a chance to do this interview. By the way, Daniel [Ekeroth] (bass) and Marcus "Mac" Jonsson (drums) will be joining in on some questions today. Okay, let's start... Happening right now? Well; except for the fact that we at fucking last, to put it mildly, can enjoy the so called fruits of our hard labour. Finally, the album is released. I mean, after all the shit that we been through... Damn. Other than that we are at this point preparing to start working on completely new material. I mean, no need to waste any time here. You know, it was about a year exactly to this month that we recorded "Ikon".
Congratulations with your new record "Ikon" - this is definitely the best we have heard from Insision to date. How have the reactions from the specialized press and fans been so far?
CB: Best worked through album and most effort put into. We had the opportunity to get rid of some waste luggage; both physically and mentally and in the same turn did get our self some new blood. That boosted all of us to the max. I think that helped out a lot and as we speak we also got our self a new axe-man to support Roger [Tobias Johansson] Magnus Martinsson is now a permanent member of Insision.
What was the main difference regarding the process of creation between "Revealed & Worshipped" and "Ikon", and how did that come out in the end result?
DE: During the creation of "Revealed & Worshipped" there were lots of problems in the band. Some members (including myself) were out of control, and had all sorts of problems that held up the creativity. With "Ikon", Roger and I knew it was up to us to create the riffs. Then Markus came in during the arrangements. Carl lost his soul working on the lyrics. It's a concentrated group effort, and Jonas Kjellgren really did a good job helping us all to put it on tape.
How long was the process of putting the album together, as far as writing the music, the concept and arrangements is concerned?
CB: About two years, I guess. We had long periods of inactivity due to tours and other stuff.
Can you tell us a bit about the lyrical themes and concepts you touch upon with your new album "Ikon". Is this a concept album of sorts, with all tracks tied in to the title "Ikon"?
CB: Although I try to write concept or theme-based lyrics, it's hard to sum up some sort of ongoing "concept". It is a question of how you comprehend and see each lyric - but yes, they all fit together in some way. Things I bring to the surface this time: life and death, anti-human and nihilistic views on the world and on my fellow men, but also different ways of atheism and theism. Anguish, hate, depression and separation both physically and mentally... they are all covered on "Ikon". Writing should be a personal thing and giving the reader a journey into one's soul and mind... My latest work on "Ikon" is just that. A glimpse of my inner world and a reflection, parts of my life.
What stands out about your latest release when compared to the rest of your discography?
DE: The sound is much improved, with audible guitars for a start! We dared to play slower at times, and also to let the songs be more different. Before we tried to incorporate all kinds of riffs and tempos within each song, but now we are gradually turning away from that. It feels like freedom...to break free from our previous patterns.
Tell us something about the artist you worked with for the artwork on "Ikon". It feels similar to the artwork on "Revealed & Worshipped". Did you work with the same artist again?
DE: It's done in exactly the same way as "Revealed & Worshipped". Carl came up with the original idea and design then Mick Usher perfected it. He is like a part of Insision now, and we will probably work with him in the future as well.
CB: Damn right. (www.mickusher.com) Me and Mick worked on this cover for 6 bloody months. He did the illustration and I co-worked parallel with Sketches and trying to explain the ideas behind the cover and the overall feeling of it. Too bad it came out so dark and shady as it actually did. It was not me that "oke'd" it when it came from the printing factory. It's a great cover. Our best, so far. I guess Mick and I will start working on the new one soon.
In my opinion you've achieved an earthy and organic warm sound that fits the music perfectly. Did you exactly know what kind of sound you wanted or did this sort of materialize along the way?
DE: We wanted a clearer sound, and I guess we achieved it. Still, I think we are still working on the sound that we really want for our music - but we are getting closer now!
MJ: Unfortunately due to our daytime jobs, we had to work in shifts in the studio. We had little chance to get everyone's ideas into the production. The sound turned out real cool in the end. We have a lot different ideas for the next album and as Daniel says we are a bit closer to finding the true sound we are after.
"Ikon" is a perfect little death metal album that harkens back to the genre's earlier days, yet it does manage to surprise here and there. Do you use a lot of time on trying to vary the music or is it something that just comes naturally?
MJ: We all have different inputs to the song-writing. For instance, Daniel has a lot of old school ideas, while Roger adds more technicalities to a song. Carl adds his versions and ideas, while I try to combine it all. So, in a way it all comes natural.
DE: As I said before, we just let the songs run free this time instead of keeping to fixed patterns. I guess we will let ourselves go even more in the future.
It actually seems like a much more matter-of-fact album, even down to the title "Ikon". Short, abstract and catchy.
DE: Yes, that was the idea. Keep it pretty simple and direct.
Many bands play really fast today and that is sometimes illegible for uninitiated people. Do you feel that Insision is a contrast to all those bands? There are lots of underlying melody and tons of groove in your music that is not always played at inhumanly fast tempos.
DE: We try to focus on the riffs and the songs themselves, not the tempos. It's fairly easy to lose oneself in the race to be fast and brutal, but such a strategy often weakens the songs.
MJ: Yeah, we are well aware that we could speed things up a lot. 'Breathing the Black Dust' just for instance, goes on in about 300 bpm. But the truth is, fast drums doesn't make a good song, and therefore, we rather focus on cool riffs and playing "suitable" drums for that particular riff, resulting in more diversity in our music. A lot of bands tend to do it the other way around.
Insision are amongst the latest crop of Swedish brutal death metal bands such as Aeon and Visceral Bleeding that play a notably American take on the genre. Are new, unsigned bands in the underground distancing themselves from the classic sound that made Sweden so famous in the early '90s?
DE: Right now it seems like most new bands look to the old school for inspirations, and thrash metal seems to be the latest fashion. It's all great! Still, some bands (like Deviant) are dealing with far more complex stuff. Anyway, it doesn't matter to me what style you do, the best bands will always prevail.
Some time ago you severed ties with Earache Records who released your first two albums. Can you elaborate a bit on the reasons for splitting with them? Weren't they offering the band the right amount of promotion and support?
DE: Dan wanted to work more with us, but fate had it otherwise.
Dental Records is a relatively small label. Tell us in a few words about its profile and your co-operation with them at this point. Are you satisfied with the promotion/support of your label is able to offer this release?
DE: Now we are a big fish in a small pond, instead of a little one in the big Earache sea. There are both downsides and upsides to this. I think it will be for the better in the end. To be honest, you don't feel much difference at all yet. We'll see.
CB: So far, I'm not impressed over my expectations when it comes to Dental Records. But as Daniel put it: we have to wait and see
What have been the biggest lesson learned thus far after releasing three albums on two very different labels? Which lesson will you not repeat again?
DE: The lesson is that bands and record labels will always have different opinions on certain things. I guess every band has to live with that.
CB: ...and every record label as well!
As far as promotion for "Ikon" is concerned: are you planning on doing a series of gigs in Sweden or are there any possibilities for Insision to do a full European tour in support of the new album?
DE: No firm plans yet, but we are talking with some bands about doing a tour together. This summer we will do a row of festivals, such as Party San and Deathfeast in Germany.
Apart from the band - what do you do when you are at home and not working: do you have time for hobbies?
DE: No hobbies. I run my publishing house Tamara Press during my spare time.
CB: I'm mostly into books and interesting encounters with people or things around me. Spend my free time with close ones and family most of the time, occasionally getting out for a drink or 20 when the moment allows. Aik-football!
MJ: Drums. What can I say?
RTJ: Hey! Guitars and Aik-football is the key!
Can you tell us what Insision has planned for the remainder of the year?
DE: Preparing new songs and clean up our rehearsal space!
MJ: Yup, since "Ikon" in October 2006, we have been working on new material, and that's it, apart from local shows and festivals.
Thanks for the interview! Good luck with all your future endeavours. I would like to extend my praise for a killer third album. Last words are up to you.
CB: Thanks for the interview! And eternal praise to all headbangers out there – you are the true icons in life!
Booking: birath1@comhem.se
Site: www.insision.com
