Unleashed
Wywiad przeprowadził Andrzej Papież
The immortals are back!!!! After two years break Unleashed gather their forces to conquer the world once again. I'm abosolutelly sure that all of you remeber their classics: "Where no life dwells", "Shadows in the deep" or "Warrior". I interviewed Johnny with great pleasure. He told me that the new forthcoming album will be crushing all the weak ones. So, prepare yourself for Immortal Viking's glory ride!!! Hail Johnny ! Here's Andy from Masterful magazine. It's great to see Unleashed among living ones !!! What or who made You to return to the scene ?
"We kind of took a break from it all, the scene was really not that strong for a while and we needed a break, it's our first actually since the start in 1989.I think we've gotten some new inspiration now and hopefully you will hear this on the new recording."
What was the main reason that the Unleashed split up two years ago?
"We didn't really split up. The band took a break.I think we all need one once in a while in order to get some perspective to what you do."
What have You been doing since releasing Your last album?
"Personally I have been studying for a financial managers degree in corporate economics. And of course working with the new unleashed record."
I remember that You were on tour in Usa some time ago.Did you like those shows ? I know that Tomas was arrested,why ?
"Strange things happen on every tour, we've always had a great time on our U.S tours."
I would like to ask You some questions about Your forthcoming album. What it will be like ? Faster, more brutal and in Unleashed vein I suppose ?!?!?!?!?
"It will be somewhat harder, a little more angry than usual. The songs are in the same vein as before so noone will be dissapointed. However there will be a change in sounds. New guitar sound, a heavier and distiorted bass sound and also my vocals will be more raging than before. Still the same mix of slow, fast and midpaced songs as always."
When will You record that new stuff ? When it will be availible ? I cannot wait to hear it !!!!
"Hopefully we enter the studio march/april."
As You had many problems with Century media I think You won't release new album through this label, right ?
"We will see, we have many options actually. We'll go with whoever gives us the best offer."
Aren't You affraid that after such a long break there is still place for Unleashed on the scene ? You know, some of metalheads lost their interst in our music, some of them are more deep in other kinds of metal...
"Life is hard and then you die! I couldn't care less about fake ones. We play for anyone who's into brutal music, quite frankly, we don't want to please everyone!!"
You've always been against mass media and press. But sometimes You do answer some interviews. What are Your criterions of selection to which interview will You answer?
" WRONG! I never was against media! I do interviews with anyone who's seriously interested in Unleashed, small magazines, big ones, radio, TV, anyone! There are some certain people in the swedish-media-police I just can't stand, but that's another story.
I would like to thank You for "Hail to Poland". it was a great honour to know that such great band as Unleashed released live album recorded in our country ! Do You remember your gigs in Poland ?
"Absolutelly! Poland has always been fantastic. I remember many intense shows we played there. Polish fans are very extreme...just like Unleashed."
Few years ago Swedish Death Metal was associtated with hard, dry, skullcrushing death metal. Nowadays when somebody speaks about Swedish Death Metal he means melodic death metal from Gotheburg, for example :In flames, Soilwork, Dark tranquillity. What do You think about present Swedish scene ?
" Sorry, I haven't heard them. We try and concentrate on our thing, Aggressive, horrifying, extreme death metal!"
What do You think of actual music of Your old friends in death metal? I mean new faces of Tiamat or Entombed...
" Haven't heard their latest so I can't say."
And what's going on with great Grave ? Is there any possibility to see them together playing someday ? Their split-up is shitty waste for me !!!
"I think they are putting a new album togeather. Grave is one of my favourite bands. They do deliver...."
I've heard that long time ago Unleashe played several gigs with Morbid angels drummer. Is it truth ? Why does it happened this way?
" Back in 1991. We toured in Great britain. Anders-our drummer was cought in the customs and couldn't come through so we had no drummer on the tour. I personally played drums and vocals in Belfast and Dublin (Ireland) (we then played without bassplayer) then when we got to England, Pete sandoval ( Morbid Angel drummer) learned 6 of our songs so that we could play a full band. It was a truly heroic thing to do.
And believe me....our songs never was pewrformed faster than those nights with Pete on the drums....."
You had some problems with getting driving licence...'Cause of Your metal appearance, right ? How the whole thing finished ? Do you have driving licence now ?
"Oh, I sure do...really there wasn't a problem."
When can we expect Unleashed crushing our stages ?
"We'll have to wait and see how the record does as fas as salesfigures goes. We really enjoy playing Poland so hopefully we can come back soon."
At the end I would ask you what Unleashed stands for ?
" Pure Death metal."
Ok. Johnny. Thank you very much for answering my questions. All the best with Unleased. Hope to see You playing live soon. Any final words for polish maniacs ?
"Thanx a ton of dissected leftovers for the interview. Hope to see you all on tour....Stay true
