Unmoored
Wywiad przeprowadził Andrzej Papież
Unmoored is one of those bands who hadn't too much luck in their career till now. This Swedish death metal act released 2 albums till now, but any of them wasn't well known in the underground. Maybe 'cause of their Asian label, Pulverised? It's hard to promote European band from Singapore, but we, the Masterful people, are on the post to introduce you this excellent Swedish death metal commando. The interview was conducted with Unmoored leader - Christian. Enjoy the reading! Greetings Christian! I hope that you're in great mood now and ready to introduce Unmoored to polish audience ?!
"Sure man, no problem!"
Unmoored released 2 albums untill now, but You're still a new name in the scene. But as I know Your band have been existing since 1994... There is some history to share, right ?
"Well, we started off back in the winter of 93/94. Recorded three demos between 94 and 97. Signed to Pulverised Records in the summer of 97. Recorded our debut-album, "Cimmerian", at Sunlight studios later that same year. Went through som line-up changes and then recorded our second opus, called "Kingdoms Of Greed", at studio Abyss in the end of 99."
"Kingdoms of greed" suprised me a lot. You know, your songs are melodic, but not weak. This is brutal album, but still catchy and atmospheric... There is a thin line between all metal styles and You guys mix all of them in, lets say, individual way...Any comments ?
"For me, the challenge in trying to turn the extremes into a functional unit often works as the motive power needed in order to be creative as a songwriter. With "Kingdoms..." I think we managed to do so. Combining melody and mayhem in a well-balanced manner, without losing our way that is."
"When I listen to all those new Swedish bands I hear nearly the same style. Melodic death with black parts. How do you intend to differentiate Unmoored from this flood of similar bands?
"First of all, being original doesn't necessarily mean your music is something genuinely good if you ask me. I think you can be a semi-original band and still write interesting songs, but if I have to point out something that speaks in our favour against other similar bands, I'd say our open-minded attitude towards music in general."
I don't know how do you that, but you play in 11 different bands. Why don't you take 2-3 of them more seriously ? It would be better for those your more topic, known bands as Unmoored or Solar dawn...
"I do give priority to Unmoored and Solar Dawn, since they are the only "real" bands I play with on a more regular basis.The rest are merely semi-serious projects I engage in whenever I feel like it."
As far as I know almost every Swedish musician plays in more than 2 bands. Maybe this is the reason of stagnation on Swedish scene, where all bands play the same style?
"Maybe, maybe not! It's hard for me to say since it kind of works the other way around for me. By practising new styles, like I do with almost each and every band/project I'm in, I manage to keep myself from stagnating musically. As goes for all Swedish bands playing the same style, I don't agree. I think the Swedish scene is one of the more progressive ones around at the moment."
"Kingdoms of greed" suprised me with very sensitive and emotional "ballad" "Final State". It's just a gem ! A real hit song for airplay in every commercial radiostation !
"Hehe...I don't know about that, but I'm glad to hear that you like it:)"
Be my guest! Huh, I think that with this song you'll become another swedish Abba or Roxette, ha, ha. And with your great blasphemous nicknames You'll become another groovy Spice Boys!
"What a nightmare-scenario:)"
The next step to your commercial domination is the hidden track. Just pure techno pop with raw and razor guitars. Please explain me what the hell for you recorded this ironic track ?
"To piss people off...hehe! Joking apart! We recorded it just for the fun of it and that's all there's to it really. I guess you could say it's one of those songs you either love or hate:)"
And some songs on "Kingdoms of greed" have deeply personal lyrics, for example to mention once again "Final state"...Am I right ?
"Yes you are, but I intend to keep them personal if you catch my drift:)"
How you could compare a work at Sunlight where you recorded the debut, to Abyss where "Kingdoms..." was recorded? I think that Mr. Skogsberg is a bit fed up with death metal opposite to Tagtgren bros, right ?
"A bit fed up is the least you could say:) I mean, Tomas is a great guy and all, but when it comes to producing, it feels like he's had it. The Tägtgren brothers on the other hand are really inspiring working with and you're always satisfied with the final result. It's just like when you go to a restaurant for the first time. If the food and the service are good, you'll
most likely return:)"
You did record almost all instrumental parts on "Kingdoms of greed". You wrote all the material on this album, too. Also You don't rehersal very often. So it all makes me feel that Unmoored exists as a project band. I hope that I'm wrong...
"When we recorded "Cimmerian" we were still a band rehearsing, playing live and so on, but when Nicke resigned, it all kind of stopped. From that day on, up until just recently, we've been more of a projectband with temporary session-members filling in when needed, rather than a band in the strict sense of the word, but now that Henric Schönström has joined up with us as our new permanent drummer, we've resumed our rehearsals and playing live and so forth."
On "Kingdoms of greed" drum parts were made by Jocke Pettersson, former member of Dawn and Thy primordial. Is he a permanent member of Unmoored? What made you to invite him to help you and play in Unmoored ?
"We made the acquaintance of Jocke back in 97 when we recorded "Cimmerian" at Sunlight studios where he worked as a co-producer at the time being. He's not a permanent member of Unmoored. He simply helped us out with the drumming on "Kingdoms..." since we had problems finding a suitable replacement for Nicke in time for the recording and we didn't want to postpone it."
I remember Dawn's great album "Slaughtersun"... After releasing this album some people said that Dawn is the new hope of Swedish death/black metal. And now after over 3 years Dawns keeps the silence. Are they going to record the follower of this album ?
"I don't know man...sorry!"
What's a pity... What about the media and listeners reactions on "Kingdoms..." ? Is there any new record label interested in signing with you ? As I remember Pulverised didn't gave you such a promotion as you deserve... Who will license this album on Europe area ?
"The respons has been generally very good. In fact, I've not read one single bad review of it to date. As goes for a new record label, where negotiating with a couple of interested ones at the moment, but nothing is settled yet. I have no idea who is licensing our album in Europe...I guess I should, but I don't:)"
Danish Mighty music will soon release debut album of your other band Solar dawn. What can we expect from this album?
"What you can expect is Death Metal with a lot of melody!"
As I mentioned before you play in many bands. What can you tell us about them. Are their musical styles similar or not?
"The only ones that are closely related musically are Unmoored and Solar Dawn. The rest is a very mixed dish so to speak::)"
Ok., You play in few bands, You study, You have a girlfriend...and the list goes on and on. So, when do you have the time to write new material for third Unmoored album ? What can you tell us about this forthcoming album?
"If I don't have the time, I take it:) As goes for our new material, it pretty much follows on where "Kingdoms..." left off."
Is there any possibility to see Unmoored crushing live the stage ?
"There's nothing scheduled at the moment, but I do hope to get out on the road in a not to distant future."
Your firstname is Christian. Do you remember that Varg Vilkerns was named the same way. And he changed this name for Varg because it was too christian, connected with christianity... if you know wht I mean. So, are You going to change your firstname Christian, he, he?
"Let me ask you this...do you think our music would improve if I was to change my name?"
No way... I think we'll finish here. Thank You for answers. Good luck with Unmoored, hope You'll crush weak ones with your next album. If ther's something that I missed, please, here's the place. All the best and take care!!!
"Thank you Andy for your shown interest and support! For the rest of you, I suggest you check out "Cimmerian" and "Kingdoms Of Greed" if you like your metal lethal. That's all folks - C-YA!"
unmoored@hotmail.com
