The
Bereaved
Mikael Nilsson, the bassist
of The Bereaved is here, on behalf of the band, to answer our questions
about their great debut album “Darkened Silhouette”. He has offered us
straight and honest answers and The Bereaved proved to be a nice and focused
band. So, make sure you listen to their album and read what we talked about...
1. FIRST OF ALL CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE “DARK
SILHOUETTE”! IT’S A GREAT ALBUM!
Thank you, Christine! I’m glad to hear that!!!
By the way sorry if it took me long before I answered your questions, I’ve
been sick and got no internet at home at the moment.
2. THIS IS YOUR DEBUT ALBUM, SO I THINK IT WOULD
BE GOOD TO PRESENT US THE CURRENT LINE UP…
Jonny Westerback-Vocals and plays guitar live
Henrik Tranemyr-Lead guitars
Mikael Nilsson-Bass
Tony Thorén-Keyboards
Tobhias Ljung-Drums
3. YOU BELONG TO THE WORN OUT GENRE OF MELODIC
DEATH/THRASH METAL. AREN’T YOU AFRAID THAT SOME MIGHT ACCUSE YOU OF FOLLOWING
A SUCCESSFUL RECIPE, IN ORDER TO WIN THE RECOGNITION EASIER?
If someone thinks we play this kind of music
to get fame and money, that person’s got serious problems. If that would
be the case we wouldn’t play metal at all I think. We have been playing
this music since ’98 and we haven’t earned any money yet and we are not
famous! My point is that we play the music we like to listen to and that
is important for us.
4. I WAS REALLY ENTHRALLED AT YOUR DEBUT ALBUM,
CAUSE YOU HAVE SUCH A RAW ENERGY POURING OUT FROM EVERY NOTE AND SUCH AGGRESSIVENESS
THAT THIS IS THE IDEAL MUSIC FOR LIVE SHOWS, PARTIES OR EVEN RELENTLESS
HEADBANGINGS. IT WOULDN’T SOUND WEIRD TO ME IF I READ THAT THOSE WHO LISTEN
TO YOUR ALBUM, WRECK EVERYTHING AROUND THEM… YOU SHOULD EXPECT SOME CATASTROPHES…
? SERIOUSLY NOW WHERE AND HOW DO YOU FIND ALL THESE ROUGHNESS AND POWER?
DO YOU HAVE TO BE IN A SPECIFIC MOOD OR DOES IT COME NATURALLY?
I think we have to calm down and don’t be
that aggressive anymore after your description (though I liked it); otherwise
USA will attack us and call us terrorists. ? Seriously, it comes all naturally.
Like I said before, we have been playing since ’98 so nowadays this aggression
you are talking about runs through our veins.
5. LET’S SUPPOSE THAT YOU WERE GIVEN THE “DARK
SILHOUETTE” ALBUM TO REVIEW IT OR AT LEAST TO PRESENT IT TO THE METAL FANS.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY, TRYING TO BE AS OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE?
It’s a good mix of different metal acts. “Darkened
Silhouette” contains really soft parts that transforms into pure brutality
and aggression. But the next album will be even better.
6. TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE RECORDING SESSIONS
AND THE PRODUCTION. ARE YOU FULLY SATISFIED WITH HOW THINGS CAME OUT? IS
THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO CHANGE OR MAKE SURE TO AVOID IN THE FUTURE?
We entered Studio Underground in the beginning
of January 2005 and after eighteen days we left with twelve recorded and
mixed songs. We know that we have to check our equipment twice. A guitar
broke when we recorded “Darkened Silhouette” and we lost two days. We will
also do a pre-production this time. I can say that we are never fully satisfied
with our work; we have to exceed ourselves to be satisfied.
7. PLEASE TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE LYRICS…
WHICH ARE YOUR SOURCES OF INSPIRATION?
We actually hate to write lyrics. But it’s
necessary I think. It’s mostly about common problems like emptiness, fear,
pain, hate and rage. And where technology is taking us, without having
a second thought about it.
8. WHICH ARE THE REASONS THAT LED YOU TO SIGN
TO BLACK LOTUS A LABEL THAT IS LOCATED SO FAR AWAY FROM YOUR COUNTRY?
They gave us the best offer. They want to
do something with our band and believe in us.
9. CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THE COVER ARTWORK
“SHOWS” AND STANDS FOR? HOW IS IT CONNECTED TO THE ALBUM’S TITLE?
I have no idea. It’s Seth from Seth Design
who designed it. What we have heard, it’s the picture Seth saw when he
listened to the album.
10. DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR LIVE SHOWS OR FOR
A TOUR? WHY SHOULD THE METALLERS ATTEND TO YOUR LIVE SHOWS? WHAT DO YOU
HAVE TO OFFER?
I think there are some plans, but I don’t
know where and when we’ll play. But hopefully we’ll come to Greece and
do some show, be sure to check us up then and have a few drinks with us.
We can offer you great songs with a lot of energy and a great time to headbang!
11. WHAT’S THE BEST AND WHAT’S THE WORST PART
IN YOUR MUSIC, ACCORDING TO YOU? IN WHICH FIELDS DO YOU THINK YOU NEED
FURTHER IMPROVEMENT?
The best part is that it’s good music. The
worst thing is that it’s hard to play. We have to improve everything: musicianship,
arrangements and everything there is.
12. PLEASE MENTION SOME OF YOUR MOST BELOVED BANDS
AND ALBUMS AND NAME SOME MUSICIANS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED YOU A LOT…
I have to say that Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning”
is my most beloved album and Cliff Burton has always been a God to me.
Also Iron Maiden’s “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” is one of these albums
that are flawless. Steve Harris has something divine in him too.
13. IF YOUR MUSIC WERE AN EMOTION, WHAT WOULD
IT BE? IF IT WERE A PAINTING, WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?
It would be emptiness and fear combined with
rage. There actually is a painting that I think fits in quite well according
to my description. Edward Munch’s “Scream”.
14. IF YOU COULD INVITE FAMOUS MUSICIANS TO PARTICIPATE
IN YOUR ALBUM, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
I think I would like to have James Hetfield
participate on our next album. I think he has a great voice and Metallica
was the reason why I started to play in the first place.
15. LET’S SUPPOSE THAT THERE WAS NO MUSIC IN THE
WORLD. HOW DO YOU IMAGINE SUCH A WORLD? HOW WOULD YOU CHANNEL YOUR CREATIVITY?
If I had never heard music I wouldn’t miss
it either. But if music just stopped existing it would be hard for me,
I think I would go crazy! I think I would play more ice hockey or some
other sport; it’s another way of getting my aggression out.
16. THANK YOU! IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE
TO MENTION?
Well, thank you! I hope we’ll see you soon
and check out www.thebereaved.tk
every now and then. Stay metal!
Christine Parastatidou
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