Interview with Micke of Unanimated 2009

By Bradley Smith

The Reunion of Unanimated was relatively recent and I was wondering what lead to this reunion and incidentally, what lead to the break-up of a band that had so much going for it after Ancient God of Evil?

Well, the split-up was really never meant to last for so long as it did. We decided to take a break but at the same time we were aware of a comeback in a short period of time. The thing was, we did not have anything going on at all after “The ancient god of evil” album. We had no support what so ever from our record label, they did absolutely nothing for us, not even the slightest effort to do some kind of promotion. That and our involvements in other bands made it so. Due to things like that and personal ups and downs in our personal lives such as drugs, prison sentences, you name it.

Actually, for that and many other reasons, it made it impossible for a reunion, until now.

Unanimated’s new album In the Light of Darkness was recently released. How was it writing and recording a new album after all these years? Did the band work well together immediately like old friends or was hard at first to get everything set in a forward motion?

It was easier than we first thought, we did not know what to expect when we entered the studio. But all the pieces just went down naturally for us, It was just like the old days really. We did have a tight time schedule though, only 10 days to record. So we did feel the time pressure after a few days, but it all worked out well eventually.  Our songs were not even a 100% done yet, so we finished the final details in the studio. It was like we never had been apart at all.

After taking a minute to sit down and get some perspective on it, how do you view In the Light of Darkness both as it stands by itself and in comparison to your other albums? What sort of goals do you have for it and for Unanimated now?

Without a doubt in my mind, I believe that “In the light of darkness” is our best album so far. It is the most complete and brutal one we have done yet for sure.

I do not think that you should compare the albums at all, they are individual to each other and simply stand for themselves. “In the forest of the dreaming dead” was our first and an important lesson that you never should record an album with studio guys that don’t know the music. I remember one of them said that the music sounded just like a washing machine full of coins.  Besides, they did not know what they were doing at all.  Our second album, “Ancient god of evil” was a natural step forward in our development and was recorded by Dan Swanö, that absolutely knew the music and because of that it was a much better production in every way. Musically as well.

13 years later we entered the studio again, this time with Tore Stjerna.  He really understood what we wanted, and the whole picture with the sound and his ability to feel the music was 100% clear.  The album came forth exactly as we wanted it to be, before we even knew what we really wanted.  The goals we had for this album was simply to make an album that we felt satisfied with, and that we really are.

I read that you paid quite a bit for your own copy of Ancient God of Evil on ebay. What happened to where you don’t have your own copy of it? And doesn’t it seem weird that you created the music and now have to spend so much money for your own copy? You must be glad that Regain is repressing both of the old albums.

So far as I know, that is just not true.

What we have done is paying our old record label for the rights to re-release the first and the second album.  Rights that were ours from the beginning, rights they never have had.  But, the thing is, If we did not pay them, they would bring us to court.  And that would cost us money and alot of time, that we did not want.

It would mean that we would not be able to re-release them for at least a couple of years.  So, for our fans we wanted them out as soon as possible without any further delay.  It’s just like your getting your car stolen and have to buy it back from the thief, insane that is.  They really fucked us over, and some day they´ll pay for that.

People should not pay a fucking fortune on ebay or any other place to get hold of our albums.  That is the main reason for the re-releases.

As a bassist, first and foremost what do you think about when composing a bass line? How do you try and fit it into the music yet still stand out? Who are some of your bass guitar idols?

I guess I just go with the flow, feel my way through, improvising and trusting my instincts whether it works or not.

One of my greatest bass player heroes is Cliff Burton, he was an influence in the early days both as a bass player and as a person.  For a singer, I would say that Quorthon´s (Bathory) vocals really have meant alot for my inspiration as a singer.  I used to sing along with the earlier Bathory albums.

Unanimated for its time with your previous two albums were considered as Pioneers of “blackened death.” What do you think that style means, what characteristic define it and how do you think you personally would describe the atmosphere of Unanimated?

I would describe Unanimated as a melodic black/death metal band.

I think we found our style more obvious with the “Firestorm” demo, and have from that point developed to where we stand today.  We used alot of keyboards in our previous albums to build up the atmosphere, something we did not need to in our latest album.  Simply because the music speaks more for itself, and are so on more true and honest without any paraphernalia other than ourselves.

Have you read the Swedish death metal book? Unanimated of course is mentioned quite a bit in there. I was wondering your thoughts on the book and by extension, your thoughts on the old Swedish scene. Those must have been truly magical days. What were some of your favorite contemporaries back then?

I have not really thought about the difference, but I think the bands of today are more competitors than back in the days.  At that time it sure felt like we all were friends and stood at the stage at each others gigs and just banged the head in frenzy.

We were all very young and took the day as it was, less complicated back then I guess.  You should not forget to have a blast while you are doing it.

Over all, I think the difference might have been the attitude.

Maybe now it is more musically, I have not really given it much thought to be honest with you.

I also haven’t got the time to read the book as well, but I will.

I’ve read opinions that the modern scene lacks the feeling that old scene possessed. Do you agree and if so what exactly are those feelings that the new scene fails to manifest? Is it an energy, a mood, a dedication, or more?

I am not sure,  I have read basically the same thing.

Perhaps it is not the bands that made it so at all, the times have changed, that’s all.  The record labels have other things to worry about nowadays, as downloads and such things that used to bring them money.

And maybe it’s more about money over all than it used to, and I guess that with other things reflects on the scene.

But of course there are bands that I think lacks of all those things you mentioned, and there are bands that still, regardless, are dedicated in what they do for 100%.

It seems to me that the Satanism and “evil” of Unanimated is more poetic and less straightforward than a lot of other bands. Do you agree and how do you as a band approach lyrical and philosophical topics such as this? How much of this is a reflection of your actual beliefs?

Well, we have always been into the dark and occult.  Which is well represented in all three albums.

But “In the light of darkness” album is more clear and darker than ever before in how the lyrics are written, and so is the music.  Our lyrics have on previous albums been less approaching and as you said before, more poetic.  I think the lyrics in a way reflects the development both individual and musically of Unanimated over the years that passed.  Our music reflects ourselves as persons we have become.

So what other active bands you are working on? I know you are involved with Damnation and Rape and Pillage Burn. So what is what is new with these projects? Anything else we should be aware of?

Well, I guess you know mostly of Peters and Richards band involvements.

Among others, Peter is involved in “Nifelheim”, “Damnation” and “Krux”.

Richard with the bands you mentioned.

Johan is playing with “Desultory” and “Zebulon”.

Micke is still playing drums with “Celestial Pain”, and recently “Harms Way”.

Just a little update for now, other than that nothing special is going on..You never know what awaits you.

Obviously the new album is just out so what are your Upcoming plans for Unanimated? How do you plan on promoting the album? Any special activities?

Actually, we have alot going on right now. We are mobilizing for our next move, much plans but nothing is for certain..Yet. So we’ll see soon what will happen, hopefully we’ll be playing alot in the near future..You know what will awaits you, fourteen years of hunger is upon you..The firestorm is coming!

I’ll leave you space to pass along any words of wisdom you might have picked up from your meeting with the Ancient God of Evil.

Hail the hordes!