Interview with Anders of Unleashed 2008

By Bradley Smith

Your new album The Hammer Battalion is about to be “unleashed” upon the world.  I have been listening to it a lot lately and I think it destroys!  What doe sit represent for you guys and what should the fans expect from it?

It is indeed!  And that’s great to hear!  For us it represents another chapter in the history of unleashed and a more than worthy following to Midvinterblot.

Not too long ago the world was finally treated to an Epic tour of Swedish death metal with Unleashed and other elder gods of the Swedish scene Entombed, Grave and Dismember.  How did this tour go and what took so long for something like this to finally happen?

That tour was probably as much of an experience for us involved as for the people that got to see it.  It was a great tour and like a 3 week party with a bunch of your oldest friends.  It was talked about for a very long time but to get all 4 bands schedules to fit was a near impossible task.  Very pleased it finally happened!

One topic that you should be an expert on is the Growth and development of the Swedish scene, especially the Stockholm scene.  How have seen its progression over the years and how does it feel to be one of the bands that basically established what today is referred to as the Stockholm sound?

Of course it feels good to have been a part of it since the beginning.  As for the progression it's hard to actually really see it once you are in it.  It most of the time feels just like it always has.

As one f the very first bands to explore Viking symbolism and themes within the underground, how do you feel about its growth and influence?  Are you proud that other bands have taken up the torch to spread that sort of belief system or do you think they are basically copiers of something you established?

We've never really thought about it in that way.  It's just something we always did.  It's always good to be able to influence others and make an impact.  It would be pretty naïve to feel that you somehow had the sole right to something like that and be upset that someone had take influence.

On the topic of Viking themes, how do they influence your own belief system? Do you live by a certain code that is Viking in origin and what does Viking symbolism mean to you?  How do you adapt these ancient beliefs for operation in the modern era?

It would not be possible to apply most of these things in the modern world.  And that’s not really the point either.  But one can take influence of the spirit of it to guide you through life.

As a young kid growing up in Tampa, death metal was king.  To this day your performance with Entombed and Morbid Angel in 1991 on your first US tour is my all time favourite concert.  Can you reflect back on this tour and what it meant fro you coming to the US and playing with Morbid Angel and Entombed?  Are there any particular memories from that time that stand out?

That time was truly unforgettable and that tour was the biggest thing to have happened to us at that time.  A lot of memories from the past have faded but most things on that tour has permanently stuck.  Too many things to get into but I do certainly remember that Tampa show as well as most things on that tour!

After nearly 20 years of existence how have you viewed the development of the underground?  I mean you have seen the humble beginnings of death metal up until the present day.  What would you like to see change about the underground, if anything?

It's so hard to even define what is underground these days with the impact of the internet and such.  But it has been a privilege to see this style of music develop and grow...even prosper!  And there is no end to it!

Why did you move from Century Media to SPV?  How is the relationship with the labels different and what benefits are you getting from SPV that you didn’t get from Century Media?

After such a long time we really felt it was time for a change.  And we couldn’t be happier with that decision!  It was time for some fresh blood and ideas and things are way more focused now for sure!

How do your co-workers within the finance community take it knowing that they are working with a Viking warrior?  Are most of them aware of your dealings with Unleashed?

I guess this is more directed towards Johnny, but in general there is no hiding from anyone what we do and definitely no holding back as to what is most important in our lives.  It's a great thing to be able to find work that you can combine with the music, but if it comes to a choice, we all know what side wins!

Now as a “normal” citizen of Sweden how do you feel about politics within your country?  Do you follow them now or does it not hold any interest for you?  What would you like to see change about the Swedish government?

We are not a political band by any means but it does not stop one from having opinions on the things that will impact your everyday life.  There is really too much to mention that should be changed, but then, that pretty much goes for whatever country one lives in.

You stated that most advances are done at the expense of mother nature and she has means of striking back.  What do you mean by this and what are some examples of her striking back at humanity?

Since I’m not the one writing those lyrics I did consult Johnny on this one and here's the lowdown:

Look around you for a while......christians and muslims are constant war
against each other over oil, money and power.  Religious leaders care little
for Mother Nature as long as they keep power.  The political systems of most
western countries today are built upon the beliefs of Christian values.  As
if they were facts...One of many examples are the environmental issues
leading to an immediate backlash every time man thinks he can take too much
advantage over the environment and exploits nature as he see fit.  Sometimes
it takes time for her to respond though.  Any number of catastrophes can be
ruled out as accidental off course.....extreme weather, nuclear plant
accidents, endangered species dying out, oil fields burning, global warming,
etc......accidental?  I think not.  There is a reason for everything and
religion has an enormous part to play in all this since most political
leaders who have any kind of power to wield on the world stage are
religious.
 

What are your future plans for 2008?  Any new tours you will be partaking in? Any special activities you will be undertaking to promote the release of The Hammer Battalion?

Plans are a plenty! We will be doing a bunch of festivals through the summer and in sept/oct we will head back to the states together with obituary! Then to follow is the first leg of European tours starting in November together with Krisiun! And more to follow!

I’ll leave any final Words for you and strike down “the greatest of all lies!”

We are looking forward to seeing the response to Hammer Battalion and can’t wait to meet our warriors on tour, both stateside and in the rest of the world!  The campaign has begun....