Even the least interested death metal fans have heard about these Swedish fellows, they recently return to these battlefields. Bassist / vocal Johny told us in a few but precisse words all about their comeback .
Special greetings Johny , how’s UNLEASHED doing nowadays? Who’s still around from the old line-up?
We’re doing fine, everyone is still in the band. new record coming ,up next year.
Did you decide to break up the band some years ago, or were these past years just a period of rest?
We took a break after 8 years of touring and album recordings. We needed a break that’s all.
Did you keep in touch with the music scene during this time?
No. that was the whole point. to get away and get new inspiration.
Did the poor response to your last album WARRIOR have anything to do with your decision to leave UNLEASHED?
The band never split up. see above.
How would you define UNLEASHED’s present day sound? Close to the pure death metal sound of the early days, or similar to the more rock’n roller sound of the latest albums?
Well, can’t say i know what you mean exactly but the general feeling in the band is that we have improved alot. there will be a new production sound on the new record. we think this is the best so far.
Why did you include an inverted cross in the band’s logo?
Antichrist, means freedom!
Keeping your logo through the years without changing is shows respect for your roots. What do you think of bands that modify their logos after some time?
We answer to what we do only. we think our logotype fits what we do!
Johny, going back in time, do you keep special memories from your days with NIHILIST?
Of course, good memories but time flies by and things change, i enjoyed it back then as i do now.
Correct me if I’m wrong ,but didn’t UNLEASHED play the USA even before recording your first album "Where no life…"? Did you pay for the trip yourselves? What did you think of the New York scene at the time (89-90)
We played Europe before the first record, the U.S was shortly after the first release. we had a killer time on the us tour back in 91 for sure.
Is there aspecial feeling knowing that your first two album are considered death metal classics?
Very much so! but before you specify our two first ones ...please give our new one a listen. it will be out next year in the spring.
I know you’re rather touchy about questions dealing with the band ENTOMBED , however how do you see the changes in their music throughout the years?
Well, nothing special really. i like Entombed. only i don’t like to pass judgement on other bands.
UNLEASHED have always been very active when it comes to playing live, is it true that nowadays is very difficult for Swedish bands to score some shows? How was this situation 10 years ago?
We will tour when the new record is out. this is deffinatelly no problem.
What do you think happened to that powerful SWEDISH sound of the late 80’s and early 90’s? Why did that sound of bands like UNLEASHED or GRAVE almost vanished in the mid 90’s?
What?
The Swedish metal lost aggressiveness and heaviness , and became completely melodic, what do you think about this change of sound?
I don’t agree with you here. but i know for a fact that some people stoped listen to death metal for a while and the scene lost some popularity, i believe there will be a major change within a few years. a few bands will make it that are stronger in spirit than others.
Johny, how did you become a bass player singer? If I remember well you only played bass with NIHILIST. Did VENOM’s Cronos inspired or influenced you to sign and play bass at the same time?
Absolutelly! i have always been a huge fan of Venom and Cronos.
How did you get into heavy metal? What band or LP made you think "I want to star a fast and heavy band"?
Well, in the early 80 -ies there were bands like Mootörhead, Iron Maiden AC/DC, and of course Venom Celtic Frost and others.....
Were you sure about playing death metal when you started as a musician? Would you have played any other style of music? What kind?
Death metal was what i felt most for at the time. perhaps punk or heavy metal could have been a choice too.
How’s a normal day in your life? What else do you do besides playing with UNLEASHED? You have some kind of finance background right?
I am a diplomed business economist. i enjoy soccer and icehockey alot.
What about life with your family
Sorry pal. i draw the line right there.
Have you sacrificed part of your private/personal life to devote your time to UNLEASHED?
Yes, that’s unavoidable, Unleashed takes alot of time.
Your music makes me believe that for UNLEASHED is more important the simplicity of pure feeling than complex technical music structures, what do you think?
You are very much right. Unleashed plays music for people...not for musicians only.
Let’s talk about lyrics. Do you think death metal lyrics should be limited to satanic subjects, sheer hate and destruction?
No. unleashed has many different lyrics. they deal with many subjects.
Back in the early days of UNLEASHED you wrote some of the first "Viking " lyrics , "Into Glory Ride" was the first of this kind for all I know. Besides coming from a Scandinavian country, what else inspires you to write Viking Lyrics? Is this UNLEASHED’s trade mark?
Our trade mark is our logotype. and everything we do. of course our land is a strong inspiration for us.
What do you think about the way bands like BATHORY or MANOWAR approach the Viking subject?
I can answer for Unleashed only.
Will UNLEASHED achieve once again the same great recognition of years ago?
We will. mark my words!
Just out of curiosity Johny, do you know which is UNLEASHED’s highest selling album? How many copies have been sold?
You will have to ask our record company. ???
What is your opinion of today’s death metal scene? Do you know new bands like KAAMOS, INSISION, REVOKATION?
We have been away for 4 years...for a reason. we needed to get away from the scene to get inpiration like i said before.
When is the new album due? Title?
Titles will be on our site
www.unleashed.nu ( The title is
«Hell’s Unleashed» will be released in april 2002 on Century Media.ED)
Final words, any special message for UNLEASHED fans in Latin America?
Thank you for you support all these years. Unleashed are looking forward to come to latin america for a tour. ‘til then.... cheers!!!!!!
Interview by J. Claros