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- Hi, first off all I just want to congratulate you on your
debut album “Degeneration”.
Are you satisfied with it?
Michael - Yeah! Kind of like that
is produced that the louder you play it…the clearer and better
it sounds.
But off course it can always be better!!
- Where did you record “Degeneration”?
Michael - It was recorded at
Necromorbus studio in Stockholm with producer Sverker Widgren.
Kind of an old friend to the family, since he did our demos. So
we figured that if it is going to be anybody it’s going to be
him doing the record with us. We also thought it would be cool
to record in a studio which focuses mostly on death/black, which
really is their cup of tea, but in addition to that, trying to
twist it into something new. I don’t consider our music easily
labelled which could make it hard for any studio to make a good
production. All subgenres have their strengths in productions
and as for me…I wanted it to sound something like Lååz Rockit
meets Slipknot and Nevermore!
And the result….I think we need to do our homework better until
next time *laughs*
- So, how did you come up with “Degeneration” for the album
title?
Michael - I mostly write lyrics
that reflect my surroundings and how I fit into that. I like to
raise questions rather than make a bold statement like “We are
Satan’s offspring” ha-ha. Basically the word itself is supposed
to be pun. Something like, Degenerate, generation, regeneration,
degeneration and so on! For me that kind of lyricism makes me
wonder. What are we doing? And why?
Now you know…I’m a pretentious bastard.
- Where any songs scratched during the writing/recording
process?
Michael - Yeah. Both before and
during the sessions. We are a band that writes a lot of music
and it was a challenge to decide which songs to have on the
album. We finalized 2 tracks though. “Grind ya down” and
“Convicted” We’ll see what will happen to them. I think we’re
going to use them as bonus tracks on something. I guess at least
one of them will be on a compilation later this spring...
- Nevermore comes to mind when I’m listening to “Degeneration”.
In what words would you describe the music and moods of
Machinery for someone that has not heard you yet?
Michael - That’s a tough one. I’d
like to present our music as aggressive melancholy but I’m not
sure everyone would agree to that. Hmm... The best way to
describe us is that we’re a hybrid between technical thrash with
a touch of American power topped with some Norwegian black. Like
Overkill meets Nevermore meets Annihilator or something *laughs*
you put me in a spot here. We’re trying to do our own kind of
metal…if you all don’t like it. Fuck it!
- The internet has gotten a quite ill reputation with mp3-files
available nearly everywhere. Do you see the opportunity of
getting sound files of bands off the internet as a chance for
bands or rather as a threat to their existence?
Michael - Both actually. It has an
upside as well as a downside. I think in the beginning of the
career, bands can really use internet to gain popularity. But on
the other end of the rope… bands that depend on record sales for
living.... their reality must be much harsher. It’s a blessing
and shame. A moral question no doubt!
- The five most important metal albums of all times, please!
Michael -
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And Justice for all - Metallica
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Years of Decay - Overkill
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Dead Heart in a Dead World - Nevermore
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Long Live Rock 'n' Roll - Rainbow
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Spreading the Disease - Anthrax
- What are you doing besides Machinery, job wise as well as
hobbies?
Michael - I’m working on that one.
The dream is that Machinery would become our living. But outside
the band hmmm… I enjoy cooking a lot. Especially Ethiopian and
Indian food. Going to concerts and buying records is something
else I enjoy. Otherwise I think I’m an ordinary guy. I collect
some movies, weird movies, comics, like sports, do a bit of
gambling, drink BEER!!
- What tasks presently lie ahead for Machinery?
Michael - At the moment we’re doing
preparations for the next album due this fall and hopefully
we’ll be able to do a tour this autumn. I got a feeling that a
music video might be ready before the end of the year as well.
We have also just introduced Mano Lewys to the band since Markus
departure last autumn.
- If you could choose freely, who is your dream band to tour
with?
Michael - Ritchie Blackmore, Jeff
Loomis, Geoff Tate, Geezer Butler and van Williams = the dream
team! Hahaha
-
What would you say to a potential fan to convince him to buy
“Degeneration”
instead of something else?
Michael -
BUY IT or I’ll break your legs!!!
- Well, that’s it! Thanks a lot for the interview. Anything
you’d like to add to our head banging readers?
Michael -
Keep on moshing guys & dolls! Sooner or later Machinery will
come to your town!
Interviewed
by Peter |
