SOURCE – Thanks for taking the time to do an interview guys, first of all could you tell me how the band got together?
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – It all started in the summer of 2008. We were fresh out of junior high school and wanted to start a band and like all kids; we wanted to change the world.
So we got a small rehearsal space and basically lived there for the whole summer. After hitting the underground scene and getting a really good response, winning some awards and competitions we knew that we had something unique. In the beginning we really aspirated to play Deathcore. After about one and a half year of playing we got our first record deal. This was huge for us. 17 years old and dreams started to flow.
Somewhere down the line we found out about 8-stringed guitars, and felt like this was definitely the way to go for us. We wanted to create something new, something to call our own.
SOURCE – Fill me in a bit on the specifics of how this Verisimilitude & The Second Estate album came together in regards to the writing and recording.
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – We got signed in 2009, started recording our debut 2010, finished it in 2011 and then the record label went bankrupt… We lost all the recordings and we got really beaten down by it. We didn’t really know what to do. As time went on we all decided that it would be for the best to put that whole album behind us. We got a fresh start and went back to the basics. We were more mature this time around and we started to create our own sound. We started writing songs, putting all musical genres and labels behind us and wanted to write something that came naturally to us. So me(Adam) and Theodor started to talk a lot about how we wanted a song to make us feel and not how to make it as brutal and as heavy as possible. It if was right for the song, then that was what should be in it. It felt very organic and not forced.
So early 2013 the idea to start recording a new album was born. This young up and coming producer called Oscar Nilsson contacted Lowe our drummer and asked how things were going for us and if we had any plans for recording an album. Oscar was very keen to produce the record and showed a lot of passion and understanding for our sound and our approach to music. So we started to record in March of 2013 and finished it in November.
SOURCE – How did you come up with the amazing cover artwork?
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – The artwork just came to us one day. We had recorded a promo guitar video for the song White Man’s Burden in my grandparents apartment. And in the background on the wall they have this incredible wall rug that they bought in London decades ago. For me growing up with it and seeing it all the time, I didn’t really pay that much attention to it but the guys really loved it. I believe it was Lowe who said one day when we were all talking about an album cover that the rug on the wall would be perfect. Indeed it was. We are very happy with the end result.
SOURCE – What were your ambitions when recording Verisimilitude & The Second Estate?
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – We wanted to create something new, something to call our own. So when we started to record we wanted a really solid rhythm base, and there is none better than Lowe. There is this animalistic groove to the album that we love.
Since Kalle’s fingers are like hammers on every note we got that really thick and forceful sound to accompany Lowe’s battery. We wanted all these hidden gems so that you really had to listed to the songs a few times to find them. We hoped that this would compel people to really dig into our music and discover it for their own.
The guitars are very sinister. It’s all in brilliant hands of Theodor and Axel. Still, we didn’t want to over complicate things. Keeping it simple and interesting was the goal from day one.
When it came to the lyrics, I wanted to tell different kind of stories in every song. We have everything from old ghost tales, biblical stories, Alice in wonderland, imperialism to a suicide going in reverse. It was important to make the vocals as interesting and versatile as possible.
SOURCE – Given the actual saturation of the metal scene, what do you think makes you stand as an act people would want to listen to and see live?
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – We like to think that we are quite unique in our sound and that people who want to find a very versatile and experimental band are going to enjoy our music.
Since we incorporate everything from electronic music to black metal we hope that there is something for everyone that likes a bit of heavier music. Even though we are quite technical some times we try to make it as animalistic, beautiful and organic as possible.
We all have our little qwerks live and are often described as the band who needs more room on stage. We are everywhere all the time and really like to live out our emotions on stage. We really want the fans to leave with the same feeling we get from our favourite bands. That feeling that you are totally drained and pumped up at the same time. In the end though, we are all there to have fun, and escape for a few minutes.
SOURCE – How was Art far Away in the past and now, are you searching for new kind of streams?
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – In the beginning, we wanted to be the fastest, hardest and heaviest band out there. Now we are more focused on just being our selves and writing music that we really want to make, and not force it into anything. We are always going to evolve and find new ways to write music.
SOURCE – What would you consider more important for you: experimenting with new sounds and probably music styles or the loyalty to the certain style of music and its fans?
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – The most important thing for us is to keep evolving. We have absolutely no plans on playing something like country but someday some country elements might find it’s way into a song. We don’t know but we have a lot more to explore, and I personally would very much like to incorporate more vocoder and electronic elements as well as some old blues and jazz. Perhaps some gospel? Who knows?
SOURCE – Take us through your typical day.
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – Ever since the release we are working so hard on finding shows to play, getting our music out there, etc. We send tons of emails every week, trying to find suitable places to promote our music, getting in touch with labels, booking and promo-agencies. It’s a lot of hard work and long hours. But it needs to be done to get anywhere.
SOURCE – If a metal fan comes to visit Gothenburg – Sweden, what would they see and do?
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – The metal scene is not what it once was but it’s still blooming. Even though there are more bands than ever, the venues have declined. Still, there is always a metal gig every weekend. Usually at the club Belsepub; run by M.A.N and Transport League singer Tony Jelecovich. It’s a great place for metal heads to get cheap good beer, grab a bite to eat and listen to all that Gothenburg has to offer metal wise.
And then there is the famous Rockbaren which is a must if you are visiting Gothenburg. All the metal heads hang out there. If there is one place where you can find like-minded people, it’s there. Always a great atmosphere and brilliant music playing. And packed jam tight every night.
SOURCE – Any final thoughts or remarks?
Adam Dahlman (Vocals) – Just thank you for having us! Keep it real! Thanks again! Take care.
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