Welcome in the hands of the morbid butchers, Mikael! Haha! First of all let me congratulate to your band! What you do on the „Heavy Death” Ep and the „Morbid Death” LP is filthy stinky chainsaw massacre. Could you tell us in short how the band was formed?
Hello and many thanks for your words! Disrupted was formed around 2012 when me and guitarist Thomas Liljekvist played together in a HC-band. We wanted another sound and since both of us was into old school death metal the direction was obvious. So we wrote a few songs and recorded the debut EP "Heavy Death" some time later.
Both your music, sound and logo reminds me of the glorious 90’s! Are you this fanatic of the scene of that time? What do you think, which period was the golden age of death metal?
Yes, it's pretty obvious that we're huge fans of what Nihilist/Entombed, Dismember, Interment etc. created back inte the 90's I think. It's actually hard for me to say when I think the golden age was because I think there are really great bands forming nowadays as well. And since we're able to release albums and play shows even though we're "just anoter death metal band" to a lot of people I believe we're in a kind of golden age right now.
But of course, the music released back in the early 90's is untouchable so I'll give you the diplomatic answer that I really can't pinpoint a specifik era since they all have different pros and cons.
Which were the bands that introduced you into this style?
Entombed of course. Their buzzaw guitar sound literally blew my mind and I've been obsessed with it ever since the first time I heard it. Bloodbath and Rotten Sound are two other bands that I've listened to A LOT.
The old school death is once again shining in its demented glory. Do you think this kind of music will ever fade into oblivion or it is completely indestructible? What is the secret of this genre?
I cannot imagine that a genre like this will ever fade away totally. It has such a distinct character to it and you can literally recognize it just by hearing a few seconds of a song from a band that plays this kind of music. And of course the secret of it lies in the HM-2 pedal, alongside with a dirty production, morbid screams and heavy riffing. What's not to like?
What do you think, why the youngsters who just step out from the school can release such furious material as most of the bands did around the end of the 80’s and in the early 90’s?
Throughout history there's always been(and probably always will be) people who stand out from the crowd. And since this style of music is so fucking far from ordinary you can get, of course people who don't identify as "ordinary" will like it. This is also a receipt of how great music some bands released back then, it's still to this day some of the best death metal music ever to be recorded.
Would you speak briefly about the band members? As I know there were some line-up changes.
We've hade some changes, yes. Mostly it's because of the change of direction musically, and this is something that most bands go through I think. Ever since the start I've felt that we haven't had the perfect lineup up until now. Aside from me as vocalist and Thomas on guitars, we have the awesome Tommy Haglund from my other band Spasmodic on bass and Thomas' brother Daniel Liljekvist(ex. Katatonia, In Mourning, Ikhon etc.) as a pretty fucking solid drummer. I always feel confident in that we're delivering a complete massacre on stage. Off stage we're always having a good time as well, which is just as important.
Your lyrics speak about topics related to death, not even mentioning that both of your releases have the word “death” in their titles. Is there life after death? Or I could even ask: what do you think, what happens to us when we die?
I'm gonna have to be honest and say that I'm no big philosopher. And of course death metal lyrics should be be about death and decay, anything else would just feel awkward. But to answer your question: I don't think there's anything after death. You just shut down and end up existing, therefore there's no time to regret things you do in life. That's about as deep as my life's philosophy goes, haha!
Your first full length have been released by “Memento Mori” records. Are you satisfied with their work?
That we are! Raul's been a great dude and it's definitely him we thank for all the attention we've got. Maybe we'll work together with them again, time will tell.
“Morbid Death” was released both on CD and vinyl! Which format you prefer? Are you a big collector by the way? Which are your most precious treasures? What do you think about the rising popularity of vinyl and tape?
Vinyl every day of the week. Sounds better, looks better and it just simply feels better. I wouldn't say I'm a big collector, because I know what a REAL big collector is, but of course I buy a record every now and then. I don't spend a lot of money to get my hands on rarities so I don't really have any "treasures". I think that CD's are getting less popular simply because they don't sound as good as vinyl. I totally support the increased support for both vinyl and tape!
Did you collect fanzines and demos when you were young? What about now?
I was way too busy getting drunk listening to Iron Maiden back then. I didn't listen to anything else when I was around 15-16, haha. So fanzines is something that I unfortunately never got into in my younger days, and now I just sweep Spotify/Youtube to find new bands.
Many bands play in the classic Swedish death metal style. Don’t you think this will result in the decease of quality? When you find bands which play in this style, do you even listen to them?
I don't really think this is a problem, since it's the same in basically any genre. And simply plugging your guitar through a HM-2 doesn't make you a good death metal band. You do have to write great riffs and put effort in creating songs in order to sound good.
I'm always interested in new bands of this style, but I rely a lot on reviews. If people are saying that band X har released a good album I simply give it a listen. But I wouldn't say that I'm actively listening to every single old school death metal band that pops up. I would have to quit my day job for that I think.
If I’m correct you also play in other bands. Would you introduce them in a few words? Are they active? Can we except new releases from them?
I do play guitar in the band Spasmodic, which have been on two tours together with our partners in crime from Demonical. That band is on a hold right now since every member has full focus on their other projects. I also got the opportunity to do vocals for the new Uncanny EP which was released some time ago. Not sure about the future there since that too is a band formed of musicians with a full schedule.
Apart from death metal, what kind of music you listen the most? Are there any – non-metal style – of music you like?
I try to listen to a lot of different music, but it's maybe 80% black or death metal. I do enjoy post-punk a lot, as well as some electronic music and of course different kinds of rock. But I have to be in a certain mood to listen to other kinds of music, black and death metal works for me every day and time of the week.
How often you play shows with Disrupted? Have you even played on foreign soil?
I think we have an average of one single show every year, haha. Although this year we've done two shows already and have a third coming in Stockholm on October 28th. Unfortunately we haven't had the opportunity to play outside the Swedish borders, which is a shame because we'd really like to perform abroad. In the future perhaps.
I like very much the brutality of your voice. You do deep growling yet one can understand your words. How do you keep your throat in shape? Who is your favorite vocalist? Have you even been invited to do vocals in a known band?
Hearing that means a lot. I always really try to pronounce every word clearly so you don't have to read the lyrics to understand what the hell it's all about. Since we don't do any touring it's never been a problem keeping the voice in shape. But I will admit that it gets sore if I haven't been screaming for some time.
I have a lot of favourites regarding vocalists, since there are so many types. But George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher is one of them who made me want to start growling. But I'm also a HUGE fan of Attila Csihar's performance on Mayhem's "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", that in my opinion is one of the best vocal performances ever.
I'm not sure what counts as "known", but I suppose Uncanny is the "biggest" band that has asked me to do vocals. Which I did, as mentioned earlier.
I must ask if you know my country, Hungary. Haven you even been in Hungary?
I sure do. We played in Budapest back in 2013 I think with Spasmodic. It was at a nice venue called Rocktogon, but unfortunately there wasn't too many there watching either us or Demonical, haha!
Do you know any Hungarian bands?
Since I'm a fan of Attila I obviously know Tormentor, which I enjoy listening to every now and then. Other than that I'm afraid I can't name any other Hungarian bands without using google, and that of course would be cheating.
Your band is based in Ludvika. Would you tell a few words about this band to you? Is the local music culture lively there?
I have some of the worst and the best memories in my life from Ludvika. I lived and worked there for 5 or 6 years before I moved to Stockholm. There's a great music culture there, with a ton of super skilled musicians. You can get a rehearshal space for free in a house called "Glashuset", which also has its very own recording studio which we've used for both our releases.
You know there was a saying here some years ago… It said all of the metalheads in Sweden are surely play in at least one band! Haha! But of course, you have many bands there. What do you think, what is the reason for that?
Well, I've no idea why metal is so popular here. But the reason why everyone's in a band is because it's so easy to get hold of a rehearshal space here compared to many other countries in the world I think. There are a lot of different types of "Glashuset" throughout the country and I think we're really lucky to have that here.
The old classics need no introduction, but could you mention some Swedish bands who worth to check out?
No interview is complete without a classic namedrop of course. Here we go:
Crawl
LIK
Vanhelgd
Tormented
Morbus Chron
The last band may not be classic death, and they're inactive as well, but it's one of my favourite Swedish bands and I'd really like them to reunite and at least do one more album.
Do you hold an everyday job or all you do is music? Do you have a hobby?
I do work as most other musicians who play this kind of music. I work in the railroad business and has been there for 8 years now. Aside from music and beer(preferably together) I suppose my biggest hobby is riding my motorcycle.
“Morbid Death” was released in 2015. Can we expect anything new from you?
Actually we're in the middle of the song writing process as I am answering these questions. Hopefully we've managed to record a new full-length album until 2018.
Which is the band you played with that you are the most proud of? And of course, please tell us which is the band you haven’t played with but you’d like to.
We've played on the same festival as Entombed AD, but as a warmup band I'd say that Interment is the band I'm most proud of to have played with. We're good friends with them now as well which is really great.
Warming up for a reunited Dismember would be pretty fucking awesome, but I don't think that will ever happen. If I have to pick an active band I think it would be awesome to play with Black Breath. I've always liked their approach to this genre.
If you’d like to recommend me a Swedish trip, what would you tell me? Why is it worth to pay a visit?
Don't come here during winter unless you like freezing your ass off. Other than that the wildlife and nature is really worth experiencing. And Stockholm is a beautiful city during the summer.
When you were young, were there any place where you’d wanted to live? If there a place you want to visit?
I was pretty satisfied with where I lived as young. In the heart of the Swedish forests of Dalarna.
What do you think about progressive technical death metal?
I can appreciate it to some extent, but I never listen to more than a song or two with bands like that. That kind of music doesn't affect me in any emotional way.
If you would need to put a cover to your next album, which song would you record?
I think either Dismember - The Hills Have Eyes or Bloodbath - Eaten.
What do you think about tribute bands?
Never been a fan of those.
Would you list your absolutely favorite 5 death metal albums?
I'll skip the classics here and list my top 5 at the moment:
Altarage - Endinghent
Nasum - Helvete
Rotten Sound - Cursed
Black Breath - Sentenced to Life
Vampire - Vampire
According to your opinion, which was the strongest death metal scene in the 90’s? The European or the American?
As a true fan of the HM-2 pedal my answer is obvious; the European scene of course!
Thanks a lot for showing interest in Disrupted and keep an eye out for our next release.
Hail death!
Interview by Size
