Lucem Fero | Interviews | Entombed (Part One)

“When in Sodom” - Entombed vocalist L. G. Petrov rediscovers unbridled aggression with ninth studio album Serpent Saints (Part One)

By Anthony Morgan

Sweden's Entombed boast many career accomplishments, not to mention four Swedish Grammy Award nominations. Swedish Death Metal certainly enjoys a rich, cultured background, and one that has bled the ears of dedicated fans for well over the past decade or two. 1990's Left Hand Path still remains a specific pinnacle of the European Death Metal genre which exploded onto airwaves in the early nineties, and a classic record which always deserves special mention. Entombed has their chapter in this hefty tome sealed, even garnering an induction into Decibel Magazine's Hall of Fame.

In September 2005 longtime guitarist Uffe Cederlund left Entombed, likely one of the most pivotal events of recent times within the band's history. Drummer Peter Stjärnvind also left the group, in May 2006, to concentrate his efforts on cult act Nifelheim. He wished to neglect heavy touring in favour of staying home with a wife that had recently bore him their first daughter at the time. June 6^th 2006 didn't go unnoticed, a “Satanic” occasion which became marked by the EP When in Sodom. Ninth full length studio effort Serpent Saints unveils ten new songs in the Entombed back catalogue, though more importantly for most, marks a long awaited prime return to Entombed's Death Metal roots.

In this first discussion of a two part feature (read the second part here), vocalist L. G. Petrov candidly reveals the circumstances surrounding the delayed release of Serpent Saints and the actual recording of the album. The poignant artwork has its interior examined, and L. G.'s revitalized vocal approach towards raw aggression shows a fresh passion to music. His personal wish to conduct a UK tour with Brit friends Napalm Death gets attention too, alongside his thoughts as concerns the live arena. What especially goes under the spotlight though is the internal chemistry of Entombed, and how that chemistry went through a somewhat murky period, only to resurface a closer, communicative unit. A happy go lucky fellow, L. G. shared a warm hearted giggle throughout the interview which attests to his golden character - he seems a shining individual anyone would be glad to share a pint with, so feel free to read what he had to say.

Hello?
Hi, this is L. G. from Entombed.
Hello, this is Anthony. How are you?
Yeah, I'm doing good. How are you?
Yeah, I'm alright. Is it alright if I start the questions now?
Ok, yeah.
How did Serpent Saints come about?
It was supposed to come out last year (laughs), but we didn't have the songs ready. We had a lot of shows to do, so we didn't have time to concentrate 100% on it. We had some songs finished though, and we released them as an EP called When in Sodom. After we did those shows, we sat down and concentrated fully on the nine songs that are on Serpent Saints. Finally it's out (laughs).
(Laughs) Is there a reason why you booked a lot of shows in 2006?
No. We always have a steady flow of shows, and we thought it would be unnecessary to cancel a lot of shows. We don't like doing that; if you end up agreeing to play a show, then you should just get on with it.
So Entombed are not the sort of band to write music while on tour?
No, we like to be at home and concentrate fully. Maybe we can do some riffs, but it gets a little forgotten or lost on the tape on the way back home. So, it's better to have ideas instead and concentrate fully when you're at home; you can then work properly.
Is there a reason why it's not the same on tour?
When we're out on tour, that's what it's all about. When you do half an hour soundcheck, you don't get a lot of time to think about new songs and so on. If we have a riff then we'll play it, but it's not whole songs.
So during soundcheck, you're more or less going through Entombed's setlist?
Yeah, we don't do... our soundchecks is just putting the gear up, and making sure that everything is working. Then it's time for the next band usually (laughs), so we're quick in soundchecks.
What was it like recording at Soundland Studio?
We recorded some songs there, and some songs when we got back from a couple of shows. We then did some songs actually in the rehearsal rooms, and that came out just as good. Some of the vocals and things like that we put out in our own little office that we have, so basically you can record everywhere and it sounds good anyway. We jumped around in a lot of different parts of Stockholm doing it (laughs), so it's an album recorded all over the place.
(Laughs) Is there a reason why you recorded in several different places?
No, we were just forced to record in different bits. We could have stayed in Soundland, but we didn't have time there because there were busy schedules and things like that. There's no problem really though finding a new place here in Stockholm; there's a lot of different places to record, but there's not a lot of venues here instead (laughs).
When you record, are you all together at the same time? Are you all in one room so to speak, or not?
Most of the time. When somebody has a riff, they play it to the other guys and we contribute. That's the way it should work. Every member in the band puts some effort into the songs, and that's what we've done with these songs. Everybody's a part of it, and it feels good now when it's done. It's not as though one member does everything. The whole album is a..... How do you call it? ... It's a product from everybody.
So you'd say that Serpent Saints is definitely a band effort?
Exactly, exactly. That's maybe due to a few members in the band, particularly Nico and Olle who are doing their part. The new album sounds more aggressive than we have in a long time (laughs), and now it feels like this is the way we're going to play.
So there's not one dominant personality within Entombed?
No. Maybe there has been in the past, but that's not the way it works now. Now everybody seems in it, and every band member has their mind set on one thing. That's doing this kind of music which we do right now, so everybody's happy.
You said that in the past it's been that way, as though there was a dominant personality when there shouldn't have been. What did you mean?
When Uffe was in the band he tended to do a lot of the material, some of which was good and some of which was really bad. At a point you didn't have the energy to say that it was good or bad, which would then create bad feelings and so on. Now though, we're open and honest with each other.
So there's a lot more communication between each other now?
Exactly, and that's what's important. You should have good communication within the band, otherwise it just ends up in a big argument or something. That's something we don't want to experience right now, and that's because it just takes away the concentration of the actual music.
So if someone is playing poorly or maybe you give a bad vocal, will another band member say straight way?
Yeah.
Though you said it wasn't like that in the past.
If you saw something, you just let it go.
Is there a reason why you let it go in the past?
I don't know. It was a certain vibe which was uncomfortable.
Were you trying to avoid confrontation?
Yeah, exactly. If you hear my vocals now though, it's a little bit more dirty and growlier than before. This is the way I wanted to sing for a long time.
So on a personal level you'd say that the band has matured then would you?
Yeah, exactly. Now nobody takes offence when somebody has an opinion about whether it's good or bad.
When someone criticised another person, that person being criticised took it a bit too personally in the past?
Yeah, exactly. It's not personal, but some band members took it that way and we ended up with one guitarist (laughs). Now though, it's great playing a couple of songs.
Is it better with one guitarist?
We recorded the album with the feeling that you hear it's one guitarist. We cared to do it simple and to stay true to ourselves, and also to make it sound that this is how it sounds with one guitarist. We could've put like five or six guitars on there, but that wouldn't have been true to ourselves for the people listening to us.
So do you feel there's more of Alex's personality on this album?
Oh yes. He's doing a great job all by himself, and we're one hundred percent behind him. It just adds to the underground feeling of the album, and there's just a more clean sound. You can hear what's going on. There's always the possibility though that we're going to get a second guitarist in the future.
But do you feel because there's one guitarist, it's easier to record? I would've thought that if you get two guitarists they might argue over certain parts of a song.
We could've put another guitarist on there, but we didn't. We tried to record as easy we could. If we get a second guitarist, we'll get more guitar solos on the next album and things like that.
Is there anyone in particular that you've eyed up for the second guitar role? Is there someone you're thinking of at the moment?
Not yet, but there's a lot of good new guitar players out there here in Sweden. They should fit mentally as well - we wouldn't want anybody wanting to go home after three days, or start crying, or something like that. It should be a happy person, and that person should be a hundred percent devoted to the band.
Would you say that person would have to live in Sweden?
It definitely would be the easiest because we rehearse a lot now. Maybe if we had meetings, or rehearsing, or wanted to record something, then everybody should be available within two hours (laughs).
When Alex and Uffe recorded in the past, were they ok as songwriters in terms of collaborating together on songs and so on?
I don't have a guitar at home so I couldn't sit around and do songs twenty four hours a day. I could come up with some riffs, but they wouldn't come out too well (laughs). Alex is doing a lot of riffs right now as well when we sit in the rehearsal room. If he comes up with something and then I get a guitar, then I can just fill in something; if it fits then it stays or if it doesn't... I actually do one guitar solo on the album too (laughs).
Alright, that sounds cool. I was just wondering whether Uffe and Alex agreed with each other during creative decisions, or they disagreed?
There was some disagreement sometimes, but...
I mean generally.
For the most part it went well, but then that's because nobody said anything (laughs).
Was recording Serpent Saints a smooth process?
Yeah. In the past we did a demo recording before recording the actual album, and many times it's ended up that the demo recording was actually better (laughs) than the album. Now we had that feeling where we were thinking in the demo mode when we were doing the album. There's a lot of first takes on this album, and that makes it feel probably more special.
Is Serpent Saints more raw then?
Yeah, I think so. It's more straightforward, and there's not too much technical things. I would say it's more straightforward... When we recorded the material, we didn't record that many takes. If it sounds good, then let's take it. We didn't think “Oh, we can do this better”. We were satisfied; if it fitted, we just took it.
Does this music have a real live feel to it?
Exactly. We wanted to be able to play all the material live which we do on record, but especially on this record. We could've done it technical with more guitars and so on, but that's not where we are right now as a four piece. We just played three of the new songs live last weekend.
How did that go?
It was great. We opened up with two songs, so that was good. We did a festival with Slayer and Machine Head, so it was cool.
Did you enjoy Slayer and all that?
Oh yes, oh yes. We were on the side of the stage headbanging away (laughs). On Saturday we play a festival in Ireland.
Have you been to Ireland before?
Oh yes.
How did you enjoy Ireland? Any good?
Yeah, it's good. We haven't been there in a couple of years, so we're playing a small festival there.
You said that you played two songs last weekend. Have fans who attended the festival given you any feedback?
Oh yes, because the album's just been out here. Some of them knew the songs, and some of the guys were just headbanging to it (laughs). We got asked questions later such as “Oh, what was that song? Is that from the new album?” and replies like “Oh, it sounded good”. They'll pick it up, and then it's going to be good. It's going to be interesting. We have a couple of festivals here now in the summer, so it'll be cool how the new album will be received.
When you do your own live shows, are you going to incorporate more songs from Serpent Saints into the set?
Yeah, three songs or something. We don't want play too much.
So you're not going to what Iron Maiden did (touring the A Matter of Life and Death album) and play the whole album?
No, no, no. It tends to get... People want to hear the old songs as well. When I personally go to a show, I want to hear two or three new songs and then I want to hear..
You want to hear the classics then as well.
Yeah, exactly. The next time they come around, then they can play some more of the new album.
You said that demos tended to sound better in the past. Was that because Entombed felt more comfortable when recording demos?
Yeah. We learnt that if you're going to record something new, then the first time you record it is always the best. You get the best feeling from it. If you're going to it all over again for a second time, you don't have as much excitement so then it gets a little worse. The first time is always the best.
If you play it so much though, do you feel that the song sounds tighter? If you play it a few times first? I would've thought that if you got to know a song better, you could actually play it tighter in some respects.
A song can always get better in one way, but we try to not complicate it by getting too much into it and taking away parts and things like that. It's just we do it the easy way, and I think that most of the time it comes out better.
Is it easy to get obsessed by a song, and to think to just get it right?
Yeah, it's easy for the one who comes up with the first ideas. It's good then when you have the other members that can contribute because then it can be a whole different song and better than the original idea. There's millions of riffs that you can do (laughs), and you can add to it.
Were there any other reasons why the album was delayed apart from the live shows?
No. We got the last song ready around February this year (laughs). That's when we had time to actually just sit for a month, and then concentrate fully. We don't like to do thirty songs and then have to choose them - I think when bands do that they tend to pick the ten average songs. Now we're just hundred percent satisfied with what we did, and to not have to choose is comfortable.
So there weren't any other reasons apart from the live shows?
No. Somebody wanted to get it out, but we said it the first time; circumstances didn't allow us to do it. We're just happy that it's out now, and we're sorry about people waiting (laughs).
Do you feel it's worth the wait though?
Oh yes, oh yes. I hope that people who get it think so (laughs). I think so, and I hope people will agree. The feedback is great.
Is there anything specific people have said about Serpent Saints?
Yeah. They've said that it's raw, aggressive and it's more back to the old days. People love that. It's not that we want to flirt with those people, but it's the way we feel now. It feels more comfortable, and we're happy to do more aggressive material again.
Do you agree that Entombed are going back to the old days though? Or do you disagree?
Yeah, a little bit. I can totally agree.
Was that intentional?
No. We're as a four piece now, and we like getting into the rehearsal room and doing bits. We're like “YEAHHH!! YESS!!” (laughs), and it feels like we that haven't done that in quite a while. It's like a new experience in a way, and this is a path we're going to continue on.
So future albums are going to be raw and aggressive as well?
Yeah. We started to make a couple of songs just now, and it sounds good.
Could you tell me about some of those songs?
We have three or four under construction, and it has slow parts with Metal riffs. Then it goes into faster parts.
Have they got working titles yet?
No, not yet actually.
Are there any lyrics written for them yet?
No, not yet. It would be too soon to write lyrics for them (laughs).
Would they be for an album release, or a future EP?
Oh yeah. Definitely for a future album release.
So there's not going to be another EP like When in Sodom?
You never know (laughs). There's been a couple of those, but it's always good to start straight away so you don't wait and have to rush the thing later on. It would be good to have an album done within half a year, six months or something.
Is that the intention? To get an album done within six months?
It could be.. as soon as we get our asses in the rehearsal room again. We have some festivals and a couple of shows to do first.
Are you really going to tour Serpent Saints, or are you just going to do some shows and then do a new album?
We're going to do as many shows as we get. I would want to do a UK tour with Napalm Death; that would be my dream (laughs).
Are you trying to get that arranged with Napalm Death?
Yeah, we'll ask them. We would be glad if they said yes.
Have Entombed's agents spoken to Napalm Death's agents?
No. I will talk to them myself directly.
Do you feel that's a better approach?
Yeah. It's better to talk to the guys straight ahead and then the booking agency can sort the details out. It's good when you know bands like that, and you can talk to them in private and so on.
You're mates with Napalm Death then?
Oh yes.
Do you go back a long way?
Oh yes. We toured with them in May 1994.
What was that like in 1994?
Oh, it was great. We did fifty shows with one day off in the middle (laughs). That was hardcore, but it was fun. Napalm Death are party people, playing Heavy Metal onstage and having beers every night.
Have you got a specific time in mind to speak to them, or not?
I could call Shane (Embury, Napalm Death bassist) right now, but we have to discuss it within the band first.
Oh right, so you got each others phone numbers and so on have you?
Yeah, yeah. He is my mate.
Would you ever consider recording material with Shane and the boys?
Yeah, though they live in England. I did try before, but as soon as somebody was going to travel either here or to England there was something coming up for either of the bands.
Are you hopeful for the future though?
Oh yes.
Do you like their albums? Napalm Death?
Yes.
Have you got a favourite?
The first two, and some of the other ones. I don't have the latest, but I'm going to go out and buy it.
So you prefer Napalm Death's earlier material?
I prefer the new material too pretty much.
I read something pretty weird about Serpent Saints, and that said it comes from the “cock”.
It what?
I read that it comes from the “cock” in some diary one of the band members did. Do you know what I'm referring to?
No.
Well I read a diary one of the band members did, and it said the album comes from the “cock”...
(Laughs).
(Laughs).. and I was just wondering what that was about (laughs).
It comes from deep within our souls. (Laughs) It's Swedish sarcasm. It has to come from deep within, so it feels good to yourself and to everybody else. You can't just play like a gimmick or something; it has to be true to yourself.
I thought it meant the music was really ballsy or something.
Oh, no, no (laughs).
In what ways does Serpent Saints give something for the mind?
We just put it out today (in Sweden) actually. We get more energetic when we play the new songs, and it's going to be exciting to go out in order to play to the people and see how they receive it.
Do you feel it gives people something to think about though?
Lyrically we don't want to push people into thinking how we do, but as long as we can express ourselves then we're happy.
This album has depth though doesn't it?
Yeah. We're just looking for our freedom of speech and things like that. It's about people trying to do good, but it turns out to be bad instead ending with tragedies and so on. You can see it all over the world. We're not at all into politics, but the church live their own life. Behind every saint there's a serpent crawling around; there's always somebody that has a personal agenda, and has something to gain.
Is there a reason why you don't like to venture into politics?
Yeah. Oh, I hate politics. I don't vote, but they say if you don't vote you can't say anything about politics. I feel that I can still say anything that I want to say because I am my own, and that's the same thing with politics.
Do you feel it would've been easy for Entombed to do a song about the Iraq war like everyone else seems to be doing these days?
Yeah. That war has been going on so long, so it's kind of normal right now (laughs). I didn't start it, so I don't give a fuck honestly (laughs). It's just other people's stupidity. Whatever, whoever started it or not. I'm sitting here, having a beer and having a good time (laughs).
(Laughs) So as long as they stay out of your face, you're happy?
Yeah, exactly. As long as it doesn't happen here, because then I would have something to say about it.
You said that there's always a serpent crawling around trying to gain something. Could you tell me more about that?
Take the church for example, which is all about money, They try to live in their own little way, and try to appear as a good thing. They're always doing things for their own cause though, and if people die within it they don't care because they feel they got the right. There's a lot of people in the institutions that take part in the government as well - nobody cares about the little man (laughs). It's just madness, and I think the madness itself is a cool thing. All the biggest leaders in the world have been mentally ill, and we keep choosing the ones all over and over again (laughs). It's just a mad world, we're part of it and you just deal with it when it comes along.
Do you feel it's a good thing that it's a mad world?
It's good and bad (laughs). I'm a little mad myself at times, and I don't care that much.
Would you consider yourself an anti-Christian person?
Yes, but the Christian way is pretty cool as well. I can walk into a church. I think it's nice in churches, but it's the idea that you can't think for yourself. That's a bit scary.
What do you feel about Christians saying if you don't go to church, then you're a sinner? What do you feel about that?
It's good to be a sinner then (laughs). If I go into a church, then I show respect and things like that. I don't go around shouting in there because that's just.. It's cooler just to have to be respectful, and feel that you don't care.
If you walk in a church though, do they look at you and think “Oh, he's a troublemaker” or something similar?
Yeah, maybe.
I would've thought because you're the lead singer of Entombed, they would've thought “He's definitely a troublemaker he is. We better keep our eye on him”.
They shouldn't care if I walk in with a bulletproof vest, because the church has killed more people than I ever will (laughs). They won't admit to it, but the rest of us know that's the case. They have more blood on their hands than anybody else.
Would you consider yourself more of an anti-Christian person or more of an anti-religious person?
I'm just anti-Christian. I think religion is cool because it stirs up a lot of emotions. That's cool.
I notice a lot of people speak out against Christianity, but not many people are bold enough to speak about Islam. They're quite scared of that I find. They feel like maybe they're going to get killed or something.
Yes. Being an Islamic fanatic is in at the moment.
Would you consider Christianity and Islam both on the same level in terms of how “bad” they are? In your opinion of course?
I'm sure the two religions are good in the basics, but I think there's some stupid assholes that go around and do something that's not anything to do with it.
So you feel it's always a minority group of people within a larger group who are causing the trouble? That it isn't all of them, but it's a small selection of people?
Yeah. You could say “well, at least these few people are fighting for their cause”, but it shouldn't affect people that are just walking around minding their own business. They should pick their targets more carefully.
So you feel like they're picking on people who just want to mind their own business and have a good time so to speak?
Yeah, yeah. With all the bombings and things like that, it's pretty insane. I think at some point it's going to be whole wars or something, but I don't know. We'll see how it unfolds.
Has that affected the social climate in Sweden at all?
No; here it's nothing basically (laughs).
So everyone in Sweden is just getting on with their own business?
Actually there are radicals here too, but you don't see any problems.
Were there any songs that didn't make Serpent Saints? That were recorded, but didn't get on the album?
No. Actually there were only those ten songs that we have on the album, and we didn't want to do more and then have to choose. It's better to have ten songs that you really concentrated on instead of just doing fifty songs; they tend to get more average sounding.
So Entombed are not a group of overwriters?
No.
You just pick out a good riff and then work on it?
Exactly. We take it song by song.
Could you tell me about the artwork for Serpent Saints?
Which one do you have?
I've seen two actually.
The final one is the four devils standing on top of the grave, and that's the four of us. It's a good artwork as well which Alex picked out from somewhere - he is a good man when it comes to picking out good artwork. We have the old logo back too, and that's nice. Then we have “rest in peace” which is to Leif Cuzner, a guitarist who was also in Nihilist. We got that in there as a tribute to him.
A remembrance?
Yeah.
Good friend was he?
Oh yes. He moved to Vancouver, but we kept in touch. He tragically took his own life, so this is little bit of a tribute and remembrance to him.
Apart from that, could you tell me if the artwork has any deeper meaning?
Yeah. It's the four of us standing on top there with the horns, and a part of that is just a lot of good artwork (laughs).
Is that saying anything about Entombed? Like making a message?
We are on top of the world (laughs). We're on top of things right now, and we have control.
So that's the message?
Yeah.
Was there a time in the past when the band members weren't in control?
Yeah, there was a little bit. We were drifting a little bit apart and things like that, but now we can see we're a unit again. We want the same thing which I think it shows with this album, and there's only positive feelings over it.
So you're all a lot more focused now?
Yeah. We're satisfied with the album and so on, so now we're going to continue on this path.
So Entombed is stronger than ever?
Yes. Oh yes.
Could you tell me your best memory of your friend Leif from Nihilist? You mentioned that he took his own life?
He was a great guy. We were pretty young when we did Nihilist, so me and him used to go out and just wander around in the Stockholm nights (laughs) just having some beers. In the morning we came to my place, and then he slept over. A good guy. Very tragic, but I hope he is happy where he is right now.
He was top notch?
Yes, oh yes.
Was he a good musician?
Yeah. He tuned his guitar way down, and he got that good sound which is on the Nihilist material. He was a happy fellow.
How would you describe your vocal contributions to Serpent Saints?
It's the way I've wanted to sing for awhile. In the past, the songs that we did at that time didn't allow me to sing like this. So, it feels good to be growling a bit with a little bit of high pitched Death Metal vocals and things like that. I was smiling all the time when we rehearsed today (laughs).
Are you a lot more confident with your vocals now?
Yeah, and comfortable - comfortable with everything. It suits me, and my personality greatly. When we played it live last week, it also fitted in live terms one hundred percent.
Have fans focused on your return to aggressive vocals? Have they commented upon it?
Oh yes, and that's the first reaction I get; “Oh, great vocals! Back to the old school!”, and I say to them “From now on it's going to be more like that” now I've rediscovered it (laughs).
You said that you couldn't apply it to some of the other songs? Was there a reason you couldn't apply aggressive vocals to those songs?
Some of the songs were a little bit Rock'ish, so it didn't suit the way I was accustomed to singing. I had to sing in other ways in the past, but this aggressive style is the way I want to sing and I always have been wanting to sing.
Do you feel that it's good to be taken out of your comfort zone sometimes though? Considering that it was Rock?
Yeah, but not too much (laughs). It was a little bit too much on the latest records, but of course you should experiment and so on. I feel I'm done with that though, and now I'm back to the basics (laughs).
You said it was more Rock'ish in the past, so do you feel Entombed has gone back to Heavy Metal? That it's more of a Metal group again?
Oh yes, oh yes. We didn't plan it; we just found the aggressiveness again, so we're happy about that.
Are you still proud of that material which you recorded that wasn't as aggressive?
Of course. We're proud of every album, but I can understand if people were reserved somewhat about some albums and things like that. We've done it though, and we can't go back in time as well. So, we just look ahead.
Would you say Entombed has learnt by its mistakes?
Yeah. You're going to do mistakes some time or another, so you just learn from it and move on. We haven't split up. In fact, we've been around for seventeen years and it's just as fun as in the beginning.
When you started recording Serpent Saints, did you think that you were definitely going to record aggressive things on this one?
Yeah, a little bit. It came out the way we wanted to, but we don't sit down and plan how we're going to sound. At the same time, we don't follow any trends.
Was it natural to do that though? Or was there a lot of thinking involved?
No, it just came out. Somebody did a riff, so then we felt “Wayhey! Let's do it”. I then came up with a riff, a fast one, and we just kept it going from there. It felt good once we felt the energy was there, and we just continued on that road.
So Serpent Saints is more energetic?
Yeah, definitely. It happens more in the songs; there's one riff, and then the next. It then goes fast sometimes, and then there's slow parts. It's good riffs, and it feels exciting all the time.
As you were all more comfortable, would you say that shows on the record?
Yeah, of course. It sounds like we have the confidence back, which we do. When every band member is involved in the process, it's like a unit playing together.
Did Entombed lose its confidence in the past then?
A little bit. There were some albums like Same Difference (1999) which weren't Entombed at all I thought.
Is there a reason why Entombed lost its confidence so to speak?
I don't know, but maybe some members wanted to do a different approach with the band and things like that. It's not good to abandon where you come from though.
You don't feel it worked then?
Not really.
So you didn't like the Same Difference album?
Not personally, no (laughs). Actually, no.
Were you unhappy with your vocals on that album or something similar?
Yeah, a little bit. It was not that fun recording it.
Was there a reason why you weren't that happy with your vocals though? Was it your confidence?
Yeah. I felt I didn't want to take that confrontation and say “Oh, this is not good” or something, so I just rode with it. It was a strange time in our career.
Were you forced into going down a road you didn't want to go in terms of your vocal approach?
Yeah. I've always wanted to sing darker with more growls and things like that.
Though you weren't allowed on Same Difference?
I could've, but then the songs would've been weird as well. If a riff goes “Na-nah-nah”, then you can't do “Ahrrr” (laughs).
Would you say you was trying to make the best of a bad situation?
Yeah exactly. I'm proud that we did that album, but it's not one of my favourites.
Is Same Difference a fan favourite, or the fans don't like it either?
People are pretty negative about that album.
Can you see their point though?
Oh yeah, because I was one of them (laughs).
(Laughs) What influences did you have on your contributions to Serpent Saints?
The second song “Masters of Death” is a tribute to all the bands that we were influenced by in the early days, and we mention a couple of the bands names in the lyrics as well. It's Slayer, Morbid Angel and all the other bands.
Did the singers of those bands influence your approach on Serpent Saints?
Yeah, a little bit. More or less it did, though I tried to make an Entombed album of course.
In what ways did those singers influence your contributions to Serpent Saints?
Musically, and things like that. We've always taken a little bit from everything in the past as well.
Do they have a particular approach you like though?
The fast material and so on, and some of the vocal parts. You hear a little bit of Slayer here and there, and some Metallica etc. It's all for the good though.
Do you still feel though that your own identity is stamped onto Serpent Saints in terms of your vocal parts?
Oh yeah. I always sing the way I do and I try to do the best.
How do you feel you've evolved over the years as a vocalist?
You always learn, though I've never sang from the stomach. I don't do that, and I don't save my vocals before the show either. I take a beer and then it's up onstage (laughs).
How do you feel you've gotten better over the years?
Yeah, definitely. There's more power. You learn how to sing (laughs), so it feels good.
How did you learn to be more powerful?
You learn how to breath and things like that, so you don't get a sore throat. Sometimes you get a sore throat, but it blows over after a couple of days.
Did you lose your voice in the early days?
Oh yes, I did (laughs). If you're on tour now though, you try to sleep as much as you can. That's very important.
Had drinking or anything like that affected your vocals in the past? If you'd had a few maybe, it may have messed up your vocals?
Maybe smoking too many cigarettes and things like that. I still smoke now, but not that much.
Do you purposely watch how much you're smoking?
Yeah. It's not even a packet a day now, so that's good (laughs).
Are you thinking of giving up, or are you definitely going to still be smoking?
As it looks right now, I will definitely smoke (laughs).
You don't have a vocal coach do you?
No. I went twice on one occasion, but it didn't do anything for me (laughs).
Is there a reason why it didn't do anything for you? When you went to a vocal coach, what didn't you like about it?
He made me sing Elvis songs (laughs).
Elvis songs?
Yeah. I was thinking “How the hell is this going to improve my singing?” (laughs). I gave him one more chance and then I said “no”.
I can't believe that.. Elvis songs.
Yeah (laughs).
Was there a particular Elvis song he had you sing?
(Laughs) I can't remember what it was. It was strange, so no more vocal coaches for me.
Alright. He must've been an Elvis fan I'm assuming.
Yeah, probably (laughs). He had some problems obviously (laughs).
(Laughs) In what ways was the When in Sodom EP a preview to Serpent Saints?
The rawness and the faster songs. When in Sodom was a pretty good indicator as it happens, so it was cool. We had to release something, and I think we did some great songs for that.
Is there something unique on that EP that isn't on Serpent Saints maybe?
I think it's pretty much the same.
What I mean is... if you owned Serpents Saints, is it worth going out to buy When in Sodom?
Yeah, I think so.
Why do you think it is?
It's the new Entombed; it's more aggressive and things like that. I think people will be happy if they get it.
Is there a reason why you chose “When in Sodom” to represent Serpent Saints?
Whichever song could have fitted in, but we like that song especially.
Is there a reason why you like “When in Sodom” especially?
It's heavy and fast all at once within the same song.
Is it really representative of Serpent Saints?
Yeah, I think so.
Could you tell me about the lyrics for “When in Sodom”?
It's about being yourself, and that you shouldn't try to change things that much. It won't help anybody. If you're going to solve a major problem, then you're going to have to get down to the real problems. People don't look far though, so they just think it's like a flick of the switch. It goes deeper than that.
So it's about being yourself?
Exactly.
Do you feel it's important to be yourself?
Yeah, I think so. I couldn't be anybody else, and try to be somebody that I'm not.
Have you ever tried being somebody else in the past?
No, not that I know of (laughs).
When in Sodom got released on June 6^th 2006. I don't want to sound cheeky, but do you feel that was maybe a bit clichéd? A few bands issued releases on that day.
Yeah, but we felt we had to be there when it happened. It's just one of them things (laughs).
So it was just to get a bit of publicity?
Yeah, but it was for ourselves too. Six six six is a cool number, so we had to put something out.
Are you into Satanism?
Yeah. Satan is all around us, and it's whatever you want it to be. Good or bad.
What sort of Satanism are you into? I know there's Anton LaVey, and then you have these other people who believe in “evil” and similar such things haven't you?
Yeah. Anton LaVey was into evil, but he didn't do any evil things. It's just a matter of belief and what you feel good about believing in and things like that, so it's cool. I don't want to interrupt, but I have another interview which is meant to begin now (laughs). I don't want to be rude or anything.
Oh ok. I better to go to my last question then... I'll have to skip my load of questions now (laughs). Where would you like to take Entombed in the coming years?
We feel like newborns every time we put out a new album, and I couldn't see ourselves getting worse. We're going to be here even longer. This is what we do, amd this is what we're going to stick to doing (laughs). When we started out playing with Entombed, people asked us what were our goals with the band. Today, it's to make another record and then we have to play, meet new people and have a good time. Things like that.
Do you have a message for the fans?
If we play live, they should come by and see us. Of course, if they like the album they should get it too - just those obvious things (laughs). It would be fun to go out on tour again, do some new songs and especially meet all the new people while making a lot of friends along the way. That would be really great.
Alright. Thanks for the interview.
No problem. I hope you didn't miss out on too many questions.
Well I did miss out on a few, but it doesn't matter anyway.
You can make up some answers (laughs).
No, I wouldn't do that. That's bad that is (laughs).
(Laughs) If we meet when Entombed play England, we can have a chat.
Yeah, that would be great.
That's no problem man.
Thanks for the interview.
And thank you. I appreciate it.
Take care.
You too, and we'll see each other over a pint or something.
Alright, ok. Bye..
Goodbye.