| w/JONAS BJORLER |
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| Dawn/The Metal Web!: What has The Haunted currently been up to? Jonas Bjorler: Well, we have been busy writing new songs for the upcoming CD for Earache Records. Dawn/The Metal Web!: Can you tell us about the up-coming release due out, I believe, in October 2002? What will be the title of the album? Jonas Bjorler: First of all, the 3rd CD will be available in Jan/Feb 2003. We have no real title as of yet, but we have a few working titles. Dawn/The Metal Web!: How much of the material is written? Jonas Bjorler: Right now we have about 9 songs, and some more are on the way, so everything is all good. Dawn/The Metal Web!: What is your view on how this album will differ from past albums? Jonas Bjorler: Hmm..It will probably be a mixture between the 2 previous CD's, and we're planning on tuning down our instruments another half step, so it will be heavier. Dawn/The Metal Web!: When will the next US tour take place? You have a lot of hungry fans in the states as well as other countries. Jonas Bjorler: The next US tour will probably take place during spring 2003, after the CD is released. Dawn/The Metal Web!: What has been your favorite place to tour and why? Jonas Bjorler: Well, US is one of our favorite places along with Japan and Greece. Dawn/The Metal Web!: "Live Rounds in Tokyo", what made The Haunted decide to do a live release? Great album I may add. Jonas Bjorler: I don't really know. We found a recording from Tokyo recorded by the sound crew, and we thought it sounded pretty good. So we wanted everybody to hear it, basically. Dawn/The Metal Web!: There’s also a studio track "Eclipse". What was your reason in adding "Eclipse" to the live album? That’s a change. Most bands that release live keep the album as such. Jonas Bjorler: Since "MMDI" already was released we thought it would be nice to pack the live CD with as much material as possible, so that fans who bought the "MMDI" record also would be interested in the live CD Dawn/The Metal Web!: Anders decision to leave was stated as "personal reasons". Care to comment? Jonas Bjorler: It was basically that he grew tired of touring. Dawn/The Metal Web!: His departure from the band had to be tough on you being that he’s your brother. I mean, beyond the band, he is still family. How did you handle that? Jonas Bjorler: It was pretty weird in the beginning, but you learn to deal with it. Dawn/The Metal Web!: Well, we’re glad he’s back. What was his major influence on his return besides The Haunted" being an excellent band? (laughs) Jonas Bjorler: He was bored with the fact that he didn't play music anymore. Dawn/The Metal Web!: Earlier on, The Haunted had two other band members leave "Peter Dolving" and "Adrian Erlandsson". The reason for their departure seemed to circle around Earache records. Can you explain because The Haunted was and still is under Earache Records? From what I know Earache is a pretty good label and they treat their artists well. Jonas Bjorler: Tough question. But I guess they left because they felt they were hindered in their musical career by Earache. Dawn/The Metal Web!: There have been rumors circulating for some time regarding a live video, is this something that will happen in the near future? Jonas Bjorler: Yes, if we get the right budget for it. We don't want to do a "cheesy" video clip, that does not suit or enhance the "feeling" of the song. If we had the right budget, we would probably go for something like the latest Tool video clip, really moody and dark. DawnThe Metal Web!: I’m going to go back in time for a minute, "At The Gates", why did the band break-up? The Metal Web! crew actually put a gun to my head and will shoot if I don’t ask (laughs). They amongst others/fans really want to know what happened. At The Gates" was a great band as is The Haunted. Jonas Bjorler: Me and Anders were tired of touring, and took some time off from music for a while. The Metal Web!: Do you still converse with the former members of "At The Gates"? Jonas Bjorler: Yes, once in a while. Dawn/The Metal Web!: Earache and "The Haunted" are going to re-release "Slaughter of the Soul" from "At The Gates" on August 20th (Us) and July 22nd (Europe). How did you come to the decision of re-releasing this album and not any of the others? Jonas Bjorler: The others have already been re-released by MFN (laughs), but I guess the reason for the 2nd release of "Slaughter of The Souls" is to milk it as much as possible. Dawn/The Metal Web!: In a week, you’ll be playing the Italian Heavy Metal Festival in Italy. What can the fans expect at this show? Open Air is always a great show. Jonas Bjorler: They can expect one of the tightest and sickest thrash metal acts alive. (laughs) Dawn/The Metal Web!: Who else is booked for the gig? Jonas Bjorler: A lot of bands I guess. I heard there were going to be 12 bands or something. Witchery is playing too. Dawn/The Metal Web!: In your years of touring, who has been your favorite band to go on tour with and why? Jonas Bjorler: Napalm Death, 'cause they are nice down-to-earth guys. And Testament. Dawn/The Metal Web!: Do you have any good tour stories that you’d like to share with The Metal Web!? There’s got to be at least one. Jonas Bjorler: (Laughs) We played 50 meters from Dahmer's hotel room in Milwaukee. Nice. Dawn/The Metal Web!: With so many "carbon copy Metal bands" today, meaning one band trying so hard to sound like another and succeeding, does it bother you when you hear a heavy influence of your riffs in some one else’s playing style? What’s your thought on this? Some musicians give it a thumb up and then others say some bands need to get their own identity. It’s good to have an influence, but it’s another to flat out steal someone’s riff, use it, and claim it as their own. Jonas Bjorler: I haven't heard any band that sounds like us or At the Gates, so I wouldn't know. I guess people get inspired by some of our riffs, but it is a hugh difference when other bands play the same riffs. Dawn/The Metal Web!: How long have you been playing bass? In speaking of influences, who, if any, are yours? Jonas Bjorler: I've played for 13 years now. My main inspiriation as far as bass players go, is Geddy Lee & Chris Squire. Dawn/The Metal Web!: What’s your preference in equipment and why? Jonas Bjorler: Ampeg, because it is the shit! Any bass with 4 strings and nice pick-ups will do fine. Dawn/The Metal Web!: "The Haunted" and "At The Gates" was always in a class by itself musically, what contributes to this besides being polished musicians? Jonas Bjorler: I don't know, but we've practiced a lot, and everybody has a great variety of musical influences. Dawn/The Metal Web!: With all the notoriety, all the albums, tours, etc… Is there ever a moment where you feel that something’s missing or that there could be more? Is there anything thing you would change? Jonas Bjorler: I wouldn't mind if there were more money involved, so that we can concentrate solely on the music. Dawn/The Metal Web!: What do you find most challenging in "The Haunted" as opposed to past bands? Jonas Bjorler: The riffs,"hard stuff"! Dawn/The Metal Web!: Jonas, been a pleasure. That's a Rap! OFFICIAL SITE "THE HAUNTED": http://www.the-haunted.com HOME |
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