Join us as we plunge deep into the morbid psyche of
D.J, the putrid growler of Swedish grave-robbers, Nekrosity!
Hails from the southern hemisphere! Nekrosity has been
around since 2009 – what led to its rotten formation and how would you describe
your sound and influences?
Hails! As you mentioned, we started NEKROSITY
somewhere around 2009 - 2010, before the line-up was set into stone in 2011.
The original idea came from me (D.J) and the bass player R.E, where wanted to
breathe new life into another old project we had around 2000. The first demo we
did ("Return from the Crypt") is basically built out of scraps from
old rehearsal tapes, completed with new riffs and arrangements. The intention
has always been to capture and express the dark and sinister elements within
the genre. Even if we have refined our craftsmanship as a band, we still share
the same vision and determination in what we want to achieve. Our influences
has mainly been old bands such as MORBID ANGEL, AUTOPSY, GOBLIN, old ENTOMBED,
NECROPHAGIA, SADISTIC INTENT, DEATH STRIKE, INCANTATION, old SLAYER etc. But as
time have passed creativity have had its natural course. This have driven us
further beyond but the initial idea is kept intact and keeps playing a vital
part in our abomination.
It is my opinion that Nekrosity’s sound is more akin to bands such as Repugnant and Nominon than bands like Dismember and Entombed, though the sound is unmistakably Swedish! Thoughts?
I agree that our expressions are more similar to
both NOMINON and REPUGNANT to an extent. When we recorded and released
"Void Gazer" it took the band to a new level. It was a conscious
decision to step away from the HM2-pedals and expand our sound, as our old
demos were more or less nothing but a hymn to the old Swedish sound in the vein
of both ENTOMBED and DISMEMBER. But everything that doesn't evolve is cursed to
dissolve.
That debut album, “Voidgazer,” is amazing! Can you tell us about the whole recording process and what your vision was while writing this masterpiece?
Thank you, glad to hear you enjoy it! As we turned everything inside out, reversed it and dissected every piece of the album with open eyes, this is where it ended up. It worked as intended. Some of us have been playing in different bands together since 1997 so our chemistry is well established. The essential plan with the record was to offer the world a carefully prepared Death Metal album with a diverse, dynamic sound. A mixture of brutality, speed and heaviness entwined with darkness.
What
can you tell us about your lyrics? I think they’re exceptionally well-written
and the song titles are genius! What are songs like Lazarus Curse and Malignant
Observer about?
Our lyrics are as much of importance as the rest of
the album. It is critical that all the elements are aligned to create the
perfect atmosphere on every level. The foundation is built on Death and horror,
with all its branches and thorns. Those two songs that you mention are two
different shapes crafted upon the same foundation. Shortly described,
"Lazarus Curse" is an Lovecraftian inspired nightmare about the end
times, presented through an infestation of undeath. "Malignant Observer" takes another
route. Here we tell the tale of a spirit that is shackled between the physical
world and afterlife, where the threads of fate repeats itself in a never-ending
cycle.
The horror nuances are evident in the atmosphere! That being said, I gather horror films are a big inspiration for you? What are some of your favorite films and what’s the last good horror movie you saw?
Absolutely, it's one of cornerstones when it comes to inspirations that have been there since the beginning of the band. Pretty much all of us are much into old 70's and 80's flicks. Most of my favourites are old classics like Day of the Dead, La Noche Del Terror Ciego, Beyond, Suspiria, Return of the Living dead, Hellraiser, City of the Living Dead etc. It's quite rare that modern movies ignite that same feeling, but once in a while it happens. One new film that comes to mind which left a really positive impression on me was Hereditary. They managed to capture a tormenting, eerie atmosphere that collided with grief and loss in this one. Highly recommended.
How
would you describe the evolution of Nekrosity from the first demo to your last
album? What aspects do you think you’ve improved on?
As I mentioned previously, a big proportion of the first demo comes from scraps and songs from old rehearsal tapes dated 20+ years back, from a previous project. This gives some of the songs a more impatient and juvenile touch, even if we managed to include some new ideas and arrangements at the time in the same vein. In comparishment to "Void Gazer", where we had a different approach and mindset, I think the improvement is huge.
The
black and white artwork on Voidgazer is really neat! What inspired this
approach and who is the artist?
The artist who is responsible for the artwork Göran Nilsson from HYDRA Grafisk Design, a friend of the band. He was actually the vocalist on our second demo "Rot to Survive", when I only wanted to handle the guitar. He later on left and relocated in Norway and is now working as a graphic designer and artist over there. We sent him the working title and some material, to get an idea and create an artwork out from his own perspective. The result was, as expected, very successful.
Do
you have any inspirations as a vocalist? How would you describe your vocal
style?
I started to handle the vocals for real back in
2000, with my previous band SADISTIC GRIMNESS. Before that, in the 90s, I was
only handling the string instruments in various projects. The inspiration
mainly came from Quorthon (BATHORY) and Killjoy (Necrophagia) I suppose. But
when it comes to NEKROSITY, other than Killjoy, are David Vincent (MORBID
ANGEL), Chris Reifert (AUTOPSY), Bay Cortez (SADISTIC INTENT) and Craig Pillard
(INCANTATION) honorable mentions.
How do you view your country’s metal scene? I think Sweden has one of the best scenes in the world!
We're really spoiled here when it comes to good
metal bands, but with the usual ebb and flow over the years of course. I am
sorry to say it, but I am not as involved with the underground as I used to be
when I was younger, so my knowledge about the current state of the scene is
rather limited compared to how it used to be. There will always be exceptions
though, that will reach the turntable in the end of the day. Even at my place.
Which of the Northern European countries do you think produces the best black and death metal bands?
This usually depends on the timeline to be honest. But in general I would say Sweden and Norway for Black Metal. When it comes to Death Metal my vote goes to Finland and Sweden, but this is a personal opinion from an overall perspective. Finland for an example, seem to have been climbing on the ladder the last 10-15 years when it comes to Black Metal, if we look at the numbers of good bands. Sure, they gave us classics like Beherit, Impaled Nazarene, Barathrum and Archgoat back in the day, but but it seems like they have becoming a stronghold lately when it comes to new quality bands.
What
can you tell us about your previous band Sadistic Grimness? Also, you were
signed to a Russian label and even went to play a show there if I’m not
mistaken? How was that whole experience?
SADISTIC GRIMNESS was active between 2000 to 2010, a
band that started out as a Black/Death metal band inspired by old BATHORY,
NIFELHEIM, BESTIAL WARLUST and the likes. This changed over the years and
transformed into something completely else in the end. At the time, when we
were a full band, the cocktail of members was nothing but a wandering disaster.
We signed a Russian label called DAEMON WORSHIP PRODUCTIONS and released an
album called "Asteni" in 2009. A year after we did a small tour
together with the french maniacs VORKREIST, in Finland and Russia. We did two
gigs in Russia, in Saint Petersburg and Moscow to be specific. The climate and
mentality over there differs very much compared to Sweden and surrounding
countries. It would take too long to describe the whole experience but I can
tell you this: It happened more during that short period of time than it does
in a whole year in Sweden. Another thing worth to mention is that it's
something special about being hold in custody at the Russian border for 7
hours, when you've slept 2 hours the night before... and then enter the stage
again in the evening.
Is
metal a way of life for you?
In many ways yes, but I listen to many different
genres beyond metal. Each style I engage in offers something different and
worthwhile my attention that fuels my own fire. This the only thing that
matters in the end of the day. There are no room for limitations.
Your thoughts on the following bands:
*Amon Amarth
A band I've never been interested in or understood
why people praise so much. Probably works best as a gateway band for younger
people, before entering more extreme territories, I can imagine.
*At the Gates
Great band with a very solid discography which
continues to have a very high standard, when it comes to creating music. Just
check out their latest album, it's terrific.
*Iron Maiden
One of my all-time favourite bands. I have a hard
time to choose my top 3 albums, but if you would ask me today I would go for
"Killers", "Powerslave" and "Somewhere in Time".
Might change tomorrow though.
*Sadistic Intent
One of the jewels in US Death Metal scene, which
finally is starting to get the recognition they truly deserve. A very important
one for me and NEKROSITY. I am still waiting and hoping for the "Second
Coming" album they were supposed to release 25 years or so. They say hope
is the last thing that leaves you, feels like we're dying with this one.
*Dissection
An extremely important band for me. They managed to
combine both melodies with sinister, aggressive riffs very early on in a smooth
way. It's easy to fall into the cut and paste trap there, but they crafted very
well written songs and had potent, dynamic structures. Still up to this day
they remain as one of the best extreme metal bands from Sweden. Hail the Metal
of Death!
Thank you very much for your time! What’s next for Nekrosity?
We're in the middle of writing and arranging new
material for another album. This is done according to the same traditions on
the previous record, but a new chapter. Death is certain, yet the execution
might end up a bit differently than people expect.
Thank you so much for the interview! TÄNK PÅ DÖDEN!