UNLEASHED
By Falber Teles • May 22nd, 2008 • Category: Featured Band, Interviews
SOURCEWEBZINE - Your last CD “Midvinterblot” was very successful. What are your expectations for a “Hammer Battalion”?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - It was indeed and we just hope with “Hammer Battalion” to step it up further and take things to another level! So far the response has been great!
SOURCEWEBZINE - Has the band’s songwriting process changed much over the years?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - I guess in the past few years it has changed a bit but not much. For instance the possibility to be able to send ideas rather than having to meet in person to show them. We still write the songs pretty much the same as always but nowadays it’s just not possible to spend 4 days a week in the practice room.
SOURCEWEBZINE - What musical approach are you taking on this album?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - It’s of course still in the spirit of Unleashed but we try with every
album to progress and evolve. On “Hammer Battalion” the pace is up considerably and we’ve tried for a bit harsher production.
SOURCEWEBZINE - You’ve been at this since the ‘80s. What have been some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the music industry?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - Not much has changed up until lately really. There’s always been up’s and down’s. But the whole music industry is now going throguh alot of change of course, with the internet and downloading etc.
SOURCEWEBZINE - You’ve been part of the death metal scene in Sweden since the early days. How would you evaluate the state of metal and death metal today?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - I would say it is alive and prospering now as much or more as ever for sure! Most of the old timers are still around and still staying on top of it as well as alot of new bands coming up.
SOURCEWEBZINE - Has downloading negatively impacted Unleashed ?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - This is a hard question which can be debated indefinately I think. On the
one side being accessible can definately bring more attention and one can only hope that people that find bands they like on the net will do the right thing and support them! But on the other hand record sales indeed have dropped for all bands I know. Fortunately one can see alot of growth
at tours and shows etc!
SOURCEWEBZINE - Now that you’re older with wives and families is it tougher on you to go out on tour?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - Sure. It’s always hard to combine and one has to be sensible about it.
It’s just not possible to go tours for months and months, but it’s all about planning!
SOURCEWEBZINE - What do you think is the most underrated/underappreciated Unleashed album?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - Hard to say out of all of them. Everyone you speak to seem to have
different opinions on the issue. But the warrior album sometimes gets the short end of the stick I’d say.
SOURCEWEBZINE - A lot of bands are more respected in other countries than their homeland. How is unleashed received in Sweden?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - Well that I guess is somewhat true in our case. But this is definately changing since the last couple of albums.
SOURCEWEBZINE - When you release such an influential album so early in your career, is it difficult to try to live up to it with subsequent albums?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - I don’t think we’ve ever thought of it like that. We just try to evolve and
move forward and do better every album. But as the early albums meant alot to the older generation the newer may do the same to the younger.
SOURCEWEBZINE - What’s the strangest thing you’ve been asked to autograph?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - There’s been some oddities throughout the years for sure… cars, various
body parts, prosthetic and not… not one thing stands out though as far as I can remember.
SOURCEWEBZINE - Are you able to make a living playing music, or do you have day jobs?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - This varies a bit. But in general one can say that is’s always been hard
living on the music alone.
SOURCEWEBZINE - Any chances of a Brazilian tour?
Anders Schultz (Drums) - It’s something we’re working towards and hopefully sooner rather than later!
Unleashed
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