Interview to ROTTEN IMMORTALS (Sweden)

1. Rotten Immortals is a new death metal band based in Karlshamn. What was the driving force behind giving birth to this band?

Well, a few of us, Ola and Mikael, started many years ago with another constellation of the band, but it never got serious enough to either play live or record more than just a few songs in my basement. So when the opportunity presented itself to play with both Victor and Glenn, we took it by the throat.

2. Could you tell us about your personal musical background? At what age did you start listening to extreme metal and which were the bands that inspired you to pick up an instrument?

Speaking for myself, I first started to listen to Slipknot when I was ten or something like that, but heavy metal was always there growing up. I remember all too well when my music teacher called my mom, telling her he was concerned about me listening to Satan’s music haha.

3. Did the death metal come with time as a natural choice for expression of your ideas or you were straight forward right from the start and decisive that you want to play death metal definitely?

Well, both yes and no. Thrash and death metal were always competing when choosing the direction of our band. With our former lineup, the band started with thrash, but to be honest that was too hard for us to play at that time. Death metal isn’t necessarily about riffing speed like the thrash I love is, so it was a tactical choice.

4. The production on your EP “Stay Dead” is really crushing. What can you tell me about the recording process and what kind of sound you were going for? Are you satisfied with final results?

Thanks, yeah, it sounds great for what it is. We just gathered what mics we had available, rigged them in our rehearsal space and started recording. Luckily, we found someone in the same building to mix it for us. It came out great, somewhat unique I think.

5. Is it hard for you to create new riffs and ideas for yourselves in death metal, since so much of the genre was established before?

No, not really. I think this goes for all of us, but we listen to so many different kinds of music, and if you’re creative, it just flows no matter the genre. Personally, I’m not too locked into genres. I don’t care what it’s called, as long as I love what I’m hearing and playing.

6. What do you consider the strengths of Rotten Immortals as far as musicians and your death metal craft?

Well, first of all, we are all good friends and live near each other, and that’s worth a lot. Both Victor, who plays lead guitar, and I like to write songs, and though we have similar inspirations, the results vary greatly. We typically write the foundation of every other song, then blend them together with input from all of us and get the result you’re hearing.

7. These days people are more and more getting their music digitally (whether downloading or streaming). How important was it for the band to release the album on CD rather than just on digitally?

It’s something special to listen to a physical recording, it brings back memories, you know? But I’m not gonna lie, the comfort of just starting Spotify or YouTube is hard to compete with, even for us. But it feels amazing to have a physical CD as well, that’s what we are going for with The Eldritch Horrors. Digital files can be erased or corrupted. I don’t know, a physical recording evokes different feelings.

8. You are close to releasing your debut album, Could you tell us some details in advance? What can we expect?

The theme of the album is not so much the standardized, popularized zombie apocalypse; it’s more of a cosmic, cataclysmic horror blended with the darkness from within our own minds. We tried to mix our more melodic riffs with some thrash-driven power to keep it interesting. I hate it when all songs sound the same throughout an entire album. I need some dynamics, both in structure and tone, and hopefully we nailed that.

9. What is your creative routine? Is there some piece of gear you wouldn’t be able to work without?

I guess the answer should be my guitar and amp, but I think my overactive mind is the most important. I have ideas for riffs and songs every day, more or less, so when something really sticks I hum and record it straight away on my iPhone, then try to recreate it for real.

10. What are the most challenging aspects when writing a song and how do you go about the approach?

Definitely communicating my ideas and what I feel the song should sound like to the others. Sometimes I have an idea of what the drums should sound like, but it’s hard to explain with words, and everyone thinks differently. But almost always, the result turns out even better when everyone gets involved in molding the song together.

11. The artwork for your album is very striking and you seem to have fixed on a recognisable visual style. What’s the story behind the latest cover art?

Well, I wanted it to be an obvious ode to Lovecraft, but in a Rotten Immortals kind of way. The Cthulhu was the perfect candidate, so I went for that and the others approved.

12. Talking a bit more in general, what do you find most appealing about death metal and the underground? What can the genre perhaps express more so than other types of music?

Good question, I’m not exactly sure. I think I like the width of the genre, it can be both high-tempo blast beats and tremolo picking, but also slow and heavy. For me, the vocals are as important as the instruments, so if I don’t like the sound of the growls or whatever, it’s hard to appreciate the song, even if the music is great.

13. Please tell us what are the bands to keep an eye on in the Swedish underground at the moment. Do you feel a strong connection between the ug bands in Sweden, or is it more like everybody following its own way?

We do have some awesome death metal bands rising. For example, Imperishable and their album Swallowing the World is great. Another example is Harrowed's album The Eternal Hunger. Check ‘em out, they are great.

14. What is your favorite part of writing and performing music? What are some of the challenges you face as a musician?

To have an idea that starts with a vocal rhythm in the shower or by humming a riff in bed, and then suddenly record it with the band and hear the result as something you didn’t expect when starting out.

15. How does the matter look with concerts in your country at present? Do you play any concerts outside your area?

We haven’t really focused on playing live yet, although we did play at the pre-party for Sweden Rock Festival a few years back. For the last few months, we have

exclusively been focusing on recording our album, but later this year we want to start playing live as much as possible.

16. Do you have a special “dream” to achieve in music? Like playing a special show, doing a special recording or playing with a special musician?

Personally, I don’t. I am grateful for all opportunities that come our way, but I don’t have a specific goal or dream. Although it would be awesome to play at Sweden Rock Festival since we live only 20 minutes away.

17. That's all the questions I have for you man. I'll let you have the final words by saying whatever you'd like to our readers and your fans out there.

With AI taking over all creative arenas today, I hope everyone who loves music steers away from using it more than “necessary”. Sure, it can be good for inspiration or to help with things you really can’t achieve yourself. But please write your own lyrics, come up with your own riffs, and don’t use Suno just to be effective.

Creativity shouldn't be about being fast, or famous, or pleasing anybody else’s opinion. I’d rather play music that’s true to me, even if people hate it, than sell out to gain fans. In the words of Chuck Schuldiner: keep the metal faith alive!

https://www.facebook.com/rottenimmortals