One of the veterans in the Swedish Death Metal scene are back with a brand new record, new vocalist and new record label. Wanna know what’s going on around Deranged these days? Check out this interview with the “deranged” drummer Rikard Werman.
Greetings! Let’s start with the inevitable first questions: Where did you record your new album ‘The Redlight Murder Case’? Were there any troubles during the recording process or did everything go smoothly?
As usual we recorded and mixed the whole production at Berno Studio, the same place we have used since ’94 or something. We have recorded numerous productions over there, not only with Deranged but with a couple of other constellations as well. It does sound like a fucking cliché but yes, everything went real smooth during the two weeks we spent recording and mixing. Once again, as usual, we just went in and played and that was basically it.
Is there a true murder case behind ‘The Redlight Murder Case’? Tell us something more about the lyrics on your new album, who wrote them and where did the inspiration come from? Is there a concept which links all lyrics of your new album?
Nah, there isn’t really a “concept”. Concept albums sound so fucking pretentious. Ha, ha, ha… Still, if there would be a concept it would be giallo movies. You know those violent Italian-produced horror/thriller movies that are usually low on story but high on violence and style. As a matter of fact all song titles are taken directly from movie titles of the just mentioned genre. I wrote 8 of 10 lyrics this time around and the inspiration comes from all those voices in my head I hear on a constant basis.
This is your first album for Regain Records. Why did you leave Listenable Records? Did your contract expire or is there another reason?
As a matter of fact this is our second full-length on Regain Records. Our second full-length, ‘High on Blood’, was also released on Regain Records. Anyway… Why we eventually left Listenable is of no one’s concern except us and Listenable you know… no offence but that’s how I see it… They basically wanted one thing and we wanted another.
I see line-up changes in Deranged, you have a bass player (Thomas Ahlgren) and a new vocalist, Martin Schönheer, who is also in Splattered Mermaids. Some more words about those guys? What happened with Calle Fäldt who was grunting on your previous CD ‘Obscenities in B-Flat’? Is there any particular reason for Deranged to change vocalist that much or do things just happen this way?
Shit happens you know… Yes we’ve had numerous line-up changes through the years and they have always been musically superior to the previous one and this is definitely no exception. We gave Calle Fäldt the “big boot” as one may say as things weren’t working out… We were stuck with an incomplete line-up for a while but managed to get hold of Martin Schönheer rather fast. Basically a friend of mine knew we were looking for a singer and wanted to try it out. Said and done. Things were working so much better than anyone had expected so… We knew Thomas Ahlgren from earlier as well through his other bands Pandemonium and Arsonist and he was pretty much our only choice.
What are the plans after the release of ‘The Redlight Murder Case’? Is there a tour planned and if yes, which countries will be devastated? Speaking about concerts… can you remember where your best show ever was? Where are the craziest fans?
We have a small tour coming up in late February, early March and we will be playing Germany, Holland, Austria and Switzerland. Besides that, we have a couple of festivals lined up this summer… I would say France for both! Can’t mention a specific gig but most of the shows we have done in France have been really killer and they have without a doubt the craziest fans as well.
Which bands from the catalogue of Regain Records do you like? They have big names like Marduk, Dismember, Behemoth, Grave… even the Thrash Metal veterans OverKill are there?
I would say Sahg. That’s a great fucking act!
As a band with a 17-year history and 7 full-length albums behind your backs, what is the most important lesson you have learned after so many years of musical activity?
Don’t trust anyone! Don’t expect a single gig until you have actually played it!
Since you are in the business for so long how do you see the Death Metal scene of today? Where is the difference between nowadays and Death Metal in the beginning of the 90s?
I don’t know… When we first started out it was more of an “I help you, you help me” kind of feeling. You won’t find that nowadays but… I mean the scene drastically changed with the internet you know…
A question not connected with music… There will be a European Football Championship this summer in Austria and Switzerland. Are you a football fan and if yes which club team do you support (in and outside Sweden)? How do you find the Swedish National Football team?
No, I don’t know shit about football or sport in general. As a matter of fact I would say I hate sport. Not interested at all. I wasn’t even aware of the fact that there is supposed to be a European Football Championship this year.
What are you doing in your free time outside Deranged? Are you working? Any other hobbies besides music?
Nah, right now unemployed. I do watch a lot of movies but besides that music is my passion.
Your final words for the readers of VM?
Thanx for the interview! Be sure to check ‘The Redlight Murder Case’ out! Death to posers!!!
