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Amon Amarth - Olli Mikkonen

19/07/05 || Lord K Philipson

You all know about Amon Amarth, right? These guys are all cool and deserves a feature here at Global Domination. Axe-man Olli is the one who gladly accepted to be interviewed by yer Lord and Master. Enjoy it, retards.

Lord K: Thanx for the interview man, do you have anything to add?

Olli: Thank you! No, I can’t really come up with anything that I like to add. Perhaps you like?

For sure. Is there really something called Viking-metal? I know you guys have been labelled that from time to time. Personally, I think that’s a load of penises. You retards play melodic death metal. Half-assed melodic death metal I might add. Is it possible for people outside Scandinavia to play “Viking” metal.

Obviously there is since people keep on label us and other bands that deal with Vikings as a Viking- Metal band. I personally don’t give a fuck. From my point of view we play something between ordinary metal and death metal. Our lyrics and all sort of layout deal with Viking mythology and Vikings. So, basically Viking-Metal isn’t really that far away from what we do, Metal and Vikings! Sure it’s possible for bands outside Scandinavia to play Viking-Metal. Just look at our government, when teetotallers control the alcoholic policy.

I can’t tell yer albums apart, at least not the latest ones, as far as the covers go. It’s all fire everywhere. Why not go with the same cover every time you release an album, it’s not like anyone sees any difference between them anyways you know.

Fuck, I’m impressed! Why the hell didn’t we think about that? Have you any idea how many 40 and 50 plus magazines I’ve could have bought for the money we spent on different covers?

I can only imagine. When I think about it, I can’t really tell your albums apart music-wise either. Is this a planned move to have the same piss-poor melodic riffing all the time? Who’s to blame for the catchy riffs anyways? I guess you do your part seeing you are a guitarist.

Now I’m fucking depressed! Just try to imagine how many member registrations in different porno sites I could have bought for all the money we invested on recording new songs for every album. Actually we once tried to play something different, but we realised that we are too lousy musicians and we couldn’t handle it so we keep to our “Same” and poor riffing. It’s easiest that way. I wouldn’t say that it is a plan, but we stick to what we do best and it’s playing our style of music. I’ve done most of our riffs.

Don’t tell anyone, but I dig yer riffs. “Where silent gods stand guard” is my fave-track with you guys, and I always play this one when being a DJ at various metal-clubs. What are those silent gods going to do as they can’t really tell anyone not to enter as they are silent? Are they going to flirt the intruders away? Care to tell who came up with this title and what it really deals about? Would you consider this track one of yer best, just as I do?

“Silent gods” is about gods who use sign language to communicate, that’s why they are silent. You know, since most of our fans are deaf so we thought about doing something extra for our fans. A fan thing, you know. It’s definite a good song, I saw the songs’ potential when we built it up. But I’m still quite surprised how appreciated it really is, probably the song that worked best on all tours we did last year. It’s not our best according to me, but of course I could simply say that just to raise your ego a little more.

Ho ho… Do you really think it would have been a wise move if I joined you as the second guitarist for that tour we talked about? You do know I would have brought some excellent riffing into yer band, not to speak about the beard… I seriously doubt we would have survived that tour, seeing you guys drink too much already as it is. While you are at it, share the first insane tour-story you come up with. You have been out on quite a few tours so I know there’s stuff to tell.

Let’s put it this way, we are happy that Johan decided to complete our tour plans. Just imagine how stupid we would look when you try to teach us excellent riffing and the only thing we can do is “piss-poor” riffing and on the other hand you would steal the show completely! Yeah, you are right, we did a few tours last year and there is plenty of insanity among those tours. Probably the most insane thing was that I was completely sober for the first 3 weeks on the Nile / Kreator u.s. tour that we did in October. Except for one night in LA, I just had to put my drinking boots on when we went to Rainbows. That’s insane, but of course everything went to normality after those 3 weeks.

Is vocalist Johan still having a hard time coping with the fact he’ll never achieve the same beard-length as I do? Fuck knows he’s trying, the poor bastard…

It isn’t that easy since he has this strange habit to burn his beard all the time, I guess the smell of burned beard turns him on.

Kidding aside, guess it’s about time after 7 questions. I witnessed you guys at Wacken some years ago, and you definitely did that year’s best gig. I’m not sucking your cock here, I’ve told you this before. What’s yer memories like from that festival? Were you treated well by the organizers? You DO know Dark Funeral had to wait for 5 hours at the airport when they played as the organizers “forgot” they were coming? Anything like that happened to you? I have a feeling the smaller bands don’t get a good treatment there at all and I’ve heard some stories. Now it’s you time to spill yer guts on this issue.

The show was alright, I had so much monitor problems during the show so I didn’t enjoy it that much. But the party on that weekend was great fun. As far as I remember we didn’t really have any problems at all, well, there was some misunderstanding about the hotel rooms, but that was solved simply. Generally we been treated quite well as far as I know. Of course you will not get the same treat as the really big bands. But I’m not complaining.

What’s the biggest royalty-check you ever got? What did you buy with it? Do you guys split everything in 5, no matter who writes what? I know people think this is how it should be done, but not always is. Personally, I don’t think it’s wrong that the guy(s) writing most of the shit gets more cash (Hellooo, I’m in The Project Fucken Hate), then again, the material wouldn’t be recorded if the rest of the band didn’t participate. It feels like I’m drifting here, but I’m sure you follow.

Yeah, I know what you say and it’s a sort of dilemma. I think it’s up to every band to decide how they deal with it. We split everything equally, doesn’t matter who do what as long as everyone is 100% dedicated and full fill his duties while touring. I think it’s easiest this way, we don’t have to fight about money and most of all; only the best material ends up on the records. Otherwise it might be that everyone wants to have his own songs on the album since it will gain money to him. We don’t give a fuck who do the riffs, ideas or songs. It’s all about team work and you get paid as one of the team.

Saatana rakastaa teitä!

Jos saatana on iso tissinen nainen, me rakastellaan sitä takasi.

Who would you say is the best individual musician in the band? Who would you say would be completely impossible to replace if one decided to quit? The last part of the question is not referring to skills, have that in mind.

Depends how you look at it. I consider myself to be the best songwriter in the band, but I’m not as good guitarist as Johan S , he is a great guitarist but not the best in our hometown, However, Fredrik probably is one of the leading drummers over here, but he doesn’t have the same stage present as Ted. Ted has a good stage present, but not as great as Johan H. Johan H is also a great vocalist. As I see it we are a great team together and that is all that counts. I used to say, everyone is replaceable except for the songwriter or the front figure. In our case it must be the front figure.

Is David Vincent gay you think, considering how he looks nowadays? I have to ask as we recently interviewed a busdriver who’s been (drumroll) driving Genitorturers around, and we never got a clear answer to that. So let’s pretend you know the facts. Is he gay or not? What’s yer take on this anyways… What actually happens in someone’s mind when you change from completely death metal to some poser-de-luxe with eyeliner and make-up overnight? Who’d be the most likely target in Amon Amarth to do something like this?

I can’t really tell. I was never into Morbid Angel when Vincent was in the band, so I can’t remember how he looked then and I haven’t seen his new look either. But you know, I don’t give a fuck. Who am I to judge someone elses life style? I mean, obviously Vincent knows best what makes him happy? Don’t you think? Isn’t life about trying to live it the way you want to and be as happy as possible? Usually there is only one reason for personality changes… a girlfriend. The right pussy changes the most narrow-minded guy. Who in our band would go for a change like you described? Well, at least not me or Ted.

I knew it, it’s Johan. Should we skip this question, seeing 13 is an unlucky number? If not, can you name one NHL-player with this number on his jersey?

Perhaps we should skip this one, what is NHL?

I’ll just pretend I never saw that. Thinking about yer covers again… Is fire metal? If so… When Poison uses fire in their shows, are they suddenly metal at that very second? Shouldn’t fire be used by real metal bands only? Did you ever burn anything up, like a kitten or a roadie, while being on tour?

Poison wouldn’t be metal even if they painted their faces. Seems quite stupid to me that only metal bands can use fire, I mean, fire was here long before the music itself, so who the hell has the right to claim that fire can only be used by certain people? Anyway, Rammstein’s live shows are awesome. It’s not Metal but they use plenty of fire. The only thing I’ve burned while touring is my liver and my brain cells. I’ve actually had a bomb explode right in my face, not really a military bomb but big enough to burn my face and all hair. Which explains my looks. Then I also managed to pour a saucepan filled with burning oil over my leg, I was lying in my kitchen floor and watched my leg burning. I’ve felt the fire.

That makes you more metal than most. There’s no way I’ll come up with 30 questions for the next hours so… is there anything you’d like to ask me? Try not to include the words “excellent”, “guitarist” “goodlooking” or “beard”, ok?

I thought I would see you yesterday at Snövit. Where were you?

Vafan, det skulle ru ha sagt. Naturally, I have to ask you before I forget… Again, thanx for the interview, do you have anything to add?

Thanks, still nothing to add.

Drummer Fredrik has this side-project, Curriculum Mortis or something. What’s yer take on this and are any of you other fuckers doing something like this? Personally, I wasn’t too impressed with what I heard on that demo. It’s ok, you can tell us you think they suck and that he should fucken stick to playing drums with Amon Amarth, and you guys only.

I think it’s great that he has his own project to ventilate his song ideas that doesn’t fit in our band. He’s been a song writer in his previous bands so it’s natural that he is creative and has a lot of ideas. As far as I know nobody else is having a side-project. It’s hard as it is to keep up a healthy social life, daytime job and a touring band.

Did anyone ever make the joke about your band name’s initials being the same as Alcoholics Anonymous? When I think about it, it makes perfect sense, except for the fact that you aren’t exactly anonymous…

Never though about it before…..ehhhh…. We are not alcoholics, an alcoholic is abusing alcohol and we don’t fucking mix our vodka or whisky with any soft drinks. We are just a bunch of guys who won’t grow up and just enjoys life.

I think I read somewhere that yer name is taken from “The Lord of the Rings”. Isn’t that so completely gay? I know there weren’t the same buzz about this shit back then when you took the damn name, but still… I kinda like it, though I’m not sure how to pronounce it. Clear this up for us, bastard.

Ted came up with the name long ago, the rest of us thought it sounded mystical and cool so we took it. I never knew the book then and I don’t like the movies now. But, I like our band name. To be honest I’m not sure either how to pronounce it. That is the beauty in our name, you ca say it the way you want and still be right!

Then Ay-mon Ay-marth it is for me. Seriously now. Wanna fuck? I love you, you know that, right?

Sure, you know it and you don’t have to ask!

Miss this one and I must kill you, burn your guitars, split up yer band and celebrate the acts. Name the only NHL player worthy of having number 21 on his jersey.

Make your move, I’m going to prove once for all that bigger falls heavier. Still, what the fuck is NHL?

But for fuck’s sake… You guys have been going for quite some time if I’m not mistaken. Tell us your biography. Kidding. I don’t care about your biography. What I wanna get to is this; do you see yourselves doing this for another 10 years? Or even 5? I mean, you lot are around the 30’s and if you haven’t made it big just yet, chances are you never will. Wanna start a band with me? You know I’d outplay you. At least on NHL 2004.

I don’t think so much about it, I just take a day by day, sort of. I mean, I’m completely happy as it is right know, I don’t want try to figure out how things look in 5 years or 2 years. Depends on what you mean by big? The way I see it, we are happy what we come this far and we know that we have much more to give. I think we continue as long as we think we have something to come up with, but as everything else beautiful in life, it has to end one day, till that day I will enjoy the present as much as possible. I know you outplay me on sport games, but run motherfucker, run, I have your head in my sight!

What’s the worst song you ever wrote and who’s responsible for it?

I guess you mean a released song. I sort of liked all our songs that we released; otherwise they would never end up on an album. But to pick out one that I like less …I guess it might be “As long as the raven flies” from “The Crusher” album. The plan for the song was much greater than it turned out and I know we could have done it much better. Maybe I feel this way because I had this great and majestic plan for that song and it didn’t turn out that way.

Has Olli ever, yes or no:

...fucked a bandmembers’ ex or current girlfriend?

Yes.

...had a fistfight during a tour, preferably with a bandmember?

We don’t fight each other on tour.

...missed a gig coz you were too fucken drunk?

No.

...played terribly live, completely sober?

No.

...ever been completely sober?

Might be hard to believe, but there are days when I’m sober.

...wanted to kick out Johan of the band as his beard is nothing short of a joke?

No.

...wanted to be me?

All the time.

...thought that “these Amon Amarth guys can go fuck themselves, I’m better off without them”?

3 times a week.

...taken advantage of a groupie?

Not advantage, it’s mutual.

...explained you play in a band just to get laid?

What guitar(s) do you play? Is there any chance any of you guys are endorsed by some lame-ass company? Is there like this one company and one company only you’d kill for to have endorsement from?

I play Gibson. and I’m not ‘Hip’ enough to get endorsement from them. I use Explorer or Flying V when I play while standing and SG while sitting. I wouldn’t mind to be endorsed my Mesa Boogie, Gibson and D’addario. Since we don’t belong to the inner “hip” circle here in Sweden it’s kind of hard for us to get endorsement from anyone and to get endorsement outside Sweden when you are Swedish seems hard as well. So we do it the way most musicians do, we pay for our gear! However, Clavia endorses Fredrik.

Are you on fire this very minute? Fire is metal you know…

No, but when I’m starting to think about you and your hairy arse I’m sort of getting there!

How much time did you spend on this interview so far? Are you satisfied with the outcome? You can be frank with me and tell me it’s the best goddamned interview you ever saw, and while you are at it, thank me or I’ll never treat you a beer again. Not that I think I ever did, but hey…

Perhaps an hour or so, mainly because I’m porno surfing between the questions and walking to my bar to refill my glass all the time. It’s a nice interview and of course it’s the best one. You know, I do what it takes to get that damned beer!

I want yer opinions on the following Swedish band, rate them from 1-10 and include a short comment.

I hate these kind of questions, giving rates to other bands. It always end up the same way, other bands get angry about mine because I didn’t like their!! I’ll skip the rates and just give a comment.

Wolf:

I’ve only heard one song, the one I heard was cool so I guess I’ll check them out.

Unleashed:

Strong and impressing background.

Leif Edling:

Candelmass was really cool, but the band without Messiah was nothing and I haven’t listened to his newer bands so I have no idea?

Dark Funeral:

I liked “Secrets”, but that’s all I’ve heard.

The Haunted:

I have no doubts it’s a killer band, since they seems to appear everywhere. One of the leaders in Sweden to push this kind of music forward and they are doing a great job!

Seance:

Never heard them.

Meshuggah:

Never heard them

Amaran:

Cool band and I think they are going to have a great future.

Entombed:

Still going strong and they continue to write interesting songs.

Cannibal Corpse:

You are funny, what had you predicted me to do here? Was it me giving rates or just leave it blank? I don’t really know what you mean by that last sentence, haha…

Do you have any idea who God Among Insects are?

No, might it be you? … ‘a light turns on’ You think you are God among insects?

Interesting theory. Good to see you fucker and welcome to Global Domination. How the hell are you guys doing? Anything new happened since we last spoke in Spain at that fucken festival some months ago? How was that gig by the way, you do know I missed the whole thing, but at least you got to hang with me and have some beers afterwards so I know we are ok with it. Spill yer guts about what you fuckers are up to at the moment.

Gröööhhhll ‘gulp in wrong throath’. Spain was alright, but the funny thing here is that you try to make it sound like we hang on to you to get that damned beer. Whatever drugs you are doing, please inform me about it, I want to have it too. We also did a few shows in Island in early March and then last weekend we played at the Motala Metal fest. We are preparing our arses off with new material that we going to start recording in about a week. It’s been really strenuous the last few months, but hard work is for hard guys! (what the hell that’s supposed to mean?). I know you won’t see the different from our old songs, but we actually have some new killer songs coming up! Anyway, new album out on the 13th of September. Scandinavian tourdates in September-October, rest of Europe in October. Check out www.amonamarth.com for further information! Cheers to you Lord K. Be well.

Back at ya Olli. Thanx for the time and effort put into this. See ya at the pubs, rather sooner than later.

Interviews