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Unleashed - Anders Schultz

15/10/05 || Lord K Philipson

We decided it would be about fucken time to interview Swedish death metal, eh… legends (?) Unleashed for this site. And, believe it or not, we did just that. Anders is a fucken good guy to say the least, and even if I might personally not dig most of their albums, they still deserve a few minutes in the precious limelight of GD Anders has always been very down with our shit and also participated in a bunch of other features at this site, becoz he’s just like us: Supercool de luxe… It’s an honour (no it’s not) to have this bitch on the site as he always makes for a great laugh and good reading. So, enjoy it.

Global Domination: Evening fucko, how’s the cock?

Anders Schultz: Evening, mongo. Cock’s just splendid. Unless you’re referring to the rooster… It’s been eaten.

I should seriously have started with the most important question, but forgot… Here goes; you are 32 (or 31) years old, right? Last weekend you did a magnificent stage dive during the God Among Insects show. Not only did you stage dive, but you jumped off stage with a cigarette in yer mouth. Not only that… You also got back on yer feet with the cig still in yer mouth. And we have the photos to prove it. That is one party trick, man. Aren’t you too fucken old to be stage diving? How’s the hip bone?

Well it is a pretty damn important question I’d say. And yeah, I turned 32 yesterday actually. Where’s my fuckin’ present, bitch? And yeah, I might be a tad too old for those things. Hip bone’s fine, but I did hit my foot on the barricades. Guess I didn’t get enough air…as the young people would say. And the cigarette thing was just a statement. Apparently smoking was not allowed and I had security come tell me to put it out, as well as some dweeb come whining and crying about being allergic. At a metal show, I mean come on! I sure hope that was not one of your fans.

Are you absolutely sure you covered everything you wanted to cover about the stage dive? You do know it’s one fat fucken honour to have you doing that shit on stage with us?

Well hey man, it was an honour for me as well. You guys put on the best show at the festival, and you know I love you dudes.

Did you notice that you had way more fun with us on stage than you do with yer own band, Unleashed?

Come on now K…. don’t overdo it.

Well, now that the important stuff is taken care of… We are many who wonder about this… Unleashed’s first 2 albums are quite ace you know? What hapened after that, seriously? All eventual talent you guys once had as far as songwriting goes just fucken left the building, kinda like Elvis, or what? Man, seldom have I seen a band go down the shitter so fucken fast. What’s yer take on this?

Not surprisingly, there you go…being all “first 2 albums are always best” elitist. I’m surprised you didn’t say you hate everything after the first demo…and not surprisingly, I have to say I think you’re full of shit. For instance, our 3rd and 4th albums have some of our most well-liked songs and the songwriting on those are equally as good as on previous albums.

Would you agree that “Sworn Allegiance” restored a bit of past days’ glories?

Yeah, I do agree that “Sworn Allegiance” has proved that we are back and strong to those who have doubted. Like you, ya backstabber!

When you think about it, do you realise that your logo was always better than the music you make?

We’ve always been proud of the logo, but really now K, you’re just trying too hard to be an asshole. You just can’t live up to it, you big teddybear, you. But if that was true, I guess we could just go on tour… hang up the logo backdrop and just go to the bar and drink. Guess it wouldn’t be so bad…

And have you thought about the fact that it could possibly be the best death metal logo ever?

Well I’ve heard many people say it. But there’s a lot of cool logos out there. Speaking of which…. have you ever considered getting real logos for TPH and GAI?

I’m not sure I wanna talk about the next album of yours, but I guess we have to. What’s currently up in the Unleashed camp as far as composing goes? And while we are at it, can you seriously say the new material you have is the best you guys ever did? All bands say that about their new shit you know, and most of them are full of cock.

We have almost all the tracks written and ready to record. We’ll probably get started somtime this winter. And sure, I know it’s hard to compete with the earlier stuff, but these new songs are pretty damn good. It will probably be some of our hardest and fastest stuff ever!

In my opinion, “Into Glory Ride” could be yer best song ever. Would you agree? Do you even remember this track, I mean, you are like a 100 years old by now. Any fun shit you wanna tell us about the recording of that album, if you remember shit that is…

It is a good song. One of my favorites too, actually. Especially playing it live. So yes, nitwit…. we play it all the time. And I remember recording it, even if it was ages ago. It was in Germany. I remember eating a lot of Kinder eggs and playing ping pong. We actually didn’t know what the hell we were doing, really.

You have played drums for quite some time now, correct? Have you developed for shit during the years, you think? Do you even practice the fucken drums every now and then or is it more routine now?

Correct. And no, not really. And I’m way too old to develop now. Some of us have to work for a living, you know, so finding time to just go practice has always been hard. I do my thing as well as possible and it’s been going fine.

Is it even fun to play drums nowadays? Especially when you only get to play on shit albums?

Of course it is. What do you think I do it for…the money? And what do you mean? I never got to play on the GAI album…!

What is the worst Unleashed track, in your opinion? I mean, it must be quite hard to pick one but “Victims of War” must be up there, right?

I like all our songs, more or less, but there are a couple of tracks on the “Warrior” album I’m not all that fond of, I will admit. But fuck you, “Victims of War” rules.

Have you ever thought about the fact that it sounds like Johnny is singing “Victims of WOW” on that track? That, my friend, sucks ass.

You ever thought about the fact you might need a new stereo? You, my friend, suck ass.

Are there any fucken bands at all in the death metal scene today that truly impress you?

Sure. Maybe they’re not pure death metal, but the new Belphegor and Anaal Nathrakh albums are awesome. And In Battle are Sweden’s most underrated band! Excellent! Also, I have to mention the new Grand Magus even if it’s not death metal. They rule!

I think it’s quite fun that Poland suddenly brought out some excellent death metal. But there’s a problem… They all sound the fucken same nowadays and it gets boring in the long run, you know? What would a death metal veteran like yourself suggest they do to gain some fucken originality?

Yeah it’s great, and they have some excellent bands. I guess it’s true they sometimes sound similar. It’s mostly ‘cause they’re all trying to beat speed records. I think the extreme metal scene in general would benefit from slowing down a little sometimes. Blast beats rule, but throw in some slower or mid-paced songs for variety, I’d say.

NHL man… What’s yer team? Who’s yer fave player?

Don’t care too much, I gotta say. But Sundin is a champ. Even if he is an old gårdare.

You guys could eventually change the logo and name on most of yer albums to “UNFLUSHED” since they are shit, ever thought about that? This was one awesome question, thank you.

Yeah that’s definitely the best question so far, K. We could just scrap this whole thing and just keep this one. Would have saved a lot of time, you know. [note from Tash: ...and a shitload of correcting.] But hey, on our early tours we were named “Unwashed” by other bands. Wonder where they got that from?

As far as I know, you have always been with Century Media. Did they ever say anything about yer not-so-good albums when you handed them over? What were you fucken thinking in the studio when you recorded some of them? I mean, you must have been aware of the fact that maybe they weren’t exactly on par with the 2 first ones… Forgive me, I can’t help myself.

Well we have been with them all the time. We actually left, but then signed with them again for the last 2 albums. We’ll see what happens for the next one. And hey, the only thing that we could have used for those albums you’re ripping on was someone good to help with the production. That was what we always had a hard time getting right. With better sound on them you’d change your tune, boy – I guarantee it. Fortunately we now have Fredrik taking care of that, and he knows what the hell is up. As you probably noticed on “Sworn Allegiance”.

Are you metal?

After the stage dive, you still have to ask? More metal than you’ll ever be.

Peter Forsberg.

Great player, but breaks a little too easy I’d say. That kid’s got soft bones.

Did you ever make any money off Unleashed? Do you guys sell for shit? Be honest about this… Would you mind giving me the sales figures for each and every album, roughly estimated. If you say that you don’t know any figures I’ll go fucken ballistic over here.

Not much, really. Touring might bring in a buck or two. I was always too lazy to write songs. Only a lyric or two, so I’m screwed on the royalty thing anyway. And well, go ballistic at will. I have no idea. I do know some of the albums did well though – over 10 000 in Germany.

What was the biggest royalty check for? Then again, I have a feeling Johnny might be stealing all the cash…

As I said above, I didn’t do much. My biggest check was probably around 100 bucks or so. But as Johnny has written most of the material throughout the years, he would get more, yeah.

Is Johnny metal?

Of course. More metal than you’ll ever be.

Do you think Johnny holds any grudges about being kicked out of Nihilist and all?

No, not at all. There was always talk about that, and maybe at the time there was some animosity. Of course there is with member changes and all that. But really, that was 16 years or so ago. We toured the states with Entombed back in ‘91, and even then there were no problems.

Are you into anything but metal? Comment on the following non-metal things:

Yeah I am. Not so much mainstream stuff, though. I like industrial like Foetus, Cop Shoot Cop, Pig etc. and stuff like 16hp and Nick Cave. And I’ve always been into punk and hardcore since way back.

Natalie Imbruglia: not my music at all. But she’s a looker.

Alice DeeJay: don’t know.

Kosheen: who? what?

Eminem: some of his lyrics are damn funny.

Guano Apes: they had one song, I think, that kinda stuck for a while but that’s it.

Mike Poggione: don’t know the guy. But it’s your buddy, right?

Nightwish: not my thing. but I read a good review once.

Tuska Festival: Tuska rules! But you’re a wimp for chickening out this year.

Slayer: do I even need to say it? fuckin’ Slayer!

Deicide: great band.

Cannibal Corpse: great guys, great band, awesome live.

You are like a regular participant on these pages… Why is it that you’re always super-cool with us even though you know I gladly rip most of the UNFLUSHED albums a new asshole (not like it’s needed, though) every time I have the chance?

You guys do funny shit and it has been a lot of fun being in on it. And even you have the right to your own opinion, even though you’re usually wrong.

Do you even own a pair of drums? What’s yer (borrowed) setup?

Of course I do. I have a black Yamaha set for practice. The setup is: double kicks, 2 rack and 2 floor toms, and a bunch of cymbals. I’m not too picky and can make do with almost anything.

For how long can you pull off a blast beat? Were you faster in the past? Are blastbeats metal? Who’s the fucken master of the blaster(ing)?

Blastbeats have never been my strong side. I never had to practice them since we don’t use them too much. Been thinking I might start dabbling with them though. But with respects to what I do, I’m still as fast as in the past. And sure, blasts are metal. But there are many dudes out there now that blast like crazy. Nils from In Battle and Sanctification deserves
mentioning though. That guy is insane.

Who to: marry, fuck, kill:

(With those options, I’d probably just have to kill them all.)

Johnny: kill
Tomas: kill
The other guitarist: kill

Is there any band you’d like to join? Is there any band you feel you would actually have some good input with? There are a lot of bands out there in need of a decent drummer (and I’m sure you know someone) you know, none of them from Poland though. Who are some of yer fave drummers? And who are Teh Suck? Name some overrated bullshit drummers.

There are a lot of bands which would be an honor to play with, but I’ve never really thought about that. I have a project in the works with some good friends, and hopefully I’ll have some good input in that, if we ever get started. As for cool drummers, there are many. Lombardo has to be mentioned of course, and Dennis the Menace. And, of course, Neil Peart! There are many great guys playing! And what the hell is “Teh Suck”? [note from Tash: that you may well ask.] I’m not gonna waste time ragging on people here. That’s your job.

You have been on quite some tours during the years… Which band treated you guys the best (if you were supporting someone) and vice versa? And while headlining, which band did you treat the worst?

Yeah there have been a few. And we’ve always gotten along really well with most of the bands we’ve been out with. I remember in ‘91 when we went out with Sadus and Morbid Angel, and with us being pretty fresh, we wondered how they’d treat us. But it turned out great and we had a great time. And at the same time we tried to treat bands opening for us the same way.

Tell me your biography in exactly 16 words.

Started ‘89, got signed, recorded some shit, toured, took a break, came back, better than ever.

Vomitory are Sweden’s best death metal band – you know this, right? Do you disagree? Ok then, hotshot, who are the rulers of Swedish death metal?

Vomitory are indeed truly great. Some other ruling Swedes are In Battle, Defleshed, and Necrophobic. I would say TPH and GAI, but you’re such an ass, so I won’t.

Is black metal metal?

Sure. I like a lot of black metal.

4 more questions to 40… Are you still with me?

Hell no. Anders took off a while back. I’m just some bum off the street he paid off to do this shit.

Have we covered anything of substance in this interview? Is there anything you think I should have asked about, maybe something non-metal related? How many chicks have gotten on their backs for a rockstar like yerself, lied and told you that you are Teh Stud and all? Don’t lie to me.

Shit, I doubt there is anything of substance in this interview. And no, no more questions. This will do fine and it’s never happening again. And chicks? I’m 32, so I’ve had my share of girls and girlfriends. During most tours I’ve been on, I’ve had relationships at the time. Chicks on tour are a damn hassle anyway. Better to just hang out with cool people and party.

“Reise Durch die Zeit”. Which artist? Nail this one and I’ll marry you, and don’t cheat.

Well it’s, German so I’ll guess Rammstein. And I didn’t cheat. Especially if I was right.

Are we married now?

You tell me?

I love you. Thanx for being cool as fuck. End this one with anything but Unleashed related crap.

I love you too, K. I’m your best friend, remember? I think we decided on this a while back. Now get a job so you can afford to come up here and get drunk, you fuck.

Interviews