Rockezine.com interview with Impious on Sep 07, 2002

with Valle on Sep 07, 2002

Not too long ago I was pretty amazed by a relatively new Swedish progressive thrash band called Impious. I had never heard of this band before, although The Killer is their third release already. But these Swedes certainly know how thrash needs to be played in 2002, brutal and aggressive but with an eye for melody. To find out more about these fellow townspeople of the Crown I thought an interview might be in order. Guitarist Valle is willing to answer my questions.
		If I am correct Impious was founded over 8 years ago. Can you tell me what Impious has achieved in these years as a death thrash band? Well, we`ve released three demos: Infernal Predomination, The Suffering, and Promo ´97. Then we managed to get a deal with Swedish label Black Sun Records, who released our two first albums Evilized and Terror Succeeds. Then we signed to Hammerheart Records and they`ll release our third album The Killer in mid September.
		The Killer has become a great progressive death thrash release; how have the reactions been so far? And is the rest of the band satisfied, or are there any things you would be doing different next time? Hey thanx man! The reactions I have seen so far have been great, but maybe it`s a bit early to say for sure. Yes, we are quite satisfied. I think especially our drummer Mikael did a great job, he joined us only five weeks before the recording. But to say that we are totally satisfied would be a lie... I wish I had made some riffs and arrangements differently. Our next album will be a bit more brutal by the way...
		Unfortunately I did not receive any lyrics, can you tell me how they relate to the title or the artwork? Like “Sick, Sex, Six” or “Needles Of Sin”. The songs are about things that fascinate me… things like death, hate, and the darker sides of the human mind. We wanted to call it The Killer because we think it’s a good title. It’s short and powerful, and it also reflects the subject in some of the songs. I can`t speak about “Needles Of Sin”, cause those is the only lyrics that I didn`t write on the album. But “Sick Sex Six” is about sex... in a not so traditional way. Hehe!
		Can you tell me how Impious composed the songs for The Killer? Did that differ from previous times? Is it a band thing or are a few members responsible for the compositions?
I guess the guys trust me...		I did notice that you write most of the work, but the others too must have their musical ideas? The process begins with me coming up with riffs and ideas; then I record them in my studio with a drum-computer. We usually don’t rehearse at all if there is nothing special going on (recording, live gig, etc). So, during such “off periods” I am most creative because I can really concentrate on the song writing. Anyway, when I have enough riffs/ideas to put a song together I record the entire song. Usually I am working on several songs at the same time. Because sometimes I get stuck when writing a song; then I just leave it and work on another song. When I have recorded 3-5 new songs I put them on a CD and give it to everyone in the band. They’ll listen to it for a week or so, and after that we’ll start rehearsing the songs. This way the rehearsals become much more effective because the rest of the band already knows how the song goes! And while we rehearse we try out different ideas that everyone has. Sometimes we change much; sometimes we don’t change anything from the original version. The lyrics I always write last, because it is so boring. On the new album there are 11 songs and I wrote 10 of them. Over the years it has just become natural that I write more and more of our stuff. I guess the guys trust me...
		Where does a band like Impious get its influences? Modern thrash bands or good old death metal? I seemed to notice some likenesses to bands like The Crown for instance? We listen to all kinds of stuff! Our vocalist Martin and drummer Mikael are into more brutal stuff. Our other guitar player Robin is quite much into classic metal bands, while our bass player Erik and myself have a very broad taste. Nah, I wouldn`t call The Crown an influence. We all grew up in the same little town. It`s hard to see your friends as an influence. I think they are a very talented band though. We don`t think we sound like them, and they don`t think they sound like us... but anyway some journalists think so.
		What is your opinion on the metal scene in your country, and in general nowadays? I think we have a shitload of great and talented bands here in Sweden! But the scene sucks nevertheless... and I think that`s because almost every metal head in Sweden plays in a band. On concerts the crowd is usually totally dead and lame, they just stand there with their arms crossed and wait for you to play a false note. Like a damn music-police! Fortunately this is not the case down on the continent. The metal scene in general is now again becoming stronger, I think. And to me it seems like the "power-metal wave" is slowly fading away. I just hope the more brutal metal styles will seize the throne like in the early 90s.
		Are there any particular things that Impious wants to achieve as a band? Hehe, I have two personal things that I would like to experience. Number one is touring; I would like to tour Europe, America, and Japan before I die. Number two is to one day play at a festival or something where Metallica is playing too, and to sit backstage and chat with James Hetfield with a few beers.
		When can we expect to see Impious live on a European tour, or for some gigs in Holland? I really hope so!! I mean, that’s why we play in a band: to play live! I that think there is a tour planned in November. Almost the whole of Europe is included.
		Any final words to the fans? Well, first of all thank you for reading this interview. Do check out our album The Killer and if you like it... buy it! Or steal the fucker!! Also, I hope to see you all on tour! Thanx for the support...
(Teun Jans)