| Interview with Tomas Nilsson By: Paul Lewis |
| Conceived from some former members of Marduk and other talented musicians from respectable bands, Devian and their latest release Night Serpent are taking souls by the storm. |
Paul: First of all how did the band Devian
come about?
come about?
Tomas: Legion felt the need to create
music again a few years after he quit
Marduk. He contacted Emil and they started
to trade ideas with each other. They had a
common view and wanted to do something
completely new for them, in other words, no
blast beats in 3 minutes haha. Soon Joinus
joined the band and some time later I joined
too.
music again a few years after he quit
Marduk. He contacted Emil and they started
to trade ideas with each other. They had a
common view and wanted to do something
completely new for them, in other words, no
blast beats in 3 minutes haha. Soon Joinus
joined the band and some time later I joined
too.
Paul: How long did you know Legion prior to joining the band?
What’s makes Devian different from my previous bands is the fact that we have the same
vision and goals within the band and every member has a genuine interest and right focus into
music. It’s always easy to start a band, but to do something with it? Well that’s the tricky part!
vision and goals within the band and every member has a genuine interest and right focus into
music. It’s always easy to start a band, but to do something with it? Well that’s the tricky part!
Tomas: Well, actually I didn’t know Legion at all before I joined the band. My former band has
opened for Emil’s band “The Legion”. During that evening Emil and I discovered that we had a
common way to deal with music. We began talking about starting a project together and we
started writing stuff in his studio and during that period he asked me if I wanted to join Devian. I
accepted and became a full member before I had actually met the other guys in the band; they
put their trust on Emil’s judgement haha.
opened for Emil’s band “The Legion”. During that evening Emil and I discovered that we had a
common way to deal with music. We began talking about starting a project together and we
started writing stuff in his studio and during that period he asked me if I wanted to join Devian. I
accepted and became a full member before I had actually met the other guys in the band; they
put their trust on Emil’s judgement haha.
My first meeting with Legion was in a car trip to Jönköping from Finspång. After five minutes I
discovered that he was a really down to earth person and knew almost every band that I
listened to during my teen ages hahaha.
discovered that he was a really down to earth person and knew almost every band that I
listened to during my teen ages hahaha.
Paul: Explain the song writing process; does everybody get involved in the song writing?
Tomas: Emil and Erik mainly wrote “Ninewinged Serpent”, Joinus made the riffs sound more
Guitar oriented and also wrote a few songs. We arranged the songs together just before the
recordings started.
Guitar oriented and also wrote a few songs. We arranged the songs together just before the
recordings started.
The new album that we are already working on will be a product of us all. We’re all now
involved in the song writing process. First of all we record a pre-production of the song in Emil’
s home studio to get a first impression of that song, then we take it down to the rehearsal room
and start ripping it apart, then everyone starts giving input and suggestions how to make that
song better.
involved in the song writing process. First of all we record a pre-production of the song in Emil’
s home studio to get a first impression of that song, then we take it down to the rehearsal room
and start ripping it apart, then everyone starts giving input and suggestions how to make that
song better.
Paul: Tell us about the new album “Ninewinged Serpent”?
Tomas: “Ninewinged Serpent” is a death thrash metal
oriented album with a touch of black metal over it. It has
furious and insane vocals and aggressive drumming.
Groove riffs and beautiful guitar harmonies and shredding
leads! I really think that Legion is doing his best vocal
performance ever on this album. We all pushed him very
far, same as himself so it turned out fucking great!
oriented album with a touch of black metal over it. It has
furious and insane vocals and aggressive drumming.
Groove riffs and beautiful guitar harmonies and shredding
leads! I really think that Legion is doing his best vocal
performance ever on this album. We all pushed him very
far, same as himself so it turned out fucking great!
Paul: You're also involved in some other bands as well…
Tomas: Yes, but I hardly have time for those bands these
days. Devian is my main band and it will always come first.
It would be very interesting to do another vinyl single or
something with my Metal-Crust band AKTIV DÖDSHJÄLP.
If I get the time I will try to make it happen.
days. Devian is my main band and it will always come first.
It would be very interesting to do another vinyl single or
something with my Metal-Crust band AKTIV DÖDSHJÄLP.
If I get the time I will try to make it happen.
If people haven’t checked out the latest AKTIV
DÖDSHJÄLP release – 4:48, then they should do it right
away. I have a lot of different weird projects too. My
musical soul never wants to rest so I have written a lot of
music during the years hehe.
DÖDSHJÄLP release – 4:48, then they should do it right
away. I have a lot of different weird projects too. My
musical soul never wants to rest so I have written a lot of
music during the years hehe.
Paul: Who's idea to put the little documentary together on myspace?
Tomas: It was something that both Century Media and we thought to be a great idea. I mean, I
really like to watch this kind of stuff myself with all the bands I like. So we tried to bring the
video-cam to every session and then we choose some highlights from it and put it all together.
really like to watch this kind of stuff myself with all the bands I like. So we tried to bring the
video-cam to every session and then we choose some highlights from it and put it all together.
Paul: The band is going to tour with Vader in Europe any plans for a US tour?
Tomas: In spring 2008 we’ll go on tour with Vader, Septic Flesh and Inactive Messiah. I’m
really looking forward to it, especially to tour with Vader because I really respect their work alot.
I really hope we can do a US tour next year, but nothing is decided yet so I guess time will have
to tell about this subject. Our contract with Century Media binds us to tour the US, so sooner or
later we’re coming over to you!
really looking forward to it, especially to tour with Vader because I really respect their work alot.
I really hope we can do a US tour next year, but nothing is decided yet so I guess time will have
to tell about this subject. Our contract with Century Media binds us to tour the US, so sooner or
later we’re coming over to you!
Paul: Thanks for the interview anything else you’d like to add?
Tomas: Thank you too! Check out the US version of Ninewinged Serpent. It will be released in
January in the US and you can already pre-order it from Century Medias Web-Shop!
Devian will come to your shores soon! Stay evil!
/Tomas Nilsson - Devian
January in the US and you can already pre-order it from Century Medias Web-Shop!
Devian will come to your shores soon! Stay evil!
/Tomas Nilsson - Devian
