| Interview with Johan Edlund By: Blissfulviolet |
| It's been years...5 long years, since Tiamat last graced us with a studio album. Aside from signing to Nuclear Blast Records and getting his own line of signature guitars, frontman Johan Edlund says he's been "Living the good life, packing boxes for moving, breeding snotty kids, that sort of stuff." Through a few short emails- Edlund kept in touch, sharing insight on Tiamat's latest album Amanethes, his love for feline creatures and just why he despises 'Lord of the Rings' flicks. |
Blissfulviolet: Doing great. Thanks for taking time out to do this interview, I know you must be busy
with all the traveling and the new Tiamat album out. It's been 5 years since the last, are you excited?
with all the traveling and the new Tiamat album out. It's been 5 years since the last, are you excited?
Johan: I don’t get excited anymore. I have found out that life’s
treasures lies beyond excitement in record releases. Or it’s
only self-preservation as usual.
treasures lies beyond excitement in record releases. Or it’s
only self-preservation as usual.
Blissfulviolet: True but congrats, the album already hit 13 in
the Swedish charts...
the Swedish charts...
Johan: Yep, another number! I would have preferred number
14 honestly.
14 honestly.
Blissfulviolet: Could you fill us in as to what you were up to
during Tiamat's inactivity?
during Tiamat's inactivity?
Johan: Living the good life, packing boxes for moving,
breeding snotty kids, that sort of stuff. Also touring eastern
Europe with its many new countries not yet known to man, and
releasing a gobsmacking DVD!
breeding snotty kids, that sort of stuff. Also touring eastern
Europe with its many new countries not yet known to man, and
releasing a gobsmacking DVD!
Blissfulviolet: Tiamat's latest album Amanethes was
produced in your studio, 'The Mansion.' Tell us more about
your studio and give us a visual description of your work
space.
produced in your studio, 'The Mansion.' Tell us more about
your studio and give us a visual description of your work
space.
Johan: It’s small and dirty and it smells, but I’ve got a few
nice preamps and microphones, a vocalbooth, and a PC that
sometimes works.
nice preamps and microphones, a vocalbooth, and a PC that
sometimes works.
Blissfulviolet: The actual recording of Amanethes mainly took place in Greece, where you have been
residing now. Considering that Greece is full of ancient history and culture, have you found it to be an
inspiration as a musician?
residing now. Considering that Greece is full of ancient history and culture, have you found it to be an
inspiration as a musician?
Johan: Everything is equal and of equal importance in the history of things. No use in romanticizing
certain things. They did, however, invent lesbianism.
certain things. They did, however, invent lesbianism.
Blissfulviolet: Well, I'm not sure if I'm over analyzing this too much but it seems like the Amanethes
album is rich in Greek symbolism, from the cover art to some of the titles used. Is my observation
correct?
album is rich in Greek symbolism, from the cover art to some of the titles used. Is my observation
correct?
Johan: You’re not over analyzing it, but rather being an attentive young woman! Sometimes I like to
think of it as natural influences, but when speaking more openly about it I have to admit that I’m cashing
in on the fact that I’m a moving-around hobo, trying to make that sound like if it’s something special. I
could as well write about Vikings but I guess I’m too full of myself to always try to promote my nomad
lifestyle, which I obviously find very cool.
think of it as natural influences, but when speaking more openly about it I have to admit that I’m cashing
in on the fact that I’m a moving-around hobo, trying to make that sound like if it’s something special. I
could as well write about Vikings but I guess I’m too full of myself to always try to promote my nomad
lifestyle, which I obviously find very cool.
Blissfulviolet: For someone who has never traveled to Greece, what sites or landmarks would you
recommend they visit?
recommend they visit?
Johan: The Macedonia Airport of Thessaloniki, to have a sweaty slice of pizza while watching brutes
beat the shit out of my luggage. I honestly have to visit the other places you have to visit!
beat the shit out of my luggage. I honestly have to visit the other places you have to visit!
Blissfulviolet: You are originally from Sweden. Have you been enjoying Greece more compared to
your home country?
your home country?
Johan: Yeah, I feel more at home here in Greece,
I must admit. Sweden is so controlled and perfect
to an extent that it bores the hell out of me… I
really fit in very good with the Greek lifestyle and
mentality.
I must admit. Sweden is so controlled and perfect
to an extent that it bores the hell out of me… I
really fit in very good with the Greek lifestyle and
mentality.
Blissfulviolet: Please elaborate on your
philosophy of symbolism, religion and how you
incorporate your daily life, personal experiences
into your work.
philosophy of symbolism, religion and how you
incorporate your daily life, personal experiences
into your work.
Johan: I don’t think. Really, it might sound like a
spam, but that’s all there is to it. Disconnection of
the brain! It does wonders!
spam, but that’s all there is to it. Disconnection of
the brain! It does wonders!
Blissfulviolet: Is any of the material off the
Amanethes album older material from the 'Prey'
album period? It seems to take off where Prey left
off...
Amanethes album older material from the 'Prey'
album period? It seems to take off where Prey left
off...
Johan: Some songs are written around that area
of Prey… Some are quite new… And some in
these years in between.
of Prey… Some are quite new… And some in
these years in between.
Blissfulviolet: This explains the albums diverse sound and fact that it sort of 'highlights' Tiamat's
unique elements throughout the years. Was this something that was planned during the stages of
creation?
unique elements throughout the years. Was this something that was planned during the stages of
creation?
Johan: No, we never make up any plans before we record an album. You know, actually we just do this
because we like it. There’s just nothing more to it. There are no speculations or plans for anything, if
you ask us. We just do what we do!
because we like it. There’s just nothing more to it. There are no speculations or plans for anything, if
you ask us. We just do what we do!
Blissfulviolet: How did the writing process for Amanethes go?
Johan: Living the hell of a life for some years and then one day wake up and have this weird urge to
write songs about it, believing people would care.
write songs about it, believing people would care.
Blissfulviolet: Tiamat now has a new record label, Nuclear Blast Records. Since this recent signing,
do you feel that even better things will come for Tiamat? Things that maybe previous labels could not
provide?
do you feel that even better things will come for Tiamat? Things that maybe previous labels could not
provide?
Johan: I think this is totally uninteresting. It’s like asking in which bank you keep your money, or what’s
your insurance company. We have chosen wisely, I hope, but that’s still just business you shouldn’t care
too much about. If a record is good, it’s good.
your insurance company. We have chosen wisely, I hope, but that’s still just business you shouldn’t care
too much about. If a record is good, it’s good.
Blissfulviolet: Living in the States, I don't recall Tiamat touring the U.S. Is there a chance this time
around?
around?
Johan: We did tour the States once, supporting
Motorhead and Black Sabbath, but that was long
ago. Yeah, I really hope we can get the chance to
play some dates in US this year. It would be about
time! Hmm… Ok, you win… Maybe the record
company CAN make a difference! :)
Motorhead and Black Sabbath, but that was long
ago. Yeah, I really hope we can get the chance to
play some dates in US this year. It would be about
time! Hmm… Ok, you win… Maybe the record
company CAN make a difference! :)
Blissfulviolet: Just maybe, lol. With summer, winter
coming soon and 2009 on the horizon, what is in
store next for Tiamat?
coming soon and 2009 on the horizon, what is in
store next for Tiamat?
Johan: One thing is for sure, we don’t wanna wait
another five years before we release a new album! I
wanna start working on new music this year and
hopefully record it early next year!
another five years before we release a new album! I
wanna start working on new music this year and
hopefully record it early next year!
Blissfulviolet: For those who are unaware, you
also have a project called 'LucyFire.' How would you
say LucyFire differs from Tiamat? LucyFire seems
more upbeat and experimental..
also have a project called 'LucyFire.' How would you
say LucyFire differs from Tiamat? LucyFire seems
more upbeat and experimental..
Johan: LucyFire is straight rock’n’roll, I suppose, and Tiamat has more depth to the songs. Some would
say the difference isn’t too big, and I can’t really defend myself against that.
say the difference isn’t too big, and I can’t really defend myself against that.
Blissfulviolet: What is the current status of LucyFire?
Johan: Idle. A blinking led, a low battery life icon on your Ericsson phone.
Blissfulviolet: In other news, Mayones Guitars released the 'Johan Edlund' signature model guitars.
How would you say this guitar style speaks or relates to you? Did you assist with its design?
How would you say this guitar style speaks or relates to you? Did you assist with its design?
Johan: I had quite a lot to say about the design! It was a very interesting collaboration that got me into
how guitars are built and I learned a lot from it! I designed the special parts and decided for the monolith
colours and the parts… Still, I’m probably the worst guitarist in the history of mankind that got his own
signature series, but that pleases me even more!
how guitars are built and I learned a lot from it! I designed the special parts and decided for the monolith
colours and the parts… Still, I’m probably the worst guitarist in the history of mankind that got his own
signature series, but that pleases me even more!
Blissfulviolet: It's known that you are very fond of cats; what is it about these feline creatures that
attracts you?
attracts you?
Johan: Here in Greece, there are zillions of homeless cats strolling the streets… I want to take them all
home. If I ever become a millionaire, I would build a shelter for homeless cats. I don’t know why I love
them… They’re just so cute! And so me!
home. If I ever become a millionaire, I would build a shelter for homeless cats. I don’t know why I love
them… They’re just so cute! And so me!
Blissfulviolet: After surfing the web, it's great to see 'The Church of Tiamat' website is back online.
After reading your likes and dislikes it brings me to ask: Do you really hate the Lord of the Rings movies
and feel that you could have played Gollum better, lol.
After reading your likes and dislikes it brings me to ask: Do you really hate the Lord of the Rings movies
and feel that you could have played Gollum better, lol.
Johan: Yep, I could easily have done any role in TLOTR better, including direction, production and
everything else! It sucks!
everything else! It sucks!
Blissfulviolet: Yeah, to this day LOTR is still overrated, especially in the states. Well I think I've taken
way too much of your time...any final thoughts or quotes you'd like to leave with us Tiamat fans?
way too much of your time...any final thoughts or quotes you'd like to leave with us Tiamat fans?
Johan: Just a few days before “Amanethes” is being released in the US! If four of you buy it, there’s a
chance we’ll be supporting Dark Tranquility on an American tour, drinking all their backstage booze!
chance we’ll be supporting Dark Tranquility on an American tour, drinking all their backstage booze!
Blissfulviolet: Alright guys, you heard it from the man himself...Just four of you need to make a
purchase and Johan and the boys get to indulge in U.S. Make it happen!
purchase and Johan and the boys get to indulge in U.S. Make it happen!
Blissfulviolet: Hello Johan, how has life been treating you?
Johan: Super, thank you! How about you?