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ILLDISPOSED
is a deathmetal band from Aarhus, Denmark that was formed in 1991. As of
2008, the band consists of vocalist Bo Summer, guitarists Jakob "Batten"
Hansen and Franz Hellboss, bassist Jonas "Kloge" Mikkelsen and drummer
Thomas "Muskelbux" Jensen.
Since the beginning of the 90’s ILLDISPOSED have
been one of the top bands of the Nordic death metal scene and have
released 10 albums. Without denying their death metal roots, their brand
new offering ´To Those Who Walk Behind Us´ will meet all expectations.
ILLDISPOSED have developed their own form of death metal with
groovy rhythms, melodic but hard hitting riffs, a massive wall of sound
with an aggressive vocal in focus. ‘To Those Who Walk Behind Us’ is a
dedication to all the fans who have been following the band throughout
the years. The music takes you back to the mid-nineties with a present
day view. It is raw, melodious and groovy.
The experience gained from the production of 10 albums
and the band's numerous shows all over Europe and as far away as New
Zealand says it all: ILLDISPOSED know what it's all about. Over
the years their success has not just been restricted to the metal scene:
The last three albums entered the official Danish album charts at
position 85, 58 and 44 which made ILLDISPOSED the first death
metal band with such high chart entries. The video for "Still Sane" was
the most wanted metal video on VIVA Plus for two weeks and the track
"Dark" was featured on the soundtrack to the horror blockbuster SAW.
In the fall of 2009 ILLDISPOSED will headline the MTV Headbangers
Ball Tour in Denmark.’To Those Who Walk Behind Us’ will most certainly
secure the Danes a top position in the European metal scene.
ILLDISPOSED´s
latest effort ‘To Those Who Walk Behind Us’ was released
August 28, 2009 via Massacre Records. The album was recorded at AB
Studio in Aarhus, Denmark and was mixed at Fredman Studio in Sweden with
Fredrik Nordström. 11 tracks will appear on the new ILLDISPOSED
album (out of a total of 16 that were completed during the songwriting
sessions), which will be available as a jewel case CD, limited digipack
with bonus material and strictly limited box set with exclusive t-shirt.
The band says, "We guarantee you won't be disappointed!"
It appears there is much to talk about, here you can read
what Jakob "Batten" Hansen had to say to us.
Congratulations on the release of your new album ‘To
Those Who Walk Behind Us’ which will be out soon, of course we’d like to
ask you a couple of questions about it.
Jakob: Thanks a lot!
How and when did you launch into writing material for ‘To
Those Who Walk Behind Us’ and how much time did you spend on the songs?
Jakob: I had the first song ready before the previous
album ‘The Prestige’ had even been released. I really had a lot of ideas
and I had a lot of time on my own to turn these ideas into actual songs.
In less than a year I had 16 songs ready and demo-recorded in my home
studio. So Bo and I picked the best ones out and ended on 11 songs.
Which approach did you choose to make this album, did you
go for a more raw exposition.. or something more reminiscent of your
previous other works, or something all together different?
Jakob: ‘The Prestige’ was a pretty raw and straight-on
album so it was natural to go for a more groovy and melodic sound this
time. We usually get tired of doing the same thing for a long time so we
change a bit from album to album – without getting away from our sound
and style of course.
What were the goals you had in mind when you started
recording ‘To Those Who Walk Behind Us’, any elements you definitely
wanted to have on the album?
Jakob: Basically we just wanted to make a good and well
produced album that we don’t have to be ashamed of. That’s always our
goal. We don’t have to invent something and we don’t have to prove
anything. We play rather simple music with a simple structure. Something
you can remember. Something that’s played from the heart and will
hopefully get into the hearts of people.
Could you please describe the implications of the title
‘To Those Who Walk Behind Us’, what does it stand for and is there a
special meaning behind it?
Jakob: The title is a dedication to all our fans and
friends who stood behind us along the way. You can also say it has a
biblical meaning, to all the disciples who walk behind us. But I’m not
quite sure we have that status!
Who was responsible for the lyrics on the album?
Jakob: Our singer, Bo Summer
What inspired your lyrics and can you tell me a little
more about them?
Jakob: The lyrics are all reflecting his personal
thoughts and personal battles in life. He’s living with a wife and 4
kids at home, that gives a lot of battles to write about I guess. For
instance “This Unscheduled Moment” tells that when you are so pleased to
have a moment of your own, someone will make sure to use that moment for
you. It’s draining all your energy.
How important is it to you that people pay attention to
the lyrics apart from listening to the music?
Jakob: I think it’s cool when music and lyrics go hand in
hand and you can actually see that there’s a deeper meaning to the
lyrics, not just satan death and hell. The lyrics are personal to Bo
like the music is personal to me. And hopefully other people will get
something out of the lyrics as well as the music.
Can you give us a little background information on the
songs, is there a story behind them?
Jakob: There’s no major theme or something like that,
it’s just personal thoughts about hate, depression and what the day
brings to you. Life can be a battle.
Why did you decide to cover the Fine Young Cannibals
80´s hit “Johnny Come Home”?
Jakob:
It’s not exactly a cover song but the chorus is
close to “Johnny Come Home”. We thought that all former songs including
“Johnny” became a hit. So we hope that our Johnny song will become a big
hit as well!
What is the utmost important ingredient for a song? Is
there a typical way in which your songs come into being?
Jakob: Personality and a good groove are the two most
important ingredients. Most deathmetal bands base their music upon speed
and brutality and that often leaves the songs without personality. Maybe
it will give you a short moment of fascination but tomorrow a new band
makes another speed-record and then the other one’s forgotten. When you
just use your music to show off, your music will lose its personality.
That’s just my opinion of course.
How can we imagine you work on new songs, what's the
typical writing process like for Illdisposed?
Jakob: I always write the music alone and it seems that
it will still be like that for a while. But it’s working very well this
way. There’s no big discussions. When I have a bunch of new songs ready
I record them and hand over a cd to the other guys. That’s how we do it.
Do you sit down and write a new song because you need
more material now or do you wait until you get an idea?
Jakob: I never write because I have to. It’s all coming
by itself. Sometimes there’s nothing for some months, sometimes I have 2
songs in one week. It just comes to me, it’s a gift.
How did the recording process for the new album proceed?
Did you work differently this time than you did with your previous
works?
Jakob: The only thing we did differently was not to use
the same producer. I produced it myself this time.
After so many albums you suddenly don’t want the
influence of an outside producer anymore. At least that’s how I felt.
What do you think are the main differences between your
previous album ‘The
Prestige’
and ‘To Those Who Walk Behind Us´?
Jakob:
I think the songs on ‘To those who walk behind us’ are
better written and better structured.
The album was mixed by Fredrik Nordström, what made him
the perfect man for this job?
Jakob: Fredrik made some of our favorite albums back in the days. At The
Gates and so on. But the Danish producers also started to become too
expensive. We didn’t wanna pay as much as they wanted because they just
raised the price because there was a lot of focus on them from outside
Denmark. So we started looking outside the country and picked out
Fredrik. When we started working with him we realized that we have the
same kind of humor. And his sound is amazing. So there was no doubt we
wanted to use him again for ‘To those who walk behind us’.
Which aspect of your albums are you most proud of?
Jakob: “1-800 Vindication” definitely. I think it has some of our
greatest songs – and besides that it is our best selling album so far.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and the kinds of
things that motivate you in your writing, your poetry, and your lyrics?
What are you personally into?
Jakob: Life is inspiring me. My friends, my family, my
girlfriend. I’m glad that I actually have a life and don’t have to sit
at home talking bad about everybody on the internet every day.
What makes Illdisposed different from the other metal
bands out there?
Jakob: That we don’t see ourselves as a band and don’t
feel that we have to accomplish anything as a band. Illdisposed is a
friendship and we do it to have fun together.
Are there any particular bands who’ve been a big
influence in your song writing, metal or otherwise?
Jakob: I don’t really get inspired, at least not from
metal music. Maybe I heard something on the radio that inspired me but
never directly. I get inspired by emotions. That’s how it works with me.
How would you describe your own music?
Jakob: I always say “metal” because “deathmetal” always
reminds me of these dark bands that just wanna play as fast as possible.
With several albums under your belt, how far has you
career surpassed your original dreams and what would you say is the most
rewarding part of being in the band?
Jakob:
The band took me to many different countries, even to the
other side of the world. We had a song on the soundtrack to the SAW
movie. I got my first record deal when I was 17. The list is long. But
seeing other parts of the world is what’s most important to me.
What is your opinion on the metal scene these days? What
do you think about the overload of bands at the moment?
Jakob:
As you say, there is an overload of bands. But I’m not
following the scene anymore, I guess that’s what happens after being in
it for so long.
Could you respond to the following terms in just one word
or sentence:
Metal : Tired
Underground : Dirty toilets
Internet : Shit-talking
Religion : War
Politics : Lies
The Netherlands : Weed
Denmark : Home sweet home
What can we expect from Illdisposed in the near future,
any touring plans?
Jakob: We’re headlining the MTV Headbangers Ball tour in
Denmark next month. After that our booking agent is working on a
European tour which will probably be in the beginning of next year!
Where do you see the band going within the next couple of
years, and where do you see the band’s musical direction going for the
next album?
Jakob: That’s hard to say because we always go where we
feel like going at that moment. But it will definitely still sound like
Illdisposed.
Anything left to say to our readers?
Jakob:
See you on tour!
Thanks for your time,
Eugene Straver
Current members:
Bo "Subwoofer" Summer – vocals (1991–present)
Thomas "Muskelbux" Jensen – drums (2003–present)
Jonas "Kloge" Mikkelsen – bass (2004–present)
Jakob "Batten" Hansen – bass (1999–2003), guitar
(2006–present)
Franz "Hellboss" Gottschalk – guitar (2007–present)
Former members:
Michael "Panzergeneral" Enevoldsen – drums (1991–1994)
Hans Wagner – guitar (1991–1994)
Morten Gilsted – guitar (1991–1996)
Ronnie Raabjerg Bak – bass (1991–1998)
Lasse Dennis Raabjerg Bak – guitar (1991–2005)
Lars Hald – drums (1994–1995)
Rolf Hansen – drums (1995–2001)
Tore Mogensen – guitar (1996–2002)
Martin Thim – guitar (2006–2007)
Albums:
(1993) Four Depressive Seasons
(1994) Return from Tomorrow (EP)
(1995) Submit
(1997) There's Something Rotten... In the State of
Denmark
(2000) Retro
(2001) Kokaiinum
(2004) 1-800 Vindication
(2006) Burn Me Wicked
(2008) The Prestige
(2009) To Those Who Walk Behind Us |
