I once read a review for "Transcend the Dark Chaos" on Pull the Chain underground News Letter and I decided to do a trade with Martin. The tape was sold out, and after sometime Martin sent me their "Reflections" promo CD. This album is one of the most kick ass albums I have ever heard from a Swedish band. Melodic in the Scandinavian way but yet very brutal. Recently I received the CD Advance Tape for Centinex's forthcoming album "Reborn Through Flames" and I totally agree with Martin when he says that this album will blow "Reflections" away. Absolutely great music, highly recommended. Watch out for it...in the meantime...read on...
Chaosbreed: Hello Martin. How are things going at the moment for Centinex?
Martin: Thanx for asking, quite fine. We
are just waiting for our new album, “Reborn Through Flames”, and merchandise
to be released (May 15th) and we are searching for a vocalist. The previous
one left/was kicked out about a month ago so we are now testing a new one
and everything seems promising! Andreas, our rhythm guitarist, did also
leave Centinex around the same time but we have decided to continue with
just one guitarist, that’s the best solution for us!!
We do also have three gigs booked in Germany
with Purgatory in late May (29th-31st) + that we are trying to get some
more dates for the same period…….
Chaosbreed: Centinex have been around for quite some time now, with 3 full length albums out on 3 different labels. Can you give the readers a brief history of the band regarding the band’s line-up and your 3 releases?
Martin: Well, in short….. We started out
seriously in early ’91 and recorded our debut demo during the summer same
year. We got in touch with the Swedish label Underground Records who offered
us a one-album deal, which we accepted, and the debut CD “Subconscious
Lobotomy” came out in late ’92. In March the next year did we record the
“Under The Blackened Sky” promo which Wild Rags Records released as s cassette-EP
and in the summer ’94 did we unleash the highly acclaimed “Transcend
the Dark Chaos” tape/ This tape was released by ourselves ‘cos at the moment
we were so fucking tired of the whole label “scene” and all the unserious
offers we had received!!
In May ’95 did we enter Abyss Studios
and recorded three new tracks which together with the “Transcend…” material
became the “Malleus Maleficarum” CD which was out in early ’96 once again
through Wild Rags.
We then signed with Danish Emanzipation/Diehard
and recorded our “Reflections” album, which was released in March last
year. But when it was time to start thinking about a follow up to “Reflections”
it became clear that it was impossible to continue with Diehard cos they
had lost their interest in real Death Metal so we did mutually agree that
we should search for another label, once again!!!!!
We did receive various offers and the
best one came from Repulse so we signed with them for three albums + merchandise,
the first one being “Reborn Through Flames” which was put on DAT at Sunlight
Studios during December ’97 – January ’98.
To name all the line-up changes would
be totally boring, I don’t think anybody is interested in reading a lot
of different Swedish names!! But I can tell you that I’m now the only remaining
member who has been there from the start and the current situation is Schulman
– bass, Wiklund – guitars, and Kalimaa – drums. We three work totally great
together and hopefully we now find a good vocalist who fits into the band
100% both musically and personally!!! I’m utterly tired of all unserious
individuals who can’t bring any strength into the band and who are only
a waste of time and energy!!
Chaosbreed: How do you describe your style of music? …And what about the lyrics, do they deal with one particular theme or are they more general?
Martin: We play Supreme Swedish Death Metal, nothing more nothing less!!! So far I have written all our lyrics, and they are based upon my personal thoughts and feelings!! Death, darkness and destruction are themes that fascinate me!!
Chaosbreed: In your last letter you told me that now you are signed to Repulse and that a new album is on the way. Can you give us it’s title, and what can we expect from this album? How does it compare to “Reflections”? How did the deal with Repulse occur?
Martin: Yeah, we are now signed to Repulse
and everything works so far great with Dave and Co!! I gave you already
some details about the album so if you can then check it out in mid-May!!
The music is more brutal & heavy than
on “Reflections” but still melodic. The melodies are “brutal” and not some
happy “sing along” shit that so many people are playing these days!!
When we broke with EMZ/Diehard we contacted
various labels and from the offers we received did Repulse have the best
one (e.g. they could give us merchandise, possible gigs/tours etc, things
we demanded)!!
Hopefully the co-operation works out fine
so we can release more than one album on one and the same label……..!!!
Chaosbreed: One can immediately recognize a Scandinavian act from its sound and music. Music that builds a totally different atmosphere (with very long melodic riffs) from other areas of the world. Do you think that this kind of sound and songwriting was something that came naturally or do you think that other Scandinavian bands have tried to evolve to this sound in the past?
I think it came naturally, just listen to the old bands from the glory days (Bathory etc). They had this kind of “style” so I just think it went from there……. For Scandinavian bands, in general, the atmosphere and feeling is more important than showing off with your instrument how good you are!!
Chaosbreed: What do you think of the current Underground scene especially were Death Metal is concerned? Do you think that major bands like Sadus and Suffocation being dropped from their label clearly shows that Death Metal is no longer the trend it was like in 91-93?
Martin: Yeah, death metal is not maybe
as big as it was in the early nineties but I don’t think it’s dead either.
It’s good that the irritating black metal boom has started to fade so maybe
the labels will again show some respect towards true death!? I totally
dislike all “trends”, no matter if it’s black, death, goth etc! If all
pathetic wannabes would disappear or start thinking for themselves instead
of copying others everything would be much, much better!!!
The good thing with today’s situation
is that who buy Death Metal releases are into it because of the music and
not because it’s a “trend” or “fashion”!!1
Chaosbreed: I was highly impressed when I listened to “Reflections” (one of the best releases of 1997 in my opinion) by the great musical ability of the members. How long have you guys been playing individually and together in Centinex?
Martin: I have been playing for 9-10 years, Kenneth around 16-17 I think……. I don’t think “Reflections” is that technical but cool if you like the shit!!!! “Reborn Through Flames” will blow it into pieces!!!!!!!
Chaosbreed: What do Centinex members do apart from torturing their instruments? Hobbies, day-jobs etc. etc.
Martin: Yeah we do all have day jobs. If we don’t work or rehearse we do this usual shit you know, drink, eat, travel, sleep, drink some more etc!!!
Chaosbreed: What about your average crowd expectancy during your live performances? Have you ever played outside of Sweden and with which bands? Any strange/weird moments during shows or travel that you wish to mention?
Martin: Yeah, we have played outside Sweden numerous times, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Poland etc with bands such as Amorphis, Enthroned, Cradle of Filth, Necrophobic, A Canorous Quintet, Luciferion, Gehenna, Imperator + 0ne million more……Usually it’s cool to play live, if everything is well organized, even if the crowd doesn’t always act as you wish. It has happened a lot of strange things when we have been away………Smashing hotel rooms in Poland, being lost in the old East Germany, dancing to Spice Girls (together with the Cradle dudes!!!) on the ferry to Finland, drinking Swedish Vodka with HUGE Nazi skinheads etc etc etc…..It’s impossible to tell all the details, these are things you should have experienced yourself!!!!! (Hmmm, wish I had Ed.) To be away from Sweden is utterly cool, Germany awaits!!!
Chaosbreed: Any great Underground act/s from Sweden or elsewhere that you feel deserve more attention and that you recommend to our readers?
Martin: Well there aren’t many underground
bands left these days (if you mean bands who release demos)!!! I have to
admit that I don’t buy or receive too much demo tapes but one I like strongly
is “Northern Supremacy” from Finland’s Bethel.
But there are of course “underground-bands”,
who have released albums, which I dig like Impending Doom, Infernal Gates,
Sohrin etc.
Chaosbreed: OK let’s change subject for a moment. What do you think that happens when one’s life ends? Reincarnation…. Simply rot in a wooden box…. or ???? Do you believe there may be other forms of life outside this fucked up earth?
Martin: Your body will rot but the haunted soul will live on………!! Other forms of life………If you mean aliens & others then “yes”, we are not alone!
Chaosbreed: What are Centinex primary goals for the near future and what merchandise is currently available from the band?
Martin: To find a new vocalist, wait for the album & merchandise, ruin Germania etc! If you are interested in merchandise & available releases then check our Net-Page for all information.
Chaosbreed: Well Martin, I think that must be it. A huge thanks for your time and best of luck with your band. Closing comments are yours…whatever you want this space is yours.
Martin: Thanx for the interview, fuck further with the band & zine!!!!!! Check out http://hem.passagen.se/davthvs/centinex for info and sign our guest book!! JESUS LIVES, HALLELUJA!!
Band Contact:
The Carnal Legion Of Centinex
Sturegatan 8
Hedemora
Sweden.
Interview done by David Bugeja.