ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET - Johan Lindstrand

Christmas time is approaching and instead of the good old fashioned Granny Tales we though ONE MAN ARMY’s GRIM TALES would be of more interest for Metalzone.gr’s readers. So here we are chatting with the story teller homself Johan Lindstrand.  
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\r\nMetalzone: First of all thank you for taking the time to do this interview.
\r\nJohan: No problem at all. Thanks for having me here.
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\r\nMetalzone: Let’s begin by your latest release GRIM TALES? What is the theme, and what inspired you the title?
\r\nJohan: Well, the theme is a variation of things but with a connection through the title that combines everything, giving the listener the feeling of a massive army that approaches like a true killing machine. The title simply stands for all the individual tracks connected by a red line.
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\r\nMetalzone: We think that in your new album there’s Swedish death metal atmosphere, neo-thrash elements, smart riffs and melodic solos, killer drumming in fast and slow tempos and the known brutal voice of Johan Lindstrand in an album that gives you the feeling that you are watching this band live. Was that done intentionally? How did you produce this album?
\r\nJohan: We write music the same way as always. On our own, and then when we feel like we have something good we take it to the others and start messing with it in the rehearsal room.  But we had one intentional thing going this time and that was to make it more straight forward compared to “Error in evolution”. We didn’t want to experiment this time which was the case on some songs on “Error”. This time was more about aggression and to put One man army back on the map of real heavy shit. The sound from “21st century killing machine» that made One man army what it is today. A sound that got split up on the second album and is back now, only with an improved touch. So I really hope that people dig this punch in the face, haha. I’m really proud of it since we’ve worked harder than ever on this one.
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\r\nMetalzone: The release - in it’s limited edition- includes live DVD can you give us some details on what it includes?  
\r\nJohan: It includes a cool making of the album where you’ll see the band in the rehearsal room and during the photo shoot as well as in the studio. Other than that you’ll get a gallery + a couple of songs recorded live in Austria at the Arge festival last year.
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\r\nMetalzone: What inspirations do you get for writing your music? And what are you music influences?
\r\nJohan: My influence are among others, Metallica, Slayer, Kiss, Black Sabbath and I’m inspired by all the ordinary stuff happening each day. The mood you’re in determines on how the song or lyrics will be like.
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\r\nMetalzone: Are you planning on touring in support of this release? Any Summer festivals? Tell us about your tour with UNLEASHED and KRISIUN.
\r\nJohan: Hopefully we´ll tour even more after the Unleashed tour but we don´t have anything planned yet. Hopefully also some festivals next year. This new album deserves as much attention as possible.  But going out on this current tour with Unleashed and Krisiun will be awesome I think. 3 great bands with new albums out so I guess that the audience will experience a really cool evening.
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\r\nMetalzone: What has been the highlight of your course so far?
\r\nJohan: To tour with Children of Bodom in 2006. That tour was so huge and we had the time of our lives there. Great people involved and a chance for us to play in front of many people each night to spread our new fresh name.
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\r\nMetalzone: Lyric wise what inspires you?
\r\nJohan: Everything in the world. Crimes, war, personal stuff.  I don’t have any limits when it comes to writing, because there’s so much anger in the world which I find very amusing to write about, hehe.
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\r\nMetalzone: What is your wildest hope for the future? What would be a dream come true in your career?
\r\nJohan: To open for Metallica or Slayer. That would have been crazy but I guess I’ll carry this dream with me to the grave.
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\r\nMetalzone: Thank you very much for your time and I hope I can catch you live soon.
\r\nJohan:Thank you Elena, and good luck with the magazine. Cheers,Johan
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\r\nHellena Mihailidou\r\n