I'm so honored tonight to do an interview with a band that gave so much to death metal but after 24 years their existence they disbanded by the end of 2013! Yes folks, it's the Swedish death metal band VOMITORY talking about their disbanding and the band's path during all these years!
-Let's start from the beginning, talk to us about the band's path and
its beginning
The band was started in October 1989 by guitarist Urban Gustafsson and
bassist/vocalist Ronnie Olson. I joined on drums a couple of months later,
since they couldn't find a suitable drummer. I was playing drums in another
band at that time and I was supposed to only help them out at one show and
until they found a new drummer. But apparently I remained in the band until the
very end.
We started out like all other death metal bands in the beginning of the
'90's - we did demos, played as many shows as we could and tried to get
featured in as many fanzines as possible to spread our name. But we didn't
really have any high ambitions back then. We just wanted to have a good time
together, playing death metal and enjoying the underground scene with shows,
fanzines etc. And that's basically how we lived our death metal lives until we
got our first record deal, which resulted in our debut album "Raped In
Their Own Blood" in 1996. During the first couple of years we expanded the
line-up from a trio to a five piece, and we remained a five piece until the end
of 1999. After the release of our debut album, we noticed a huge difference in
the interest of our band. Soon we did our first tour in Europe, our second
album "Redemption" was released, and by the end of 1999 we inked a
deal with Metal Blade Records which we stayed with until the end.
-After 24 years of existence, many released albums, many achieved goal…
Vomitory arrive to the end, how did you guys come up with the idea of
disbanding? Was it planned before or did you just decide because of some
factors maybe?
I think you answer much of the question yourself there - "24 years
of existence, many released albums and achieved goals...". 24 years is a
lot longer than most bands ever last, and being an active band for 24 years
non-stop, and being the bands' driving force for most of that time, takes its
toll of course. For me personally, this has been growing on me for a couple of
years, so even if it was a very tough decision to make, it didn't come out of the
blue. We simply came to a point where we didn't feel like moving on. There are
a lot of different reasons for our decision. But what's most important is that
it was a collective decision and it was not based on any disagreements or
personal conflicts within the band. We are still good friends and that feels
great!
-Did "vomitory" finish their mission? I mean did you achieve
all your goals?
Yes, I think we finished it. We did the best death metal we could and
enjoyed the fuck out of it for as long as it lasted. There are of course a lot
of things that we want to have done but never did. Like touring the US and
South America for example. But we're not bitter for that. We achieved a lot of
things during the bands existence - things that we never expected. We are very
humble in that sense. When we started the band we never even thought we would
ever release an album.
-some members have changed over the years and of course they were and
they're still part of VOMITORY family! What could you tell us about the former
members?
I run into some of them every now and then, and it's great to have a
chat with them. For example, Thomas (former bass player) lives in Gothenburg
since many years, is happily married and works for Volvo Cars. He doesn't play
in a band anymore though. Ronnie (ex vocals, founding member together with
Urban) is doing vocals and bass in Turbocharged, and Jussi (ex-vocals) lives in
Stockholm since a few years back and works at an oil rig in the north sea. I'm
not sure if he's in a "serious" band these days, but I know for sure
that he writes and records stuff at home. These three guys have all recently joined
us on stage at different times playing a few songs with us, which was a total
blast!
-what's your best memory from Vomitory?
That we stayed true to ourselves, both musically and everything else
that being in a band involves. We did things the way we wanted and didn't care
too much about what the scene looked like at the moment. Also, that we got
signed to one of the most classical metal labels, Metal Blade Records, and got
to tour with the many of the biggest names in death metal - Cannibal Corpse,
Deicide, Vader, Nile, Amon Amarth, Malevolent Creation, Hypocrisy etc.
-what advice would you give to the new death metal bands?
Believe in what you're doing. If you let the current trend guide your
musical direction, you will lose all your credibility eventually. Don't believe
you're a rockstar, because you are not. Be humble towards other bands, because
they probably work just as hard - or even harder - than you and your band do.
Stay off drugs and don't text while driving. And don't forget to have fun!
-And in the end, would you like to say something to your fans about
their love and support during these years?
Thank you very much for your support and dedication! It means everything
to us!!
Keep supporting death metal!
