Nordic Vision thinks Dissection is THE best band abroad, therefore we are proud to bring you an interview with Jon of this excellent band. Answered Aug/Sept. You have had a change in your line-up. Why? Will you have a replacement or be a trio? - We kicked out our previous guitarist John Zwetsloot in June this year. That was simply because he never got his ass away to our rehearsal sessions. He also tended to forget old songs every now and then so we just couldnīt cope with him as a member of our band. He used to come with all kinds of stupid excuses and reasons why he couldnīt come to rehearse which was really annoying to the rest of us. John lost his ambitions, donīt ask me why, but it was impossible to continue on a acceptable basis this way. We have already found a replacement in this hot miserable summer and his name is Johan Norman. A skilled musician, ambitious person and a complete maniac. What effect will it have for Dissection being without John Zwetsloot? Positive or negative? - In general we have gained from it. The only negative thing is that Johan is going to jail for two months in August. When heīs out everything will be perfect. How has the reactions been on "The Somberlain" and how much has it sold? - The response has been great. I believe the album has sold almost 4000 copies now and that is ok considering that the label hardly ever does any advertising. The distribution is shitty as well, but there is plans for some licensing deals and exclusive distributors. Weīll see what happens... Is there a special concept behind "The Somberlain" - As for the story of the Somberlain, itīs about entering Hell. I myself have had my visions from beyond the realms of death and that is what reflects in the lyrics of this particular song. Itīs not made for others to understand but maybe it has something to tell... Read it for yourself and listen to the music. As for the whole album, the underlying concept is death, darkness and evil in a real but fantasy-like way. A while ago you played in Oslo. How was it playing here in Norway? - It was the first time we played outside of Sweden so it was a good experience. Still, Lusa Lottas Pub isnīt the ideal place for concerts. We couldnīt even use our full stage show, but we were kind of content anyway. Norway, weīll be back! Now as No Fashion is gone, you will certainly not release something more on that label. But surely other labels must have been in contact with you? Which companies is this and have you signed for any of them? - There has been a couple of labels that have contacted us. We havenīt signed anything yet, but it seems like weīve got something interesting coming our way! Have you started on your second album? Any new songs to mention or an album title? - Yes, we have started to write songs of course. We will try to complete our second album before the end of this year. Hopefully weīll be entering the studio in early ī95. I donīt want to reveal any song titles, though. We up in the north are very privileged with dark and cold Winters. Does this help you in creating songs? - The environment influences me a lot. I gain power from long gloomy walks in the woods. I like the late autumn most, it has a strange essence of tragic death... Do you think Sweden is the best place on earth? Where is your favourite place? - I am of Norwegian blood and origin and I prefer staying here on northern ground. Mayhem is gone, and so is D.S.P. What does this mean for you? - What can I say? I do not grieve his death, but I respected him, and still respect his memory. By the way, itīs very interesting to notice that the only Norwegian daring to contradict Grishnackh is Grishnackh himself. People are as timid as always. When can we expect a new release from you? - Sometime in the spring of ī95, I assume. In the meantime you should check out our new song "Where Dead Angels Lie" and the cover version of Tormentorīs "Elizabeth Bathori" on the forthcoming compilation album on the W.A.R. label! Itīs enough to make you cry blood for a while... The W.A.R. label was Wrong Again Records. |