FLESHCRAWL interview by Damjan
Fleshcrawl from Germany is a
solid and constant force on the European death metal scene with the only
misfortune of weak promotion that followed their early releases. So, it’s only
now, under the wing of Metal Blade, that they receive all the well-deserved
praise and attention. If you still haven’t had the opportunity to know them,
their latest release entitled “Structures Of Death” might be a good point to
start… Meanwhile, Olli Grbavac (guitars) will introduce us to the band and their
story so far…
“Structures Of Death” is your first album ever not recorded in Sweden but in
your own hometown, Ulm. What made you decide to “stay at home” this time and
would you say that recording in Germany influenced the sound of the album in
some particular way?
We had to choose a studio near our location because Basti couldn’t go
abroad for three or more weeks because of his young family, which is fully
understandable. So we found the right place in the Toninfusion Studio with
Martin Schmitt behind the desk. After eight albums we exactly know how a
Fleshcrawl album has to sound like and we know how to change things to achieve
this. We just need the technical equipment and a good engineer to handle it.
Both we found in Martin and his studio. I don’t think that the location of the
studio influences the albums sound. Both studios in Sweden and Germany have high
end recording equipment. Besides that, we again went to Sweden for the mixdown
and mastering of the tracks so we didn’t really break up with this tradition.
Apart from being a classic old-school album, “Structures Of Death” offers a
certain degree of diversity and open-mindedness… So I guess you wouldn’t agree
with those who think death metal should be hermetic and closed within its
original postulates? As much as it might seem absurd as a point of view, do you
think death is bound to evolve even if performed in old-school way?
Well, if you look at our former albums from the beginning to the end you
will notice, that we always stood true to our roots but evolved in songwriting
and sound quality. Not evolving as a band means a stagnation and stagnation
means the death of creativity when composing new material. It’s absolutely
possible to stay “old school” but evolve new “old school” songs.
Given that Fleshcrawl has been around since the early nineties and released a
string of great albums, do you feel a bit underrated in the press? I’m asking
you that, because lots of reviewers seem kinda surprised by how good you are
every time that you release a new CD…
Of course we sometimes think about how it could be now if we would have
got the right promotion when we were on the label “Black Mark”. They did nothing
for us when we released the first four albums. No promotion, no touring
offers... Everything got better with Metal Blade but there’s still a lot of work
to do to deliver the fresh flesh to the whole world, haha! Honestly, we are used
to our “mid level” career and we are satisfied with it. Besides all of us are
working and can’t go on tour for month for example. So far it’s okay for us.
A bitchy question: would you rather do an album that satisfies you completely
but will be hated by the fans, or something you don’t fully stand behind, but is
admired by the fans? Uncompromising answer from an uncompromising band, please
;o)))
Simple answer: No fuckin' way! There will never be a Fleshcrawl output
where we don’t fully stand behind. We’re very picky when it comes to songwriting
but that’s the only way to do. No matter if we could earn money with a release
or not.
In my opinion, “War Of The Dead” from “Structures Of Death” kinda sums up all
that Fleshcrawl is, and gives a beautiful display of your sheer power but also a
songwriting of remarkable maturity. Which are your favourite tracks on this
album? Which ones do you plan to play live? In general, is there a song that,
while you were writing it, you could actually feel it really is a stand out,
something special, or do you get that feeling only later, while listening to the
finished albums?
My favourites are the title track “Structures Of Death”, “Into The Crypts
Of Scattered Souls” and the high-speed song “Written In Blood”. Currently we
perform “Rest In Pain”, “Structures Of Death”, “Written In Blood” and “Into The
Fire Of Hell” live. I had this intense feeling of writing something great while
putting the riffs for “Structures Of Death” together. The same feeling was
present when writing “Into The Crypts Of Scattered Souls”. A pretty intense
experience.
As I’ve heard, there will be a Limited Edition of “Structures Of Death” as well,
with The Four Horsemen cover as a bonus track…. Any other extra materials on
there? I must admit I’m not familiar to The Four Horsemen. What draw you to
cover their “Rockin’ Is My Business”?
There is a funny story behind that. In 2002 we played a show at the
Wacken Open Air. We were located in the same hotel as a band called Alabama
Thunderpussy and as you can imagine we had a really great time with those guys.
We had a three days party. Tobs, our former bass player came up with their CD
and mentioned that Song “Rockin’ Is My Business” which really rocks. We
discussed about making a cover song to tribute to the good times at the Wacken
Open Air and so we started rehearsing it. After it was already recorded, we
noticed, that the song wasn’t originally by Alabama Thunderpussy. Well, shit
happens and now there are two cover versions out there. :-)
In 2005. your former label Black Mark released “Crawling In Flesh”, a best of
compilation, without asking you for a permission… What was your reaction? How do
you feel about that CD? If nothing, it means that you sell good enough to make
Black Mark do something of a kind, huh? ;o)
That’s right, they didn’t even want our opinion of releasing a so called
“Best of” album without any goodies a listener would like. Its a pretty useless
album and we don’t have any rights to do something against it. At least it’s a
little bit of promotion for us to have another album in the discography. :-)
Lately the metalcore genre gained lots of new audiences by using tons of death
metal elements (among other stuff, obviously), and “borrowed” really a lot from
Swedish melodic scene in vein of At The Gates… Would you say the success of
metalcore helps death metal in general get more exposure, or is it a market for
itself? And, finally, how do you personally feel about metalcore?
I think the whole metal genre is gaining more attention nowadays. Metal
Core is one of the modern styles which a lot of younger people listen to.
Personally I am not into metal core at all but we already played several gigs
with bands of that genre. You reach a bigger audience if you mix up metal core
bands with death metal bands on the same festival. I think it is a good thing so
far to go together than separate.
You promoted your last album, “Made Of Flesh” touring with Six Feet Under which
must’ve been a great experience… How would you describe the Six Feet Under guys
offstage? Do you plan something of a kind in order to promote “Structures Of
Death” as well?
Yes, the tour with Six Feet Under back then was really great and we had a
lot of fun together. The SFU guys are all very nice persons. Even Chris Barnes,
who is a little shy to the public, is a very down to earth and friendly person.
We want to go on tour in 2008. We currently are checking for some offerings and
look for available touring possibilities. We are also working on some festival
appearances next year but there are no fixed dates yet.
A bit off-topic, but… After all, you’ve been around since the first days of
death, so I guess you’re the right persons to ask the following question… In
example, we mentioned Six Feet Under; they experimented a lot, but in the end
returned to the pure old-school sound. What do you think about their evolution
and the evolution of death metal in general, with all of its more or less recent
sub-genres and metamorphosis?
I listened to Six Feet Under when they released their first album. I
still went to school these days and it was an incredible release back then with
their very own style of death metal. I think they evolved to a strong unity and
are a fix constant in the death metal scene of today. We have a lot of great
death metal bands nowadays. Nile for example. When was the last time you heard
such an intense sound? I dare to say that Death Metal is at a peak at the
moment.