The Ugly Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on since the recording of the new album?

Well, first and foremost we’ve been through a couple of changes in the line-up since Slaves to the Decay. Our original drummer Henrik quit the band and a while later we parted ways with bass-player Peter. We had some other constellations before we landed with drummer Fredrik Widigs and bassist Joakim Antman. Their addition to the existing line-up really opened up new ways for us to pursue our aspiration to create ferocious and relentless swedish black metal.

2.You have a new album coming out in June, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

I would say that Decreation as a whole is a more dynamic record than Slaves to the Decay. Decreation varies in both tempo and atmosphere in a way Slaves to the Decay didn’t do. Decreation also includes two songs written by guitarist Per Rinaldo, which of course also adds to making it an even deeper and more varied experience. Slaves to the Decay was more like being hit by a steamroller going in 200 mph from start to finish.

3.This is the first album to be released in 7 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?

As I said earlier, mostly problems with departing members and lineup changes. And of course writing the new material to Decreation. We’ve made maybe one live performance every other year, and besides that, just focusing on Decreation.

4.The lyrics on the new album cover the destruction of the world, cosmicism and Lucifer, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

Destruction of the world, or death in general are things that I think have fascinated people for as long as we have existed. Just look at all religions. All of them have their own interpretation of the end of the world. From Ragnarök in the norse mythology to the apocalypse in christianity.

Cosmicism is a philosophy developed by famous horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. It states that there are no divine presence in the universe and that humans are particularly insignificant in a larger cosmic perspective. Crawling around like insects, oblivious to all and everything, always at the risk of being wiped from existence at any moment. 

To me Lucifer is interesting as a symbol and as a concept. Since I am an atheist, I don’t see Lucifer as some form of higher force or being, but as a fitting symbol for enlightenment, rebellion and humanity.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'The Ugly'?

For me it’s a name of depth and it can have several different meanings. What is the thing that comes to mind for you when you hear it?

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

I can tell you that our worst show was our first gig ever, as one of the opening acts for Napalm Death. It was a complete clusterfuck from start to finish in every possible way.

Otherwise our live shows are high in energy and ferociousness in a way I don’t think is too common when it comes to black metal. For me it’s a complete and total channeling of all my frustrations and scorn when I’m on stage.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

Right now we only have our release party planned. We’re gonna play in Stockholm on june 13:th with support of two other great bands: Mystruin and IXXI. I’m really looking forward to playing our new songs live!


8.The new album is going to be released on ViciSolum Productions, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

We got in contact with them through friends who have bands on ViciSolum too, and they had only good things to say about the label and Thomas who’s running it. He really liked Decreation when we presented it to him, and then we agreed to sign a deal with him.


9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

When we released our first album it was really only released in Europe. We got some really good reviews from german magazines, and the reviews for Decreation that are starting to pop up have been really good. Sometimes people don’t like the name or the logo, but that doesn’t really matter to me.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Our drummer Fredrik plays with Marduk, and Joakim plays in a band called Overtorture as well. Johan is only focused on The Ugly, I lend my voice to various other black metal projects from time to time and Per always has a shitload of other projects he works with simultaneously.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We’ll probably continue to keep playing our type of swedish black metal. We’ve already begun working on the next album and it sounds really, really good, I think.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Dark Funeral, Marduk, Tsjuder, Venom to name a few. I listen to a lot of different music. Lately I’ve been into the early albums by WASP and Twisted Sister. Brings back memories from my childhood when my older brothers listened to heavy metal.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts

I just wanna thank you for taking the time to interview me, and I hope all the fans of The Ugly are gonna appreciate Decreation as much as we do. We’re really proud of this album, and it won’t disappoint anyone who likes Swedish aggressive black metal!

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