Talking with . . . Centinex
Interviewed 11/2/2005 by Brett VanPut
Swedish death metallers Centinex was formed in 1990 and released their debut, Subconscious Lobotomy, at the same time that albums like Clandestine (Entombed), Unorthodox (Edge Of Sanity), Shadows in the Deep (Unleashed), You'll Never See (Grave), and Like an Ever Flowing Stream (Dismember) were making an impact on the metal scene. All these bands have had their problems, but Centinex has probably been the most consistent, releasing seven more full lengths while continuing to improve their sound without betraying their roots. Here is an interview we conducted with Centinex as they prepare to release their latest, World Declension, in the U.S.
Tell me about World Declension.
World Declension is our seventh real studio full length. It was released in Europe in June 2005 and the U.S. street date was in September. The album includes nine tracks of high quality Swedish death metal with great production. Don’t know what to say really. Buy the album and get blown away.
Did you ever imagine being around this long? What has been the key to keeping Centinex going strong?
No, not really. But we have taken it day by day and now we have been here for fifteen years. But as long as you enjoy doing this and every album is a bigger success than the previous one I don’t see any reason in calling the quits.
What happened to the Impiety tour? Why was it cancelled?
Yeah it got cancelled due to economical reasons. That’s what I got told. But don’t know really who to blame about the economical issues. Don’t really wanna blame anyone either. It’s just a pity it got cancelled as it would have been a great package.
Do you have any other tours planned for the autumn/ winter?
We will do some headlining shows in Germany and the Netherlands in January. Then we have a lot of plans for the spring/ summer but too early to reveal them yet. I can tell you that U.S. shows are included in the plans. Honestly, to tour the U.S. is priority number one now.
I know you're a huge vinyl fan- why is it important to have your music released on vinyl? Do you think the digital age has left kids unaware of how precious records are as opposed to cd's or downloading?
We want to keep the vinyl spirit alive as in my opinion, music sounds and looks better on a vinyl. Yeah many kids today don’t have a clue about vinyls and how things were in the old days, they just jerk off to their downloaded stuff in front of their computers.
If you could've changed anything about your career, what would you have done differently?
Of course there are some things that I would have done differently today but I do not regret anything really. It’s no use in looking back, what’s done is done. But of course, for example, if we would record some of our earlier albums today we would do a few things differently.
What is your life like when not writing or playing metal?
Quite normal. Day-time job, girlfriend, kid, drinking etc. But even if we don’t rehearse, record or do shows I deal with band matters every day in terms of promotion, interviews, bookings etc. So Centinex is around me 24/7.
The bands from the early nineties death metal scene have split or changed, except Dismember and the reunions of Grave and Unleashed, do you feel Centinex is keeping that great style alive at a time when bands like Soilwork and In Flames take a more modern sound?
Yeah, we keep the old school flag high. I think also it’s a bit crappy that bands like Bloodbath or Chaosbreed bands who are new but copy the old school sound get more attention than the real ancient ones. Kids go bananas over a new Bloodbath album, mainly because it’s an all-star band, without knowing from where they have copied (stolen?) their sound. Then we have all these new American bands who dare to call their music death metal but that’s a another story.
What motivates you to keep Centinex going?
Passion for death metal or hate and anger towards morons. You choose.
Final comments?
Thanks for your support. See you soon, hopefully.
Discography:
2005... World Declension (Candlelight)
2004... Decadence (Candlelight)
2002... Diabolical Desolation (Candlelight)
2000... Hellbrigade (Repulse)
1998... Reborn Through Flames (Repulse)
1997... Reflections (Emanzipation)
1996... Malleus Maleficarum (Wild Rags)
1992... Subconscious Lobotomy (Underground)
Current line-up:
Johan Jasnsson... vocals
Jonas Kjellgren... guitars
Johan Ahlberg... guitars
Martin Schulman... bass
Ronnie Bergerstahl... drums
www.centinex.org
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