by Chris Barnes
October 14, 2002

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2]2002 is a banner year for Johnny Hedlund and the rest of the mighty Viking death metal legends, Unleashed. After a long five years of silence, Unleashed have released the excellent Hell's Unleashed on Century Media and played in front of thousands at this year's Wacken Open Air. After almost thirteen years creating some of the best death metal in existence, it's good to have Unleashed back. Bassist/vocalist Johnny Hedlund takes some time to talk to Hellride Music.


Hellride Music: First off, Johnny, congratulations on the new album and thank you for taking the time to do this interview. The first question is an obvious one.... where the hell have you been for the past five years?! Seriously, why the long break between studio albums? Did Unleashed actually disband or was it just an extended break?

Johnny Hedlund: What it comes down to is 2 things.
1. The band really needed a break after many years of hard touring and recording. I think we toured and put out a new album for 7 or 8 years in a row. Once in a while you kind of need to stop and think. What also was important was to get some inspiration again. And to really come back and be hungry.
2. The scene was very low back in 1997 when we stopped after the last tour. The financial side of the business was really bad.


Hellride Music: The history of Unleashed spans almost thirteen years. Can you give us a history of the band from the time of the breakup of Nihilist to this point in 2002?

Johnny Hedlund: Well, I'm the only one from the original set up of Nihilist. The others formed Entombed (as I'm sure you are aware of). I formed Unleashed in 1989. the band signed with Century Media and we have released 6 original albums and 2 live albums so far. The band has toured the US three times and Europe probably about 15-20 times.


Hellride Music: In a time where evolution of a band sound (i.e. recent works by Soilwork, In Flames, Tiamat, Hypocrisy, Anathema, etc.), often to the point of being unrecognizable, seems to be a big thing, Unleashed remains steadfastly true to their original sound. Can you explain the philosophy behind this?

Johnny Hedlund: Unleashed is a death metal band. Period.
If I was to play another style of music I'd form another band for that purpose. However I think our production-sound on the new recording has changed to the better. The vocals have improved and I think lots of the instruments too, lot's due to the better technique and added skills.

I can also put it this way: If a fan of our music goes out to buy a new Unleashed album, He/she will never get disappointed, since we never wimp out. I personally experience this when I purchase a new AC/DC or Slayer album. The music always stays true, I'm never disappointed.


Hellride Music: How did it feel to be back in the studio again after such a long break? Was the songwriting process for Hell's Unleashed similar to the other Unleashed albums?

Johnny Hedlund: Yes it was, only we had better studio equipment this time. Also we were better prepared due to the fact that Fredrik is now a very skilled producer since he studied music production at a school here in Sweden.

I'd say the actual songwriting process has been the same though. It's the preparation that's changed.


Hellride Music: How do you think Hell's Unleashed compares to 1995's Victory both lyrically and musically?

Johnny Hedlund: I believe we continue where we left off at Warrior in 1997. But of course Victory was our biggest success and I believe we have taken the same style and made some progress from that one on. Lyric wise, I think we are a little more ironical at times in a humorous kind of way. Trying to get a little more sick every time.


Hellride Music: You use quite a bit of Viking imagery in your songs. How much do you identify with the Viking history? Is it just the imagery for you, or do you identify with your country's history/mythology on a deeper level?

Johnny Hedlund: It is my past, present and future.
It is sometimes deep, sometimes not. But it's always there. But history is also something you yourself build or create. We make our interpretations and have our symbols for our purposes. Just like our ancestors did in the past.


Hellride Music: "Don't Want to Be Born" and "Fly Raven Fly" are two of my favorite songs off the new one... can you tell us a little about what's behind each one lyrically and musically?

"Don't Want To Be Born" - is a song about the "Evil dead" lying within a woman's womb....but doesn't wanna come out. More of a fantasy kind of lyric.

"Fly, Raven fly" - Is a song of the present...but also about what the saga tells about Odin and his two raven, "Hugin and Munin". Odin's two raven fly across the world to bring him wisdom and news from the world. The warrior/viking calls to Odin for wisdom and strength in life. I do the same this very day. Be it symbolically but still. It gives a stronger meaning to things you say and wish for to happen.


Hellride Music: Unleashed are one of the true Godfathers of death metal... what is your take on the current death metal scene, both in Norway and across the globe?

Johnny: It pleases me to see the strength in some of the new black metal groups. I think the death metal scene that is on the move right now sounds much more like heavy metal to me. Can't say I enjoy it all that much. When I want heavy metal I go for the genuine ones. Not the ones with a mix of death metal to it.


Hellride Music: I understand that you played Wacken this year... what other dates do you have going on? Any U.S. dates planned?

Johnny: Wacken was one of the most successful shows the band ever played. The crowd was fantastic and we had a blast.

No US dates yet. We sure like to go though. Normally the financial situation is pretty hard to handle on the longer US tours. Perhaps we can make a shorter one, We'll see.


Hellride Music: Johnny, many thanks for the interview! Any words of wisdom for everybody?

Johnny: Thank you Chris for the interview!
And to our fans....check out the Hellride music store for the new Unleashed album...and the ones to come
Cheers TOR VIGE


Read the Hellride Music review of Hell's Unleashed

Visit the Unleashed website at www.unleashed.nu