CK: Hi there Rogga – congratulations on making it three great Demiurg albums in a row. Are you happy with the way Slakthus Gamleby has turned out? What have the initial reviews been like?

RJ: I am extremely happy with how it turned out. So far there’s only been a handful of reviews but they have all been excellent, let’s hope it stays that way too. CK: With the increased role of clean vocals, the introduction of female vocals, more keyboards and stronger choruses Demiurg now stands out completely from all your other projects. Did you always intent to really push the boundaries of the Demiurg sound? Will you take the progressive elements even further in the future?

RJ: Demiurg was intended to be different than my other stuff from the beginning yes, I wanted it to be more dark and epic but still as heavy as possible. The feelings that were conjured up on the debut album really made me want to pursue this even more, so yeah I think the intent to make it gradually more progressive has been there from the get go and I will try my best to evolve the band further with time too.

CK: Did you have any concerns about alienating some death metal fans with the new elements in the Demiurg sound?

RJ: I don’t think Demiurg´s sound will alienate any death metal fans at all, its not like we are progressive compared to many bands out there. We just try to make each song contain some surprise and be all it can be. After all its basically just simple riff death metal but layered with all sorts of other elements.

CK: What was the thinking behind the introduction of some female vocals? How did you get in touch with Marjan Welman (Autumn)?

RJ: I have always wanted to use female vocals in my music but never really delved into it. But gradually it felt like the music of Demiurg could really benefit from it so I asked Ed if he knew anyone fitting and he did. Marjans vocals fit perfectly, I was just amazed how well they tied together with the songs she sings on.

CK: Is Demiurg more challenging for you musically than the likes of Ribspreader and Bone Gnawer? Do you have more freedom to express yourself in Demiurg?

RJ: In a way not really, as my part is just writing the songs, the riffs and structure it; so Demiurg is in a way much easier as I can use just about anything I want in there. So yeah, Demiurg is certainly more free compared to the more rigid structures and riffings of my other projects.

CK: You’ve managed to keep the Demiurg line-up together – does the band now have a more certain future? Is Demiurg now more of a band rather than a Rogga project?

RJ: Yes I would say the band has a certain future as I don’t think anyone in the band feels any pressure or obligations at all and thus doesn’t feel the need to leave. And again I would say yes, especially on this the third album it’s evolved into a band more than a project. Everyone really exploded with ideas for their instruments and just went haywire and it all came out a totally packed album. Ed is the natural born bandleader so I would say that this band is as much his as mine now ha, ha. Even though I write the music he is the one that I ask for ideas and advice on just about anything. The man is a genius at just about anything he does.

CK: Last time we spoke you mentioned that “on the third album we can add other people writing material”. Did that happen or is Demiurg still your personal vision?

RJ: That did not happen, I wrote all the music as usual. However the input from everyone in the band evolved the music so much and without their efforts the songs would just be skeletons of vocals and harsh riffs - so I would say they wrote the album as much as I did in a way. I think me writing the music is how it’s going to be in the future too, after all there’s no need for others writing the basics as they anyway will transform it their own way when recording their parts.

CK: Also on the subject of song writing, you told me that the first album was 50% old riffs and the second album 25% old riffs. Was Slakthus... the first Demiurg album where all the material was written specifically for the project?

RJ: This album actually has a song that’s as old as the first album on it! The song ‘Cold Skin’ was written before the first Demiurg album was recorded actually. The rest of the album is pretty much new stuff only though; except maybe for a few riffs which are old stuff I excavated. The main riff in the first song of the album is one of those, just slightly rewritten –I’ve had it for ten years or so. It’s an obvious simple riff and I must say I’ve taken massive inspiration for it from the awesome song ‘Deadfall’ by Benediction. I hope they don’t sue me now ha, ha.

CK: There’s no continuation for ‘City Of Ib’ this time around, but is Lovecraft still a lyrical inspiration? What other topics have you dealt with in the lyrics?

RJ: Lovecraft is still an inspiration but this time I based a couple of songs on other authors’ books. ‘Cold Skin’ is based on the book with the same name and ‘World Burial’ is based on the book Fjärilen Fån Tibet by Swedish author CJ Håkansson. Both are horror writers and especially ‘Cold Skin’ is in the Lovecraftian tradition. As for other topics it’s the same old same old - dark agonizing reflections of life and the utter meaninglessness of it all. You know the stuff, regular teen angst ha, ha.

CK: Did you use the same recording process as before for this album, with you sending out raw demos to the others to work on, or was there any meeting up in studios? RJ: It was the same as always, demos being sent through the internet. These days it’s too easy really.

CK: Another quote from the last time we spoke...”there is one label I’ve been checking out called Cyclone Empire and they seem to be doing good work for their bands. I think when this contract is void I’m going to give them a call.”Is that basically what happened and are Cyclone Empire more supportive than Mascot were?

RJ: That’s pretty much exactly what happened and Cyclone was very interested. Working with the people at Cyclone is so easy it’s scary, they do exactly what they say they are gonna do and that’s rather rare with labels ha, ha, so I am more than happy with them.

CK: Does the current deal include any further Demiurg recordings?

RJ: Yes they are up for more Demiurg albums so that’s a great thing too.

CK: Is there any chance of Demiurg playing live in support of this album? I know Dan isn’t interested but maybe with a touring guitarist? Have you considered any summer festival slots?

RJ: I don’t know really, it’s a huge machine to kick into gear just for a few gigs. But with some session members and good planning I would say that a few festival performances would at least be possible for next year... or more likely for the year after ha, ha.

CK: Will there be any merchandise produced this time?

RJ: That I don’t know, but so far Cyclone have printed merch for other stuff them and me have worked together on. So I hope but don’t take for granted that there will be at least a shirt somewhere along the way.

CK: There is a very different look and feel to the Slakthus... album artwork compared to the first two records. You had said that you wanted to keep using the same artist and have a linking feel with all the artwork. Is this new cover the work of the same artist? Why did you decide to go for a different style and look?

RJ: It’s not the same artist this time as I thought it was time to do something different as the music evolved a bit. This time it’s my friend Turkka Rantanen that made it happen and he did such an excellent job it’s sick. The building on the album is actually a silo building here in Gamleby where I live. I just gave Turkka the title and he came up with the idea and made it happen. The man is a genius if you ask me, but everyone knows that. After all he was the one providing most of those old great Finnish bands with their amazing layouts.

CK: Before I leave you, are there any updates on Ribspreader, Paganizer, Banished From Inferno, Those Who Bring The Torture or any other Rogga projects?

RJ: Paganizer is again hibernating after some turmoil that forced us to cancel gigs and fests already booked for this year. Ribspreader has a new album coming later this year, titled The Van Murders which is a concept album. I no longer sing for Banished From Inferno, and the good news is that Rober and Phlege are getting the band into a real gigging outfit instead of a project. Those Who Bring The Torture is dead, it wasn’t very much alive from the start anyways ha, ha. And last the second Revolting album was released a while ago and is getting lots of praise and I’m very, very happy with it myself. Oh, and I think I might write a new Bone Gnawer album this year too as the debut has gone extremely well and it’s a very fun project. Ah... and the long overdue Bloodgut that was to be released in ´05 is finally printed and soon going to be out I think.

CK: Many thanks for taking the time to answer these questions – and for another great Demiurg album. Hope we get to see you play live here one day.

RJ: Thanks for the interview and for the praise of the album, and I hope too we’ll get the chance to bring some of those songs onstage one day!

For more on the band check out http://www.myspace.com/demiurgofficial

Interviewed by Chris Kee

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