TJ: For some reasons reactions have been just amazing once again. You can´t understand the feeling of exposing your soul and your thoughts highly visible for anyone to dive deep into and then to meet their kind words when they are done swimming through it. Yes, this is without doubt the strongest release so far, it might not be as spread out as ‘Dead Calm Chaos” was but it contains a lot more self confidence, I think we´ve found a great sound and a stable platform to stand on. The musical, our personal improvments as well as the production development are indeed ok I think. We didn´t have more time to spend in the studio this time around either but we were alot more effective. Instead of taking a whole year like we did with ‘Tales From The Tomb’ and ‘Dead Calm Chaos it “only” took us 7 months this time, everyone knew pretty much what to do and what not to do. Of course it was late evenings in the middle of the week, and as always half way into insanity. As always some of us almost crash and burn or become totally nuts from time to time. Actually, we didnt argue that that much this time though. I think we have finally found each other in the middle of the whole approach and we now communicate better than ever, I hope ?

CD: Given the album title and the atmosphere of the music, do you have any particular brand of Apocalypse in mind?

TJ: A person told me that the old Mayans believed that creators of man would return to earth again after about 3600 years. This year is 2012 though. Anyway the planet which we call Planet X is about to enter our solar system once again to visit earth and when this happens man will be enlightened. I found this very amusing of course and I thought about it, it would mean that there is an enlightment heading our way. Perhaps we have something to say as well. We think not that the Apocalypse is the end we think it is a new start of something. There is also another way of seeing things wich may sound a bit more apocalyptic of course. I have no trust in banks, the church or the governments I also feel that the so called New World Order is not something to be trusted. I believe that we are living in lies and that our only purpose in the future is to be treated like trash on which wealthy banks only use to make profits. This is also a kind of an apocalypse right, this is my personal thoughts and I hope I don´t step on any toes but I feel good believing it. It is up to the observer I guess.

CD: Evocation has gone from strength to strength since the 2004 “Evocation” compilation. How have the six years since the release affected the band, and how did the lengthy hiatus (from 1992 to 2004?) affect the chemistry of the band?

TJ: Since we once split up back in the nineties the first two years after we rejoined were perhaps a bit shady and a bit of a rollercoaster I think but as you say, we have gone from strength to strength and the inspiration is still unstopable. Back in 1991 we were like hungry dogs ready to do anything, but we never really understood the importance of working together as one unit, the only thing that mattered for some of us was the reflection of our self´s in the mirror. The atmosphere within the band today is a more relaxed atmosphere even though we still work hard and devoted, if someone is gliding a bit we talk about it and try to get him back on track. We still argue with each other but that is because we care and we all want to have input in what we do, mainly it´s Marko, Vesa and I that argue. Very often we argue about all the writing and the appearance of the band, but in the end it´s all about devotion I guess. We want everything to be perfect this time arround. I also think that it is important that we really care and surface all our thoughts. For about 13 years the band was frozen to ice, then we tried it a couple of times again and found out that we have so much left to give. Now after three full length albums that have recieved top reviews all over the world in both major and small magazine´s we are pretty shocked actually, we have done very big and important festivals and now we also did our first European tour together with the godfathers of death metal, Cannibal Corpse (also Dying Fetus and Obscura). What more could we possible wish for more?

CD: You've somehow managed to improve on the production, while keeping a stern grip on the “old school” death metal vibe. How hard is it to keep a hold on something so difficult to define as “atmosphere” and yet not fall into the trap of rehashing other bands?

TJ: I think, as long as there is inspiration and a good vibe within the band then there is a natural atmosphere in the package. We never hesitate in what we do and we try not to focus on things that are of no importance, even though a bad review is like a toenail in your eye sometimes. But thank god they are still few. What I have noticed through all the years I´ve been involved in music is that as soon as something is disturbing the ride, the whole community fades a little. Soon it rises again but with more gained strength. There is always tops and holes we know this by now so we try not to really focus on things that really don´t matter. So far we love this very much and we put all our strength into it, we do what we do best together and that is without doubt Death Metal. Some of you maniacs enjoy our ride as much as we do and together we stay strong, this clearly a way of communication. Everyone in the whole universe is more than welcome to join the party. No, it´s not hard to keep the vibe actually, the hard thing is to stay sane ?

CD: You've been involved in the metal scene for a very long time now. How have you seen the scene change in that time, both at home in Sweden, and internationally? What are your thoughts on the impact of the internet on extreme metal?

TJ: The main change today is perhaps that the bands that survived the 90´s are well paid and have a huge and strong audience all around the world. The scene is a lot more technical and it is a huge industry overall for some. Back in the days you were happy if you could sell 3-400 demo cassettes, today some bands tour with Slayer, Iron Maiden or Judas Priest and play in sold out stadiums or headlining big festivals and of course I have to say I love it. Even though the style has turned into a bit ladylike & glamorous for most bands it is still absolutely outstanding how big bands such as (if you can call some of them Death Metal anymore?)In Flames, Soilwork, Dark Tranquility out of Sweden has become for an example. Of course bands such as Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, Unleashed and a couple of more have to be mentioned as well. Without the internet it would be hard I guess. But there is also a flip side to that coin, the music business today is drowning in bands. There are thousand and thousands of really great bands just in Europe and all of them have to work really hard to even get paid for gasoline, and they do. The record companies are hungry for cash and so is the organisers and they can’t afford to lose money. I heard from a research that out of 100 bands only 1 gets a fair record deal and then 10 out 1000 bands get lucky and get promoted and successful. Since it is a bit expensive today compared to what you really can get for free on internet. People don’t buy that many cd´s anymore and there is no money to talk of. One good thing about internet though is that it is easy to get exposed.

CD: What are your favourite tracks from “Apocalyptic” and why? Have you had a chance yet to try them out live?

TJ: Infamy, it has everything. It contains a little bit of all styles it is also for the moment our opening track live, it is a great starter. We are unified insane, sadly we don´t do it live but the song is really cool and I am pleased with the lyrics. Reunion in war, yes we do it live and do I really need to say more? Curse on the creature, the song has been growing in my head for a while now and I like it more for every time I listen to it, no we don´t do this one live, yet. Parasites, one instant attack on the church?. I have a personal relationship with all the songs of course but for the moment and since you asked...

CD: There is a minor trend at the moment by Internet Forum Commando types to bash bands that are reuniting for the summer festival market. What are your views on this, and which defunct bands would you like to see reunite for a live tour?

TJ: I would love to see Terrorizer do a ‘World Downfall’ tour, that album has to be one of the best ever to come out from USA. Apart from that I really don´t care what people or bands are up to or how they run things as long as there is an honest way of doing it. Now it seems like Autopsy is back on track, I really hope those guys will have a succesful future.

CD: How are things with (label) Cyclone Empire? They seem to have a really strong roster at the moment, with yourselves, Demiurg and Demonical on the label?

TJ: It’s a really cool label actually, it is small but it´s growing slowly and steady. The man behind it, Martin Purr is a well respected man in the buisness and has a reputation of being a gentleman towards the bands. I believe he is! He is careful in his moves and want´s things to happen the right way and he does not accept bullshit from either other labels or distributors. Back in the day he did very important signings with very important bands when he worked for major companies like Nuclear Blast for an example, one of them was Dismember. Later on he worked for Metal Blade and he was the guy behind the signings of Amon Amarth, so he is NOT a stupid guy! He eventually broke free from other record companies and started his own label Cyclone Empire, thing is that the label is actually a distibution label from the start but it has turnt in to a record company as well and I think they are something like 10-15 fulltime employes. He has treated us well, no doubt. If you see upon how bad the buisness is today and if you see on how small the label is, I think Cyclone Empire has all the possibilites in the future and since he now has started a co-operation with Metal Blade USA nothing is impossible anymore. Apocalyptic is the last record in the contract we have right now, what the future will say I can´t tell but all my love and respect to all the cool people at Cyclone and yes the rooster is really cool?

CD: Evocation is mostly mentioned alongside terms “old school death metal”, “Swedish sound death metal” and other such descriptors. How do you feel about these terms being used alongside your band? Do you think they can limit thinking about Evocation by the critics?

TJ: I really don’t care that much, I simply call our music raw and brutal. Since there are so many subgenres in metal today it might be a good license plate for us that will give the listener a hint on how we sound. Perhaps we are old school to most of you but keep in mind that this is what we sound like 2010 and this is how we think it should sound 2010 as well. When we decided to start the band again we said that this is serious Death Metal 100% otherwise there is no point in doing it, Evocation is a DM band and always will be but the style is raw and brutal like most other bands. In a long term it can perhaps limit our approach if we will get stucked with the style swedish old school death metal but hopefully most of you people dive deeper into the heart of both our music and especially our lyrics because they are always up to date. Every album has its own soul and style but the messages are always clear.

CD: Are there any musicians from other bands that you think would fit into a guest role for any Evocation songs in the future? Anyone you would like to work with?

TJ: I would die for a co-work with Mille Petrozza of Kreator he is without doubt on of the strongest figures in my life, both as a song writer and as a vocalist. He has a perfect timing and no matter what he does he only does it better and better for every album. The lyrics that he exposes are deep and have a meaning, he is angry and you can feel it. Ever since I saw Kretaor live for the first time in 1989 I have always paid attention to what he is up to.

CD: 2010 seems to have been a strong year for heavy metal releases, particularly towards the end of the year. Are there any acts that have impressed you this year that you think we should know about?

TJ: Well there have been a couple actually, I think its hard to focus on any particular release but maybe I can speak a little about what I think is cool right now. Accept/Blood of the nations: A really strong release even though Udo is not a part of it, the riffs are heavy metal to the core and it is fascinating that some can rise up from the ashes just like that.

Grand Magus/Hammer of the North: J-B has to be the most talented vocalist in Sweden and the record is a great story teller, it is hard to turn it of before the end of it. Great band all in all.

Hail of Bullets/On divine winds: Even though they sound much alike and use the same theme as Bolt Thrower they would not last a minute compared to them, but honestly this is a master piece and it kicks ass major.

Dimmu Borgir/Abrahadabra: I have never been much of a fan of the band or actually not even the Black Metal scene, but this is one of the best albums for years. I am very impressed on how cool a black metal album actually can be. I listen to it often.

Keep of Kalessin/Reptilian: If I say to you; hey man this is pure joy, those guys love what they do and you can feel it all the way.

Last but not least, Black Label Society/Order of the Black: Finally, Zakk found him self holding a guitar, then rolled me into a carpet and beat the shit out of me with it. Eventually to throw me down a mountain, let´s say the size of K2 with the album in my ears on full volume.

CD: Evocation is the act of summoning a demon, spirit or god. Who are you summoning with “Apocalyptic?”

TJ: I am summoning the free demon inside of you, I want all the poeple out there to open their eys and look around, are things really run the right way in the world? Most of my lyrics are based upon how we are perhaps indoctrined in lies, raised in shame and guilt. We feel bad and we are treated with pills on which the medical industry is earning billions and billions on. How the banks totally rob us on both freedom and money, how people with power treat us as nothing more than garbage on wich they make profit. I have no trust in governments, banks or even in most types of religions. I believe it is them who are controlling us. I might sound a bit paranoid to you but honestly I feel good believing those things and I will always try to summone you to believe same ways, the world is runned by fools and we are schooled not to see it. This is my personal view, maybe I am just i bitter fool but still I like seeing things liks this ?

Thank you so much Metal Team UK for taking your time and the kind words towards Evocation, great questions I really enjoyed it. To you muthafuckers out there... don´t let the fool’s guide you blind! All da best, Thomas/the Evocation tribe.

For more on the band check out http://www.evocation.se
http://www.myspace.com/evocationswe

Chris Davison

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