Sparzanza do what they love to do and they do it their way no matter what. These Swedes are truly delivering the goods with hard n’ heavy music, powerful rhythms and classy catchy tunes. If you didn’t happen to cross their way… then you should reconsider and try somehow to listen to them. Believe me you will be taken aback by their power and melodies! Johan Carlsson, the bassist of the band, spoke to Grande Rock and gave various and interesting info for the band and not only…
Hi Johan… Sparzanza is back sooner than expected but without having lost its power and music quality… that’s so awesome dude… “Death Is Certain, Life Is Not” is a pure blast…
J: Hey! Yeah, we thought that we should get a new album out a bit quicker this time. And we are always writing songs so it’s no problem being creative and putting together the best album so far.
“Folie à Cinq” was a great album as well… and honestly, I thought that it was hard to top it or even reach it… but I think you “passed the exams with flying colors”. It’s like you’re into a songwriting & recording orgasm, huh?
J: Thanks, yeah, like I said we are always writing songs. I actually never doubted that this album would be the greatest we ever recorded, ‘cause the demo material was so amazing from the beginning. So with a great studio and a great producer and a band that was armed to our teeth, I wouldn’t expect anything else than the result that we got.
So, what are the differences & the similarities between “Death Is Certain, Life Is Not” and “Folie à Cinq”? What has changed in the making of those two albums?
J: Well, the similarities are like always our good sense of great melodies and melancholy. The differences are that “Death is Certain, Life is Not” is harder and darker than “Folie…” and the production is rougher as well. We have really worked hard on getting the album very dark and harder than usual. Regarding the production we did not use any drum replacement sounds this time, and recorded the drums and bass at the same time too, to get a more organic sound.
You’ve chosen a rather nihilistic title for the album… what’s the story behind it?
J: Well, it was a good title to one of our songs. It sounds great and it kinda sums the album up. It’s an album with loads of thoughts of death, the afterlife and the dark side of life.
We can see a human playing chess with the Devil on the cover artwork … Does it symbolize the inevitable? No one can win the Devil… so the die is cast, right?
J: Well, I think if you are from Sweden you will even recognize the influences from a very famous scene in a movie from a very famous movie director. I would not say it is to symbolize the inevitable, but the struggle between good and evil will never end. And the end is always coming nearer to everyone. A bit of a thought that as soon as you’re born, you are dying.
Please give us a hint about each one of the songs…
J: “When the World Is Gone”: A hard hitting song that we all felt was the album opener because of its rhythm and it kinda introduces you to the theme of the album.
“The Fallen Ones”: The first single from “Death is Certain…” a song that is maybe the one that is most “Sparzanza” if you will, a great song that is gonna be a hit!
“Dead Inside”: Another song that has an amazing chorus. The intro is also very gloomy and dark.
“Endeavor the Dark”: This is maybe the first time that you clearly will hear the different kind of songwriting compared to other albums.
“Legion”: Legion is a very different song. The verse is a doomy thing where Fredrik speaks the words, and to be honest the chorus gives me the creeps, ‘cause it’s so good.
“I Am Your God”: This is such a great song that we decided to not release it digitally. So if you buy the album on iTunes or listen to Spotify you can’t hear it. Sort of a reward to the fans who still buy records. I would compare this song to songs like “Before My Blackened Eyes”.
“Walk Into the Fire”: One of my personal favorites on the album. The guitar riff in the chorus along with the amazing vocals makes the hairs in my neck stand straight up.
“The Enemy”: A hard hitting song like the opening track of the album. Very hard vocals!
“Death Is Certain, Life Is Not”: This is so heavy that Black Sabbath would have been envious to hear it. The heaviest song we have ever written. And you could say the start of the end.
“Ad Viventes”: This is a song where we sing in Latin, mixed with a chorus in English. Starts out with very dark choirs.
“When Death Comes”: The song that sums it up! A heavy song with strings and an extremely dark mood. It is like, OK, this is it, this is the end!
Once again the production smokes. It’s so powerful and punchy. You (the band) & Rikard Löfgren have made a great team, right?
J: Yeah we have. This time we actually talked almost immediately after “Folie” on how we wanted the next album to sound. So Rikard was involved a bit earlier than usual, we did a pre-production of all the songs too.
How did you decide to add dark choirs and live strings in the album this time? You actually made the atmosphere more imposing at times.
J: Well, we felt that some of the songs needed it. It actually started with “When Death Comes” and “Ad Viventes” which we felt needed big strings and big choirs. Then we also used them on some other songs too. But those two especially needed it we felt. And we succeeded to make the sensation of the songs like it is the end of the world I believe.
Why did you choose to include the track “I Am Your God” only on the CD edition? You did it the opposite way from what the fans are used to getting from labels and bands.
J: As I said, we wanted to reward those that still buy the actual album. I mean we spend a lot of time doing artwork and stuff for that, so I really think that those that spend their money on the cd should get more than those that listens on the web. (i.n.: I really like that perspective… spot-on!)
One video for the song “The Chosen Ones” is already online. Will you release another video soon enough? And if yes for which one of the songs?
J: Yes, another video is coming up, but I won’t tell you just yet which song it will be. But the video is done and it’s amazing!
Do you feel that this album can give you a bigger push? I think that you’re a band that gains new fans with each new work… isn’t it so?
J: Yes you are right, we always have plans to gain new fans. I think this album will be it actually. I mean the reviews we got so far are so good. It seems like everyone now understands what it’s all about. So yes, we will conquer the world with this album, ‘cause it’s a masterpiece.
What are the next plans for the band? In a few days you’ll start touring till the end of the year, as I saw on your official website.
J: Yes, a tour in Scandinavia and UK first. In the meantime the album will be released in other territories and in the beginning of 2013 we will tour even more. Then it’s probably time for summer festivals and then maybe think of starting a new album, the 7th one!
I have to ask you how you would characterize the music you play… for there’s quite a lot of talking when it comes to that. Some call you an alternative band (!), others a stoner metal one (!) and so on. Thus, what’s your say?
J: I would say that it is metal, really heavy, but not what you call heavy metal. With powerful vocals and a dark and melancholic touch.
I’ve written: “Sparzanza is a band that expanses its audience with each new album and that’s the case here once again. “Death Is Certain, Life Is Not” is one more terrific addition to the band’s catalogue…”. What do you think of that?
J: I think you are so right! That’s it! You have understood! (i.n.: Thx dude…
)
Do you feel that now, after 16 years that you have been active, is the time for Sparzanza to gain more popularity and make a step further? Can you tell that this is your time?
J: I can tell that if we don’t do it with this record, then I will be very surprised!
What’s happening with Spinefarm Records? The label’s site is down for quite some time now… and I’ve noticed that your album is being released by both Spinefarm records & Black Cult records.
J: Well, I don’t know why Spinefarm has their website down, but they are most active! The deal is that Spinefarm releases the album in some territories and Black Cult Records in some. That is it!
Some people, who do not like seeing bands evolving… say that your music has become a little bit commercial over the years. I do not agree with that for various reasons, but I think that fans gotta know the band’s point of view on that.
J: It might have gone more commercial, but it’s not that we have decided that we wanted to be more commercial. We have just evolved as musicians and songwriters and radio stations have noticed that. Of course, as you all know, as soon as you go big you have sold out! Everyone that is in a successful band knows that. If we would not have evolved in this kind of style we probably still would have been noticed by radio and then we still would have had the same “problem” or what you wanna call it!
J: Hey! Yeah, we thought that we should get a new album out a bit quicker this time. And we are always writing songs so it’s no problem being creative and putting together the best album so far.
“Folie à Cinq” was a great album as well… and honestly, I thought that it was hard to top it or even reach it… but I think you “passed the exams with flying colors”. It’s like you’re into a songwriting & recording orgasm, huh?
J: Thanks, yeah, like I said we are always writing songs. I actually never doubted that this album would be the greatest we ever recorded, ‘cause the demo material was so amazing from the beginning. So with a great studio and a great producer and a band that was armed to our teeth, I wouldn’t expect anything else than the result that we got.
So, what are the differences & the similarities between “Death Is Certain, Life Is Not” and “Folie à Cinq”? What has changed in the making of those two albums?
J: Well, the similarities are like always our good sense of great melodies and melancholy. The differences are that “Death is Certain, Life is Not” is harder and darker than “Folie…” and the production is rougher as well. We have really worked hard on getting the album very dark and harder than usual. Regarding the production we did not use any drum replacement sounds this time, and recorded the drums and bass at the same time too, to get a more organic sound.
You’ve chosen a rather nihilistic title for the album… what’s the story behind it?
J: Well, it was a good title to one of our songs. It sounds great and it kinda sums the album up. It’s an album with loads of thoughts of death, the afterlife and the dark side of life.
We can see a human playing chess with the Devil on the cover artwork … Does it symbolize the inevitable? No one can win the Devil… so the die is cast, right?
J: Well, I think if you are from Sweden you will even recognize the influences from a very famous scene in a movie from a very famous movie director. I would not say it is to symbolize the inevitable, but the struggle between good and evil will never end. And the end is always coming nearer to everyone. A bit of a thought that as soon as you’re born, you are dying.
Please give us a hint about each one of the songs…
J: “When the World Is Gone”: A hard hitting song that we all felt was the album opener because of its rhythm and it kinda introduces you to the theme of the album.
“The Fallen Ones”: The first single from “Death is Certain…” a song that is maybe the one that is most “Sparzanza” if you will, a great song that is gonna be a hit!
“Dead Inside”: Another song that has an amazing chorus. The intro is also very gloomy and dark.
“Endeavor the Dark”: This is maybe the first time that you clearly will hear the different kind of songwriting compared to other albums.
“Legion”: Legion is a very different song. The verse is a doomy thing where Fredrik speaks the words, and to be honest the chorus gives me the creeps, ‘cause it’s so good.
“I Am Your God”: This is such a great song that we decided to not release it digitally. So if you buy the album on iTunes or listen to Spotify you can’t hear it. Sort of a reward to the fans who still buy records. I would compare this song to songs like “Before My Blackened Eyes”.
“Walk Into the Fire”: One of my personal favorites on the album. The guitar riff in the chorus along with the amazing vocals makes the hairs in my neck stand straight up.
“The Enemy”: A hard hitting song like the opening track of the album. Very hard vocals!
“Death Is Certain, Life Is Not”: This is so heavy that Black Sabbath would have been envious to hear it. The heaviest song we have ever written. And you could say the start of the end.
“Ad Viventes”: This is a song where we sing in Latin, mixed with a chorus in English. Starts out with very dark choirs.
“When Death Comes”: The song that sums it up! A heavy song with strings and an extremely dark mood. It is like, OK, this is it, this is the end!
Once again the production smokes. It’s so powerful and punchy. You (the band) & Rikard Löfgren have made a great team, right?
J: Yeah we have. This time we actually talked almost immediately after “Folie” on how we wanted the next album to sound. So Rikard was involved a bit earlier than usual, we did a pre-production of all the songs too.
How did you decide to add dark choirs and live strings in the album this time? You actually made the atmosphere more imposing at times.
J: Well, we felt that some of the songs needed it. It actually started with “When Death Comes” and “Ad Viventes” which we felt needed big strings and big choirs. Then we also used them on some other songs too. But those two especially needed it we felt. And we succeeded to make the sensation of the songs like it is the end of the world I believe.
Why did you choose to include the track “I Am Your God” only on the CD edition? You did it the opposite way from what the fans are used to getting from labels and bands.
J: As I said, we wanted to reward those that still buy the actual album. I mean we spend a lot of time doing artwork and stuff for that, so I really think that those that spend their money on the cd should get more than those that listens on the web. (i.n.: I really like that perspective… spot-on!)
One video for the song “The Chosen Ones” is already online. Will you release another video soon enough? And if yes for which one of the songs?
J: Yes, another video is coming up, but I won’t tell you just yet which song it will be. But the video is done and it’s amazing!
Do you feel that this album can give you a bigger push? I think that you’re a band that gains new fans with each new work… isn’t it so?
J: Yes you are right, we always have plans to gain new fans. I think this album will be it actually. I mean the reviews we got so far are so good. It seems like everyone now understands what it’s all about. So yes, we will conquer the world with this album, ‘cause it’s a masterpiece.
What are the next plans for the band? In a few days you’ll start touring till the end of the year, as I saw on your official website.
J: Yes, a tour in Scandinavia and UK first. In the meantime the album will be released in other territories and in the beginning of 2013 we will tour even more. Then it’s probably time for summer festivals and then maybe think of starting a new album, the 7th one!
I have to ask you how you would characterize the music you play… for there’s quite a lot of talking when it comes to that. Some call you an alternative band (!), others a stoner metal one (!) and so on. Thus, what’s your say?
J: I would say that it is metal, really heavy, but not what you call heavy metal. With powerful vocals and a dark and melancholic touch.
I’ve written: “Sparzanza is a band that expanses its audience with each new album and that’s the case here once again. “Death Is Certain, Life Is Not” is one more terrific addition to the band’s catalogue…”. What do you think of that?
J: I think you are so right! That’s it! You have understood! (i.n.: Thx dude…
)Do you feel that now, after 16 years that you have been active, is the time for Sparzanza to gain more popularity and make a step further? Can you tell that this is your time?
J: I can tell that if we don’t do it with this record, then I will be very surprised!
What’s happening with Spinefarm Records? The label’s site is down for quite some time now… and I’ve noticed that your album is being released by both Spinefarm records & Black Cult records.
J: Well, I don’t know why Spinefarm has their website down, but they are most active! The deal is that Spinefarm releases the album in some territories and Black Cult Records in some. That is it!
Some people, who do not like seeing bands evolving… say that your music has become a little bit commercial over the years. I do not agree with that for various reasons, but I think that fans gotta know the band’s point of view on that.
J: It might have gone more commercial, but it’s not that we have decided that we wanted to be more commercial. We have just evolved as musicians and songwriters and radio stations have noticed that. Of course, as you all know, as soon as you go big you have sold out! Everyone that is in a successful band knows that. If we would not have evolved in this kind of style we probably still would have been noticed by radio and then we still would have had the same “problem” or what you wanna call it!
Will you give some songs or probably the whole album to the fans for free in the near future as some bands did… or you are not so much into this downloading notion?
J: We will not do that no! I mean the album is probably already out on youtube in its full, so the cheap bastards that won’t even pay for a download or a Spotify account will be able to hear it anyway. We are trying to make a living out of this but still we are not Napster-Lars-Ulrichs, so we accept the fact that people can get the album for free, but we try to get people to get it or listen to it where it is legal. Even if we get paid very little, from Spotify for example. (i.n.: That’s the same old problem3every band is facing today… come on guys if you do like the music then do buy the fuckin’ CD… it’s so easy!)
How hard is it for the young generation to learn that MP3s and files like that are not meant to be used for listening to & generally enjoying music? They were just a way to shrink some files down just to share them from pc to pc back in the day when we had no big internet speeds. Additionally, i-tunes & youtube have destroyed music all these years. How can these guys love vinyl and CDs again and stop gathering terras of MP3s they will never listen to?
J: I think you have to give the fans a little more than just music as a file. If it’s a funny game on our website or just a great live experience or something I am not sure. But to get young people to appreciate music, I think it has to be some kind of experience. Maybe just as little as a video with lyrics on youtube. Something that opens up their eyes to the band and the work the band does to get them the free mp3-file, to make them wanna listen to it again, not just great music. (i.n.: Yeap, you’re right… that’s the market policy for the new generation…)
What do you think of the Internet as a means of promotion & distribution? Conversely, it is also a way for people to get music free & illegally. What’s the right way to control it so as not to lose time & money as a musician/band?
J: I love the internet as a way of promotion and distribution. I am not all against file sharing either. The problem is that as soon as you have released an album, you kinda lose control of it. I mean, I have worked hard to write music with my friends in the band, we have really put a lot of effort into it. It IS OURS to control, but we kinda don’t do that. If we choose to share it then it is fine, but if someone that does NOT have the rights to the music does it then it is all wrong, and that is what I don’t like. But I love the fact that you can use these channels to promote your new and upcoming band to get fans all over the world. I have also accepted the fact that that is how it works today and try to get the best out of it.
How can we make people love and buy music in this time-period with all the financial problems and the easy way of getting it for free with just a few clicks? Some say that going back to vinyl is the answer… but there’s not only that. What else can the labels and the bands do?
J: First of all accept the fact that this is how things work today. Labels, bands and others that just complain about not making any money won’t succeed. You have to think a bit further. How do we make them buy or pay for music in other ways? Merchandise, gig tickets, phone applications and so on. Well, people know this today and some do this great. Bands of today need to think of their rights too, don’t give them away so easily.
It’s time for the Weird Questions now!!! How did you come up with the name Sparzanza… whose idea was it back in the day?
J: It was our first singer, Peter, that came up with the name. It’s taken from an old Blaxploitation movie.
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
J: I would love more releases on vinyl and more record stores. That is about it!
Which will be the best soundtrack to play in the day we will be forced to evacuate planet earth?
J: Sparzanza’s “Death Is Certain, Life is Not”…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
J: I would travel back in time to save Cliff Burton.
Supposing you could experience an adventure in an unreal-horror world of a fantasy writer (Poe, Lovecraft etc.)… which one would that be and why?
J: Oh, why would I wanna do that? Wouldn’t it be better if I could experience a scene from a good porn movie? No? Well OK, then I believe it would be cool to kill an Alien with Sigourney Weaver! (i.n.: heheh probably a porn movie would have been better for several reasons…
)
If Sparzanza’s career was a movie… which movie would it be and why?
J: Dumb and dumber…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?
J: I always had a thing for Famke Janssen. She has got something!
If you were the opposite sex for one day, what would you look like and what would you do?
J: I would look like Ms Janssen and I would sleep with the bass player in Sparzanza, of course. (i.n.: I didn’t see that comin’ hahaha…)
Beautiful or ugly woman? For girlfriend or for wife?
J: Beautiful, for girlfriend!
Are groupies a necessary evil for each and every rock/metal band?
J: Yes! The might spend cash on merchandise!
What do you think of Charlie’s quote: Beers, Pizza, Hookers? Which one is the most tasteful of all?
J: Beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer! And a pizza on the day after!
Imagine that your wife/girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
J: I would hope that I had the taste of knowing that my girlfriend would not do that before she became my girlfriend. But hey, if anyone of you out there some day might be, then beware, if you sell my albums I will kick you out!
I think that’s all for now Johan. The last words belong to you… Take care!
J: Well thank you for this interview, this was fun! And hey, beware of our new album and watch out, ‘cause we are on the road! And remember, Death is certain, Life is not!!!!
J: We will not do that no! I mean the album is probably already out on youtube in its full, so the cheap bastards that won’t even pay for a download or a Spotify account will be able to hear it anyway. We are trying to make a living out of this but still we are not Napster-Lars-Ulrichs, so we accept the fact that people can get the album for free, but we try to get people to get it or listen to it where it is legal. Even if we get paid very little, from Spotify for example. (i.n.: That’s the same old problem3every band is facing today… come on guys if you do like the music then do buy the fuckin’ CD… it’s so easy!)
How hard is it for the young generation to learn that MP3s and files like that are not meant to be used for listening to & generally enjoying music? They were just a way to shrink some files down just to share them from pc to pc back in the day when we had no big internet speeds. Additionally, i-tunes & youtube have destroyed music all these years. How can these guys love vinyl and CDs again and stop gathering terras of MP3s they will never listen to?
J: I think you have to give the fans a little more than just music as a file. If it’s a funny game on our website or just a great live experience or something I am not sure. But to get young people to appreciate music, I think it has to be some kind of experience. Maybe just as little as a video with lyrics on youtube. Something that opens up their eyes to the band and the work the band does to get them the free mp3-file, to make them wanna listen to it again, not just great music. (i.n.: Yeap, you’re right… that’s the market policy for the new generation…)
What do you think of the Internet as a means of promotion & distribution? Conversely, it is also a way for people to get music free & illegally. What’s the right way to control it so as not to lose time & money as a musician/band?
J: I love the internet as a way of promotion and distribution. I am not all against file sharing either. The problem is that as soon as you have released an album, you kinda lose control of it. I mean, I have worked hard to write music with my friends in the band, we have really put a lot of effort into it. It IS OURS to control, but we kinda don’t do that. If we choose to share it then it is fine, but if someone that does NOT have the rights to the music does it then it is all wrong, and that is what I don’t like. But I love the fact that you can use these channels to promote your new and upcoming band to get fans all over the world. I have also accepted the fact that that is how it works today and try to get the best out of it.
How can we make people love and buy music in this time-period with all the financial problems and the easy way of getting it for free with just a few clicks? Some say that going back to vinyl is the answer… but there’s not only that. What else can the labels and the bands do?
J: First of all accept the fact that this is how things work today. Labels, bands and others that just complain about not making any money won’t succeed. You have to think a bit further. How do we make them buy or pay for music in other ways? Merchandise, gig tickets, phone applications and so on. Well, people know this today and some do this great. Bands of today need to think of their rights too, don’t give them away so easily.
It’s time for the Weird Questions now!!! How did you come up with the name Sparzanza… whose idea was it back in the day?
J: It was our first singer, Peter, that came up with the name. It’s taken from an old Blaxploitation movie.
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
J: I would love more releases on vinyl and more record stores. That is about it!
Which will be the best soundtrack to play in the day we will be forced to evacuate planet earth?
J: Sparzanza’s “Death Is Certain, Life is Not”…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
J: I would travel back in time to save Cliff Burton.
Supposing you could experience an adventure in an unreal-horror world of a fantasy writer (Poe, Lovecraft etc.)… which one would that be and why?
J: Oh, why would I wanna do that? Wouldn’t it be better if I could experience a scene from a good porn movie? No? Well OK, then I believe it would be cool to kill an Alien with Sigourney Weaver! (i.n.: heheh probably a porn movie would have been better for several reasons…
)If Sparzanza’s career was a movie… which movie would it be and why?
J: Dumb and dumber…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?
J: I always had a thing for Famke Janssen. She has got something!
If you were the opposite sex for one day, what would you look like and what would you do?
J: I would look like Ms Janssen and I would sleep with the bass player in Sparzanza, of course. (i.n.: I didn’t see that comin’ hahaha…)
Beautiful or ugly woman? For girlfriend or for wife?
J: Beautiful, for girlfriend!
Are groupies a necessary evil for each and every rock/metal band?
J: Yes! The might spend cash on merchandise!
What do you think of Charlie’s quote: Beers, Pizza, Hookers? Which one is the most tasteful of all?
J: Beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer! And a pizza on the day after!
Imagine that your wife/girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
J: I would hope that I had the taste of knowing that my girlfriend would not do that before she became my girlfriend. But hey, if anyone of you out there some day might be, then beware, if you sell my albums I will kick you out!
I think that’s all for now Johan. The last words belong to you… Take care!
J: Well thank you for this interview, this was fun! And hey, beware of our new album and watch out, ‘cause we are on the road! And remember, Death is certain, Life is not!!!!