Corporation 187 - Olof Knutsson
Posted on April 01, 2008 at 12:18 am by admin
With the new Corporation 187 album dropping, guitarist Olof Knutsson was quick to drop me some answers to some burning questions. As always, Anticulture Records picks up some great bands which I truly believe are the future of metal, and “Newcomers Of Sin” is really pushing some creative boundaries. Make sure you check that album out!
Way Too Loud: Everyone always likes to ask this, and bands always like to tell us, so who got Corporation 187 up and playing? Who influenced your band?
Olof Knutsson: I guess everyone in C187 have their own story to tell on how they got into metal music in the first place. For me it all started with the likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and so on. When I got to know Magnus Pettersson (the other guitarist in C187) and saw his electric guitar it was no turning back. He had this small tiny guitar amp, but with the distortion turned to 10 it was enough to impress the hell out of me! You can say that Magnus and I basicly learned how to play the guitar together. Listening to albums and trying to play what was on there. Together with Rob (C187 drummer) we got together in the basement of Rob’s parents house, learning how to play songs by Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Kiss, Black Sabbath or whatever we thought was cool. When we several years later was ready to write our own songs we did not first sit down to have a discussion on what we wanted to sound like. It did just happen to turn out the way it did. I guess everyone in the band in some twisted way brought their influences into it, mixing it and creating a cool sounding concoction.
WTL: I heard you’re latest album, and I have to say, it’s extremely forward thinking and creative! What led you into the new sound on “Newcomers Of Sin”?
OK: Glad you think so, makes me proud! It is not like something we had planned out before we started the writing process. I think that the fact that it has been quite a while since our last album (Perfection in Pain) did play a roll. I mean, you learn as long you live and you are not exactly the same person as you were a couple of years ago. In our case the development of the band have come natural. Of course we have tried our best to push boundarys and not to repeat ourself. I do not want to put out the same album twice if you know what I mean. Although, in the end it comes down to the songs. A good song is a good song and I think we have alot good songs on Newcomers Of Sin.
WTL: Many people characterize Corporation 187 as thrash or death metal. Do you feel that you might be growing beyond most genre labels with this release?
OK: Yes, actually I do. Maybe it is something all bands like to think, but with Newcomers Of Sin I really think we created something that is hard to categorize in other ways than just metal. There are elements of thrash- death-, black, you name it- in there. Let me put it this way: It is music made with true passion, if you want to put a label on it, it is up to you!
WTL: How did you get hooked up with Cabin Fever Media and Niklas Sundin (Dark Tranquillity guitarist) for the album art? I love his work!
OK: Niklas made the art for Perfection in Pain, so we already knew he was cool to work with. However this time all contact with Niklas went directly between C187 and Niklas, so we felt more comfortable this time around. This time we also had more input to give on what we wanted. We gave Niklas some fotos we wanted him to work with and I think he did a excellent job!
WTL: Why was there a 6-year span between “Perfection In Pain” and “Newcomers Of Sin”?
OK: Why not! Just kidding… What is our excuse? No good answer there. What can I say? There are of course lots of reasons for this 6-year span, but it is hard for me to just point them out in an easy way. It has been a fucking struggle putting this album together. We have extremly high demands on ourselfs. We are working with the songs, trying to twist and bend them into somthing that we all feel comfortable with. It is not like one of us bring in a complete song and we just record it.
WTL: What led the departure from Earache Records?
OK: They were not exactly over enthusiastic about puting out a new C187 album so we decided to go seperate ways. No hard feelings just time for both parts to move on.
WTL: How did you get hooked up with Anticulture Records? They seem to be a home to some of the most forward thinking metal bands right now.
OK: Anticulture showed us lots of intresset and seemed to belive in C187 and wanting to back us up 100%.
WTL: Are there any big touring plans to support “Newcomers Of Sin”? Perhaps even the idea of landing in North America?
OK: At this stage nothing is planned, but we definetly want to promote the album by playing live. I have a feeling that the songs from Newcomers Of Sin will work perfectly in a live situation. North America would be great!
WTL: Who would you like to tour with who’s both feasible, but not obvious?
OK: Tough question! Lots of good bands out there. I can think of many super line-ups. What about At the Gates, Carcass and Corporation 187! Or Arch enemy, Haunted and C187. Maybe Slayer and Meshuggah. Tool and Mastodon… Seems like I can go on like this for ever and ever, ha!
WTL: Since bands get asked about their band name all the time, have you ever lied about what Corporation 187 means? (I already know that 187 is the Swedish police code for murder.)
OK: I confess! I have left out the “murder-part” in some situations. I mean, what would grandmother say, ha ha!
WTL: Thanks for answering my questions? Your latest album was quite a hit at Way Too Loud!, and is a strong contender for the year end list already! It got a 4.5 out of 5!
OK: You are very welcome! I am really pleased that you like Newcomers Of Sin. Always cool when someone can connect and seem to understand what the hell you are trying to achieve. Guess I have to wait and see if we make your “year end list”, Cheers!!!
Corporation 187 at MySpace
Anticulture Records
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Copyright © 2007, Xtremely Media, All Rights Reserved
