Ashley: Hails! I really enjoy this latest work! It is truly amazing! Thanks for such a great album!
Marcus: Thanks! It means a lot to hear that.

Ashley: How did you all come together as a band? And how did you come about switching genres? You started out as a traditional Black Metal act under the name of Sargatanas; what made you all decide to switch over to technical Death Metal?
Marcus: I had recently been playing in a Death metal band when I met the other guitar player Kristoffer who recently had been playing with the Black metal band Nefandus. I felt that I wanted to make a band like that and it was a match. In the long way it was impossible to continue our hardcore black metal lives. It was a matter of survival. Although we stood still as musicians, everything that really meant anything. We were trapped in a corner. The change came natural since we had a really great influence in U.S. Death metal while growing up as well as it's more challenging as a musician. Today the two genres doesn't differ that much I think, but back then the black metal scene was very conservative in our home town.

Ashley: You are from Sweden, which is known for its Death Metal. Do you find it hard to get recognition as a Swedish Death Metal band? I mean, with all the bands from Sweden being Death Metal, it gets a bit annoying to see even MORE bands from Sweden being Death Metal. Does that affect anything with your fanbase? Or does it just make it larger? And what is your opinion on the Swedish Metal scene?
Marcus: I don't really know. Today it's mostly this thrashy "Gothenburg" death metal as The Haunted, In Flames etc. that is known as Swedish death metal I think. And the style has eaten up itself.
At The Gates made this excellent album Slaughter Of The Soul and I think that the interest ends there but it has turned out as an own genre. I think that since were not a part of that it should be easier to get recognition. I believe our Bloodwork album should be really appealing to the American metal heads though.
The fact that we are from Sweden shouldn't make any difference since we've made a really great album and that is everything that matters I believe. The Swedish metal scene along with the whole music scene has a really high quality I think and has been really successful on an international basis.

Ashley: Are there any side-projects with any of your members?
Marcus: Of course. Every one of us has different side-projects. It changes with the mood, only SARGATANAS REIGN is consistent.

Ashley: You have a strange style, mixing Death Metal with Jazz influences. How did you come about fusing these two genres together? I must say, your bassist must be very talented to switch from technical Death Metal riffs to Jazz riffs (which are both quite difficult to play!).
Marcus: That's what I'm talking about! You have to evolve as I musician. And one way to do that is to make songs that are almost impossible for to play. I mean, after a while it becomes as easy as taking of your pants! In that way it takes a longer time for you to get bored on the song. We just want to step out of this ordinary western-christian way of looking at music. It doesn't necessary have to be Jazz but in some way it usually turns out sounding "jazzy" when exploring our capabilities.

Ashley: When I listened to your latest album, Bloodwork, It was like watching a horror film. Every new song was like a different feeling. The more you listen to it, the more interested you get; each new song has a different feel to it that makes it feel like an actual emotion. Like watching/reading a graphic film or book. How was the writing process for this? Did you all do it collectively (like rehearsal jams) or did each of you write your own parts to later piece it all together in the end?
Marcus: Fuck! It's really nice to be understood! It was our goal all the time. Actually it's a horror story about a serial killer who first looks at his acts as it's some kind of high cultural fine art. Later on he suffers from inner demons and his conscience. I wrote all the lyrics except two tracks, the music were made collectively on the rehearsal jams, exclusively. It took about three years of hard work!

Ashley: Where did you record this? How long did it take? And were there any major set-backs/problems with recording? And what are some memorable times during the recording process?
Marcus: We recorded the album at the Endarker studio with our old vocalist Devo Andersson as producer. It took about three months with a couple of breaks included. We had some internal jokes that are based on an infamous Swedish documentary about some local retards that is working on carpentry! It's really fun since we have the same accent as them as well as we do see them sometimes on the way to the studio. While recording the guitars you could suddenly hear those retard comments in your headphones! We didn't really suffer any set-backs for once which was nice since you were already a nervous breakdown as always, when you're about to record a new album!

Ashley: Are you planning on touring? If so, to where and with whom? (P.S. I'd really love to see you come to USA, preferably South Carolina, where I live!!)
Marcus: Unfortunately we have no touring plans yet. Can't wait!
Probably a tour in Europe should come before the states. For now were just hoping for any gigs at all but a tour in the states would be the ultimate! It would be really nice to show what we do best! And I think that the Americans would really appreciate our music.

Ashley: What/who are some of your musical/non-musical influences? What made you want to play metal? Or even wanting to play an instrument at all?
Marcus: Too much to mention as it differs from day to day. Of course you have those alltime faves like Death & Morbid angel as well as movies and art. I think it's a subliminal force that makes you to start play or maybe some restlessness.

Ashley: What are other non-musical related activities that you all do for fun?
Marcus: Watching films, getting drunk etc.

Ashley: In your opinion, who are some of your favourite bands around these days? And who are some of your favourite bands of all time? And are there any local bands that you are really interested in?
Marcus: I believe I've already answered that. Well, Marduk is a local band, hehe. We really do have a lot of great local bands here despite the low population.

Ashley: What is in your CD player right now? Are you reading anything of interest at the moment?
Marcus: Ok, I'll have to admit that I really listen to the latest Rotten Sound CD a lot for now, it's great!

Ashley: Of all the shows you have played, which is the most memorable? Which is the best show you have ever played? And which is the worst show you have ever played? Where were they and who did you play them with?
Marcus: We played at the Motala metal fest together with bands like Evergrey, Vader and Tankard in 2003. It was really our worst and our best show at same time. It was horrible on stage! The monitor system was so fucked up that I personally wanted to kick the monitor engineer’s ass. We didn't hear anything of us and there was a great noise that were exploding our heads. Afterwards we received some great reviews which was really fantastic!

Ashley: In 5 words or less, describe the sound of SARGATANAS REIGN.
Marcus: Sterile, razor-sharp, intense and aggressive.

Ashley: Is there anything else you would like to add or say to your fans?
Marcus: I hope to see you all out there, soon! Until then you can visit our website. Thanks a lot!

Ashley: Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview! I hope to see you all playing soon! And hope to hear more amazing Metal from you guys soon as well!! \m/

8/2005 © Ashley Coleman • Sargatanas Reign •