Interview with Daniel Erlandsson of Arch Enemy
By Dan Hoyt
Crave: So you guys are doing an off-Ozzfest show tonight…how do you like those compared to the Ozzfest sets? Daniel: It’s certainly a good opportunity to play longer shows. On Ozzfest we’re on for 20 minutes and just rocking the hell out of people, and while this is off Ozzfest, it’s still a support show since we’re with Shadows Fall. Except we get to play for 40 minutes this time.
Crave: Nice, nice. How’s Ozzfest going right now? Fans loving all the new songs? Daniel: Yeah, we’re playing only one new song off the new album right now, but it’s been going over really well, especially since we go on so early. Our earliest slot is 9:20 a.m. and our latest is 12:40 p.m. So I mean, even our latest set is still way too early for a rock n’ roll show. However, the reaction from the crowd has been great, which is awesome to hear at 9:30 in the morning, you know?
Crave: Yeah, that’s interesting, I’m sure the kids are pretty groggy, but it sounds like you guys are definitely getting them going in a great fashion, which is awesome. How’s the rest of band holding up, they all having a great time too? Daniel: Yeah, we’re all doing well. Some of us were expecting the set to be a lot worse than it is, but it’s quite easy if you look at it. It’s only 20 minutes, I mean, come on. Not a lot of songs.
Crave: I gotcha. So far on Ozzfest, what’s been the biggest surprise to you? Daniel: So far…I think it’s when we did the 9:20 slot and we saw fans just running and pouring in and we had about 2,000 kids there anyway. There was a moshpit and people were going crazy, so that was a huge surprise, for an American crowd anyway! *laughs*
Crave: What bands really surprised you? Daniel: Mastodon, because I’ve never had a chance to see them live before and they’re very good. And then of course Maiden and Sabbath, although they’re not surprising that much but they’re still very good.
Crave: I heard Ozzy’s health was sketchy for a while but Maiden did pretty good as the headliner. Daniel: Yeah, I don’t know if they extended their set much at all but Maiden’s doing really well anyway.
Crave: So you guys are longtime vets of the metal scene now and Doomsday Machine’s your latest effort, which I definitely enjoyed. What were you thinking going into making Doomsday Machine and what changes did you want to make to your sound to transition from Anthems of Rebellion? Daniel: Anthems was probably the most stripped-down album we had done. The melodic album, if you put it that way. I guess all of us just wanted to take back the Arch Enemy trademark sound again. A lot of melodies; more guitar playing in the mix. I think the new album’s got that but it’s also more atmospheric in a way, and it’s more dynamic. We took a little more time in the studio to add more sounds such as keyboard to really set off the depth of the sound. I think you need a couple of listens before you actually grasp the whole picture, and I think that’s the biggest difference in the new one.
Crave: So what single do you plan on launching next after “Nemesis”? Daniel: Don’t really know yet. We’re discussing a few alternatives but haven’t really decided. We’ll probably make a video for the next track as soon as we get off of Ozzfest.
Crave: Sounds good to me. So looking back, a few years ago had that big vocalist change from Johan to Angela. How are things different having her on the lead compared to when Johan was around? Daniel: I’m so used to her now that I’m not even really sure…*laughs* I think with Angela, it’s a total fresh breath of air for the band, you know. I guess Johan didn’t really feel comfortable with being the front man of a band, and people saw that when we performed live. Angela’s the total opposite of that. Ever since she joined we’ve gotten more popularity and with each new album we take a big step up. That’s really what she brings to the band.
Crave: The first album I listened to from you guys was Wages of Sin, and hearing her for the first time really shocked me because she’s a female death vocalist. I’m sure it’s still pretty interesting to see first-time listeners to Arch Enemy hear her sing live, especially on Ozzfest. Daniel: *laughs* Oh yeah.
Crave: So creatively, does one person tend to write a lot of the songs or do you all work them equally? Daniel: Traditionally, it’s been Michael and Chris working on the songs and there wasn’t an exception this time. Usually somewhat gets a vague idea and we start jamming on it, and we put songs together. It’s very much a team effort. Angela isn’t really involved in the songwriting process; she’s more of the lyricist. Obviously she’s got a lot of ideas as well but we only listen to about half of it. *laughs*
Crave: *Laughs* Hahaha! That’s hilarious. Who are your personal drumming heroes? Daniel: I’ve got so many different ones I like listening to, but when I first started out it was Nicke Andersson from Entombed, Dave Lombardo from Slayer, my brother…the older you get, the older music you start checking out so I’ve also been listening to a lot of Bill Ward and so on. All the great drummers.
Crave: So after Ozzfest you’re heading back to Europe right? Daniel: Yeah, the European tour is the kickoff to touring for a long time for us. We’re touring there, Japan, Australian, back to the U.S., and hopefully we’ll have some time off for Christmas.
Crave: So for the European shows, how do they compare to shows here in America, do you have a personal preference? Daniel: In Europe, it’s very different between the countries. For example if you play in England, people go nuts and there’s huge moshpits, and then you go to Holland and play, and it’s very laid-back. Checking the band out instead of moving around too much. In America it’s definitely the same vibe for most of the shows. All of the craziness that we love. *laughs*
Crave: Awesome, well that sounds pretty good man, I’ll try and catch you guys up in Seattle for Ozzfest but if you guys are in the Pacific Northwest sometime later on, you should do a show in Portland, I’d love to see you guys there. Daniel: Yeah, definitely.
Crave: Cool, well keep on rockin’, have a great show tonight and have fun on Ozzfest. Thanks a lot and take care. Daniel: Thanks, you too.
