Janne from Grand Magus interviewed by Matt Frighetto
Matt Frighetto
Matt: Can I start with just getting the run down on “Grand Magus”?
Janne : I guess you mean the band? OK, here goes. Fox and me started the band around 1996
under the name “Smack”. Our original drummer Iggy left the band in 1998 and we searched
for a new guy. We found Trisse through an ad outside an anniversary showing of Deep
Purple’s California Jam concert! We clicked immediately and started recording our
first demo early 1999. The demo (three songs) got quite some attention, from MFN
among others and they wanted to hear more so we did another one in late 1999. Around
the same time we changed our name to Grand Magus to better suit the music and the
lyrical content. Rise Above heard both demos since they were affiliated with MFN
at the time and they liked our stuff. We didn’t get signed on our demos though, but
all the songs from the second demo were released in various forms. Then we got in
touch with an Italian label and recorded a ten-song “pre-album demo” during a weekend,
just to show what kind of material we had. While we were discussing things with the
Italian label we got a mail from Rise Above who wondered what we were up to and if
we had any new stuff. We sent them the ten-song demo and after a week they told us
that they wanted to sign us. This was in late 2000. We signed the contracts in February
2001 I think and then recorded the album in March/April 2001.
Matt: What are your releases to date?
Janne : Waterdragon’s Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (compilation album with Honcho among others),
and a split 7” with Spiritual Beggars on the Southern Lord label. There’s supposed
to be a double 7” from Game Two records with us, Rise and Shine, The Quill and The
Mushroom River Band, but this one hasn’t seen the light yet. Then there’s of course
our debut full length on Rise Above Records, which came out on the 5th of November
this year.
Matt: Has it always been just you 3 members in the band?
Janne : Yep, but we had another drummer in “Smack” as I mentioned earlier. Grand Magus has always been us three though.
Matt: What other bands has the Magus crew been in before “ Grand Magus”?
Janne : I’ve played in various bands but none that you’ve heard of, Cardinal Fang and Supermouth.
Fox also played in Cardinal Fang and a band called “Susblaiden”. Trisse used to play
in southern rockers Backdraft, they were called “Morning Wood” then.
Matt: This all happened so quick, I remember getting that demo “Two Thousand” at
the beginning of the year and you guys are signed and got the full length out!!
Can you tell me how all that fell into place?
Janne : I guess I already answered that… Sorry Matt! The demo “Two Thousand” was recorded
in November 1999. So it wasn’t really that quick, but after Rise Above signed us,
things went-a-rollin’.
Matt: Rise Above Records is a great label and really suit your style of rock,
are they a great bunch of guys?
Janne : Absolutely. Will Palmer the label manager is a really cool guy who has done great
work for us (he’s also the bass player in the doom band Sloth and he used to play
in Mourn), and Lee Dorrian is the most down to earth guy you could possibly meet.
A true music lover. It’s a strange thing to be working for someone that you have
looked up to for so many years, you know?
Matt: Is this a multi-Album record contract?
Janne : Yes.
Matt: Where was your new record done and who was the master behind the desk?
Janne : We recorded the album in das Boot studios in Stockholm. Fred Estby who is the drummer
and producer in famous death metal pioneers Dismember produced, engineered and mixed
the whole thing. He’s a great guy as well who knows what he’s doing.
Matt: I am really into this album BIG TIME it seems, to have so many moods and
carry a great full rock vibe. Can you tell me what is the source behind your
kick ass rock style?
Janne : Thank you very much! That’s quite a compliment and the way we really meant the album to be like when you listen to it. The different vibes are important for all kinds of music I think. It should be journey to listen to an album.
Now, on to your question. I guess our main musical influences come from classic heavy
metal, you know? Bands like Black Sabbath (both Ozzy-era and Dio-era), Deep Purple
(both Gillan-era and Coverdale/Hughes-era), Rainbow, Judas Priest and Uriah Heep.
But we also listen a lot to harder stuff like Slayer and Entombed. I have a really
weird background growing up with two much older brothers in the mid-seventies who
listened to Nazareth, Alice Cooper, Bachman Turner Overdrive and stuff. I heard that
shit from the age of 3. Then I got really into bands like Venom, Bathory, Manowar
and Celtic Frost in my early teens, while listening to Rainbow and Black Sabbath
at the same time, you know? I guess it’s a combination of really brutal, simple demonic
metal and the more traditional blues-based stuff. The other guys are totally into
The Haunted, Slayer, Pantera and Black Label Society at the moment and some of that
shines through as well. I should point out that our music and the lyrics all deal
with Magick and the power of the mind in some way or another. Magick means ceremonial
magic and is not to be confused with circus stuff and tricks. Grand Magus plays Black
Magick Rock, which sets us apart from other bands.
Matt: For people who have never heard or seen you play live, what would they get
from you?
Janne : You’ll get a very special combination of brutal power, total doom and memorable songs.
Our live gigs are an intense roller coaster ride of massive riffing and intense feeling.
All those who have seen us have told us that they’ve never seen or heard anything
like it before or after. We celebrate a black mass of heavy music when we’re onstage.
Matt: Who inspires you and what are your main influences?
Janne : We get our inspiration from Magick and the way of the magician in search of true
meaning in life. There are no special persons or artists that inspire us. Of course
good music from other bands and stuff inspires us, but all lyrics and themes comes
from nature, arcane literature and the ways of old. All these things have a meaning
in everyday life in a modern society as well. All my lyrics can be interpreted on
many levels. He who seeks shall find.
Matt: What is your favourite track on the record and what is your favourite to
play live?
Janne : For me personally, probably “Never Learned” or “Gauntlet” on the record ‘cause they
sum up what Grand Magus is all about. I have a special connection with all the songs
on the album though. Live it’s definitely a new song called “Baptised in Fire”. You’re
gonna like that one for sure. It’ll hopefully end up on our next album.
Matt: Have you guys been doing many shows, to promote the new record?
Janne : One so far, ha-ha! We’re gonna do a lot of gigs in the beginning of next year. Probably
tour Europe or something.
Matt: How has the response been with the new stuff?
Janne : The response has been overwhelming and greater than I could have expected in my wildest
dreams. I mean, we think our stuff is great, but to hear it from other people as
well is really satisfying, you know? Our album got voted “Album of the Month” for
the December issue of the German Metal Hammer for example, I mean, come on! How many
bands get that kind of jackpot with their debut album? All reviews I’ve come across
have been incredibly positive, so…
Matt: Sweden is really punching out some top bands, is the live scene just as
good over there as what gets released?
Janne : In a word: no.
Matt: What bands have you guys been playing with, while doing shows?
Janne : Rise and Shine, Southfork, Backdraft, Leadfoot.
Matt: What’s the best gig you guys have done?
Janne : Definitely our latest one. On the 3rd of November. It was a great, magickal evening.
Matt: How about the worst?
Janne : Sorry, no comment…. Ha-ha!
Matt: What are your top 5 albums of all time?
Janne : Ugh! Just five…. OK, here are five great ones at least: Black Sabbath – Mob Rules,
Rainbow – Long Live Rock and Roll, Deep Purple – In Rock, Manowar – Into Glory Ride,
Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith.
Matt: What’s in your stereo at the moment?
Janne : Carcass - Heartwork
Matt: How do you feel about all the names linked to this scene, eg desert rock,
stoner, fuzz, etc?
Janne : I understand the convenience of having genre classifications and I guess it’s no
difference from calling stuff “black metal” or “thrash metal” so in that sense it’s
perfectly OK, but it’s kind of frustrating to be put together with bands that you
have nothing in common with. You know how it works, someone years ago described a
new and innovative band as “stoner rock”, then just because you don’t play thrash,
death, speed or power metal you’re automatically playing “stoner rock”. I don’t think
we’re a stoner rock band. I think we have more in common with traditional heavy metal
music. We’re definitely not “desert rock” either; we come from a land of snow and
darkness. Another thing is that for us, what we smoke or drink has nothing to do
with the themes we deal with in our music. If some bright arse would call Black Sabbath
“stoner rock” I think I would kill him, you know? Then again, everyone is entitled
to his or her opinion, you know?
Matt: Given the chance, if you could rock out with anyone dead or alive who
would that be?
Janne : Cozy Powell
Matt: Can you give me one word that sums up “Grand Magus”?
Janne : Three words: Black Magick Rock
Matt: Finally thanks for your time, good luck with the new release and have an
awesome Christmas and a happy New Year, and rock on…
Janne : Thank you Matt! It almost brings tears to my eyes when I see all the great ‘zines
across the world supporting good music. Keep up the great work and we’ll keep delivering
the goods. I wish you and all your readers a merry Yule and Midwinter Solstice. 2002
will be a great year for fans of heavy rock. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for Grand
Magus. From now on all opposing men will fear the sign…
www.planetfuzz.com
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