MIASMAL (EN)

– Hello, thanks for taking your time. How is everything doing right now into the MIASMAL camp? What’s keeping you guys busy?
Hey there! Everything’s is good here, we’re very excited about the new album coming out. Any day now we’ll publish a video from one of the new songs that we shot in December.

– You will soon release your newest album, «Tides of Omniscience». How are you feeling about it? Has it turned out as you expected?
We are very happy with it, and yes, it turned out as we wanted it to! To me, the album is a new chapter for Miasmal.

– First off, what could you comment on the artwork? If I’m not mistaken it was created by Mattias Frisk. How does it connect to some of the lyrics or the album title?
I had a loose idea of what I wanted for the cover. I gave those ideas to Mattias, and he put his artistic vision into it, and we had the cover! He also did the artwork for our last album, “Cursed Redeemer” and it was a pleasure to work with him again. The album title actually came to me when I was watching the final artwork. For me, one interpretation is that the figures depicted, are a reflection of ourselves, of mankind. On an endless search for something else, never satisfied, no matter what it takes. Keeping on trying to improve our lives without realizing we’re destroying ourselves in the process.

– And talking about such, what do some of the lyrics on the album deal with? As always they feel quite real but somehow open to different interpretations.
I really like that, the lyrics being open for interpretations. It works best that way, in my opinion. About one third of the lyrics might be inspired by real-life events, a documentary, book or something like that. One third are more like dark stories, with inspiration from the world surround us. The last third is probably more inspired by personal events.

 
– After giving it some spins I found there’s here more melody and slow parts than ever. Did yo have a clear idea of how you wanted to the album to sound like before working on the songwriting?
Not really, we don’t plan ahead or think too much! I knew I wanted us to make a more intense album, and it ended up being very intense but also our most dynamic album yet! Our fastest stuff ever is on the new album, but also as you say, more melodies and slow parts.

 
– In fact I think these (and the catchy) parts make for a more enjoyable listening, as it’s still really aggressive and brutal. How easy is to mix both, apparently opposite, elemenets without diminishing, but rather enhancing, each iother?
It’s hard to say, since a lot of times it simply “happens” while writing a song. But I think it’s important that a melody is not too obvious, because then it will probably within a more intense context.

 
– While your debut album had a strong Crust/D-beat flavour (something I think just comes along when playing traditional Death Metal), your previous opus had more of a Punkish vibe and, overall, a strong dose of Rock n’ Roll and now I think «Tides of Omniscience» adds some Black Metal influences. Am I wrong with the BM touch? It’s like everytime you add something new to your recipe.
Well, I suppose the melodies is the Black Metal “connection”, although I would say for me, it’s simply about adding a melodic, epic element and not necessarily Black Metal. We always had a touch of those melodies, in the chorus of “Toxic Breed” from our first album for example. But they are more at the forefront now! As are the vocals. Cursed Redeemer has this decadent vibe too me, which I think has to do with the circumstances of it’s creation. This album is more focused somehow, to me it has the feeling of rising from the ashes and brushing the dust off your shoulders.

– So all in all I could say «Tides of Omniscience» is your most diverse record to date. Is this element something important for you? Not just to keep things interesting for your listener, but for yourself both as musicians and songwriters.
Very much. We always have written songs in an album context in a way. To me, the album format is quite important, the right length, sequencing, dynamics and so on. This time, I think we really got it right, there are a lot of different stuff on there but it still flows very smoothly in my opinion.

 
– So, to sum it up, to your Death Metal basis you throw elements from different music styles so, what do you think have been some of the most influential artits for the MIASMALS’s sound?
In the beginning, it was a lot of Entombed, Autopsy and Discharge. These days, influences can come from everywhere. On the new album, I think there’s some influences from both Bolt Thrower and Robyn, to be honest. It’s not you always can hear it, but any kind of music can inspire me to write a metal song.

 
– You recorded this album yourself at your rehearsal room. What kind of effect do you think recording yourself, in a comfy and known environment, has had on the album?
I think it gives it a more relaxed and put together vibe. There’s not as much stress and pressure, and you can take time to fine-tune details and maybe revisit something. It’s good to be able to split up the vocal sessions too.

 
– And it was mixed at Fredman Studios, a place where you have already worked in the past. How positive for the final outcome is to work with a team you already know?
Well, being on the same page make the process simpler, of course! It’s 20 minutes from where I live, so it’s nice to get there, have some coffee and be present during the mixing process. Doing a mix through email correspondence can be time consuming! The Fredman guys are obviously very good at what they do, and I think one of their strengths are making a recording sound raw and loud while still retaining clarity.

 
– All this about «Tides of Omniscience» being said; how could you describe it in just 3 words?
Intense – honest – great 🙂

– This is your second album with Century Media. Have you noticed the band now has a somehow higher status? Or that maybe is reaching more people?
There’s more talk, more press and stuff like that. Century Media has a great distribution and also a good reputation, so I think it’s safe to say that it helps us reaching more people!

 
– Now Century Media has some strong old school Death Metal bands as MORGOTH or ASPHYX or some other young bands but also playing that style, as VAMPIRE or the now defunct MORBUS CHRON. Do you feel like CM is a good home for bands like MIASMAL?
Absolutely. The people are CM are full on music/metal fans and have always been supportive of Miasmal and our music. They get things done and are also nice and dedicated people, so we are very happy with where we’re at.

 
– You have also played live a lot. For instance last time we could see you guys in Spain was in 2014 on tour with EXHUMED, ORIGIN and ABORTED but, do you prefer playing live or rather the whole creative process behind an album?
For me, the most important thing is writing songs and making records. Everything else is a bonus. I love to play live, but it’s a different thing, more about energy and being in the “here and now”. The creative process of making an album is the best thing for me.

– And finally, what are now your near-future plans?
We’re gonna have a release party/show here in Gothenburg on February 27th. We’re working on some more shows here in Sweden in the near future, and also a European tour this fall. Info will come on our FB page and website as soon as deals are sealed.

 
– That’s all, thank you once more for answering our questions. If you want to add some final words; feel free to do it.
Thanks a lot for the interview and support! Check out our new album when it’s out on March 4 on Century Media, and hop too see you soon in Spain!

Tania Giménez
tania@queensofsteel.com