LOCK UP (Eng.)
– Hi Anton, thanks for taking the time. First off, do you know what prompted the band comeback?
I think after Jesse died the guys didn’t even want to think about the band for a while, but at some point they just felt the desire to play this kind of stuff again, also as a tribute to Jesse.
– You are the only new member; how did everything start?
Well, back in the 80s in Chile I played in a death metal band called Pentagram, which I later heard the Napalm Death guys were big fans of. Then Napalm went to Chile in 1997 to play with my band Criminal and we became friends. When I moved to Europe in 2001 we started seeing each other more often at festivals and stuff, and after all the shit that happened with Jesse, Shane thought I might be the right guy to replace him, so he called me up.
– Do you feel some kind of pressure replacing someone like the much-missed Jesse Pintado?
Not really, because I don’t really think about it like that. Jesse was a one-of-a-kind guy, both personally and musically, so trying to replace him would be foolish. I’m just being myself, I’m contributing my riffs and I’m trying to play as good as I can. And if this helps to keep the band alive, then great.
– Have been over 8 years since your previous album so, what could you say people is going to find on «Necropolis Transparent»?
I think there’s two main differences between the “new” and “old” Lock Up. One is that this time around we’ve put more old-school riffs in the songs, which are inspired by our common heroes and influences such as Dark Angel and Possessed. On the other hand, I think the new album has got a much better production.
– And how has been the acceptance for the CD? As it was long-awaited…
So far the reactions have been awesome. Sure there’s one or two bad reviews, but I think those people don’t really get it. I think anyone who knows his shit will love what we’ve done on “Necropolis”.
– What does the album’s name refer to?
I don’t know, haha. It was originally going to be called “The Embodiment of Paradox and Chaos”, but the guys decided against it because they wanted something shorter and catchier. But I’m not sure what the lyrics to that song are about.
– In this record you have, somehow, gone back to your debut an had Peter Tägtgren as guest vocalist. How did you come up with this idea?
When Pete left the band it was on good terms and the guys have remained friends with him, so it kinda made sense to have him guest on the new album. I think the trade-offs he did with Tompa sound killer.
– And the same for Jeff Walker…
I think Shane wanted someone with a different-coloured voice to do some backing vocals. Him and Jeff have been friends for ages, so it was a no-brainer really.
– I’d dare say production for «Necropolis Transparent» is the best LOCK UP has ever had. How did everything go with such a seasoned producer like Andy Sneap?
Well, we tracked the album on our own, with Criminal bassist Dan Biggin engineering. Sneap took the stuff to the next level sound-wise. Unfortunately I coouldn’t be there for the mix, but I’d have loved to. It’s for a good reason that people like Megadeth and Exodus are working with him. He’s just a great producer, and from what I hear a really cool guy too.
– And what about the songwriting process? Does each member has its saying?
The way we did it is Shane and I came up with our ideas separately and then we would gather at Nick’s rehearsal studio and arrange the stuff together. I kinda took a back seat because I know I’m the new guy and I respect the tremendous experience these guys have, so the last word was always theirs. It impressed me how they really think hard about each decision regarding a song arrangements, like how many times to repeat a riff or how to start and end the songs. It was a great learning experience for me and I feel proud to be able to work with them.
– I could also say this is your most energic and even brutal thus far, is this that you have came back with more strength and
renewed energy?
Probably. I mean, the first two albums are pretty fucking brutal too, but this one is a little more varied I think, so the individual parts stand out more. And the production and mix also gave it the extra punch it needed.
– Regarding your own work, what could you say you have brought to the band? Since your riffing is what everyone could expect from LOCK UP, but I also noticed certain blackened/Death riffs…
The influences I brought to the table were oriented more towards the classic death/thrash style of riffing, and the guys loved it. As a matter of fact, they kept telling me that this is what they originally wanted the band to sound like when they started it. Shane’s riffs are the more manic ones and also those black metal influences came from him. The good thing is it all works together really well.
– We could say you are an “all-star band”. This term tends to be a double-edged sword. Do you think this works more as a benefit for the band or the opposite?
It is definitely a plus because of the exposure you get. If we were newcomers right now with the way the market is saturated it would be much harder to get people’s attention. The only negative aspect could be that people’s expectations would be quite high, but I’m not afraid of that because I know we haven’t disappointed.
– All of you are playing in different bands; how do you organize all your schedules? Will LOCK UP have much stage activity?
It’s quite difficult to be honest, because everyone has got their own commitments, so I don’t think we’ll be doing any extensive touring in the near future. We will rather concentrate on doing festivals and weekend shows.
– I guess this is something many people may be wondering: will we have to wait other 8 years until your next effort?
Definitely not. We are already talking about a possible time frame to do the next record and also the first few riffs are starting to pop up. I would say the next album will probably come out in 2013.
– And finally, what are your near-future plans? Do you plan touring un support of «Necropolis Transparent»?
As I said before, there won’t be any long tours in support of this album. Right now we’re talking about going to Japan and maybe South America, but it’s always going to be a week at the most.
– That’s all, thank you so much once again. If you want to add some final words, freel free to do it.
TOCA RÁPIDO O MUERE!
