IMMERSED IN BLOOD emerged from the remnants of the Swedish Death metal band INVERTED in Oct. 1998.
Joel Andersson (bass) and Johan Ohlsson (guitar) decided to continue to play together but in an even more brutal direction. Vocalist Stefan Lundberg (also ex-INVERTED member) and drummer Jocke Unger decided to get immersed in blood in Dec. 1998. The death-roll was completed when Robert Tyborn Axt (guitar) joined the band in Feb. 1999.
The band played their debut gig in March 1999 and only two months later, in May 1999, they recorded their debut demo entitled ’Eine Kleine Deathmusik’, featuring four tracks of brutal bloody Death Metal. This demo was released in Aug. 1999.
In Nov. and Dec. 1999 the band went to Germany and played some gigs after which they started to write new songs. Two of them was recorded in May 2000. These two songs was released on a 3-way split CD called ’Sweets For My Sweet Chapter 1’ (split with CONFESSIONS OF OBSCURITY and OUTCAST), along with the ’Eine Kleine Deathmusik’ demo. It was released by LOWLIFE RECORDS in late 2001.
At the end of January 2001 the band entered Studiomega to record 5 new songs and a cover, ’We Have Arrived’ (a Dark Angel song for a tribute album, which will be released by ARCTIC MUSIC GROUP). These 5 songs was released as a MCD entitled ’Relentless Retaliation’ on DOWNFALL RECORDS in late Sept 2001. In May IMMERSED IN BLOOD played at the “2 Heavy 4 You!” festival in Falkenberg where ENSLAVED(Nor), ROOT(Cze), NIFELHEIM, HYPNOSIA, THE FORSAKEN played as well.
IMMERSED IN BLOOD once again went to Germany in March 2002 and played with IMPURE(Ger), RESURRECTED(Ger) and JACK SLATER(Ger). In May 2002 IMMERSED IN BLOOD played their first tour (a mini tour) - and they did it in Finland with EMBEDDED(Ger) and DEEPRED(Fin). It was a very successful trip for each band with a very amazing live-performance at the “Westcoast Holocaust” Festival in Turku where THRONEAEON, SATANIC SLAUGHTER and MÖRK GRYNING played as well. In June IMMERSED IN BLOOD played at the “Gothenburg Deathfest” with HOUR OF PENANCE(Ita), CONVENT(Pol), INIQUITY(Den), IMPURE(Ger), DEEPRED(Fin), VISCERAL BLEEDING to name a few.
Middle of June the band entered Studiomega once again to record their debut full length album “Killing Season”. The band recorded 10 brutal blood songs. 8 new and 2 re-recorded demo songs now even faster!
And remember...only DEATH is real!!!
interview with Joel on 09-06-2004
Please give us a short introduction of yourself?
Ok, my name is Joel Andersson and play bass for IMMERSED IN BLOOD. What more can I say? My prevoius bands are Exempt and Inverted.
Hows life in Sweden? Still boring for metal people?
Yes! Boring as hell! The underground sucks and alot of backstabbers and no place to play! Almost no shows, well it’s getting a liiiiiiitle bit better but people won’t show up! And those idiots are the people who complains about theres no shows and when there is a show they don’t show up at the shows because :
1. It’s to expensive...(when it’s not if you ask me... ). For example the tickets to Gothenburg Deathfest 2003 with 11 bands, (8 of them were from Germany, Holland, Finland, Brazil, Ukraine) costed 250 Skr. Is that expensive? No way! Divide that with 11 bands! This is the biggest problem in Sweden...They all complain that it’s too expensive. But they never complain when Iron Maiden tickets are 300-500Skr. And thats only Maiden + band. Or Metallica for 350-500Skr with 2 special guests...
I guess Swedish metal head are STUPID!!!
2. They never heard of the bands...
3. They are lazy!!!
How can they say that they never heard of the bands? What a fuck! There are internet today! Surf around and download some songs! There you can check out the bands!
It’s easier today to atleast hear a song or two then it was like back in early 90’s.
This a very lame excuse if you ask me! See how lazy Swedish metalhead are? Fucking bastard! They are all wimps and posers! Haha!
Why is Sweden associated with pronmovies? Is it to keep warm in wintertime or having lots of aphrodisiacs?
You mean pornmovies? If yes it’s because we have manodepressive blond bitches!
Is it legal to smoke weed in Sweden? Do you blow yourself (and I mean a sigarette and not a job)?
No! It’s not legal to smoke weed in Sweden! And no I don’t smoke cigarettes! It’s for loosers! Ha ha! You can die you know....you’ll get cancer! And then u can listen to the Cancer song “CFC” Cancer fucking cancer!
The Swedish metal scene is well known for its sound. How do you try to avoid the cliches?
Well I don’t know, I guess we just don’t give a fuck about Swedish sound and go for the heavier sound...as long as it’s heavy then it’s ok!
How did you get into metal? Why choose for metal instead ABBA?
I got into metal by listening to KISS and then years go by listening to more brutal and faster stuff. Why choose metal instead of ABBA? Why not listen to both? You should be open minded!
But remember... Metal is the law! Death metal for life!
Do you think ABBA had any influences in the metal scene?
I guess yes because there are tribute albums for ABBA released by a big metal label! No name! Haha...
Do you notice differences between Swedish metal fans and from other countries?
Yes, underground in Sweden is fucked up...they are so trendy! Also they don’t know what the underground is and are so afraid to discover new bands. If you talk underground then it’s Cannibal Corpse. Cannibal Corpse may be underground but for me they are over-underground...if you know what I mean. There are tons of bands out there who’s better than Cannibal Corpse and those bands need more support then Cannibal Corpse because Cannibal Corpse guys can live on their music. And thats cool but support the other bands too!
Why did you not order a BRUTALISM shirt when I senda mailing around?
Because I’m into Cannibal Corpse and it’s underground! I don’t need other shirts as long as I have a Cannibal Corpse shirt! Haha...damn,,, I give a free ad here for Cannibal Corpse... hope they support IMMERSED IN BLOOD now! Haha!
Well, to be seriously I don’t know if I got that e-mail??? Maybe we can trade? I’m out of IMMERSED IN BLOOD shirts now but I’ll have more in stock soon!
Are you making any new material? Will it differ from previous material?
Yes, we are writing new shit and it will not differ, maybe faster and heavier but it will be bloody death metal the IMMERSED IN BLOOD way with no melodic shit!
What is your goal to reach in your musical career? What kind of sacrifices are you willing to make?
My goal? Maybe to play some shows in Japan. That would be soooo cool!
As for sacrifices.... I’ve sacrificed alot! I just hope that the rest of IMMERSED IN BLOOD is willing to make alot of sacrifice too! Only time shall tell!
If I say yes you say....
Then I say “Oh, really? You gonna walk from Holland to Sweden and back for only five dollars? And without any food or drink? Also without any sleep?” And wearing a golden earring with a tulip in your nose? Hahahahaha!
Can you give your definition of metal for life? When will it be a way of life?
My definition of metal for life is when you realise that you:
-can’t live without listening to Metal,
-can’t stop searching for newer bands
-can’t stop going to the shows
It will be a way of life when you have those three points and when you get older and still wear the metal shirts instead of getting “normal” clothes and become a trendy gay assholes.
Think you listen to metal when you are in retirement house?
Don’t know but I hope I do! Would be cool sitting there and listening to Suffocation!
Beside music you obvious can talk about other topics. What do you like to
talk about when:
* you are in a toplessbar? - When I’m in a topless bar I guess I can’t think straight so all I’ll talk about is tits and ass! Or how beatiful that bitch is etc...haha
* visiting your dememnted grandfather? - I don’t have a grandfather so I can’t visit him...maybe in afterlife?
* reaching ejalculation? - I want to talk about World War II... haha!
How do you spread the name of the band? How many albums must you have sold to be happy?
Well it’s hard to spread the name in the underground today because the kids are afraid to discover new bands but I don’t give a fuck about them because they are trend kids anyway! Those are the ones who will disappear from underground first!
But I try to spread the name IMMERSED IN BLOOD by making flyers and spread them at the shows, mail etc... answering interviews, making t-shirts etc...
I don’t care how many albums it must sell... Ask this question to our record label! Haha!
I’m happy as long as the buyers like our shit! And when they write to us and order our merchandise.
What did you bought from your first paycheck from your recordscompany?
Nothing because I don’t think I will see a paycheck! Haha!
Ever thought of writing a billion selling popsong under a pseudonym to get rich?
No, not really...
If money doesn't make people happy what else does?
A good question? Hahahahahahaha!
Or a great news like “George W Bush is dead!”, “Göran Persson is dead”, free drivers licence or why not free porn?
Any statement that would impress our intellectual knowledge?
Well what could that be? Jenna Jameson is beautiful!!!
Last rites?
Thank you Twan for this interview and the support! And thanx to you readers aswell! Check out our debut album “Killing Season” on Arctic Music/Frozen North Rec. Label is owned by Phil Fasciana of Malevolent Creation!!! Also check out our MCD “Relent Retaliation” on Downfall Records.
Get in touch if you wanna see IMMERSED IN BLOOD live in your kitchen or at your club/theater near you! We wanna play alot!!!
