Since Unmoored isn´t yet that well known in Finland, would you please give us a “brief” history
lesson about the band.
(Christian answering)
Sure! We started off back in the winter of 1993/94. Recorded three demos between 1994and 1997.
Signed to the Singaporian label Pulverised Records, in the summer of 1997. Recorded our
debut-album, "Cimmerian", at Sunlight studios later that same year. Went through some line-up
changes and then recorded our second opus, called "Kingdoms Of Greed", at studio Abyss, at the end of 1999. Went through some more line-up changes, before recording the promo, simply called
"Promo 2001", which eventually got us signed to Code666 at the beginning of 2002. Indefinite
Soul-Extension was recorded at the Abyss studios and Cristeria Mastering, in the
winter of 2002/03.

The name, Unmoored, is somewhat interesting. Please explain that. :D
(Christian answering)
Its meaning is not important. We just thought it sounded cool, so it stuck. I'm afraid that's
all there's to it:)

It seems that your new album, “Indefinite Soul-Extension” has got a lot of good reviews and
more attention than the previous recordings (at least here in Finland :)). Have you felt the
same way and what did you do differently with this album to deserve this growing attention?
Did finding a European label affect the amount of attention?
(Henrik answering)
Yeah, the respone has been fucking amazing. In almost every review, we´ve been top rated! I
think the main reason to why we get more attention this time around, is because of the
labelshift. Pulverised distribution was not that good. Code666 is much better in that area, as
well as in many other areas. Another reason is that we hopefully did a kick-ass album! We are
very satisfied with it. We see it as a face-lift from the last release. I assume that it is on
these grounds that we´ve got the new amount of attention.

Where does Unmoored take it´s influences from?
(Christian answering)
You mean, where "don't" we take our influences from...hehe! We are all very open-minded, which
you can hear in our music. We basically incorporate whatever we think sounds cool, into our
material, inspite of what it may be influenced by or which genre it may be flirting with. We
are not only thinking in ways of metal when we write our songs, we think in ways of music.

Why should metal heads take a listen with the band, what makes you different and special from
the rest of the scene?
(Henrik answering)
Today many bands play melodic death metal, leaning more towards the new-school vein. We on the
other hand, are much more into the old-school style of death metal.
We also mix alot of different styles into our music. The foundation is of course death metal,
but there are also traces of progrock & black metal for instance. The songs are quite long,
with complex and varied structures, which also helps separating us from other melodic death
metal bands.

What is the basic philosophy behind the band?
(Christian answering)
Being honest in what we do, no matter what! Honesty always pays off in the end!

How did the band develop from a more conventional and perhaps a bit more traditional metal act
into such a well-crafted, many-sided death metal machinery?
(Henrik answering)
It is basically a driving force, to progress and always taking the music one step further.
Then of course, there's all the hours of blood, sweat and tears in the rehearsal-room...hehe!

How important was Jocke Petterson´s talent during this development process? Do you think you
could have reached a higher level with Niclas Wahlén in drums for example?
(Christian answering)
Jocke did a great job on "Kingdoms Of Greed", that's for sure. He really made us understand the
importance of having a talented drummer, when it comes to developing within the realms of death
metal. He made that album to what it is today and he definately made us take a gigantic step in
the right direction, in more ways than one! Niclas would never have been able to do that, like
Jocke did and that's basically why he had to go. There simply was no future with Niclas in the
band.

You had a lot of “turbulence” around the band between “Kingdoms of Greed” and the new album:
Rickard and Torbjörn left and new guys came in, and your previous label, Pulverised, went
defunct. If I´m correct, Christian also had some trouble with his throat a year ago. How did
all that affect besides just delaying the release of “Indefinite Soul-Extension”?
(Henrik answering)
It actually affected us in a very positive way. First of all, we went separate ways with
the former members, as good friends. After that we found a kick-ass lead guitarist that simply
shreds. Just listen to the album and you'll see what I mean:) Code666 is a much better label
than Pulverised ever was, in every aspect. Concerning Christian's fucked up throat, it's now a
thing of the past. The vocals you will hear on Indefinite Soul-Extension will explain what I
mean:)

Since Christian's vocals range from deep growling to almost Micke Åkerfeldt –like great clean parts, I
have to know, has Christian taken singing lessons?
(Christian answering)
No, I havent! I've had like 10 years to practise, so I guess it's finally starting to pay
off:)

Will we hear more of that clean stuff in the future, and will there be “Final State pt IV”?
(Christian answering)
Clean vocals have always been an important element in our music. Already back in 1994, on our
very first demo, there were some clean vocals to be found. We've always incorporated them into our music and we will most likely keep on doing so in the future as well. There will not be a
new "Final State" though!

I couldn´t help noticing in the thanks list that Tomas Johansson mentioned his gratitude to
Christian for letting him be a part of Christian's vision. Is Unmoored a one-man-show (like Death, Opeth
etc.) when it comes to song writing? :D
(Henrik answering)
There is quite a long geographical distance between me and the others. Becuase of this we can
not rehearse very often. Christian wrote all music and lyrics for "Indefinite Soul-Extension",
but in the end I put my touch to the songs, drumwise, while Thomas shreds amazing guitarsolos. For the next album we will work more as a unit!

As far as I know, you´re still short of a bass player. Are you going to recruit one and are you
going play live gigs in the near future?
(Henrik answering)
Some touring would be really cool to do, since we´ve not been playing live that much with
Unmoored. Nothing's planned at the moment though. We just have to keep our fingers crossed and
hope that something will come up. For now, there are no plans in recruiting a full-time
bassplayer. If we were to go out on a smaller tour, we´d probably use a sessional bassplayer,
but if there would be a matter of more consistent touring, we would most likely have to take it
up for discussion again.

Though the whole metal scene has grown unbelievably popular than ever in Finland, getting gigs
for death metal bands here is very hard, especially if you haven´t got a deal yet, and even
that doesn´t guarantee that you get to play live. How are things in Sweden in your opinion?
(Henrik answering)
It´s exactly the same thing here. It´s almost impossible to get a gig if you aren't a signed,
well-known band. The only place to score gigs at is in drug-free clubs and the like, but no one
will go to a metalshow if they aren't allowed to drink beer:)

Does Gothenburg still mean that much in Sweden and do you feel it´s almost a burden today?
(Henrik answering)
I don´t really think about it that much. Of course there is still a big scene there, but
nowadays new talented bands tend to pop up in Sweden, just about anywhere, so I guess it´s a bit toned down. We are not in the traditional "gothenburg"-sounding genré with unmoored either,
so it doesn´t feel like a burden.

Christian has a lot of other stuff going on aside. Is Unmoored your main band and don´t
you think that dividing your musical talent and resources to other bands might damage or
weaken the power of Unmoored?
(Christian answering)
First of all, as goes for giving priority, I treat all the bands I'm involved with, equally.
They are all equally important. Still it can be a bit tough sometimes, writing new material to
several bands at the same time, but strange to say, that's the way I like it:) I've actually
come to depend on the pressure, that having many bands puts on you, in order to motivate my
creativity.

Since those other bands came up in this interview, what kinda stuff will your latest invention,
Torchbearer be?
(Christian answering)
Torchbearer is a death/thrash metal band, incorporating some black metal elements, into the
music. It's pretty brutal and straightforward. You'd like it:)

Do we have to wait for a follow-up for “Indefinite Soul-Extension” as long as we had to wait
now?
(Christian answering)
I don't think so! We've talked about recording a new one towards the end of 2004, which would mean a new album would see the light of day, some time around the late spring of 2005. Nothing
is confirmed yet though!

In conclusion I have a few words listed here and you can say whatever comes to mind when you
read them:
(Henrik answering)
Abyss: Kick-ass studio with a crazy and talanted producer (Tommy Tägtgren)
Contrast: To make things interesting, contrast are always important and needed!
Tuska Festival: Never been there. Probably an awesome festival!

If you have something to make clear or something to ask, please do so. Thank you very much for your trouble guys and keep up the good work with the band!
Thank you Marko for your shown interest and for helping us spreading the word. Cheers!