Swallowed are one of the best death metal bands out there right now, despite having a name that brings to mind blowjobs. Alongside some of their Scandinavian counterparts--think Obliteration, Diskord, etc.--they're basically reinventing the genre, or rather, redefining it. I spoke to guitarist and scribe Samu Salovaara earlier in the week about the past, present and future of their music, urges for black mass, and the influence of alchemy.Vice: Your sound has evolved a lot since your first demo in 2007. Is that due to the new members you've added, or just an obvious path for you as musicians?
Samu Salovaara: Both. It's always been clear what the primal emotion we wanted to carry was, but of course the pathway is not always so clear. The songwriting is still basically done by me and Ville, as it has been since 2008's "Epitaph Of Nauseation" demo. There hasn't been any major influence from other members in that respect, but it builds a different atmosphere when we all play together.Your style in the beginning was heavily influenced by Autopsy. Are they one of the main reasons you started the band?
It's not as blunt as "WE PLAY AUTOPSY," but our spirit is so in tune with theirs it was almost inevitable.What are your influences outside of metal? Drugs? Movies? Nature?
Drugs, as gateways into the primal matter, yes. Paintings, nature, movies--every higher action tells us something about our own music.How will your sound develop on your forthcoming LP?
This sound will go on, however it's clear that development will be towards ever subtler planes.Where will you be recording this album?
Undecided, as yet. We've been thinking of an analogue studio outside of Helsinki, but no decisions have been made. Of course, the temptation is to record it by ourselves in peace and quiet away from a sound guy. Who is your chief songwriter?
I build the pillars of the song with riffs, after that there might be the contribution of additional riffs from other members too, or just basic ideas. Structures are more Ville's forte, but we cooperate on them. Basically, it's me and Ville doing all the composing.Do you have any rituals to uphold when songwriting?
The urge to conduct a black mass prior and post has not yet materialized.Earlier this year you played the prestigious Kill-Town Deathfest in Denmark alongside Miasmal, Maim, Putrid and Obliteration, to name a few. How was that?
It was very cool for a festival. A very positive atmosphere. We had some problems with our soundcheck so the sound wasn't as good as we'd hoped, but it still sounded pretty necro.What bands are you interested in at the moment? Anything new from Finland we should be keeping an eye on?
Just the same--Beherit.Lastly, why the name Swallowed?
The alchemical stage between Solve et Coagula.Listen: SWALLOWED - "THE DYING MISTED IN THE BLOODSTREAM" [audio:http://viceland-assets-cdn.vice.com/music/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/03-the-dying-misted-in-the-bloodstream_master.mp3]†ROCKWELL†
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Samu Salovaara: Both. It's always been clear what the primal emotion we wanted to carry was, but of course the pathway is not always so clear. The songwriting is still basically done by me and Ville, as it has been since 2008's "Epitaph Of Nauseation" demo. There hasn't been any major influence from other members in that respect, but it builds a different atmosphere when we all play together.Your style in the beginning was heavily influenced by Autopsy. Are they one of the main reasons you started the band?
It's not as blunt as "WE PLAY AUTOPSY," but our spirit is so in tune with theirs it was almost inevitable.What are your influences outside of metal? Drugs? Movies? Nature?
Drugs, as gateways into the primal matter, yes. Paintings, nature, movies--every higher action tells us something about our own music.How will your sound develop on your forthcoming LP?
This sound will go on, however it's clear that development will be towards ever subtler planes.Where will you be recording this album?
Undecided, as yet. We've been thinking of an analogue studio outside of Helsinki, but no decisions have been made. Of course, the temptation is to record it by ourselves in peace and quiet away from a sound guy. Who is your chief songwriter?
I build the pillars of the song with riffs, after that there might be the contribution of additional riffs from other members too, or just basic ideas. Structures are more Ville's forte, but we cooperate on them. Basically, it's me and Ville doing all the composing.
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The urge to conduct a black mass prior and post has not yet materialized.Earlier this year you played the prestigious Kill-Town Deathfest in Denmark alongside Miasmal, Maim, Putrid and Obliteration, to name a few. How was that?
It was very cool for a festival. A very positive atmosphere. We had some problems with our soundcheck so the sound wasn't as good as we'd hoped, but it still sounded pretty necro.What bands are you interested in at the moment? Anything new from Finland we should be keeping an eye on?
Just the same--Beherit.Lastly, why the name Swallowed?
The alchemical stage between Solve et Coagula.Listen: SWALLOWED - "THE DYING MISTED IN THE BLOODSTREAM" [audio:http://viceland-assets-cdn.vice.com/music/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/03-the-dying-misted-in-the-bloodstream_master.mp3]†ROCKWELL†
