After a devastating album like "Unlimited", norwegian metallers SUSPERIA come back again with their latest new job, "Cut From Stone". Hall of Metal didn't doubt a second in getting in touch with the quintet in order to chat with them about the course of the band, their actual position in the thrash/death scene, and specially, about their new album. The one in charge of answering our questions was Memnock, bassist of the band. Here you have the result of the questions round.

HoM - First of all, I'd like to greet you and thank you for this interview.

Hi, how are you man??

HoM - There was a great evolution in your sound between “Vindication” and “Unlimited”. What caused that change?

The main change is the fact that we used another studio. Also on the first two albums we had other producers. So I guess this is the main reason for the change in sound. With the music it was that everyone in Susperia was participating on Unlimited. We all did our best to make it as perfect as possible.

HoM - Sincerely, I was one of the listeners that made very surprised with “Unlimited” due to the combination of metal, thrash and melody was simply brilliant. In this “Cut from Stone”, I think you've followed those steps. Is it like that?

First of all thanks man. We feel like the new album is just as much SUSPERIA as the last one. With "Cut From Stone" we tried to keep certain elements in the music that can be recognised as SUSPERIA. We never try to make music just for the money or to please others, we make exclusively what we like best. And that's what happened with the new album. We always try to keep it interesting.

HoM - Tell me a bit about the writing process of the new album.

Well, Cyrus has his home studio where he records ideas. He then brings them to the band and we work through them.We analyse them and make changes where we feel it is needed. Everyone in the band had a part on this album. We didn't let any songs go through without everyones approval. We put a lot of time and effort into it. It took almost 2 years for the writing process, just to make sure that we were absolutely satisfied with the album (and we are). We didn't want to leave anything to chance!

HoM - How was working with Marius Strand? Any curious anecdote?

Working with Marius was great. He is the data and music nerd of the year. He just knows how everything works and if he doesn't he soon finds out. He's always playing about with some technical equipment. Marius did his best to make everything happen during the recording. He works like hell and is a perfectionist, always trying to improve things.We are very happy with his work.

HoM - You chose the well-known Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, SOILWORK) for the producing. Did you success in getting the sound you were looking for? With wich music label do you find more comfortable?

Daniel is a professional and to work with him was fantastic. He knows his stuff and he gave us the sound we were looking for. He adds a human feel to the sound. In the past we always used producers who give us a clinical digital sound. This time we wanted something a little different and Daniel gave it to us, so we are very happy about that man.
About the label, we are very happy to be on TABU Records where we are treated as a priority rather than just a band on a list of thousands. You can get lost within a label if they have too many bands.

HoM - The sound of “Cut From Stone” remids me a bit to the CHILDREN OF BODOM's “Hatre Crew Deathroll” one. What do you think about it?

I have never listened to CHILDREN OF BODOM but if you say so I guess it's right. It's just a coincidence that the sound may be similar.

HoM - The artwork has been designed by Runet Tyvold once again, but this time, it seems a bit weird to me. Wich is the meaning hidden behind your heads?

Yes Rune is a great guy, he has a lot of patience and always comes up with something good.The meaning is based on the idea that SUSPERIA are cut from stone and can not be wiped away just like that. We have had the same line up since the first album, so we are here to stay and will keep on giving you albums in the future while the demand is there.

HoM - In the new material, the TESTAMENT influences are quite obvious. What other bands have influenced you?

There are so many bands that we have been listening to through the years that I can't even start to think about them heheh. Everyone in the band has different musical tastes that to focus on any one band would be unfair.

HoM - In “Distant Memory” we hear some melodic passages that remaind to “Devil May Care”, Are you agree with this assert?

Hmmm, do you really think so ? I never really thought about that. I think the songs are totally different. We didn't intend to make a new "Devil May Care" this is just pure coincidence. But nevertheless they are both great songs and it is a nice comparison !

HoM - This new album is one of the heavies you've done, with songs like “More”, “The Clone”, “Life Deprived” or “Between The Lines”. Where do you take all that hate from?

It's just every day hate. If your pissed at your wife or a car that drove past you or what ever man... it's that kind of hate. The lyrics are just about every day happenings that's put together with aggressive music. It's a powerful combination. Hate is some thing we all feel from time to time. Don't you agree? We can deal with it through our music.

HoM - In “Between The Lines” there is a riff wich is quite similar to the one used by Alexi Laiho in “If You Want Peace Prepare For War”, have you realised it? Are you CHILDREN OF BODOM followers?

As I said before I've never listened to CHILDREN OF BODOM, I don't know who the guy is - sorry. I will have to go and check it out.

HoM - What are the “Cut From Stone” lyrics about?

Well, Athera writes all the lyrics and he uses his experiences of life as his inspiration. He also watches a lot of films so that also influences him. It will include feelings about hate, greed, beer, war... your every day fun!

HoM - Honestly, you seem to me one of the “new” bands with more personality in the european scene right now, where we find so much almost clonic bands. What do you think about this new wave of death/thrash in Europe? Do you like any band in special?

Thanks - I'm not a great listener any more - like you said there are too many clones. I used to have all the newest records but there is not time for me to go through all the new bands out there. I'm sure there are some killer bands out there but there are so many, it's difficult to find the diamond.

HoM - There is a danish band thah seems one of the best right now in Europe, they are MERCENARY. Have you heard something of them?

Yes, it is a band I have known since they started. Back in 96 I think it was. Nice guys and a great band.

HoM - Many of us think that metalcore is the american answer to the previously mentioned swedish death/thrash. What do you think about that style?

I never pay attention to the metalcore bands. I haven't heard of what's going on in that scene man - sorry. There is just so much music exploding around the world that it's difficult to watch everything.

HoM - Wich are your immediate plans after releasing “Cut From Stone”?

We are going out to tour around Europe. We will be out on the road with WASP then straight after that we have a short UK tour with ONSLAUGHT
Then we will see what happens but we are looking at the possibility of going to the USA and South America later this year.

HoM - Will your spanish fans be able to see you soon in our country?

It's a coincidence that you asked this question. I just heard today that our agent is actually talking to some promoters in Spain for some shows in the summer. So I will keep my fingers crossed that it happens. It would be cool to play for the Spanish fans.

HoM - Do you want to say something to the readers of Hall of Metal?

Never leave your enemy standing!!

HoM - That's all, thanks for your time, and our best wishes for you!

Right back at you - see yah!!

Questions by Lobo 

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