THE HAUNTED

ANDERS BJÖRLER

Many things have happened lately for the members in The Haunted. They have been nominated for a Swedish grammy in the category of best hard rock act with their new album "The Haunted Made me do it", but that is not all, two new tours have been arranged for the hyped thrash band in Sweden. In february, The Haunted & the Nile are going for a European tour and one month later it's time for a Scandinavian tour with Nine & Nasum.

As some of you know The Haunted was the band that rose from the ashes when Death metal-legends At the Gates disbanded. I've talked with The Haunted's guitarist and founder: Anders Björler.

The Haunted

I've heard that the Haunted are going on a European tour with Nile in February, But can a European tour with Nile really top the U.S. tour with the thrashers Testament?

-No not really, but we must play more in Europe, because we haven't been on a European tour with the Haunted yet. We have only played a few gigs, in England, Holland, Dynamo and in France with Entombed. We have waited a long time to play in for example Germany, but we have never got the oppurtunity

What is the plans for the future then, after the touring, will there be a third album?

-Yes, but we haven't wrote any new material yet. We expect that the writingprocess to start during the touring this spring. And then the Autumn 2001 we'll get down to business again, and work on our next album. And that will probably take a while, but maybe Christmas 2001 or the spring 2002 it will probably be out in the stores.

What do you think about the metalscene today, when U.S.A. more or less have been invaded by industrial sounding music with everything from Marilyn Manson to Korn & Limp Bizkit. Is there any hope for us "thrashers"?

- I hope so, We will always have thrash as the main influence no matter what. We are created in the school of thrash, just like bands like Metallica, Slayer, Exodus & Testament. And that shows in our music.

The Haunted is one of many bands from Sweden, so what do you think about the Swedish metalscene?

- It sucksssssss, even in foreign countries.......

How old where you when you started to play guitar?

- About 17 I think, 11 years ago......

And who has inspired you most as a musician?

- Maybe the duo Kerry King / Jeff Hannemann (Slayer) or James Hetfield / Kirk Hammett (Metallica), at least when I started to play. but I like other musicstyles too, like: Robert Fripp (King Crimson) & Steve Howe (YES) e.t.c.....

And now to the impossible question, What do you think about your latest release (Made me do it), Is it as great as your debut?

- I think that Made me do it is very good. I've got no favourite of those two.

The Haunted Made Me Do It

You guys have been nominated for the best hard rock act in the Swedish grammy nominations, How do you feel about that?

- It feels great, even though no-one seems to care about the hardrock category, heavy metal should take more space in all media, right now the hardrock category takes up about 0,5% of the whole grammyshow.

That was all, thank you!

- Thanks, see ya!

By/ Ruthless

(10-01-2001)