Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

DEALS DEATH was born in 2007 when Erik Jacobson, originally from Gothenburg, began to make death metal music at the music university called “Boomtown” in Borlänge, Sweden. Several members from the metal band Sabaton were a part of the line up in the beginning. Band’s second album, entitled “Elite” will be released worldwide in March via Spinefarm Records. MSFinland’s Kostya Aronberg had a chance to interview Deals Death’s guitarist Erik Jacobson, here’s what they talked about…

1. Hi Erik, welcome to metal Shock Finland, How are you?

Hello Kostya and thank you! Im doing great! I have been busy as hell but finally things are under control.

2. Let’s begin with a history part – tell us how Deals Death actually was born?

The band was not actually a “band” in the beginning. It started out as a project when I attended a music school called Boomtown. In my class were members from Sabaton and we got together to play some heavy metal! But when they got more and more stuff to do I started writing heavier music and with some help from my other classmates we recorded the first album “Internal Demons”. I think that is when Deals Death officially formed. After I was done with my studies I moved back to Gothenburg and found some new members and we simply continued on the road that was before us.

3. Which genre can you describe your music, and WHY Deals Death??? How did you choose the name?

If I were to put our music in a genre it would be Melodic Death Metal. I kind of find it hard to put genres on music these days. Everything seems to be a mix of everything, but we like it big, brutal and melodic.
The name Deals Death popped into my head in a dream I had. In this dream I was told of a prophecy by a shadowy figure, a creature. It was one of those dreams that seems so real you think it is actually reality. It was freaky… Anyway, this beeing touched my forehead and whispered “Deals Death” and I woke up with a bang and thought “why the hell not?” And whenever I look at our logo, I feel that there is something strange about those letters… Something about their structure.

4. In your first album “Internal Demons” there is a special guest – Alexander Kuoppala (ex. Children of Bodom). How did you meet him?

After I was done with my millitary service in the Swedish Marines, I wanted to pick up on my guitarplaying again. (there weren’t much time in the army) And I read on the internet that Alexander had quit COB and was teaching guitar classes in Espo, Finland. I didn’t know what school it was so I simply searched every school in Espo and I finally found the right one. After some e-mailing I went over to Finland for a couple of weeks for some private lessons with Alexander. And that is how we know each other. We still keep in touch every now and then. (Especially during the world cup final in hockey when Sweden played against Finland).

5. You’re satisfied with the album, or would you make it better in these days?

Internal Demons turned out quite well. I never thought that people would enjoy it so much. I personally can never fully enjoy the songs. I always hear tiny things that I think sound bad or could have been done better. But that is also what drives me. Never to be fully satisfied, but damn close! I think that goes for most musicians. But I do feel proud of our first album. It is a piece of our history and we wouldn’t be here without it. And some of my favorite songs to play live is on that album.

6. Let’s talk about your second album “Elite” now. Tell us about the creation process.

Elite was written over a period of about 1 year. We had a lot of time and we changed a lot of riffs and tried different things. Almost to the point were we had to say NO to any more changes. We wanted to make something that would blow people’s guts out! And I’m really happy we took the time to do it. It’s a really great album and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We had A LOT of problems during the recording tough. Everything from broken output jacks to misunderstandings with people involved. But the thing I remeber most is the fact that my Father died during the recordings… He suffered from cancer and went really ill. So I traveled back and forth between the studio and the hospital and I was really fucked up. But my Father said to me before he died that he wanted us to finish the album. He didn’t want to be the reason if we were to cancel the making of Elite. Then one night when me and Janne were recording drums, my sister called from the hospital and just said “He is dead..” At that moment I felt a kind of reality that I haven’t felt before. “This is fucking real!” I felt that I wouldn’t let go of the Elite album. “This one is for my Father”. And that feeling is acting like a fuel for me. I would never throw this chance away. My Father gave his last moments just so we could finish the album. That is something to honor and fight for.

7. In April 2011 the band released a clip for a song “Fortified” from the album. Tell us about the shooting process.

The video was shot by Rene Valdes from Greenworks in the basement of our rehearsal studio. We got in contact with Rene through a common friend and got a great deal. It was a fun day full of headbanging and dirt! We didn’t use any actual makeup, we took water and mixed it with the dirt on the floor to make this smelly, foul and black gew which we then smeared all over ourselves. Combined with sweat and blood I think it worked out really well and I’m very happy with the result. I personally like performance videos. It brings the band closer to the people who are watching and that is important to me. I want people to be a part of what we do. To get them to feel united at a show for example. I dont want to be this “rockstar” who runs straight to the backstage area after a show. I want to meet and talk to the people who are attending and grab a beer and just have a good time, you know.

8. What plans the band has for 2012?

We have got a lot of plans for 2012 and we will be working hard as hell to turn them into reality. Elite is to be released worldwide in March via Spinefarm records and we are really exited about it! We have also got some really cool festival shows coming up this summer. Personally I’m looking forward to Rockstad Falun. I’ve lived in Falun for 2 years and it is a bit like coming home and meeting up with old friends and have one big party! We also hope to be able to go on tour and promote the hell out of Elite.

9. The band members are friends of Sabaton and Desert. How did you meet those guys, and how they are in the real life?

I got to know the Sabaton guys when we went to the same school. And we got together and created some heavy tunes. We had a lot of fun those days. The guys in Sabaton are a happy bunch and there is never a dull moment when they are around. Desert played at the same festival (Rockstad Falun) as us in 2011 and we drank some beer together:) They are really nice guys.

10. Thanks for the interview Erik!! And finally, some words for our readers..

Happy to answer your questions! And I want to thank all the people who are supporting us! It truly means a lot to us! Now brace yourselves and get ready for ELITE in March 2012!
Blood and beer!
Erik – Deals Dea

Interview by Kostya Aronberg

Deals Death – Fortified – Official video