Seventh One is a relatively new band. Can you as an introduction tell something about how you got started for those of the readers that have still to discover you? Did any member of the band play before in other bands?

Well, Seventh One got started in 1997 by me and other guitarist Christoffer and we soon found members to fit our concept. We entered a music competition here on the west coast of Sweden and walked out with 3 top prices, amongst others, Best band!!! We realized that heavy metal was on the rise and saw the oppertunity to start seriously and got to work with songs, and after some up and downs, I got in touch with Lars Ratz and he liked what he heard and got us a deal with Massacre Records and here we are. Myself's been in Decameron and Power Unit before, I also been helping out in Wolf, Tobbe use to be in Dissection and Decameron, Rino was in a band called Anguish and Chriss has been in so many bands I even can't remember them, same goes for Jörgen...

How would you describe the music that Seventh One creates?

Well, let's face it; Heavy Metal's been around for somewhat 30 years now, so it's nothing new, and we're not trying to be "new"!!! We're just trying to play the music we live and die for: Metal!!! It comes out as Heavy Metal with an attitude and a "drive" that I think many bands are missing today. We can go fast, we can go heavy... we can go FASTER, we can go HEAVIER!!!! You have to realize that this isn't something we just DO, this is something WE ARE!!! If you like the harder and rawer side of heavy metal? then you like us!!!!!!!!!

What bands have influenced both you in your guitar playing and the band as a whole?

When I started I was listening to a lot of different bands like Kiss, Iron Maiden, Morbid Angel, Forbidden, Metallica, Helloween, King Diamond and more so I guess that's the reason why I started. The band as a whole share the same "favourite" bands, so to speak. Everything from early seventies stuff like: Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple through the heroes of the eighties to today's stuff like Soilwork, Symphorce, Annihilator, Nocturnal rites, Dimmu Borgir!!!! If it's Metal, WE like it!!! No god damn NU-metal crap though... it makes us puke........ it's for weak people without a personality!!!

Massacre Records signed the band at the end of last year. What kind of deal do you have with them?

A very good one, I must say! We signed for 3 albums and the budget's really good...makes us buy all the beer we want.

Your debut album "Sacrifice" will be released soon, are you satisfied with the final result?

VERY MUCH!!! The way Mr. Ratz produce is great. He made us give 110% and I think we can be proud of the result. It came out as heavy as we wanted it and the sound is really powerfull. It was very relaxing so we had the time to go through all the songs and really "work" on them.

What can we expect from it musically? Which topics are expressed through the lyrics?

We all do our best so you will get a musical trip that many bands are lacking. Due to the time spent in the studio, we made everything as good as we could so I believe we performed good. We got big choirs and fierce drums that put a new dimension to our metal. The lyrics deal with ancient's stories, feelings, belief and so forth...metal lyrics with a twist!!! When Rino writes the lyrics he really shuts himself out and make them just as he wants them...he's very good at that!!!

Have you included on the album any songs from your demos? If so, have they been modified in any way?

We have, and yes they are touched up. Not "redone" so to speak, just made better!!! You'll like them...

Which of the songs is your favourite at this very moment?

All of them!!! But I guess "The Fall" will be a killer song to play live!!!!

How did you hook up with Lars from Metalium to produce the album? Any anecdotes about the recording? ;)

Well, I got in touch with him when they played Sweden Rock Festival (which all of you should attend) in 2001. We got drinking and I told him about my band and he wanted to produce the album if we got a deal and we did!!!!!!!! Anecdotes? well, we taped all his stuff (shoes, chair, etc.) to the floor... pretty fun!!! By the way, did you know that he's the biggest Bonfire fan??? What went on our spair time is censured... I'll tell you personally when we rock your town...

And after your album released, plans to make a tour? If you could choose any band to tour with who would it be?

It's all up to Massacre, really. It all depends on how good we do in the charts. So all you metalheads out there: be sure to pick up the album so we can come and bang our heads and drink with you!!! Well, now that King Diamond is on Massacre, I would love us to do a tour with them. I would watch King put his make up on every night...hahahaha!!!!

What do you think about the metal scene in Sweden?

The scene is really good when it comes to the bands and the metal community here. It sucks though, when it comes to support from the local departments, so to speak. If someone want a metal show somewhere...be sure that someone's always trying to work against it. But in the end, strength always prevails!!!

What is the best newcomer you have heard?

Newcomer band? I think Stormwarrior did a good album and I must say that the comeback album from Grave, really kicks arse!!!!!!!

Which are your three favourite albums in Heavy Metal history and why?

"Creatures Of The Night" (KISS): Because that was the first album I bought. I was 7 years old and I couldn't belive how good it was. I still have the exact same vinyl today!!!!

"Them" (King Diamond): Just a killer album with great guitar work from one of Sweden's finest guitar players: Andy LaRocque and it scared the hell out off me when it came out. Ever seen the tea cup rise before you?...

"Metal Heart" (Accept): Just the title makes you wanna bang your head!!!

Thanx for taking the time to do this, Johannes. Any message for the end?

Check out our album on the 28th of October, I'm sure it's your cup of blood!!! And a big thanx to the metal scene for supporting Seventh One and metal in general, and to you, Marina!!! Hope to see ya all down the pub!!!!!!!!! Check out our new website.

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