Interview with CHAOS ΕNTERNAL
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Interview with CHAOS ΕNTERNAL
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
When I was about 12 years old I had the opportunity to learn to play guitar. I loved it and it became the creative outlet I needed. I became unseparable from the guitar and I was introduced to bands like Kiss, Iron maiden, Metallica, Sepultura etc.
If I had not gotten into music I am fairly certain that I would be a writer because I would have needed that creative outlet.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
It all depends on my mood. When in a bad place I like to go outside and take a walk with music in my headphones. I also like horror movies and videogames. The walks is a good time to reflect and think about my current situation and what I can do to reach my goals. That sometimes leads me to write lyrics reflecting those thoughts. Horror movies and videogames are mostly a way to let the brain rest and just enjoy something. But I have written a song based on Hellraiser, not sure if I actually released that one, and also one song based on Nightmare on elm street.
How long has your band been around?
I started Chaos Eternal in 2014.
Where are you based and how did that influence your music?
I am based out of Ulricehamn, Sweden. It is a relatively small town with about 20000 inhabitants. There is a lot of nature here and that is always inspiring to me. I like to get out and just walk in the forest or down by the lake and figure stuff out.
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?
I wanted to have a name that reflected both me and my views but also what the band was supposed to be. There has always been chaos for me in one way or another, it reflects me very well. I wanted the band to be a vehicle for exploration across genres, so that is a element of chaos as well. So the name Chaos Eternal is a perfect name since there will always be chaos inside of me, around me and it connects to the band’s constant journey across the musical landscapes.
Tell me about your most memorable shows.
Since I am a one-man band I haven’t done any shows. But my most memorable show is the only time I actually played live. It was at a graduation the summer before high school(if we are using American terms). I had broken my leg so I sat way in the back not expecting to actually play since we only had rehearsed one time. But I was called to the stage so I sat on a chair playing guitar with an improvised pick made of paper. We played Nirvana’s Something in the way with the chorus being faster, harder and the vocals screamed. It went well and I enjoyed that feeling, sadly there has been no live shows after that. Maybe that will change one day, we will see!
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
I think that smaller venues would be my favorite because there always seems to be a special kind of feeling at those shows. Although with the right budget I would love bigger venues as well when you can do them justice with a proper theatrical show.
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
Devin Townsend would headline for sure. Behemoth, foo fighters, guano apes, and a reunited Pink Floyd would join us. There are so many bands I could have named here, but I tried to just pick a few across the styles of music I enjoy.
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
Be yourself, create the music that you enjoy. Never be afraid to explore new aspects or feelings in your music. The most important thing is to have fun doing it, if you don’t enjoy it it will just eat all your energy and you won’t get anything in return.
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
I wouldn’t want to fuck with the timeline so I would probably just tell myself that I should do my best and hang in there. Everything good and bad along the way has made me who I am today. Mistakes are our biggest source and catalyst for change!
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
This one is a hard question. Right now it is “Will you” on “The Journey Pt3: The path to the void”. Because I needed to write that song to remind me of why I have to keep fighting and avoid going down that path myself. But that won’t be released for a while so I will choose another as well. I really like the song “As good as it gets” on “The Journey Pt2: Higher and higher”. It is a very positive song and it gets a little crazy musically which I really love!
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
This one will have to be unanswered since I haven’t played live with Chaos Eternal.
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
Basically, I write lyrics whenever I get that hit of inspiration, mostly I use my smartphone to quickly write stuff down. Then I sit down in my home studio and I usually write and record the whole song in one session. That can take anything from 2-3 hours to 8-10 hours depending on the song.
I am inspired by many things lyrically. I base it upon myself or things happening around me.
Musically I am basically channeling it. Many times when I listen to the first mix of a song I don’t really remember writing it. Sometimes I just start playing something and it builds from there. I guess it is a mixture of channeling and my own inspirations and thoughts on music that form the final product. My inspiration comes from other musicians, life itself and basically anything can inspire I think if you are open to receiving that.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
It depends on the EP/Album I’m working on. The Journey is all about fighting through life living with a mental illness. When viewed in its full form it is a reminder that no matter how tough it gets you can fight back and find a way to enjoy life even though you are in pain. It explores some heavy things on the way, something I thought was essential, to show the darker sides some has to journey through before they get to brighter points in life.
Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?
You would expect me to say no on this one right? Since I am a one-man band, haha! But there are many disagreements with myself. Mostly it is that I think a certain part of a song sucks and I just don’t want to release it that way. Usually ends up with me letting the song rest for a bit and then when I listen to it I either instantly fall in love with it or I delete those parts and work something new in there.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
Right now the plan is to finish The Journey Quadrilogy. I have written Pt1-3 and The Journey Pt1: Through the maze & The Journey Pt2: Higher and higher are coming out on streaming services and stores the 25th of November! What happens after these four records are done I don’t really know right now, I am going to let that come to me when it is ready.
https://www.facebook.com/ChaosEternalBand
Chaos Eternal – Voices (Official Lyric Video)