As We Fight

18.04.2008 | Cam | 0 Comments

Sweden is widely regarded as Europe's metal mecca but there are a handful of bands working overtime to ensure that Denmark is put on the metal map.

As We Fight are one band who are well and truly flying the flag for their homeland...

Interview w/ As We Fight (Denmark)

By Cameron Chambers 
 

Your name please and what you do in As We Fight?

Hey, this is Jason the singer and Niller the drummer from As We Fight. 

Fill us in on the band's history: how you got together, line up changes etc...

JASON: In 2001 me and Martin O (guitars) got together one over a beer - or a lot of beers :-), and got talking about the shitty bands we were in at that moment. So, we decided to make a band of our own. I always wanted to try having 2 singers in a band, so I contacted Laurits Medom (vocals, 2001 – 2007) and asked him to join the band. And after some tryouts with a few guitar, bass players and drummers, we finally got our first real line-up. Which since has changed again.

The current line up is: Martin Olsen (2001-), Gun (guitars, 2004-), Soren Hvidt (bass, 2001-), Niller Plum (drums, 2006-), Jesper Gün (vocals, 2007-) and Me, Jason Campbell (vocals, 2001-). 

What was the first record you ever bought?

JASON: The first record I bought was D:A:D - No Fuel Left For The Pilgrims.

NILLER: I don’t remember the first record I bought. But I’m sure it was an Iron Maiden record. Yeah! 

At what point did you think it would be a good idea to join a metal band and spend your life on the road while being drunk and broke?

JASON: Well I like to get drunk, so I was on board right away. Haha! I have always been broke anyway.

NILLER: Hmm… Ever since I began playing the drums I wanted to go on tours, but I didn’t think it would be in a metal band till about 5 years ago, when I began playing in a band called Gabriel Is Bleeding with Jason and Gun.

JASON: We have always been a live band, so there was no doubt that this was what we wanted.  

Who or what are some of your influences, both as an individual and as a band?

JASON: The band is influenced by a lot of Swedish metal band, like The Haunted, At The Gates. But, also some American stuff like Himsa and Darkest Hour.

NILLER: My influences for my drum playing are Nicko Mcbrain, Eric Singer and Travis Barker.

JASON: Mine is Danzig, Chino Moreno, Trent Reznor and Rob Zombie. 

What separates As We Fight from the hordes of other metal bands who are currently out there?

First of all we have 2 singers. And every album sounds different... For example, The EP, “The Darkness of Apocalypse Has Fallen Before Us” (2003),is a bit more hardcore, and “Black Nails And Bloody Wrists” (2005, As We Fight’s first full length album) is a bit more metalcore. “Midnight Tornado” (2006) is more rock’n’roll oriented but still heavy. The upcoming album will be more metal. So, that’s what we think separates us from most other bands. 

Denmark isn't really well known for its metal scene. Was it difficult trying to get a band off the ground back home?

JASON: It wasn’t too difficult when we started since there were no other metalcore bands in Denmark back then, so our name came out pretty fast. 

Is there much support for metal bands in Denmark, both on a local scale and nationally?

NILLER: The support has grown bigger within the last couple of years. But still the people in Denmark aren’t as supportive as they are in countries like Germany. But I’m sure it will come eventually. 

If you could change anything about the current metal scene what would it be and why?

JASON: We’re happy with how things are at the moment. So, I don’t know what to change. 

Your most recent record “Midnight Tornado” has been out since October 2006. Are you guys currently writing for your next release and if so, when can we expect hear the finished product?

NILLER: We’ve just been to the studio recording the new album. I’m not sure when it will be released, since we don’t have a label right now. Hopefully, it will be released around the end of the summer or in the beginning of autumn.  

2007 has been a big year on the touring front for As We Fight, what have been some of the highlights?

JASON: Yeah definitely. We were on our first Danish headliner tour, followed by a 3 week European tour which was a lot of fun. But, also the Headbangers Ball Tour with Sick Of It All, Mnemic and Psyke Project was awesome! 

What are the band's plans for 2008? After touring with established US bands like Sick Of It All, AllThat Remains and The Black Dahlia Murder, will you guys be looking to hit the US sometime next year?

NILLER: Getting to play in the States would be great, but I’m not sure it will happen this year. It all depends on what label we will get with the new record. But, it would definitely be great touring the States. 

Who are some local bands from Denmark that you think people should check out?

JASON: Well there’s bands like Dawn Of Demise. (A great Danish death metal band!) www.myspace.com/dawnofdemise. Another band could be Invisius. (Some young guys playing Swedish inspired metal) www.myspace.com/invisius. In the future you should check out Destroyer boy, White Trash Rejects and Dead Icon. (Some of the other bands we play in) 

What have been your top 5 records of 2007?

JASON: My top 5 list for 2007 would have to be: Megadeath - United Abomination, Divine Heresy - Bleed The Fifth, Chimaira - Resurrection, Devil Driver - The Last Kind Words, Koldborn - The Uncanny Valley.

NILLER: Mine is: Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli, Sixx AM - The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, The Used - Lies For The Liars, The Ataris - Welcome The Night, Serj Tankian - Elect The Dead. 

If As We Fight could tour with any 3 bands, dead or alive, who would you take on the road and why?

JASON: Megadeath, the greatest band in the world! That’s why. :-) Grope, the greatest band in Denmark ever, and of course Pantera. :-D  

Have you or any other member of the band had any embarrassing on stage moments that you'd liketo share with us?

NILLER: There’s tons and most of them include nudity. Haha! ;-) I have also gotten too drunk to play a show in Italy. Oops..! :-P 

Which member of As We Fight has the worst habits on tour?

JASON: It has to be Gun for farting 24/7, or me for drinking a bottle of vodka a day.

Hehe… Niller snores like a walrus. 

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks for the interview! Hopefully, we’ll get to tour Australia very, very soon! Yeah!!! :-D

For more info on As We Fight head to www.myspace.com/aswefight or www.aswefight.com.