Metal regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
Interview with Henrik Guitarist for Deus Otiosus done by Patrick
1.Hello Henrik when did you first meet the other members of Deus Otiosus ?
“Hey man, our other guitarist Peter Engkjær is my brother so we’ve known each other always. Our drummer (Jesper Olsen) and bassplayer (Jesper Holst) I’ve met through him. But before that I met Anders Bo Rasmussen as we were writing for the same Danish metal magazine back in the days. Anders and I started Deus Otiosus as a studio project and recorded the demo like that with a session drummer. The albums we’ve done as a full band with only a couple of line-up changes.”
2.What is the current line up for Deus Otiosus ? For the readers who have never heard Deus Otiosus how would you describe the music?
“The current line-up is:
Anders Bo Rasmussen – Vocals
Henrik Engkjær – Guitars
Peter Engkjær – guitars
Jesper Holst – bass
Jesper Olsen – drums.
We’ve been so lucky to hold that line-up for the past two albums. I would simply describe it as old schooled death metal, but retaining our creative freedom. We are not bound by any rules but have our own personality and style.”
3.How did you all come in contact with Graham and Deepsend Records? This is your second release for Deepsend will you work with them for the next releases?
“We sent Deepsend an advance copy of our last album “Rise” and they responded quickly offering us a deal, so we agreed! We sent them a promo because we thought they had done a good job for other Danish bands and I think we found a good and fair deal. The deal is for the two albums “Godless” and “Rise”, so nothing is certain about the future. We’ll see!”
4.Deus Otiosus just released their third cd "Rise" how long did it take to write the music for the new release? Does the whole band work on the music or does one member usually write everything?
“We have written the songs during 2 years. The was only 1,5 years between the recording of “Godless” and “Rise”, but the “Godless” recordings were delayed for half a year, so during this time, I was already writing for the next album. I have written all the music and most of the lyrics. But once the songs are written I bring them to rehearsals and we arrange the songs together as a band.”
5.Who usually takes care of the lyrics for the band?How has the response been from the fans and the press?
“I have written most of the lyrics too. “Vultures” was written by our bassplayer, Jesper, though. The lyrics incorporate a wide range of themes from mythology, violence, war, history and philosophy but they are all gathered under the theme of the band: The sinister things that go on in a world unguided by any god and where mankind is left to fend for itself.”
6.Does Deus Otiosus have any tours or shows planned for "Rise" ?If yes where are some places/countries you will be playing?
“We have already been playing a mini-tour in Denmark as well as the Metal Magic Festival and a warm up show in Copenhell. But now we would like to come abroad and it would be cool to come back to Germany for example this year! We will announce later this what we will find out.”
7.Who are some bands you all have shared the stage with? If you could set up a dream tour/show who are some bands{past or present} you would love to play with?
“We have played with bands like Exhumed, Sonne Adam, Corpus Mortale, Dawn Of Demise. I think the best bands today are Morbid Angel, Absu, Macabre, Melechesh, Entombed, Aura Noir and Grand Magus so it would be great to play with one or more of them! But it’s not too important who the other bands on the bill are, we just want to bring the fire and flame to the stage.”
8.What does the term Underground Metal mean to you?
“Metal that is not within the mainstream. Usually a rawer, perhaps more old school sound. It’s a stylistic alternative. These days however I only think in two categories of music: Good and bad. There are some good (and mostly bad) bands both in the underground and mainstream categories.”
9.Henrik you and Deus Otiosus come out of Denmark what is your opinion of Denmark metal scene?
“Very many bands and very few fans! Does that sound familiar? I think it’s mostly like many other places, but not that many people are into metal in Denmark compared to our neighboring countries like Sweden and Germany. I suppose the Danish bands in general are not too successful in gaining attention abroad. Otherwise there are metal gigs all the time here in Copenhagen, but most of them are not that interesting and many suffer from poor turnouts.”
10.Who are your all-time favorite bands out of Denmark ?Are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
“Well, like most other people I think the best Danish bands are Mercyful Fate and King Diamond. There’s really no surprise there. If you’re thinking of a newer/smaller band, you should give Strychnos a listen!”
11.Henrik you handle the guitars for the band when did you become interested in playing the guitars?Are you self taught or did you take lessons when first starting out?
“I have taken lessons at one point, but mostly classical guitar. Metal I’ve taught myself. I’ve also played other instruments like drums back in the day, but I’ve only kept up
with the guitar. I suppose I stuck with that instrument as it is the “song-writing instrument” for extreme metal. And I’m probably spending more time working on new songs than actual practice these days.”
12.Henrik who are some of your influence's/favorite guitarist?Do you play any other instruments?
“Not anymore, today I only play the guitar. That’s more than enough for me. Favorite guitarists? That’s pretty hard, anyone who can play a good song. But I must admit I find the duo of Tipton and Downing in Judas Priest to be unbeatable. When you listen to the leads of “Ram It Down” and “Painkiller” you know that you can never do just as good. So technique was not my way. I’ve tried to focus on writing some good songs instead. Not that Priest don’t have good songs too. They obviously have great ones!!”
13.Henrik do you or any of the members of Deus Otiosus currently work with any other bands? If yes please tell the reader's about them?
“Yes, but they are not really metal. Anders has an electronic project called Quatum and Jesper Olsen plays the drums in a rock band called Black Succubi. It should be easy enough to look them up I guess. The rest of us are focusing only on Deus Otiosus and that is more than enough for me!”
14.Henrik what do you enjoy doing in your free time when not working on band stuff?
“Working and being a father. There’s not much time beyond that. In fact I’ve stopped most other free-time activities to focus the excess time that have on that which is my most important pastime: Writing music and playing in the band.”
15.Thank you Henrik for taking the time to fill out this Interview.Do you have any final comments for the readers?
“Thanks you very much for taking the time and having interest in the band to do this! Cool interview, man. Readers: Be sure to listen at least once to our new album “Rise”. If you don’t have it yet just look it up on Bandcamp or wherever you go. This album might just make a difference for you.”
Label Contact
http://www.deepsend.com/
Band Contact
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