DAN SWANÖ: 'I Was NOT Trying To Pussify BLOODBATH'

Swedish producer/multi-instrumentalist Dan Swanö has commented on his departure from BLOODBATH.

In a statement released earlier today by the other members of the band, BLOODBATH attributed Swanö's exit to "restrictions on his behalf to devote more time and effort to the future of this project that it would require by taking things to the next level i.e. touring and playing live. Moreover, his future vision for BLOODBATH's concept proved to head in the almost opposite direction as his desire for death metal was to be of a less brutal kind, something the remaining members regard as musical differences not interesting to pursue."

Responding to BLOODBATH's statement regarding his departure, Swanö has posted the following message on his official forum:

"I figured there would be a lot of questions circulating about 'me out of BLOODBATH' so I just would like to make a few comments before the rumours kicks in.

I received an email from Blakkheim today where I saw that my services as a member of BLOODBATH were no longer required.

"I must admit I didn't see that one coming!! But... I can totally see what the other guys are thinking about. (Tried to do the same to the EDGE OF SANITY guys in '97... but that one backfired pretty badly... ha, ha!!)

"Blakkheim and Jonas are touring musicians, living off their metal and I would just be 'in their way' with the constant, 'Sorry I can't go on tour because bla bla bla,' that's cool.

"Concerning the musical differences, I am a bit confused. As far as I can remember, I haven't even discussed the direction of my future BLOODBATH tracks. The announcement says that I tried to get BLOODBATH in a 'Moontower'/'Crimson' direction... That is not right... I have toyed with the idea to make a new album, using my own name, and revisit the style of those albums... Oh yes... What is a bit funny is that I actually wanted to write a bit more brutal songs for BLOODBATH the next time. I got inspired by working with the COLDWORKER album and the urge to write some complex, fast fucken brutal death came creeping back. (I have not always written 'TRL' death metal, you know... INFESTDEAD and some of the early EDGE OF SANITY material is kind of brutal, isn't it???)

"Anyway. I just wanted to clarify that I was NOT trying to pussify BLOODBATH and therefore got kicked out... Where this rumour came from and how the guys (without asking) just decided that I was on a different level musically... remains a mystery.

"I wish the guys all the best and hope they ask nice if they can play my songs live for you guys."

BLOODBATH's latest album, "Nightmares Made Flesh", received a U.S. release in March 2005 via Century Media Records. Due to the long gap between the European and North American release dates, the American version was enhanced with two bonus songs taken from a previously unreleased demo recording of "Breeding Death" EP, as well as a different front cover, featuring artwork by Wes Benscoter.

(Thanks: Siria / www.konzi-tip.de)