The Batallion Interview 2007

Interview with Stud Bronson of The Batallion 2007

By Bradley Smith

A lot of people have pretty innocent and tame reasons for starting a band. What was your reason for starting Batallion? Who is in it and how did you guys get together?

The reason for starting The Batallion was simple: The pure hunger for the old school real metal. I took the initiative to form the band in the spring of 2006 and asked Mr Morden who used to play drums in Taake and Deathcon if he wanted to take a part in this. Once he heard some of the ideas I had, he was in and quit his other bands to focus fully on The Batallion. Then I told Ole (Lust kilman) who is also in Grimfist to join as a second guitar player. I didn’t ask, I TOLD him, ha ha. He is a very dedicated man indeed. Then we got Colt Kane as a bass player. He used to play in Borknagar (96-98) and has also been in ST.Satan. He is very energetic live and a decent man. We are all sick of the modern feel in metal, and are here to teach people a lesson and enjoy ourselves.

Can you tell me about the debut EP from The Batallion? How does it represent your sound and style? Are you happy with it or are there things you would change about it?

The debut EP consists of 4 tracks that we are all satisfied with. The song “Born In a Grave” has already been considered a classic in the Norwegian metal scene. If it was anything at all I would have changed, it is to have the vocals a tiny bit more “up-front” in the sound picture. It represents us quite well almost a year later. We are not a band that will change. We stick to the recipe.

With so many famous musicians in The Batallion I am certain you received many offers from different labels. Why did you release your EP on your own label rather than on a regular label? And what is the name of the label incidentally?

We got a couple of offers, but chose to release it ourselves so that we could have more control of our material. We are however in the process of considering offers from other labels for the full length. The name of our own label is Masculin Records.

The Batallion just opened up for Audiopain recently. How did that concert go and how do you go about playing your music in a live environment? Do you feel your style is best heard in a live environment?

That concert went just great! We had great energy and good sound on that night as we had time for a proper sound check. The response was overwhelming. I just got a mail from the organizer that they had received A LOT of positive feedback from our performance. Go about? We just grab the audience by the balls and thrash out our sound. We are all experienced musicians, so we know how to work an audience. Our sound is heard well both in the studio and live. We are a decent BAND in all regards.

You are in the process of recording a new album. Can you tell me some about that process? How will your debut full length be a progression over your EP? How do you approach displaying your music in the studio environment?

We start recording the drum parts on Monday. The debut album will not be a progression of our EP musically. Just new songs, and better songs. I don’t believe in progression. I believe in sticking to what you know best. In the attitude of bands like Motorhead, Immortal, AC/DC etc. I leave progression to prog bands. It’s not our job. Displaying the music: we just find good sounds for the instruments, and play the songs well. Simple and to the point. When I will do the vocals I will definitely have a few drinks and heaps of Marlboro with no ventilation in the room, just to get the edge and spirit right.

There has been a lot made recently of the quality of Old music versus new music. How do you view this struggle? Is there any new music worth paying attention to? What separates the music being made now with the metal from the past?

I am from the old school, so I don’t struggle. I feel comfortable there. You either like us, or you don’t. It’s no grey zone. Good new bands are few and far between in my world. Every year the last 5-6 years there are maybe only 5-6 albums that I have liked. But when I first like something, you will not get a more dedicated fan than me. The last good new band I liked was a band from Oslo called The Ratcats. They are not a metal band, but a hard hitting rock n roll band with fucking balls! But then again, the members are all old. That being said, some of the longer running bands still put out great albums. For example Motorhead who you always can trust. What I miss in the newer bands is the spirit, guts, hunger and rebellious attitude. Many have great musicians, but with no possession of the above mentioned qualities. Where are the good riffs, the aggression, the groove and the good songs that will stand the test of time? Or , if you want: Where are the classics that we will listen to in 15 years from now and love?

Why is thrash so prevalent in Norway? It seems that the 90s represented a black metal explosion from Norway but the new millennium has been mostly about thrash up there. Why do you think that is? What are some bands that are worth paying attention to that are creating thrash these days?

Thrash, speed and death was there before what you will regard as 90’s black metal. So I guess it’s the 20 year syclus we see again. People are opening their eyes to the pioneers like Sodom, Destruction and Kreator which are bands who inspired a lot of the Norwegian black metal bands. I actually like new bands like Obliteration and Necromantheon. They have done their homework.

Is it important to have masculinity in your music and in your life? What do you think of bands that are more concerned with androgyny and make-up and so on? Do you feel that there is a lack of masculinity within the metal scene these days?

Of course it is important. We are men! Every band should do what they do best. Some bands look great with make up ( f.ex Immortal ,Kiss, Twisted Sister Gorgoroth), some bands don’t. Whatever you put on ,wear it proudly, and just don’t put it on because somebody else did it and it looked good. We are all different and everybody should personal their own style. Being inspired is a very different thing from copying. I’ve been inspired by a bunch of bands, but I’ve never been caught stealing. Hah! Look ; masculinity and toughness suits us. It depends on how loosely you define the metal scene. A band like Motley Crue will never be masculine, but In my mind they have a few great songs and moments in their career. Then again a masculine band like Celtic Frost had a very bad period during “Cold Lake”. Again, the lesson is: Stick to what you know best and don’t deviate.

You claim Old western movies as an influence. What is their appeal and how does that apply to your music? Which are your favourites and why?

Because they represent an era in time that fascinates us. Back then, the tough men took law into their own hands. The man to man fights, the duels, the ways of survival, the spirit world, the hangings, the struggles etc. The outlaws and rebellions. I am totally into movies like The Magnificent Seven, The Professionals, Macennas Gold, Red Sun, Chato’s Land, the Young Guns (Yeah ,I know it’s rather new), Guns Of Diablo, Fistful Of Dynamite, all the Clint Eastwood ones ,Once Upon A Time In The West etc. These pictures are fucking classics. Why? Greatness can’t be explained, just experienced!

One of the manliest activities for regular people is sports. What is your take on sports? Do you follow any teams or sports in general? Do sports have a place in the metal enthusiasts life?

I find very little interest in sport and I absolutely hate football! I find sumo wrestling funny though. Seriously. I enjoy swimming and diving. I used to do a little motorcross. Our drummer Mr Morden is a weightlifter and you wouldn’t wanna get him pissed off in a dark alley. Those biceps are rather big and they are real. No fucking false steroids. What I like for exercise is walking, especially in the forest and mountains. I also swim one hour every week. That keeps me fit enough for an energetic live performance. Sports and metal? I don’t know. I don’t see it. Sports should be in sports. Metal should be in metal.

Aside from recording the new album what are some of your Future plans?

Just to keep on playing and recording and make good music. What you see is what you get with us. If we stay underground or should be supported by the hundreds of thousands, we will still do the same thing. Next up is finishing the album and a festival in Germany. We are however very eager to play as much live as possible, so organizers who should be interested. Get In Touch!

Final Words of manly aggression are yours for the taking!

Be a man.

For more info check out the Batallion website at: http://www.myspace.com/thebatallion666