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| Affe Piran on stage with Obnoxious Youth in Hamburg Photo courtesy of Thomas Ertner |
Sure we should not forget to mention that he was in Uppsala's hardcore band Undergång (as you might remember, Uno of In Solitude used to be part of the band, too, and we possibly can't mention them without linking to this historical photo here); and that he also recorded VORUM's death metal assault "Poisoned Void". Indeed, the list could go on and on and by now you have probably guessed that we are talking about none other than Affe Piran, who is mostly known for being the vocalist of Obnoxious Youth, but has been, and is now more than ever, recklessly busy spreading visual and musical blasphemies in a lot of ways. Read below what he had to say about Obnoxious Youth's latest EP "Mouths Sewn Shut", about painting the cover artwork for In Solitude's debut back at the time, about DIY culture, the Reveal!'s album he is producing and more.
U.M.: Let's begin, of course, with Obnoxious Youth: your EP "Mouths Sewn Shut", released on Svart Records back in May 2020, is one Hell of a solid beast and, while keeping up the band's high dose of filth and nastiness, it also sounds more daring and varied songwriting wise and in its overall soundscape: let's say, as if the blind fury is still merciless yet now incorporates also an additional deeper layer of sadistic volition! Would you say this might be the result of some more recent influences you've been picking up, like something that you have experienced or, been interested in. during the time between your album "Disturbing the Graves" and the EP?
A.P.: On a personal level I wanted to turn things up a bit. As you say, I wanted to make things even more insane and violent, but first and foremost capture the insanity and INTENSITY of our live shows. Something I think we haven’t been able to do before to a full extent. I think we succeeded with that, and one of the reasons is that we actually recorded most of the record live together as a band. When it comes to influences, it’s almost always a feeling that influences me rather than different kinds of music or bands. We always do what we want and we don’t care much about staying true to a certain style or genre. Even if we wanted to, I don’t think we would have any success with that. We are too broad in our music taste. The main purpose will always be to communicate complete and utter chaos.
A.P.: "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" is a good one! I guess something dystopian filled with killing and fast cars like the movie "Death Race 2000" from 1975 would suit that record perfectly.
U.M.: Speaking of your work as graphic designer, and since Unearthed Mirrors is formerly an In Solitude fan site, we would like to look back at when you created the iconic, unforgettable and classic heavy metal-styled cover artwork for their self-titled debut album: do you remember how the idea came about, what mostly inspired you at the time?
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| The cover artworks for In Solitude's self-titled debut album (2008) and their single "Hidden Dangers" (2008), both by Affe Piran |
A.P.: The idea came from Pelle and the band itself. They made a sketch that I followed and they specifically told me that they wanted me to paint the cover. It was a long process since I hadn’t painted anything for years at that point. The first press was pressed on matte paper and I didn’t really like how the colors turned out on that one, but the second press on the glossier paper was much better! The record cover I am most pleased with is the EP called ”Hidden Dangers” that was released before the album came out. That one turned out really great.
U.M.: You are also part of the doom outfit Endtime, which were once known as Saturniids: does the name change reflect some other changes in the band (members, sound...) or did the former moniker simply run its course? From the bands' Facebook page, a new album has been announced to happen sometime this year: any teasing hint you can treat us to?
U.M.: You are also producing Reveal!'s upcoming album: can you say , without giving away too much of course, which approach are you leaning towards in this production? Will it sound more back-to-the-smutty'n'grim kind of sound which characterized the earlier Reveal! releases, or more like the recent one we heard on their third album "Scissorgod" - that we wouldn't dare to call necessarily cleaner, yet, certainly more refined then the previous ones?
A.P.: Yeah, I am very delighted and honoured to be a part of the recording of the new Reveal! album just as I was with their debut album ’Nocturne of Eyes and Teeth’. It doesn’t sound similar at all though. Without saying too much I would say that it is a masterpiece and definitely the best release to date. Adding Viktor from Dictator Ship on drums took things to a whole new level. Production wise I would say it’s a bit more on the cleaner side, but it contains tons of details and harmonies and things that would get lost if the recording was too gritty. We are finalising the master as we speak. An absolute masterpiece as I said.
U.M.: A more generic question: how much do you value the DIY approach in underground music?
A.P.: I think it’s the fundament of underground music. Something that differentiates the scene that I and all mentioned bands are a part of from generic crap. The burning love for what you do must be there. The will to create something more than just ”some decent tunes” is something I will always cherish. It’s the way we’re always worked within the Uppsala scene, no matter if it’s Watain that creates amazing DIY-scenery for their live shows or Gottfrid recording one of the bands. We have always helped each other out in different ways. With artwork, with recording, with lending gear, with crafting, with printing and that’s something invaluable which has contributed to the extreme high quality of the bands within our small scene.
U.M.: And to conclude traditionally, if there is anything you wish to add, please do so, and thanks again for your time!
A.P.: I hope this pandemic ends soon so we can continue what we started, to be able to play gigs in support of ’Mouths Sewn Shut’ and even to record a follow-up to that one.
But until then…. Listen to Dictator Ship, listen to Reveal!, listen to Watain, listen to Degial, listen to Begravningsentreprenörerna, listen to Concrete Winds, listen to Pågå. If you don’t, I must inform you that you haven’t tasted the finest fruit that life has to offer.
Needless to say, we can only agree with that! All these bands are unique and excellent in their own way.
We would like to thank Affe for taking the time to answer our questions and ...wait, something's odd: we don't have to suck it at this point? Now that's what you call a shocking finale!
Then again, this interview has just made us even more eager to see Obnoxious Youth back to corrupt and destroy venues, to meet Reveal!'s new creature, and to hear what the upcoming Endtime will sound like: we suspect this massive teasing definitely counts as a huge between-the-lines SUCK IT!
Follow Affe on Instagram at: @affe_entertainment
Obnoxious Youth's official links: Facebook - Instagram - Bandcamp
Endtime on Facebook