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| E. Forcas on stage with WATAIN Photo by Afra Gethöffer-Grütz / Metal1.info |
We have reached out to him with a few questions about all his current projects, his drumming career, his gear and more: he has offered us some very interesting insights that you can read here below.
We hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as we did!
E. : Of course, it's my pleasure.
Yes we will soon be off to latin America.
It's going to be a wild one. I really look forward to play in the places that we haven't been yet.
So I will say Honduras, never been there before so it's very exciting.
U.M.: Are you bringing any changes or recent additions to your setup?
E.: I'm always looking for new additions to my setup.
The most recent one is a new hi-hat 15 inch ,19 inch and a 20 inch Zildjian remake of the 80s series.
I have always wanted to play on these since I saw great drummers from the 80s playing like mad men.
I have always aimed for the 80s sound for drums and cymbals. Everything felt more authentic and heavy back then , especially the drummers. But that is my personal opinion.
U.M.: Practice vs playing live: where do you feel you gain and learn more as a drummer?
E.: I have to say that I gain most from the rehearsals when the whole band is together.
It is important for me to play with the emotions of the lyrics and riffs, and find moments that can bring songs to new heights.
I learn all the time, on stage and in the rehearsals. Even just taking a walk listening to music gives inspiration and ideas as well. Music and inspiration are always around us and learning is a never ending process.
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| E. Forcas on stage with WATAIN in Paris Photographed by Steph Pictures / United Rock Nations |
U.M.: Some months ago, you also toured with Unpure (April - May 2024). What are, in your experience the best aspects of more underground shows compared to larger shows?
E.: Yeah, we where out on tour and it was my first shows whit the band. For me personally , I really think it's about the vibe of us in the band, what we give and receive from the audience. Regardless the size of the venue.
To be able to play the music that flows through all of us on stage is a magnificent, unbeatable feeling.
But... To have the audience up close and personal is great. Of course that feeling can come at a larger venue as well, but it becomes more personal in a smaller venue without the barricade.
U.M.: We saw you also have occasionally done backing vocals live with Unpure: was this the first time you got involved in vocals and is it something you would like to do again in the future?
E.: I have done similar backing vocals with Degial a long time ago.
Yeah, I enjoy it and I want to continue to do it, if the songs need it of course. It's all about how the songs need to be represented.
U.M.: You released an album with Livgone, where your drumming is rather different than what we are used to hear in your other bands: the slower pace brings out a more oppressive heaviness and offers a journey in more brooding, atmospheric patterns. Can you tell us a bit about how it was for you to go into this style change and create this album?
E.: Absolutely. It is a very different style for sure.
For me it was about stepping out of my comfort zone and to look at music in a different way. It has made me aware of other sides of my instrument .
The creation of any album is a unique journey but I'm very pleased with the result and how I got to make other kind of music.
This particular album has shown me new ways to make the drums sing and also how to approach music in general.
U.M.: A question we can not really skip - for us and for all the Degial maniacs who are reading this! Is there a chance we will hear more from Degial, too in the future? (If you don't feel like mentioning anything at all about this, of course that's understandable. Just whatever you prefer sharing.)
E.: Good things come for those who wait.
U.M.: Speaking now of your personal journey with drums, how old were you when you first got into drumming? Did you feel pretty early that it was what you wanted to pursue?
E.: Oh...I have always been listening to music and my favorite band was and is KISS.
I wanted to play guitar first but it didn't really feel right.
I still try to play and write music on guitar but what made me fall for the drums was when I got to see Eric Carr play a drum solo on a VHS that my cousin gave me.
I was trying to play with those old records and that way I learnt what drums meant for me.
I think I was around 11 years old when I got an old beat up drum kit from my parents.
Since then I have spent a lot of time behind the drums. It became almost like therapy in a way.
Just to make different sounds depending on how hard I hit, or how soft. All these sounds resonate with me in different ways. It's hard to describe really.
U.M.: And to conclude, who would you say are the drummers that have inspired you the most - either in your style, in the passion for the drums, or both?
E. : There are so many amazing drummers out there but I would say Peter Criss, Eric Carr, Dave Lombardo, Pete Sandoval, Chriss Piss and Igor Cavalera just to mention a few. But the list is almost endless.
All the drummers I have seen have of course had an impact on me.
U.M.: This was the last question,if there is anything you wish to add for all the readers feel free to do so!
E.: Thank you for this opportunity and questions.
And I hope I answered all your questions.
See you down the line and long live rock and roll.
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Emil's current gear:
• Pearl drums
• Promark drum sticks
• Roland triggers and sample pad
• Remo drumheads
• Zildjian cymbals
• Axis Longboards pedals
+ Unpure's latest album "Prophecies Ablaze" (2023) is available at Invictus Productions - all their upcoming dates in the Partake section of the website
+ Degial's death metal darkness can be blasted on their Bandcamp and their releases and merch can be found on Sepulchral Voice via High Roller Records.
+ Livgone's debut "Almost There" is available at Svart Records and on Bandcamp - they will be touring Europe with Tribulation in early 2025, all the dates can be found in the official tour announcement.
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Want more drums? Check out our dedicated page "For Whom the Drums Roll" with videos of drummers Uno Bruniusson (In Solitude, Maggot Heart, Death Alley and more), Emil Svensson (Degial, WATAIN, Unpure, Livgone) and Mikko Josefsson (Concrete Winds, Vorum).