Centinex from Sweden has a long career. They are almost legends in the scene. Centinex have released some cassette EPs, ‘7/EPs and four albums. We got a copy of their last album "Reborn Through Flames" from Repulse Records and sent them an interview.
1. When and where was Centinex started ? Why did you choose that name ?
We started the band in late ’90 but there was some small problems in the beginning so early ’91 could be seen as the beginning. The name just came up, it doesn’t mean anything !
2. You released two Cassette EPs back in 1993 - 94. Please tell us more about these two releases.
Well as I see you ask about the releases in a chronological order; I take it from the beginning.
Our first demo, "End Of Life", was released in the summer ’91. This tape gave us an one CD deal with the ancient Swedish label Underground Records. The album was called "Subconscious Lobotomy" and it came out in late ’92. The album was just limited to 1 000 copies so it’s history by now ! The distribution & promotion wasn’t too big either so there isn’t much to say about it…
The following year, we recorded a promo/cassette EP which was released by Wild Rags and in ’94 we did record the "Transcend The Dark Chaos" cassette EP which we put out ourselves.
3. Please tell us more about the Centinex/Inverted ‘7/EP.
The split EP came out in ’96 as a collaboration between two labels; Unholy Baphomet (Ger) and Voices Of Death (Swe). Limited to 600 copies, the Centinex track is taken from the "Malleus Maleficarum" album.
4. You released an album on Wild Rags called "Malleus Maleficarum". Please tell us more about it. How much did it sell ? How was your relationship with Wild Rags ?
The CD was extremely delayed so it came out in April ’96. The album includes three "new" tracks + the entire "Transcend The Dark Chaos" cassette EP. I have no idea how much is has sold, we have received any sales figures from Wild Rags. The relationship was quite OK but that belongs to the past so let’s forget it, OK !?
5. Then you released a CD called "Reflections" on DieHard Records. Please tell us more about it.
How much did it sell ? How was your relationship with DieHard Records ?
Yeah, we signed with Emanzipation/DieHard and "Reflections" came out in March ’97. This was the first album with a decent distribution & promotion. I don’t really know about the sales there either, I haven’t asked ! We weren’t too much in contact Die Hard itself, we dealed with their sublabel Emanzipation and that was satisfying.
6. You released a ‘7/EP on the Norwegian label Oskorei Prod. Please tell us more about this release and Oskorei Prod.
Oskorei is a new label which have released some vinyl EPs (and The Second Moon MCD -ed) so far.
They are working very professionally with their releases so I think this label will be quite well known
and respected within a few years !
The two tracks on our "Shadowsland" EP were recorded at the same time as our new album. There is the title track which was written already back in ’95 but this was the first time we recorded it and then there is "Eternal Lies" which originally appeared on the "Malleus Maleficarum" CD/ "Transcend The Dark Chaos" cassette EP.
As it seems now, Oskorei will release all the upcoming Centinex assaults on vinyl, so it will be like our "vinyl" label. Cool !? Hell yes !!!
7. Please give us a full insight to your new album "Reborn Through Flames". The recording, the tracks, the concept, the line up on the album and the art- work.
"Reborn Through Flames" was recorded at Sunlight studios in Stockholm. There are eight tracks on the disc, seven of our own and a cover of Kreator’s "Under The Guillotine". Everything turned out great in the end, the sound, the cover (by Joe Petagno), the layout etc. etc. ! We are totally pleased !!
Repulse are doing a great job with the promotion so everything feels really good.
After the recording, we had a line- up change. The vocalist and the rhythm guitarist were kicked out/quit ‘cause the couldn’t come up with the time and effort we demanded ! We do now have two new heroes in the act, Johan Jansson (also member of Dellamorte) and Jonas Kjellgren (Dellamorte and Carnal Forge as well) !
8. How would you compare your new album to your earlier releases ?
It’s a natural progress musically and the whole package is the best one we ever has done !
9. You have released ‘7/EPs and albums on five different labels. How would you compare these labels to each other ?
All the labels have been of a different size and they have had quite different economical possibilities so it’s hard to compare them. But for the CD deals we have always changed to a better, bigger and more dedicated company so it’s no problem for us !
10. What is your political, religious and philosophical views ?
I hate everybody and everything !
11. What is the positive and the negative sides with running a band from Sweden ?
I don’t think Sweden is more positive or negative as any other country in Europe.
Maybe the most negative thing is that there aren’t many possibilities to play gigs here and if you go down to, for example, Germany, it’s quite a long travel from here (we live in the middle of Sweden). One positive thing is that here are many good, cheap studios with talented producers where you can record your demos and CDs.
12. What are your plans for the coming months and year ? Any tour plans ?
There aren’t any tour plans at the moment. We have recently been on two different tours, one in Spain & Portugal and one in Germany & The Netherlands so I think gigs have to wait to early next year !?
We are now concentrating on our new MCD "Bloodhunt" which will be recorded later this year for a February ’99 release.
13. Do you have a merchandise list ? From what address can the band be contacted ?
Thanx a lot for this interview. Yeah, we have t-shirts, posters, CDs ("Reborn") and EPs ("Shadowsland") available from this address:
The Carnal Legion Of Centinex
c/o Martin Schulman
Sturegatan 8
776 35 Hedemora
SWEDEN
Fax: +46 225 15385
or our homepage