Daniel: Hello Johan! How are you doing today???
Johan: Hey Polsi! I’m doing just fine, thank you

Daniel: First let's talk about ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET. After the split of The Crown, when did you get the initial idea of starting with a new band? Was it hard for you to know, that you will have to start again as a pure underground band without a label and less financial support?
Johan: I started thinking about getting a new band together in the summer of 2004. Well, I don’t think it was that hard to start over. I see this as a fresh and new beginning and everybody in the band is very positive towards the future. I think, we will have a deal in a near future and by putting the demo up for download was pure genius I think cause you can’t get better promotion than that if you’re just a demo band.

Daniel: Your band name is quite uncommon! Is it so long, just to be more noticeable of does it has a deeper meaning? Or did you choose it maybe to avoid getting sued by another band with the same name?
Johan: This was actually the first name that came to my mind when I started the band but I didn’t make it official until I had gotten into it myself. This is a name that will work in the long run and I love it. I think it’s unique and won’t be stopped by anyone. The main reason for having such a long name is cause I’m kinda into regular rock music as well and a lot of bands in that scene has a different name for the rhythm section in the back which I think is pretty cool. So basically "The undead quartet" plays the songs while I, the "One Man Army", sings them. But it’s basically just a cool and different name. Love it or hate it.

Daniel: As I could see on your website, the line-up finally is complete now. Could you please give us a short introduction to the new band? I think there were many applicants who wanted to play in ONE MAN ARMY. How did you select the musicians?
Johan: Yeah, there were a few of them applying for the job. Mostly Americans actually but I can’t deal with that distance, so we focused on Sweden. Valle from Impious is an old friend of mine and he helped me out with the recording and as timed passed on he asked me if he could join the band as a bass player. I hadn’t asked him cause he already had Impious but I said yes immediately cause I know him as a great friend and he liked the songs I did. Mikael was also a local guy from Trollhättan that had played in a tribute band to Metallica and Valle had seen him in action so we basically tested him on those six promo songs and they ended up great. The man did awesome solos. Pekka contacted me after I put the add out on the site. We started talking more and more and he sent me some songs showing his skills and it felt right immediately. Pekka also found the drummer Marek cause they know each other from before. Both great talented guys.

Daniel: As we could see on the video presentation downloadable on your website, you all seem to be quite relaxed guys... How would you describe the current band-feeling?
Johan: So fuckin’ great!! Since years I didn’t feel this good about anything. We recently met up here in Trollhättan as a full band for the first time and it was like everyone was best friends and had known each other for 20 years. Awesome I must say.

Daniel: Your first demo When Hatred Comes To Life was just released and I think, it's a killer! How were the responses so far?
Johan: Thanks dude!! The response has been incredible. I mean, I had good feelings about it from the very first start but this is insane, hehe.

Daniel: In my opinion the new songs have a strong rocking, thrashing touch, but combined with heavy Death Metal grooves. How would you describe your style and what are the main differences to your old band?
Johan: Well, the thing is that people will compare this with The Crown whatever I do cause I still sing as I did before. But I will say that the songs I’ve done are more simple, more heavy and containing more classic heavy metal riffing. I aim for mid-tempo songs with a lot of catchy vibes in them. But so far only six songs are done, but riffs are made all the time in these footsteps. I can’t wait until we get a deal and can record something real

Daniel: Please let us know something about the songwriting-process. Who has written the songs and how long did it take?
Johan: I have done almost everything on the promo. Valle helped me out with some arrangements as well as some harmonies. One of the songs called The Sweetness Of Black is mainly done three years ago, but the rest of them are made since last summer.

Daniel: I assume, that you wrote the lyrics. As I don't know any of them, could your describe, what they are all about?
Johan: Mostly about personal things I’ve experienced, like the first song on the demo called Public Enemy No 1. It’s about me and the setbacks I’ve had when it comes to music, but that won’t crush me, only make me stronger. But mainly I write about the world of today and how it sucks on a lot of places around the globe. We are constantly living in fear of being shot or stabbed at the same time war is waiting around the corner. You can say that we are Gods cattle that he’s playing with and when he gets bored he just sending us to the slaughterhouse. That is some of the topics, hehe.

Daniel: Now let's turn back to the time before ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET. For the public the split of The Crown came very surprising and suddenly without any kind of prehistory. How did you experience the last days or months with The Crown? Was the split also suddenly for you or did you already have a kind of notion for a longer time?
Johan: You know, the last year after Possessed 13 was recorded and released everybody was positive about it and was looking forward to go out and play some shows but we had huge setbacks that year. We started working with asshole promoters and amateur managements that kinda took away the energy. But, yes, it was a surprise to split up. I wanted to go on, still fighting. We could have continued and learned from the business mistakes we made, still writing good music and hired better people the next time. But anyone with a brain can understand that the business part was not the only reason The Crown split up. At the same time me and Marcus wanted to continue some other people were tired of this music and wanted to go into another direction. A split up was unavoidable. At that time I was very disappointed but today I’m happy cause without the split up the ONE MAN ARMY wouldn’t exist.

Daniel: Was it hard for you to draw this conclusion line? What did you do shortly after the split?
Johan: Of course it was a sad time. The band had been around for 14 years. But then after some months I started to form my own band and I’m glad I did. You can’t go on and thinking about the past all the time. The future has a just as much to offer.

Daniel: How can you be sure, that the same shit that happened to The Crown won't happen to ONE MAN ARMY?
Johan: As I wrote on the earlier question, money was not the only reason. Musical differences were also a part of the split up. ONE MAN ARMY will not be struck by that. Even if we don’t get a cent out of this we will not fall into the abyss. I will have this band on any level. This is my baby. I formed it. I can control it not to split up. No musical differences will kill this band. The day I die is the day this band dies.

Daniel: Now I would like to discuss some general topics, for example the tragic death of metal-hero Dimebag Darrell (RIP). How did you react when you heard about this sad incident and what consequences will this have for the global metal community in your opinion?
Johan: Yeah, It’s a huge disaster. The man was a metal icon without doubt even if I didn’t listen to him that much. Well, I don’t think anything will change cause assholes are around us everyday and how can you protect yourself from them? Of course the security was bad that night, but then again, you don’t think these things happen. Rest in peace Dimebag! Respect!!!

Daniel: What do you think about drugs in general and about illegal hard drugs like heroin ...?
Johan: Who needs them? Not me. I’m quite satisfied with alcohol, hehe. Cheers!!

Daniel: Ok, I think I'm through with my questions! Thank you very much for the interview! Would you like to give our readers one last comment?
Johan: Thanks yourself Polsi. Great interview. Well, I hope that an album will be recorded soon so I can see you all on the road later on. If you haven’t checked out my new band then do it! Cheers!!