Leo: Congratulations for The Omega Rising. I appreciate the detailed songs. PROFUNDI is you – what do you want to express with the band and the lyrics?
Jens: Thanks. Yes, PROFUNDI is about me in every fuckin’ aspect, PROFUNDI is my tool to express my vision of how extreme music shall sound, look and feel. But there’s more into it as well, for me it’s also about how I handle the whole music industry, like record label strategies to merchandise and artwork. PROFUNDI is a reflection and a comment to the entire scene, what I think is right and wrong,
positive or negative, true dedication or sell-out behaviour etc. I’ve been into the metal scene for quite some time by now, and all my experiences through the years in some way are reflected in some way within the PROFUNDI concept. Like I avoid doing the same mistakes I’ve done in the past, or, to repeat the successful choices, and staying away from rip-off fuck-ups. Music and lyric-wise… I see PROFUNDI as a fuckin’ impact of fury, intense brutal and vicious. I have no real ambition to create something completely unique or so, it’s more like I create the songs I personally want to hear… and that’s more or less the main core of PROFUNDI, it’s me alone and I create the shit I feel like. It’s brutal, it’s fast and it’s according to me the perfect mix of chaotic disharmony and eerie melodies, catchiness and viciousness. This is my vision how extreme music shall sound.

Leo: You played all instruments, took care of the lyrics, artwork and the production as well. How long does it take to realize such a single attempt?
Jens: Well, I’ve spent quite some time with this release, but it’s been worth every second. For starter, I’m not a professional studio engineer, so naturally it took me more time to record and mix the album than it normally does in a professional studio. But the point is that I wanted to be in control in as very much as possible, and I’ve really been longing for to do a recording without working with a sound engineer that doesn’t understand my vision of how this kind of music shall sound. So instead I’ve been taking my time, slowly, with every fuckin’ tiny detail through the entire album, I’ve polished every single detail until I’ve reached the point of perfection that reflects the vision I have in my mind.
I had this goal to produce as very much as possible myself, and of course I decided to play all instruments myself, but since I’m not used to play lead guitar I had to practise lead guitar techniques until I was good enough to record the kind of solos I’ve been aiming for.
Of course, the same thing goes for some of the other stuff related to this release that I’ve also has taken care of... such some of the artwork and so on. For example, I designed a unique font entirely for this release and since that’s nothing I’ve done before - of course it took some time before I got it right.

Leo: During your musical career you took part in many bands and projects. Which one was the most satisfying experience?
Jens: I consider all bands and projects have been about equally satisfying for me. They have been very satisfying from different aspects... so, I don’t really compare them with each other because of that. I consider every new experience important because every new situation makes you grow both on a personal and professional level.
This whole satisfaction-by-knowledge situation is something that triggers and inspires me. I hate stagnation and because of that I always strive to develop as both as a musician and as a creative being. I just can’t understand people who think ‘that sounds/looks good enough’, that’s more like a sign of laziness or lack of interest. So, with PROFUNDI this aspect is important indeed, and I push myself to learn and experience new stuff because that gives back this kind of satisfaction I’m talking about. And it’s a feeling that I consider to be worth more than any royalty-payment or whatever.

Leo: Can we expect another DEAD SILENT SLUMBER release?
Jens: I’m not sure. Right now I’m much more into the sound and atmosphere of PROFUNDI, and that’s where I want to keep my focus for now. But again, if I wake up tomorrow with a great idea and concept for a new DEAD SILENT SLUMBER -album, then I’ll do it, of course.

Leo: Do you prefer the work in a band’s community or to hold all control and responsibility in your own hands?
Jens: I prefer to be in control, yes. I think I write the best material alone and I believe that I produce the best results when I have 100% control and don’t have to compromise my ideas with other peoples’ opinions. I strive to write songs as a whole unit, a whole vision of the song I’m working on. And if just a small part of this ‘unit’ is replaced with some other persons material, I think it’s very likely that the entire vision gets lost. So, when I write a song from start to finish, I have the control over every tiny detail within the arrangement and the control to get every single piece together and with that improving
the song even further. I prefer to be in control in as many aspects as possible actually. During all my years within the metal scene I’ve experienced so much bullshit, so many fuck-ups and so many rip-offs, so to avoid all these kinds of disappointments I simply have to try to run things my way. It’s the only option for me to be sure that things turn out the way I want to according to what I consider right or wrong, good or bad, ugly or nice. I’ve been promised stuff a million times, but people obviously can’t keep their word, right? So, do it myself is far more secure to get things right. Sure, if I fuck something up, I’m the only one to blame of course, but again it’s my fuckin’ job and responsibility to act professionally and get things right.

Leo: Where do you pass most of your time to get inspired or to relax?
Jens: I like to play pinball to temporary escape some of the everyday stress factors. But inspiration comes to me in more like a constant flow I think, I don’t have a ‘trick’ to come up with new ideas… no, they appear anytime… in the shower, in the middle of the night, in drunk condition. It’s different from time to time.

Leo: Is it difficult for you as a passionate artist to combine musical activities and studies?
Jens: I guess it’s kind of hard in a way. It’s like every time consuming hobby or interest I guess, especially when you have to combine it when making a living and take care of responsibility at work, studies, or whatever. And of course, sometimes I wish that I had more spare time for musical activities.
But the thing is, with PROFUNDI it’s all up to me to prior things and this makes it possible for me to keep up the quality anyway. At times where there’s simply not time enough to thoroughly work with a song, I can wait for a week or something instead of putting a song together in a rush, a song that probably would have turned like shit anyway. No, I decide what to do, and when to do it. I want to keep the quality on a high level and I don’t see any reason to stress things to please some fuckin’ manager or to gain profit for some record label, no for me it doesn’t matter if it takes one year or five years to produce an album, the quality is all that’s matter. You know, there are actually record deals that say that the artist/band has to deliver an album within a certain time limit, like one album every year, for example. Can you fuckin’ believe that? That kind of shit has nothing to do with quality, that’s about earning as much money as possible in a short time! I don’t know what kind of fools who signs up with these kind of rip-off/sell-out contracts, but I’m sure not one of them.

Leo: What about the contact to Naglfar - did you listen to their new album Harvest and do you like it?
Jens: I live in another town now, in a completely different part of Sweden. So naturally I don’t see them as much as before. No, I haven’t heard the new album yet, but I’m sure it’s good.

Leo: Is there a chance to experience PROFUNDI live on stage?
Jens: I don’t have any live or touring plans with PROFUNDI. I rather spend time on writing new material instead of searching for some temporary session members. I’ve already done all the gigs I’ve wanted to do, so I’m aiming for completely new goals now.

Leo: Why should a fan reckoned buy The Omega Rising?
Jens: First, I consider this to be my very best album so far in every aspect. People who’ve liked the stuff I’ve put into this rotten world before should definitely check it out. Second, I see this as something more than just another album, I’ve worked pretty hard with everything concerning this album and all it surrounding details. So, I think it’s even more worth checking out because all of the effort put into the release and to what makes this a whole package instead of just 40 minutes of music.

Leo: Thanks a lot for your answers, best luck for the future with PROFUNDI and your studies!
Jens: Thanks for the support, your effort and dedication to the scene will not be forgotten.