Scorpio: Hi! So tell us, please, how was the band MNEMIC born?
Brian: Well, Rune and I started playing together as a two-piece, just a "playing for fun" thing. Later on, Mircea joined, and he brought in a singer, Mark, but Mark left due to personal problems. Mikkel joined shortly after as the bass player. After seeing Michael on a TV show, we contacted him for a tryout. Everything clicked perfectly between us, so we started writing new songs. We made a demo, got signed by Nuclear Blast, and recorded our album. Then Mikkel left the band, also due to personal problems. We knew a guy, Obeast, who could fill the spot, and he was interested... so that's how it all came together.
Scorpio: The band has been around for about five years, but the debut album was only released this year. Why?
Brian: As I said, we had some trouble when we started out finding the right band members. Since people kept leaving, we had to start from scratch.
Scorpio: How did you manage to sign a deal with Nuclear Blast? You didn't have an album, no massive popularity — few people knew MNEMIC. What's the main reason, you think? Were there other offers from other labels?
Brian: We had some proposals, but none worth talking about. Nuclear Blast was something that fit us perfectly — they have the same ideas as us about where we want to take the band. As for how we got signed, it was a combination of doing the right thing at the right time and talking to the right people.
Scorpio: Where did you record "Mechanical Spin Phenomena"?
Brian: We recorded at the Antfarm studio in Denmark, with Tue Madsen (Grope, The Haunted, etc.) producing it.
Scorpio: Your style: Fusion Future Metal. What is it?
Brian: Hmm... it's a mixture of technical rhythms, heavy guitars, melodic/aggressive vocals, and samples. All of that combined has a modern sound — thus "Fusion Future Metal." I don't know how else to describe it. We play the music and let somebody else label it.
Scorpio: Metal of the 21st century — what will it be? Like MNEMIC's stuff?
Brian: I don't think so... bands will always try to do their own thing, but I think bands will use technology more and more in production.
Scorpio: What are your lyrics about?
Brian: Uhhh, it's Michael who does the lyrics... they're personal to him, but I think they're about everyday observations of people.
Scorpio: What music do you listen to?
Brian: Personally, I listen to all sorts of music, from jazz and classical to death/thrash metal.
Scorpio: Do you use computer samples while composing your songs?
Brian: No... they're added in the studio. We decide when and where during the process of composing the songs. I compose all the keyboard sections, and I also do that while we're composing the songs.
Scorpio: Are you into computers?
Brian: Of course. I use my computer to make different drum fills and loops.
Scorpio: Maybe one of you works at a computer company or something like that?
Brian: No, we only use computers for different creative purposes, like visual and musical things.
Scorpio: What is your job, and how much do you earn?
Brian: I work in a kindergarten, and I don't earn enough... heh.
Scorpio: And how is the availability of new metal CDs in Denmark?
Brian: The distribution is quite good in Denmark, so we can get hold of pretty much anything. The problem lies with the shops — they're afraid to order new music and only order the "safe bets." But if we ask them, they can get it.
Scorpio: What was the last CD you bought?
Brian: Hmm... I can't remember. I think it was MESHUGGAH.
Scorpio: Have you watched the film "Resident Evil"?
Brian: Yup!
Scorpio: Did you like it?
Brian: Yeah, it was OK.
Scorpio: Do you want to act in a movie one day?
Brian: No.
Scorpio: Have you ever been shocked by electricity?
Brian: Sure, when I was a kid.
Scorpio: What did you feel?
Brian: Like my balls kicked up into my throat, heh.
Scorpio: Scientists say that people use only 5 to 10 percent of their brain's abilities. Are we really that stupid?
Brian: Absolutely, no doubt. Look at all the wars and shit going on in the world today. We never learn.
Scorpio: Maybe the other, larger part of our brain is responsible for extraordinary abilities like flying, reading thoughts, or seeing through walls?
Brian: Could be. It's certainly very interesting what the rest of our brains is meant for.
Scorpio: Maybe you know how people can develop these abilities?
Brian: It's a secret... but if you must know: you'll have to yank your balls 5 inches every day for 2 years. Then see what happens.
Scorpio: If you had a time machine, where and when would you go?
Brian: I would go back and buy ALL the stock from Microsoft!
Scorpio: Now some "Awards": Musician #1 — DEVIN TOWNSEND. Politician #1 — None. Sportsman #1 — Don't care about sports. Drink #1 — Beer. Invention of the 20th century #1 — Computer. Most scandalous person — George Bush. The smartest person — DEVIN TOWNSEND. Most stupid person — George Bush. Prettiest woman — Uuuu, don't get me started.
Scorpio: Your top 5 metal albums:
Brian: MESHUGGAH "Destroy Erase Improve", DEVIN TOWNSEND "Biomech", TYPE O NEGATIVE "October Rust", DREAM THEATER "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory", SUFFOCATION "Effigy Of The Forgotten"
Scorpio: Last words:
Brian: Hope you'll all listen to our album — I think there's something for everybody on it. And hope to see you on tour or at a festival.