Interviews: MINDISTRY

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Industrial Thrash Metal project, MINDISTRY, from Sweden. Check out the interview and follow the project on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

I always thought that Hetfield sang “Mindistry” in “Sad but true”, but turns out he sings “mind astray”, haha. The word Mindistry stuck with me for many years and when I formed this band that word seemed perfect. Little did I know everybody would think of me as a tribute to MINISTRY which I literally didn't know much about until after my first release in 2022. A lot of folks seem to think it's connected to them but this is false. Never listened to them.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Always loved industrial music and thrash metal so this seemed like the only logical way to go. It is quite untapped, this specific fountain of speed/heaviness/synths / but most of all catchíness. I am very open about the Rammstein & Raubtier similarities though. You can hear a lot of that on album 1. However, on my future releases, I must say I think I finally found the “me” sound while maintaining the sound of album 1. Much evolved & mature is the best way to put it.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Since I am a one-man army, this could be a very philosophical question with a very elaborate answer. I did know myself somewhat. There is a bass player that is basically in the project but haven´t made it official yet. After the release of DOPPELGANGER more plans will be revealed. I am planning on going live in 2024. The year of the crusher.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Gustaf (only current member) loves Michael Jackson, Immortal Technique, Vinnie Paz, Raubtier, and Metallica (yes I know). Also very into Nightcore at the moment, wow.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Like many other creative (I do not like calling myself this word but let's go with it) humans I take life experiences and run them through some sort of artist filter, or use my mind to conjure up scenarios to make it fit a specific mood. That is mostly on the first album though. On the post-DOPPELGANGER songs, there are more about fiction or history and not as much about me. For example songs about ww2, Templar Knights, or Lovecraftian horrors. If I see or remember a movie/show/comic that develops into an idea that I immediately write down on notes within my phone, or if im home on paper. This then transforms into audio and whoopsie we have a song. Hopefully a good one.

6. Where was your last gig?

My last gig was in 2012 with the band “IN SANITY” where I acted as singer. MINDISTRY has yet to debut live but I am working towards it. There have been way more questions about when and where my next show will be from fans (all over the world in fact) so I am very engaged in getting a band of hired guns together to play live!

7. Whom would you like to feature with?

Now we are talking. A dream would be to make some sort of collab with Immortal Tech or Vinnie and make something truly unique. Another idea is Pär Hulkoff (RAUBTIER, BOURBON BOYS, HULKOFF). I have a demo that is about a Roman Centurion fighting a Berserker and he would do the verses as the Berserker and I would do The Centurion. Imagine that. None of these are likely to happen but those are my dream collabs.

8. Whom not?

Bernard from the band “OMINUM”, Hussni from “KALLFRONT”, Erik from “SONIC ASSAULT” & all of the mumble rappers.

9. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Once during my time with “IN SANITY” I was sooo close to running out of the show before we went on stage. It was at a club named Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg. I however ended up going on stage and we had a great fucking show. Advice would be to be prepared for the worst but expect nothing. You can control more of your mind/fears than you might think by being in the moment, controlling your breathing, getting your heart rate down, etc. The adrenaline of going on stage coupled with fear is fantastic and horrid at the same time, haha.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

Michael Jackson, Metallica, Imperiet & Raubtier. The creative genius and rhythm of MJ still baffle me, and I try to implement his fantastic use of it in my songwriting.

11. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

It is explicit so I won't go there. But I have gotten 2-3 weird vocal requests over on Instagram, haha. Some fans wanted me to record very specific audio messages for them.

12. What do you think of your fans?

I despise every single one of them, honestly. Without them I wouldn´t even be typing this here interview, so of course I appreciate, love & am forever honored by them. The Mindistrymachine grows ever stronger by the day, and it keeps shocking me. Thank you, warriors!

13. What do you think of our site?

I think it's fantastic that you give guys like me a chance to type words that become an interview on your page/zine. I would like to thank you with the same respect I just did for my fans. Thank you so much, guys! Means the world being able to get featured.

14. Something to add?

If you like MINDISTRY make sure to head on over to MINDISTRYHQ.com and enter the machinery to never miss out on coming releases. There are also generous discounts and more for those who dare sign up and enter the brotherhood. Remember this fellow reader. The path to Valhalla is paved with sorcery, ill intent, and manipulation of oneself. We must not stray from the path, one step and one breath at a time. We will surely end up somewhere across the gates of heaven and beyond the gates of hell. We march into legend. Peace, Love & power!