Your newest release is incredible! You really tailor to all types of metal, was that your intentions with "11 Dreams"?

No not at all, we just did what felt right. I don’t think you can write tailored music these days, not in the metal business anyway. Metal music takes a lot of time and effort to do and if you try to tailor make it, it will be outdated when the album is finally released. We wanted to do what felt right and it surely was a lot of hard work. Recording is always hard work, but fun also, and we try to stick to that. The moment it becomes boring something is wrong and has to be changed. So to some extent we were a bit surprised about the strength of the album. Just wait ´till the next one… you’ll get blown to pieces!


How was the studio experience?

Well as I mentioned it was a lot of fun to do and we had a lot of creative time in the studio. Maybe too much if you ask the bank! he he! But we did use around 45 days all in all and that’s a lot of time. That’s why it is so important to have a good time, otherwise you simply tire out and the job won’t be its best. Also we used Jacob Hansen again, which is always a lot of fun because we know him so well, the atmosphere in the studio is really friendly and relaxed.


How would you describe the transition from your last release "Everblack"?

It was sort of a natural transition. With me, Morten and Mike are involved much more with the band than previously. We sort of wrote the music with all the possibilities in mind. That’s why we did a lot more clean vocals on 11 Dreams. I was much more a part of the writing process than on Everblack. On EB, I just sort of came in and did the vocals where they fit in. It’s the same with both Mike and Morten. They really had time and room to make their impact on the writing and with Martin joining the band just in time to record all the solos in two days (No shit!!) the band was complete. Just perfect!


You state you wanted to turn more attention to the song writing process, how do you feel about this release lyrically?

Well, the lyrics have a dreamy feel to them. They fit perfectly with the music and just contribute to the mood of the album. It’s sort of surreal but at the same time you can totally relate to them and they can have a lot of different meanings affected by who is reading them. Kral writes most of the lyrics but this time around I too did one song (Falling) and Kral, Morten and I did Times without Changes. Kral is still the lyrical mastermind in the band. His lyrics are closely related to everyday experiences and feelings. On this record we wanted to do something a bit dreamy and not so directly in your face. I love the way Kral writes the lyrics. He sort of listens to the songs and waits for the lyrics to reveal themselves in the songs. To be a part of that is very inspirational to me.


How is Denmark to call home? How is the music scene? Any Lars sightings?

I love our country. It’s small and very flat! No mountains at all. I think the highest point in DK is like 150 Meters above sea level.  We´re only like 6 million people and you can drive from one end to the other in five hours. We (well most of us) live in the northern part of the main land in a city called Aalborg and my address is…. No just kidding. Ha ha. The music scene is getting better and better all the time and we have some very cool bands in Denmark these days. Bands like Hatesphere, Mnemic and Raunchy are really interesting bands to follow in the future.


I see you have toured around Europe a lot, have you ever toured the US? Is there a crazy road story along the way?

Yeah! Well not exactly toured but we did play at the Prog Power USA festival in 2003. That’s one of the greatest experiences of my life really and would love to go back some day. Apart from me having some kind of weird lung disease when we went there we had a great time. We got to meet a lot of cool people over there. The people who attended the festival were one of the greatest crowds we have ever played for and the whole weekend was just excellent! Thanks to Glenn Harveston for that one!


I can imagine your list of influences is huge, who's towards the top?

Well I’m listening to a Danish band called Raunchy right now. I guess you know them? Their Confusion Ba y album is really kicking my ass. Other than that I’m into all kinds of music. Mostly Metal acts like Iron Maiden, Fates Warning, Invocator, Nevermore, Dream Theater and of course our friends in Evergrey. We did a lot of touring with Evergrey and I have become quite attached to their very characteristic sound and Tom’s vocals are great!


How were you introduced to music?

Well Morten (My Brother) started playing drums when he was really young and of course, I did too. So I played the drums for like 8 years until about ‘94 where I started playing guitar. I didn’t really sing anything until ‘96.


Are your families supportive?

Oh yeah. My family has always supported us 100%. I think that’s one of the main reasons we still do it. We also get lots and lots of support and understanding from our girlfriends and that’s really important to maintain a sane mind while on the road.


So most of you like spicy food, I will admit my new addiction is cayenne pepper, is there some killer 'hot grub in Denmark?

Well I don’t really like the spicy stuff but I can tell you that the Danish Kitchen is really killer, really fat and unhealthy in the nicest possible way.


How do you feel about current world events?

The Tsunami in Asia touched me deeply and I still cannot fathom the extent of the damage done down there. All those people who died! It was just dreadful. I think that almost everyone knew someone or was in some way related to someone in that tragedy and that’s really going to take a lot of time and effort to rebuild again.


What is the best moment(s) in your career to date?

Getting signed to Century Media, Prog Power USA 2003, meeting all those great people when we play live is simply so gratifying and we are so grateful for all that has come along so far. But I have a feeling things could get even better in the future. For me personally it’s just the best time in the world when we are on the road. There is a special bond between us and it gets stronger and stronger every time we do a show.


What do you hope to see Mercenary accomplish?

Well nothing less than absolute world domination will do!


Any closing statements?

Thanks for the kind interest in Mercenary. We hope and will do every thing in our power to be able to return to the U.S. in the future.

Take care.

Mikkel Sandager / Mercenary
 

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