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Interviewing Matti Kärki from Dismember was a dream come true, so read our chat below and let's hope the new album is ready soon. In the meantime, listen to their previous records and try to get a copy of the incredibly awesome "Historia Mortis" box set as I think it's a must have for any Dismember fan!!!
Hi Matti! Since the reactivation of Dismember in 2019, you have been moving forward with full force. How does it feel to rehearse and play live with the original line-up again?
- It feels really good, when we started rehearsing for the re-union shows it was like time had stood still, same personalities, same stupid jokes and pranks.
I know it's too early to talk about it, but if I read correctly, you're already working on the new LP. In what direction do you want to move musically? I mean, in the direction of the first four classic albums, or do you plan to continue where you left off with the previous album?
- At the moment we have only talked about a new album, but nothing is written so far. Which direction it takes musically is impossible to say right now, but I guarantee that it will be Dismember.
Lyrically, what themes are you preparing for the new record? What inspires you lately?
- All the new lyrics I've been writing so far is horror based, not the old school splatter, gore stuff, but more of an existential horror. Maybe there will be war themed lyrics, kinda hard to not to be affected by the ongoing conflicts in the world at the moment.
It was wonderful to see Nuclear Blast Records re-releasing your back catalog in all its glory, starting with the limited 1000-copy "Historia Mortis" box set. How do you personally feel about these reissues? Also, what do you think of Daniele Valeriani's exclusive artworks made for the box?
- Well... the re-issues were definitely needed, the albums have not been available for some time and there is a whole new generation of metal heads who needed to complete their collections. The box turned out really cool, the artwork and design is top notch. It is supposed to be a limited edition collectible, but maybe someone underestimated the demand for it, because there is a lot of people asking for it. Anyhow, we still have some left which will be sold at upcoming shows so there is still a chance to get it.
In the last four years, you have visited many places. What was it like reconnecting with Dismember fans around the world? Where was the band most welcome? What was your favorite festival or club performance during this time?
- All the shows have been amazing everywhere we played. But as usual South America is the most fanatic and crazy. It's hard to pick one favourite, so no one mentioned, no one forgotten.
Speaking of which, what are your plans for 2024 in terms of festivals and tours? I have already noticed the confirmed Hellfest and Sweden Rock festivals. By the way, what does the actual Dismember setlist look like?
- Like you mentioned we are doing Sweden Rock and Hellfest for the first time, we are also playing Maryland Deathfest and some other shows in the states, Mexico and Italy. Maybe there will be more shows this year, we'll see.
Base Record Production from Spain has just announced the release of "Dreaming in Red, Dreaming in Death: A Tribute to Dismember" which will be out in the fall of 2024. What do you think of this tribute CD? Have you heard all the songs in their entirety?
- I have not heard any of the songs yet, but it will be cool to hear how they will be interpreted. I had to dig up some of the old lyrics for some of the songs, had a good laugh.
I have to admit that your new merchandise designed by Misanthropic-Art is very apt and stylish. Do they create these new designs entirely themselves, or do they get strict ideas and rough sketches from you first? How did you get in touch with them anyway?
- Usually we have a basic idea of what we want, then the artist has the freedom to flesh out the design with ideas of his own. We never sold our designs to big merch companies and kept control over what was released, even if that meant that it was harder to our shirts, but it definitely kept shitty designs away.
What kind of music do you enjoy listening to these days? Did you stay with the old bands as much as possible, or are there newcomers who also attract your attention with their music?
- I mostly still listen to what I grew up with, heavy metal, thrash metal and early death metal. I do enjoy some of the "newer" death metal bands like Lik and Imperishable, check them out if you have not heard them.
Okay, I think that's it. Thank you Matti for taking the time to do this quick interview. The last dismembered words are yours.
- Many thanks for the interview and we will see you all somewhere sometime, all the best.
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