Interview with Ben Blutzukker
Iza had a little chat with Ben Blutzukker to discuss Lego, heavy metal and his new EP ‘Ripide’.
Iza: What is behind the name ‘Blutzukker’?
Ben: It’s a song from the Swedish Vampire-Metal-Band Notre Dame. It should have that name, but it was never released. But I liked the spelling and so I named my first band after it. A short time later my own name transformed then to “Ben Blutzukker”.
Iza: Earlier this year you decided to put an end to your dark electro project Blutzukker to focus on your heavy metal project. What led to this decision?
Ben: I just felt like that. Since the last Blutzukker album in 2012 I no longer had ideas to do new electronic tracks. And as the solo projekt “Ben Blutzukker” was my only focus for the last years I decided to tell everyone that “blutzukker” is over now.
Ben: Hmm. That is a difficult question. I think there are many things that are the same in both projects. The vocals are absolutely the same. I also did not change my lyrical writing. So yes, mainly only the musical genres are the mail difference.
Iza: Let’s talk a about your new EP ‘Riptide’. Based on the cover art and the title track I’m guessing that it has something to do with the sea. Can you tell us a little bit about the themes for this release?
Iza: I’ve noticed that your sound has changed slightly since the first EP ‘Analog Blood’; the new songs seem darker, with a hint black metal in addition to the thrash metal guitars. Are you a fan of black metal, if so which bands do you like?
Iza: On the EP, there is a cover of Illwill’s song. What made you decide to choose that particular band and song?
Ben: To push that great song, because no one knows it! Just a joke… My favorite musician is Snowy Shaw from Sweden. He was involved in Illwill (and he was also the main-figure of Notre Dame). And with “blutzukker” we played this song on stage several times. So I wanted to close the circle by recording my own version now.
Iza: Also, there is a collaboration with Pale Violett on backing vocals on the same cover track. What made you decide to work with her?
Ben: Pale Violett was part of “blutzukker”, so we made a lots of stuff together over the years. But to be honest: her recordings for this song are now 10 years old.
Iza: You have recently released a new video for the title track ‘Riptide’ which features a Lego pirate ship. This is the second of your videos to feature Lego figurines. You even have Lego USB-sticks available. I have to ask, what is it with the Lego?
Ben: I love it! I always loved it! Don’t you still love Lego?
Iza: Your previous band featured lots of humour in the lyrics, mostly connected to vampires and horror stuff in general. Is this humour element something you plan to continue with as Ben Blutzukker or is this more serious?
Ben: I think I will automatically continue like that, because that is just a part of my person. For me it is normal to not take everything too serious. Not even the blackest metal.
Iza: Is Ben Blutzukker a studio only -project or do you plan to play some live shows in the future?
Ben: I see, this question is the one I hear the most. But no, currently I like it to just be a studio project.
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