As a major league Cradle of Filth fan, it came as a surprise to get the news last week that drummer Adrian Erlandsson had left the band. To stop and think about it, however, it's really not a big surprise. The Swedish-born Erlandsson has a lot on the go and his schedule is getting fuller. He has been doing drum clinics for the last several years as well as teaching on a private basis when his time allows. He has joined Needleye as a session drummer and this fall he formed a new band along with wife Amber (known as Morrigan Hel). They've joined forces with some friends to create a new entity called Nemhain which has just produced a demo. Besides all that, Adrian has hinted at another project that sounds quite intriguing. I did an email interview with the powerhouse drummer who is a co-founder of The Haunted as well as past member of At The Gates, this week to find out all the news. Here's what he had to say:antiMUSIC: Well, the big news first. You've left Cradle. Can you tell us what led to your decision?
Adrian: I joined Cradle in the summer of '99 and have had some good times creating music with the band and playing live. But as a musician when things become too familiar, it is time to move on. I need a certain edge in everything that I do when that it gone it's time to move on. So I decided to leave and concentrate on other things.
antiMUSIC: When did you finally make this decision and how long have you been thinking of it?
Adrian: It was a decision that had to be made. Of course I had thought about it for some time.
antiMUSIC: How were things left on a personal level with the rest of the band?
Adrian: Yes.
antiMUSIC: If this is due to non-musical reasons, has this been building for a long time?
Adrian: What is non musical in a bands existence?
antiMUSIC: Did Dani's long recovery (and the time you had to fill) have anything to do with your decision?
Adrian: It had nothing to do with that.
antiMUSIC: Why did you pick this time to leave when the tour has just begun?
Adrian: There is more to it than that. I had left before but we had to sort out the legal sides before it could be announced.
antiMUSIC: You obviously like to be busy. You've got your drum clinics. You're still teaching. You have your bands. What drives your strong work ethic?
Adrian: I love what I do and my love for drumming and music drives me everyday.
antiMUSIC: How and when did Nemhain come to be?
Adrian: Me and my wife Amber have been talking along time about how amazing it would be to have a band together, creating music together, playing together and eventually touring the world together. We had some of our close friends over and realized that we had all the members that we need for the band right here in the room! In the excitement an acoustic guitar came out and there was the first Nemhain Jam! Amber already had a lot of lyrics and song ideas which Cherry and her started working on straight away. The fire and devotion within the band beats any band I have been in before!!!
antiMUSIC: Did you have any reservations about forming a band with your wife, considering sometimes people that get along find out they don't really get along when forced to spend inordinate amounts of time together?
Adrian: Not what so ever. Me and Amber already do everything together and doing music together is a natural step for us! Best decision I ever made!
antiMUSIC: What is the attraction about playing a somewhat more streamlined music in terms of drumming, considering some of your excellent, more complex drumming in the past?
Adrian: I grew up playing this kind of music. Straight rock n roll. When I started playing I was jamming along to albums by ACDC, Judas Priest, Saxon, Ramones and Motorhead. I just love the simplicity and the overwhelming energy in this band. The drumming is very primal which I really like.
antiMUSIC: What are your hopes and dreams for this band?
Adrian: To secure a good record deal, tour extensively all over the world and spread the rock n roll plague!!
antiMUSIC: How do you explain your relationship with Needleye? Is this a temporary arrangement?
Adrian: I am good friends with Duncan the singer of Needleye and when he was telling me about the issues they were having with his drummer at the time, I offered to help. I replaced the drums on their album with my own beats and when I was done Duncan said why don't you join the band? As I really liked the songs I said sure. We have played live once since then. I am not really sure what is happening with the band as I am just a session member of the band.
antiMUSIC: What can you tell us about your other project? Is either James (McIlroy) or Martin (Powell) part of this group?
Adrian: I have been working with some 'serious players' for some time now. To me it is the ultimate metal band. With very catchy, hard hitting metal songs. We have about 9 songs at the moment and will have our demo ready hopefully by the end of the year. Then the band will be made official and everyone will know why I am so excited about this band!!!
antiMUSIC: What kind of music is it?
Adrian: Metal!!!
antiMUSIC: How do you anticipate balancing all these projects?
Adrian: I am balancing them very well. This is all that I do together with teaching and doing drum clinics. There are a lot of hours in a day all you have to do is make use of them!!
antiMUSIC: You've recently become a vegetarian. Can you tell us what led to this lifestyle change?
Adrian: I hate the way the factory farming works and I decided to do something about it. Also I feel a lot better for eating a more varied vegetarian diet. To anyone that have doubts check out www.peta.com.
antiMUSIC: I could go on for quite a while, Adrian but you have to type this out instead of talking so I'll have mercy on you and cut it off there.
Adrian: Thank you so much for this interview and interest in the musical adventures that I am doing!
All the metal
Adrian
Morley Seaver and antiMUSIC thank Adrian for taking the time to do this interview Stay tuned for an interview with Morrigan in the coming weeks.
