A Dirty Dozen with MERCURY from PRIEST – April 2024

According to a recent press release: “PRIEST released “JUST A GAME,” the second single off of their highly anticipated fourth studio album Dark Pulse set for release on May 31, 2024 via Label Blue Nine. “Just A Game” is a pulsating rave anthem delving into virtual realms and thrilling encounters. With intoxicating lyrics and a bassline harking back to 80’s EBM, it’s a reminder that it’s all just a game—but the excitement feels anything but ordinary. Join the action on the dance floor and embrace your inner player!” We get Mercury to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

The upcoming album from Priest is called Dark Pulse and it’s a hi energy album set in the dilapidating outskirts of a dystopian megacity. The themes on the album are a bit gloomy but we balance it up with pulsating drum machines and catchy synth hooks. It’s a dance record with a bittersweet feeling to it.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized yo u wanted to be a musician?

My both parents met each other when they were touring musicians, so I guess I somewhat had the music from the start. I didn’t start to get serious with it until I joined a band when I was about 14. When I was going to the front, watching bands at festivals at that time, seeing all the gear before they went on, I knew my place was on the stage.. At least I started to visualize it back then.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I would say The Prodigy, which I saw back in 1997 (along with Rage Against The Machine, Daft Punk and Atari Teenage Riot among others), made a big impression on me. The best album to me, partly because of nostalgia, is In Sides by Orbital.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Depeche Mode, Front 242 and Brian Eno are big influences along with Radiohead and Kraftwerk.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would say Grimes – It’s nice with a good female voice and she’s basically into cyberpunk as well. I think it would be a great fit and that would prob give Priest good exposure as well.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

It’s a melange of 80’s synthpop and kitsch, 90’s rave and electronica with songwriting in focus. Priest is also heavily inspired by movies like Blade Runner and RoboCop. A few people have said that we’re a carbon copy of the metal band Ghost, which I strongly disagree with. First – we’re in a completely different genre. Second – I think most people would agree with that we look a bit better. Third – look at Kraftwerk and Daft Punk, watch The Terminator and Hellraiser – that’s more where we’re coming from. There’s more theatrical metal acts out there than it is theatrical synth pop bands.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

I think it’s the writing process. When you create a song from scratch and follow it to the finish line in the studio. That process is my fix for sure. We also love to be able to travel and meet our audience in different cities worldwide. That gives us the confidence and energy to continue what we do.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Mercury likes Belgian beers and cooking. Salt likes a good Chardonnay. Sulfur is the DJ at bus parties.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Can’t remember which one was the last, but either Doug Bradley or Paul Hartnoll (very briefly) about 10 years ago.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Movie director, I might try that later on in life. I watch commentaries all the time and I went to film school. I also have a degree in visual storytelling. But now Priest is main focus and if you decide to direct a movie, that will take over your whole life for a year or two. I’ll see when the time is right to take that leap.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

It would be when I decided to quit and disband The Bricks – an indie band from Linköping. We only made a couple of demos, but the band had great potential for sure. I still wonder what would’ve happened if I just kept my head cool and emotions out of the way. Maybe we’ll have a reunion one day!

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would love to be a fly on the wall during the recording of Violator by Depeche Mode. Flood is a fantastic producer and that album sounds just over-the -top amazing. One of my top 5 all time favorites!

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Category: Interviews