Store: Metal-Rules.com - Volume I

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Persuader are represented
on this CD by the track "Raise Hell"

Contact Information
Web: www.persuader.nu
E-mail: persuader@mailcity.com

Persuader - Biography

The band later to be known as Persuader saw first light in August 1997. Pekka and a friend named David recorded some songs just for fun on Pekka´s computer. They decided to start a band and recruited Efraim on drums and Jens on vocals/bass. A new bass player was later found in Fredrik, who had played with Pekka in a band called Shallow. In January 1998 David left the band due to musical differences. Jens picked up the guitar since that was his main instrument, and it worked out just fine. During the following months new songs were written and some self financed recording activities took place, but they never turned out to be anything serious. Finally, in November 1998, three songs were recorded at Garageland studios. The result, a demo CD called Visions and Dreams, was distributed through various channels. The response was great, and encouraged the band to produce new songs and rehearse their asses off. The band then signed to a Swedish Metal label, named Loud N' Proud (LNP) records. A full-length album was recorded in January- February 2000. The album was released in March/April of the same year. It received great reviews and was even selected by the staff of Metal-Rules.com as one one of the top 10 albums of 2000. Unfortunately LNP folded and the band was left without proper label support. Shockingly the band broke up in early 2001 for the common reason stated by many bands - "personal and musical differences". Then just 3-4 months later in the spring/summer of 2001 the band reformed with new guitarist, Emil Norberg, replacing departed guitarist Pekka Kiviaho. Emil is the youngest member in the band but he's played guitar over 8 years. He was attending the same school as Jens and that is where the two met. Since the band's reformation they have been writing new material. In December 2002 their song "Raise Hell" was featured on a compilation CD form Metal-Rules.com making it the first commercially available Persuader material in over 2 years and the first material with the new line-up.

Persuader's Current Line-up since 2001 has been:

Jens Karlsson - Vocals, guitar
Emil Norberg - Lead guitar
Fredrik Hedström - Bass
Efraim Juntunen - Drums

Interview Introduction By EvilG

Persuader are a band that I feel have shown great promise since their demo VISIONS AND DREAMS back in 1999. That great hope hinted at on the demo was realized musically in 2000 with the album THE HUNTER. Unfortunately, the CD never got the wide spread attention as it should have. Musically I thought everything was in place, it was just the band were not being heard by the right people. I've stayed in contact with the band over the past few years and when they said they were working on new material at around the same time I was planning for this compilation CD I immediately asked Emil (Persuader's guitarist) if they'd have a song ready to go in time. With luck they did have a song ready and that song is "Raise Hell". I hope they record a shitload more material like this and get their second full length album done, for I'm sure it will rule eternally!

The below interview is with Persuader's guitarist, Emil Norberg.

Reviews: The Hunter, Visions And Dreams

How did you first learn about Metal-Rules.com?

I don´t remember, it was a long time ago...

Are you a regular visitor to the Metal-Rules.com webzine?

Yeah, I visit regularly.

How important is Metal-Rules.com or the Internet in general for getting your music?

It´s an easy way to check out new bands, records, news about the scene in general.

In your experience, either as a reader or as a band, what has Metal-Rules.com meant to you?

Supported by Metal-Rules.com, our name and music has got some serious attention, reaching a lot of people. It's great!

Do you think webzines like Metal-Rules.com are, or maybe someday could, replace traditional published magazines?

No, not entirely...There´s something special about holding/reading an old-fashioned paper magazine.

Can you please list the members of the band and what they each person plays?

Jens Karlsson - Vocals, guitar
Emil Norberg - Leadguitar
Fredrik Hedström - Bass
Efraim Juntunen - Drums

How long has the band been together and what goals would you like to achieve in the coming years with the band?

We started out in 1997, today's line-up has been together since late 2000.

In your opinion, what style of metal would you say best describes what you play?

Just plain "metal", with "an aggressive touch" for those who want to get picky.

Who have been some of your main influences?

Everything and nothing, pick up stuff from everywhere.

Is your band currently signed to a record label If not - are you currently looking for a label or distribution?

No, and yes.

Have you contributed work to other compilation CDs?

Not with this line-up. In the past we were on Born to walk against the wind vol.2 compilation and Swedish Metal Triumphators split CD with Freternia.

Where did they hear about this compilation?

From Evil G at Metal-Rules.com.

Why did you choose this compilation to get your music to potential fans?

Fair deal, so...why not?

Besides your song, what is the best feature of the Metal-Rules compilation and why?

A lot of different styles/music on the disc.

Why did you choose this particular song for the compilation?

We didn´t have any other (new) songs available.

Where did you record the song & who wrote it and produced it?

Recorded autumn 2002 at OMMK Studios. Engineered and mixed by Emil Norberg. Produced by Persuader

Would you say that your song on this compilation representative of all your material?

It represents our recent work, our current position musically

What is your song on this compilation about and what was the inspiration behind it?

It´s about control (the bad kind) and revenge, assigned to religion, childhood... Musically, it´s a mish-mash of old and new stuff.

What about this song made you select it for this compilation?

It was one of the first new songs co-written with Emil, just had a nice vibe to it. Plus, everybody seems to like it.

What kind of expectations do you have towards this particular compilation? What do you hope to gain by being featured?

Hopefully, people that normally wouldn't hear us will find out about our music.

Are you hoping this might help you in some way gain the kind of exposure that may lead to a label picking you up?

The exposure couldn´t hurt.

As you know, most of the bands on this compilation are not extremely well known. Do you think a compilation CD with a group of mostly underground bands is a great way to help get your music noticed?

If it reaches the right people, sure.

What do you think of compilation CD’s overall?

They are a good thing.

What kinds of things should a compilation feature in order to make it worth purchasing and what makes a compilation worthwhile?

A lot of good music, different styles and some good info about the bands.

If you had a chance to put together this type of compilation, what would be
some of the unsigned bands you’d like to feature?

Persuader!!!

Would you be interested in sacrificing another song for “Metal-Rules.com - Vol. II” if the opportunity presented itself?

If the first volume gets good feedback, why not?

Where can people order your other recorded material?

Nowhere I guess, for now.

What are your band’s upcoming battle plans?

Finish the recording of our new promo and sending it out worldwide, and playing our asses of basically.

Do you have any live dates coming up that you’d like to list here?

Not yet....