Lik chat to The Ritual about their new album ‘Misanthropic Breed’

After 2 years away Swedish death metal brutes Lik return to our ears with their latest album Misanthropic Breed. Nate, from The Ritual here on TotalRock, chatted exclusively to Chris about the new album, Covid and the band’s future.

Nate – The Ritual: It’s been 2 years since your last full-length release but you’re back with your new album in September with ‘Misanthropic Breed’. Can you tell me about the title of the album and the writing process behind it?

Chris – Lik: The title is something that I came up with long before we even started the process of writing the new album. At first, I just presented it as a working title as usual, but it stuck and the guys liked it so we kept it. But there is of course an idea and meaning behind it.

Today there is this sense of every man for himself and survival of the fittest. What I mean is that society in majority is colder than ever and you see it in so many aspects in our everyday life, and it’s pretty scary if you think about it.

The writing process is as usual. Tomas writes most of the embryos/ skeletons of songs, if you will. Him and I rehearse these “songs”. I come up with riffs and we might write a song around those riffs. We put together what fits, present it to the other guys and rehearse them. Then it’s back and forth until we are satisfied. Sometimes the lyrics are written before the songs but mostly after or during the process and it’s Tomas and myself who writes the lyrics as well.

Nate – The Ritual: This record seems a lot darker in terms of the tone and lyrics on this record. Is this something that was planned or did it just materialise after writing the new material?

Chris – Lik: it just turned out like this it’s nothing we plan ahead.

Nate – The Ritual: I have listened to the album and I find it fantastic and most of the tracks explore the topics of death and depravity. In terms of song titles what influences you in their creation?

Chris – Lik: well thank you that’s great that you enjoy it. My influences vary from serial killers, war, horror movies/books and everyday depravity. I mean the source of lyrical inspiration never ends. Having a dark twisted fantasy helps too of course if you know what I mean.

Nate – The Ritual: In terms of 2020 with Covid19 and restrictions around live music. Did this have any influence on writing the album and the recording process?

Chris – Lik: yes, it certainly did. We were meant to enter a proper studio but covid put a stop to that so we had to track the album in our rehearsal space. It was not the most optimal situation, we had a hard time finding that feeling and flow that we usually have when in the studio, but Lawrence pushed us through it. As for the writing process we were about ready to enter the studio when the pandemic struck so that didn’t affect us that much in my opinion.

Nate – The Ritual: At present, you are one of Sweden’s finest exports in extreme music, and Sweden itself has a great history of death metal. Can you tell me what appeals to Swedes in terms of death metal and extreme metal in general?

Chris – Lik: again, thank you, you’re too kind. I guess we are blessed with the heritage of coming from a very musical country and the fact that we are the generation that carried on what the 90s bands created. Which is great death metal. So, I consider us to be lucky having the path lined out from the beginning for my generation.

Nate – The Ritual: Where do you see the band heading in the future and are there any plans for tours? Granted this will prove difficult for you in 2020.

Chris – Lik: I want to believe that our future is bright but considering what’s going on in the world right now it’s hard to say really. We had a great festival summer that went down the drain unfortunately. There is this tour planned in November but who knows?? I have hard time seeing it happen to be honest. Sad but true.

Nate – The Ritual: If someone has been unfortunate enough to not to have listened to Lik. How would you describe the music and sound that you make?

Chris – Lik: I would say that if you like old school Swedish death metal you will probably like what we do. Give it a try! Thanx for showing interest in Lik and for all the kind words.

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