Guitarist/vocalist Pat Howe of up-and-coming Swedish grinders AFGRUND answered some of our questions about the band’s upcoming appearance at the Maryland Deathfest. Sure to be a highlight of the festival, and one of the most promising new grind bands around, make sure to check them out at 6pm on Friday, May 23rd, because you’ll feel like a loser if you miss one of the most talked about bands of the show!

For those unfamiliar with Afgrund, how would you describe yourself?

A multinational grindcore d-beat punk band (we’re swedish, half english/half czech, finnish and italian) based in Stockholm, Sweden and Helsinki, Finland.

Why did you decide to accept a spot on this year’s Maryland Deathfest?

Because it’s a cool fest presenting a lot of good bands and also to make a tour out of our US-visit.

With so many bands performing, what do you think sets you apart from the others, and why should people make sure to check out your set?

Well…I guess we like to think we’re pretty intense live and on stage or at least we try to be. We blend a lot of fast grind with d-beat punk and hardcore influences, I guess there might be some death metal in there too. We also scream our asses off. So if you like the sound of that, come see us live!

What other bands on MDF are you most excited to see?

Repulsion and probably Fuck…I’m Dead, Disfear will be cool too.

What is your set list looking like for the show, and are you going to do anything special?

Not that I know of at the moment, it’ll probably be a blend of songs from both our album and split album, maybe we’ll throw in a cover song there too.

If you could pick one band to play next year’s MDF, who would it be?

Our Swedish friends The Arson Project who had to cancel their show at MDF this year, they are easily one of the best grind bands I’ve both seen and heard this last year. Also Dr. Doom from Holland, fucking great grind band, tight and innovative as hell!

Who is better, Repulsion or Nasum?

That question needs to be defined better, Repulsion are better in their way because they’re a great influence to a lot of grind bands today, probably even Nasum. Nasum are however better to me personally as I prefer to listen to them and have been more influenced by them.

Disfear or At The Gates?

At The Gates easily! “Slaughter of the Soul” is one of my all-time favorite metal albums! However Disfear’s new album “Live The Storm” is fucking great too!

How much alcohol do you think you will consume over the weekend?

Too much to remember! I hope!

Why are there so many amazing grindcore and death metal bands from Sweden?

No idea, frustration over being surrounded by so many beautiful women? I guess that makes us play fast, and faster. Oh and the Scandinavian darkness!

Are In Flames an embarassment?

Who?

Are you going to try and fuck an American woman on your trip, or are they too annoying/ugly?

Well I’m single and not gay so you never know! However I haven’t met all American women yet but I’ll definitely try to avoid the annoying and ugly ones!

Any final words for our readers?

Erhm….come to our shows, buy our merch and CDs so we can pay for our flights over, our rental car and gas! Oh and beer! Or just give us beer too! Cheers! Oh yeah, check us out at MySpace too if you haven’t already!

www.afgrund.com
www.myspace.com/avgrund

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