Swedish guitarist and vocalist Rogga Johansson is undisputedly Death Metal’s most prolific artist. In his career of over twenty-five years, he has been involved in the creation of well over two hundred releases. With over forty current bands and projects, this year so far has seen releases from Furnace, Heir Corpse One, Paganizer, Ravaged By The Yeti, Eye Of Purgatory, Skeletal Spectre and, in a few weeks, Megascavenger. Some might say he lives for the riff.
What’s the most Metal thing you’ve ever done off stage?
Not much really, I don’t even wear sunglasses.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played, and why?
A gig that was supposed to be cancelled, or our slot got cancelled. So I started drinking heavily, and then after a couple of hours, they said we could play. Needless to say, it didn’t go very well. After two songs with me struggling to understand how a guitar and mic worked, I just went off stage and continued drinking instead.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played, and why?
That’s a hard one, maybe Tarragona, Spain. Great gig and great audience. At one point, a guy from the audience was lying on the stage with his head stuck into the bass drum as we played. That was a bit odd.
Would you choose a platinum record or one perfect, legendary live show?
One live show doesn’t pay much, but if an album has gone platinum, that means lots of beer money, so I’d go for that.
What’s your greatest fear?
That the approaching intercosmic insect overlords don’t like Death Metal the simple way.
What’s the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I eat and drink too much. I’m a real pig, really. I mean, how hard should it be to show some constraint?
What’s the trait you most deplore in other musicians?
That all of them are so much better than me.
Describe yourself in three words.
Made of lard.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
I don’t know really. Should I feel guilty about pleasuring myself?
What does a great riff feel like to write?
It’s like opening the first cold beer of the day, and then drinking it.
What’s the worst thing a fan has ever said to you?
Nothing really, I don’t think I have any fans.
What’s the worst thing a critic has ever said to you?
I can’t recall really. I don’t check out reviews much. But I guess if they are indifferent to the music, it’s worse than if they dislike it. You can’t spell dislike without using like.
If you weren’t in music, what would you be doing?
I’m a one-trick pony, so I have no fucking idea really. I love reading, mainly horror. Maybe I would try to write my own horror stories.
What’s one album outside your genre you secretly love?
Contrary to what people might think, I listen to lots of different music in different genres. So something I secretly like implies that it might be cheesy or bad too. I don’t hate Taylor Swift. Let’s go for that answer.
When did you last cry, and why?
This morning when I walked past the mirror.
What keeps you awake at night?
Beer. Actually, it both keeps me awake and puts me to sleep, depending on the amount.
Riffs, royalties or recognition, if you had to choose?
Riffs. I don’t care for money, even though it sucks that I don’t have any. And recognition doesn’t mean much either. I do music because of a need that comes from inside. Not that I need for others to hear it. Even if I didn’t have labels wanting to release my stuff, I would still do it just as I need to.
How do you want to be remembered?
Thin and beautiful. But that ship has sailed. So I’ll go for being an ok guy that did his best for his family and friends.
What’s the most important lesson the road has taught you?
I will wrongfully assume you mean the book by Cormac McCarthy. The lesson I take from that book is that in a post-apocalyptic world, you should do your best to stay away from other people to avoid being eaten.
What happens when the music stops?
If it’s on tape, you rewind and push play again.
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Rogga Johansson: Riffs Over Royalties, Every Time first appeared on
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