Deliverance Session diary

As we came back home, there was a couple of days of rest, but we had a gig booked, our first Stockholm gig in 6 years, so we had to rehearse somewhat for that one. Besides I had more work to do within a couple of weeks. Most of the vocals for "Damnation" was yet to be done and I'd decided with Steve that I should come down to London and record them at his legendary home studio, No mans land. I had lots to think about, lyrics, the gig, and on top of everything my grandmother had just been hit and killed by a car. I was stressed out, exhausted and ridden with grief by this loss.

Her funeral was scheduled just one day before I was booked on a flight to the UK. It's weird how your perspective on things change once a family tragedy like this takes place. The songs I'd written got a new meaning. For the first time these songs were actually describing my inner turmoil even though most material was written before she was killed. And all the same music wasn't so important anymore. It is my life and all of a sudden it wasn't important. I did the remaining vocal tracks for "Damnation" in the UK during 3 days I believe it was. That was when I first realized just how different this album will be in comparison to anything we've done before. Rest of the time I spent together with Steve and his girlfriend, or just chilling at the hotel. I wasn't done chilling you know!

Now, looking back on everything, I'm proud of myself, I am proud over the guys + the band. We made it and this is the biggest thing we've ever done. We're all very proud.

The music we've recorded sounds fantastic, and so far it seem like most of our fans seem to agree. In retrospect I think we were stupid and naive to even think that this would be an easy recording. It's the toughest thing we've ever done but I hope it will also be the most rewarding thing we've ever done. And one thing is for sure...we'll never do a thing like this again.

"Deliverance and Damnation" was recorded in the summer of 2002. * * *