Once again we went to
Oslo, Norway, in this case to meet the grindcore band TOTTAL TØMMING who
a few days ago published their new and second album entitled "Tankeskrekk".
We spoke to Morten Müller (vocals) about this new album who also tells
us about the fun and crazy universe inside TOTTAL TØMMING.
1 – Greetings from
Argentina Morten and thanks for reply our questions friend... !!
Greeting right back at you from Norway!! Thanks for having me!
2 – First tell us about the beginnings of
TOTTAL TØMMING, how was it created?
Tottal Tømming was created as Jon Eirik Bokn, John Espen Sagstad and
myself were enjoying a couple of beers along with the then new album by
Napalm Death, Utilitarian, on the TROLLFEST tour bus. The year was 2015,
and the place was Houston, Texas. We were laughing our asses off to the
amazingly crazy and funny energy that Napalm Death provides, and we were,
like many times before, drawn to the conclusion that “dude, we have to
start a band like this!”. That’s been quite a common thing to discuss
when lightly inebriated and in high spirits, but this time it felt so
genuin to me that I had to seize the opportunity. We collectively let
ourselves loose and came up with a bunch of songtitles, lyrical themes
and characters on the spot. It truly felt like a great creative and free
flowing moment! When I came home from the tour, I immediately starting
writing the songs for “Schtøgg Skive”.
3 - How is TOTTAL TØMMING line-up today?
Drums - Pelle Peddal/Jon Eirik Bokn (Trollfest, Dead Trooper, Breed,
Venus Flycatchers, Metal Militia)
Bass - Harry Harley/Atle Sjørengen (Wyruz, Aleister Kane)
Guitar - Benny Brekk/Alexander Klæboe (Shot At Dawn)
Guitar - Carl/Christopher Marchand (Shot At Dawn, Carburetors, Damien,
The Cult Of Destiny)
Vocals - Sigrid Vollgraven/Morten R. Müller (x-Trollfest, Death Injector,
Bog Studios, Manhunter, Dead Trooper, Metal Militia, x-Grimfist)
Extra bass - Øystein/Birger Larsen (Dead Trooper, Metal Militia,
Trollfest)
Sologuitar - Mæx Feedback/John Espen Sagstad (Trollfest, x-Sarkom,
Pantheon I, Metal Militia)
4 - This month
TOTTAL TØMMING released their new album “Tankeskrekk” (“thought horror”
in English) ; Can you tell us about it? Does it keeps the sound of the
debut album "Schtøgg skive"? (I have had the privilege of listening to
it but you better tell it…)
Yes, the album was out everywhere on Sept 7th! I think it’s fair to let
the fans decide how different from our debut Tankeskrekk really is.
Personally, I love listening to it, and I think it sounds like a lot of
fun. Jon Eirik Bokn’s drums this time around is an absolute creamy, wet
dream to listen to. He has truly delivered remarkably!! I also think my
vocal delivery is a bit more maniacal and a tad more honey sweet than
last time around.
5 - What
lyrical inspirations has Tottal Tømming and who writes them?
I write most of the lyrics, although I try to involve other people as
well, since I am literally surrounded by brilliant wordsmiths! Birger
Larsen wrote the lyrics for “Bunnslumskrapr”, and our lovely stalker-fan
Kjetil Gulbrandsen put together the words for “Du Ække Enkli Ånkli Sjuk”,
our fan-made song!
Generally we write and sing about various mental challenges that many
people go through on a daily basis. We’re talking anxiety, depression
and general insecurities. Also, the many ways human societies tend to
try and mold us to fit in with sterile and generally boring frameworks
is frequently visited! We are a humorous band, however, and we try to
make some fun out of all of this. We all suffer from time to time, and
being human can be quite miserable. Tottal Tømming is about getting a
break from all that and just having a wonderful cathartic release! Let
it all hang out, let your inner child out for a short while and just
exist!
6 - All of them are in Norwegian language and -
Will it always be like this?
Yes, it will always be like this, mainly. But can we flirt with other
languages? Yes, of course! In this band, you can’t go wrong!
7 - I want you to tell me how a strange song
was born like "Lukten Av (Gars) Dagens Rett and" Estúpido y loco " its
title in Spanish, because when I heard it I felt at home (he he he he )
“Lukten” was created with some drum loops i downloaded for free from who
knows where. It’s a really old one. I just went for it wanting to do
something different. It is a result of pure purging and playfulness.
Also, I snatched the lyrics from a Norwegian poet called Anuspoeten. I
am glad you like “Loco”! :D That is our first song that’s not in
Norwegian. Dilson Xavier from Argentina does some guest vocals on it,
and he also helped me a tiny bit with the lyrics. Check out Dilson’s
music here:
Tottal Tømming - Her
Kommer Enda En Dag (official video)
10 - When listening to incredibly beastly songs like “Lille Stille
Psykkopat”, I wonder myself - What bands have influenced your brutal
sound? (Because I also feel some essence of death metal, Punk and
Hardcore in addition to grindcore music)
Yeah, we have influences all over the place. We don’t really think about
what kind of genre the songs shall be in. But generally, it has to sound
mad and fast. Madly fast. Fastly mad! But I, speaking as the main
songwriter (self-pat on my back), am a fan of all those genres you
mentioned, so yes. All of the above.
11 - How is the grindcore scene in Norway
today?
Not too shabby! We have BEATEN TO DEATH, of course. They might be
the biggest grind band in Norway at the time. They play melodic
grindcore, really cool. Then you have MAKKMAT from Stavanger?!?!
They are way dirty. Really fast and nasty. Other than those two, I can’t
really think of any more bands that are pure grind right of the bat. But
there are several beautiful acts lurking in the underground, like
DRITTMASKIN, DØNK
and SVARTE PEENG.
12 – Tell us what it's like to see a TOTTAL
TØMMING crazy concert?
Hopefully a lot of free flowing fun. A lot of beards and glasses. Five
adults acting beautifully like children.
13 - How is the Covid-19 situation there? Can't
do a concert yet?
I am not totally aware of the current situation, but I think you can
play show for no more than 50 or 200 people, depending on the size of
the venue. The audience must be 1m apart from each other all the time.
It sucks, but I don’t think it’s fair to take any chances. We just have
to be patient and focus on all the fun stuff we CAN do, like live
streaming. The potential there is huge!
14 - Do you have another project or bands
outside TOTTAL TØMMING ?
Yes. I have a Youtube channel called Bog Studios, where I do Metallica
songs in the style of MESHUGGAH, mostly. There is also a Metallica
tribute band called METAL MILITIA, in which I act kinda like James
Hetfield. I might be part of some old revival soon, but who knows… My
doom/stoner band, MANHUNTER, might also release some new stuff in the
future, and I have a monstrous project coming up, kinda like a mix
between NEUROSIS and MESHUGGAH. I also write music with my wife, some
really weird, heavy stuff.
15 - Thanks again for your time and I want to
ask you a few words for the South American metalheads .. !!
Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate it! I wish I was
there playing for every crazy South American metalhead, it’s been way
too long. Hope to see you soon!! Stay mad and free!
