'Musical Evil At Its Finest!'

How does a computer-salesman, one janitor, and three welders from Sweden start a band?!

To keep it short, in October/November 2002 five young men (Marcus, Micke, Daniel, Seppo and Patrick) started to play gothic metal under the name of MOK (My Own Kingdom).

In July 2003 they decided to keep the music simple to go back to the basics of punk/rock'n'roll. Patrick not only stuck to the vocals, but began playing lead guitar, and Seppo started to sing back-up from behind the drums.

With the new sound a whole different band was formed, so they decided to change their name. They had already changed everything else so why keep the old one?

As for the lyrics, Patrick was influenced by old horror/zombie movies about the living dead, psycho killers and death and such. Some of them are also huge fans of the Resident evil videogames, from which they claim to have garnered their new band name T-Virus (the virus which turns people into zombies).

In October 2003 they recorded their demo 'Need To Feed' which included five songs. They released their first full length album 'Horror Thir13teen' through Blood and Guts Records on Dec. 3rd 2005 ... and that's were we are today.

Let the future decide that rest!

Chatting recently with Patrick, I first wondered at just what point had MOK (My Own Kingdom) become T-Virus? "I came to a point where I couldn't write that kind of music anymore, I wasn't satisfied with anything I wrote. MOK was more of a Goth-metal band a little bit Type O Negative and HIM influenced. I wanted to play guitar again and I wanted more rock 'n roll in the music, so we decided to take it from the top start all over again as a new band."

Is it true that your passion for old zombie flicks and videogames is where you got your new band name T-Virus from? "Yeah, actually we were thinking of "The Infected" at first, but quickly realized that the name was already spoken for! So Micke came up with T-Virus from the 'Resident Evil' video games ... you know, the virus that turns people into zombies! So yes, it's true."

With lyrics that also seem influenced by horror, carnage, and other such killerific vibes, does this love for zombies and such run deeper than just movies and videogames, perhaps? I mean, has anyone in the band ever taken a bite out of another band member before now?! "We usually don't bite our own kind, it happens but it's not too often. We go for the other bands and the people at the show. BRAINS!!!!"

For the Average Joe who may not have heard of you and was thinking of buying 'Horror Thir13teen' CD, how would you yourself describe your sound? "Dark melodic, rock with pop catchy chorus and a deadly punk attitude."

In fact, your album title 'Horror Thir13teen' is an interesting choice, but perhaps it originates from a more personal standpoint for you? "Well the album has that name for two reasons. First it includes thirteen Horror rock songs and second 13 has always been a superstitious number; the whole bad luck thing. So there you have 'Horror Thir13teen'."

If there was one track on this new album that truly encapsulated T-Virus at their musical and lyrical finest, which one would it be? "I would say it would be a song between 1-13 on the album! All of them as I really can't choose!"

The inside of the front cover of the new CD is dedicated 'In Loving Memory' to' Magnus Eriksson 1974-2005.' Please tell us more about Magnus and why this dedication is included "Magnus was Seppo's and Marcus older brother. He was funny and kinda shy and he was also a drummer, and as me and Seppo have grown up playing in bands together since '93 we really were inspired by the stuff he did with his band. And unfortunately Magnus was no longer with us when we were about to release our debut album so we dedicated it to him."

Just for fun, and taking the titles of a few of your album tracks, please let us know:

'Living Dead Doll' - OK, if you could bring any female star back from the dead for one night of sex, who would it be ... and why?! "Marilyn Monroe, she's a natural beauty .. love the 50's look."

'Horror Night' - On Halloween, what costume would/do you where if you're going to a big costume party?! "I would go as Michael Myers with a big bloody kitchen knife."

'The Curse' - What curse do you think you have that seems to follow you around everywhere?! "I seem to have go to work every day ... if that's not a curse I don't know what is!"

What '80s (and possibly cheesy!) pop/rock song would you love to cover today if asked ... and why?! "T-Virus would do "Cry Little Sister" from "The Lost Boys" soundtrack. Don't know the name of the band that did the song. But it's a good song and the movie rocks."

Lastly, I like Penguins ... do you?! "No, their brains are too small. We like bigger brains… more food."

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of T-Virus' new CD, just answer this easy question: On Halloween, Patrick stated that the costume he would wear would be that of Michael Myers with a big bloody kitchen knife. But, what movie is the character Michael Myers from?!

Send me your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these great new AUTOGRAPHED CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before July 1st with your answer and the subject title 'T-VIRUS SIGNED CDs' to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net