Born from a passion for raw and putrid death metal, Consumption is the brainchild of Håkan Stuvemark, crafting a brutal sound inspired by Carcass and Sweden’s extreme scene. In this interview, we dive into his journey and the creation of Catharsis.
Serial Metalbums: Every band has a moment of inception—an idea that grows into a sonic force. Can you take us back to the genesis of Consumption? What sparked the project, and what vision did you set out to achieve?
Håkan Stuvemark: Consumption came out of an idea that had popped up a few times earlier, to make some song inspired by one demo and album I've always like a lot. The Finnish band's Disgrace demo Inside the Labyrinth of Depression and Carcass album Necroticism Descanting the Insalubrious. Pretty much exactly 5 years ago now I quickly wrote one song and tested to do vocals and it turned out well, that song was Suppuration and a few evenings later I had written a full album which came to be Recursive Definitions.. It's written fast and without thinking so it has its sloppy parts but who cares. It was fun. I didn't have more of a vision than make that right in that moment but only weeks after I started to write more songs and had NEcrotic Lust written before before Recursive was released the same year and it was the same with what became Catharsis, I had it written before the release of Necrotic Lust. A couple of years ago I felt it'd be great to play live, I think this music deserves it. Nothing has happened yet but we will see, It would be fun!
Serial Metalbums: The name Consumption immediately evokes imagery of decay, disease, and inevitable demise. What does this name mean to you in the broader context of your music and themes?
Håkan Stuvemark: The first name I had for this project was PUS which wasn't very good but after a while I had a look in y sketch pad and found a logo I had drawn with a name that Jon Skäre had come up with. it was CONSUMPTION It didn't have any relation this but it was perfect and it's a cool name.
Håkan Stuvemark: I guess one can hear swedish tones in my music but back in the early 90's when we started WOMBBATH and forward our biggest influences was UK and US death/grind bands and two of the most important to me were Napalm Death - Harmony Corruption and Carcass- Necroticism..... That Carcass album has been and still is an enormous inspiration to me, in my world it's one of a few albums that are perfect from start to finish and two others are so is Entombed - Clandestine and Edge of Sanity - The Spectral Sorrows.
Serial Metalbums: Across your albums, there’s a clear sense of continuity in your sound yet an evolution in execution. Do you approach each album with a predefined direction, or is the creative process more instinctive and fluid?
Håkan Stuvemark: I don't have any precise ideas more than the Carcass vibes. I'm not out for copying but maybe it is on some parts and if someone says that it is I'm not complaining.
Serial Metalbums: Your latest release, Catharsis, delivers an unrelenting and suffocating atmosphere. What does the album title signify in relation to the music and lyrical content? How did you approach the recording process this time around compared to your previous works?
Håkan Stuvemark: It's the swedish melancholy you hear. It can be heard practically all swedish music. No room for happiness here in music, not my music but I must be in a good,/happy/balanced mood to be able to write music or even just play. Regrading lyrics, art work etc there aren't any pre-relations but maybe post-relations. The title was a word I heard on a tv show (I knew the word before of course) and liked it. The art work was painted after others ideas but it goes well with the title.
The recording process has been pretty much the same for all records. We've tracked the stuff at our places and then as for the first two albums sent the material to Ronnie Björnström for mix except Catharsis that I mixed. On Necrotic Lust Jeff Walker sang the song Ground Into Ash and Coal, he tracked the vocals in a studio somewhere in UK and then sent the files over.
Serial Metalbums: Your debut Recursive Definitions of Suppuration set the tone for Consumption’s sonic identity. How do you view that album today, four years later?
Håkan Stuvemark: When I hear some parts on it I think, why did I do that or why didn't I do that better. I tracked the low vocals with pitch so it was originally way deeper than it is on the album But I really like that album, I do. On the next two albums there was nopitch on the vocals.
Serial Metalbums: Necrotic Lust (the album that made me discover the band) expanded upon your sound and took things to a new level. Were there any pivotal moments during its creation that pushed you toward the evolution we now hear in Catharsis?
Håkan Stuvemark: Well, something that actually felt when I wrote Necrotic Lust and got me to understand Carcass more. That sound/riffs/scales really invites to write riffs in many directions. Either go back to more grind and gore or if one, as I do, like melodies (not happy ones) it's easy to go in that direction. Even in the Swansong direction but I won't go there.
Serial Metalbums: Extreme metal is in a constant state of transformation. What are your thoughts on the current state of death metal, both globally and within Sweden?
Håkan Stuvemark: I think it's great with so many branches in death metal and it always have been. Let it evolve! There shall be music for everyone!
Serial Metalbums: Now that Catharsis is unleashed upon the world, what’s next for Consumption? Do you already have ideas brewing for future material? Can fans expect to see you on the road in support of the new album, and if so, are there any particular places you’re most eager to play?
Håkan Stuvemark: As I mentioned a bit a little earlier it'd be nice getting this music live but we'll see. I'm not rushing anything and we released a new WOMBBATH album 1,5 week ago. What happens happens. I have earlier good experinces from Germany, Netherlands, Czech for example, great people and excellent food!
Serial Metalbums: Finally, if you could leave your audience—both longtime supporters and new listeners—with one message, what would it be?
Håkan Stuvemark: That's a difficult one...... I guess I'll aim for the new listeneres. I you're as new that you haven't heard us yet go check us! Quoting labels and writers; "You'll get the album x3 that Carcass could have released between Necroticism and Heartwork!
