They always come back. If you’ve seen any horror movie from the past, uh, ever, then you know that you didn’t kill the villain. The ghost hasn’t been banished back to Hell, the monster isn’t as dead as appearances would seem, and that headless maniac? Do you really think something as trivial as decapitation would keep him out of the sequel? Just like horror fans, fans of the band F.K.Ü. can rest assured that the latest outing is never the end.
Formed in 1987 in Uppsala, Sweden, the F.K.Ü. boys have pumped out six blood-drenched LPs dripping with references to all your favorite slasher films. The band’s latest offering, The Horror and the Metal, is no exception. Released back in February, the band’s sixth outing contains all of the references to classic metal and big, killer riffs that you’d expect from the group. I recently caught up with vocalist Larry Lethal to get the story on the latest F.K.Ü. massacre.
First off, how did the band get started? How did you decide on the name? It’s a killer name and the umlaut over the Ü makes it perfect.
Larry: The band started in the mid-eighties, more or less as a homage to greats like S.O.D. and D.R.I. Three letters then become a given, right? The entirety of the name (Freddy Krueger’s Ünderwear) obviously comes from our love of horror movies! Finally, everything gets a bit cooler if you Germanize it!
What got you into metal in the first place and who were some of the big bands that got you into the genre?
Larry: We have always been drawn to the energy of metal, and that’s what hooked us back in the day. It’s hard to give a better answer to that question. It just happened, and now it’s as natural a part of life as breathing or eating, you know? Bands that are always revered on F.K.Ü.’s altar are: S.O.D., Exodus, Slayer, and Testament, among others. Bands like these are, and have always been, the foundation of everything we do.
How about horror? What appeals to you guys about horror in general and classic slashers in particular? What are some of your favorite horror things (movies, books, etc.)?
Larry: Our second great love affair in life is, unsurprisingly, horror films. We enjoy the fun, the sick, and the weird aspects of many of the ’80s era slasher movies – and many of the old classics are incredible films in their own right! When it comes to favorites, it’s definitely the classic franchises like Halloween and Friday the 13th. But as mentioned, we never say no to the more twisted stuff either. Right now, Chopping Mall is marinating in the VHS player for tonight. Killer security robots are a perfect take on the current A.I. debate, right?
What has kept you guys with the band so long? Did you ever think, starting out, that you’d still be with it this long?
Larry: It’s probably a genuine love for all things horror and metal. When the core idea is well-rooted in everyone involved, it becomes easier. Everyone pulls in the same direction and understands what matters and what is good. This fact has given us a chance to last a long time. Another key ingredient is not thinking about longevity and living in the moment and enjoying what you do! So, the thought didn’t occur to us at the beginning that it would last this long, and that was probably a good thing. ”We’re gonna start a band – let’s make a 40-year-plan!” has never worked for anyone [laughs].
Going back to the first album, Metal Moshing Mad, how difficult was making that first release? What did you learn from that process that you’ve taken to subsequent albums?
Larry: Creatively, it was really anything goes, and in many ways, that makes things simpler. You want to carry that feeling with you over time, but it’s inevitable that you start to think, compare, and strive to make things even better. You create a framework to work from, and things often feel more complicated, but sometimes it’s nice to try to find that unrefined and raw quality from the first (and maybe even the second) album. That said, the debut still holds up, and it’s always special to play those songs live!
I really dig all your albums but 1981 is my favorite. How did you guys decide to do an album based solely around movies that came out that year? Were there any others that you wanted to do songs for but weren’t able to fit on there?
Larry: Thanks, we are super pleased with 1981! The idea came about because we all agreed that 1981 was the golden year for slashers – not a controversial statement by any means, but still! And when you’re sitting there with countless song ideas based on films from the same year, why not put them all on one album and name the album itself after that year? Sometimes “less is more”, even if a certain unnamed guitar virtuoso from Sweden claims otherwise. And we do have a bunch of song ideas for other tracks about films from 1981. In fact, we’ve received requests for a “1981… PART 2!”
The most recent album, The Horror and the Metal, is another killer LP that showcases what you guys do best. What was the recording/writing process like for that one? Over the years, has it gotten easier to write/record an album?
Larry: Thanks! We let the whole process take its time. There are both pros and cons to that, but we felt we wanted to go that route after 1981, which was a pretty quick and intense recording. We’ve always written songs in roughly the same way, but we choose to vary the recording process depending on the result we want. Recording albums becomes both easier and harder over time. Some things become more routine than before, while you may set higher standards for yourself as time goes on.
I wanted to ask about the musical/lyrical inspiration for a few of those songs. What’s the story behind the title track?
Larry: The song is truly an anthem for what we stand for and what we do – horror and metal. We like to present the theme in the first song on our albums, and in that way, we say “here’s what you get.” And it can’t be summarized better than in the title The Horror and the Metal.
How about the inspiration for “Deep Cuts?”
Larry: “Deep Cuts” is about the old-school way of finding items for your horror collection. The charm of being a collector is feeling like some kind of Indiana Jones in the flea market swamp. You dive in, search for invaluable treasures, and sometimes you happen to find the Holy Grail.
What about the story behind “Some Kind of Mosher?”
Larry: The song is a tribute to the thrash metal audience and to that crazy feeling you get when you throw yourself into the mosh pit, feel invincible for a moment, and forget everything else.
I really dug the closer, “You Are Who You Eat.” How did that one come about and did you always intend for it to be the closer?
Larry: It wasn’t always intended to be the last song, but it became so during the recording. It’s a bit “epic” in its form and felt fitting as a closing track when we were deciding the order. The entire final section became a good wind-down for the album. It tied everything together nicely, plain and simple.
What’s your local metal scene like out there and how has it shaped the band?
Larry: The scene is alive and thriving! It’s always inspiring to see new bands with younger talents discovering and developing the genre. Trends may rise and fall, but for those who are dedicated to this type of music, it matters less – and that’s the beauty of what we do, isn’t it?
Lastly, what’s next for F.K.Ü? What are the plans for the rest of 2024 and beyond?
Larry: The plan is to get out into the world and continue spreading our horror and metal ethos, keep writing songs for a new album, and do our best to keep the flag of horror and metal flying high!
Photo at top: The Horror and the Metal album cover.
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