There comes a time when enough is enough of the prissy, smug faces, the conveniently packaged angst and the generic chugga-chugga riffs that define the word "monotonous." The irritating popularity of the nu-metal scene was a subject broached over many alcohol-fuelled Saturday nights on the town in late ‘98 by Napalm Death members Shane Embury and Jesse Pintado along with Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir, ex-Cradle of Filth). The three Brits also began reminiscing about the ever-illusive "good ol days" when bands like Dark Angel, Death, Repulsion and Slayer (at their bulldozing best) ruled the roost, and nu-metal was but an undreamt of seed in the sack of new jack rappers. And so, inspired by a sea of lager, Lock Up was born.
With a decidedly low budget that barely scraped past double figures and a desire to bash an album out in double-quick time to preserve the rawness, Shane and Jesse set to work. A few sessions on a 10-watt practice amp and an unpredictable four-track recorder later, and they were ready to go into the studio. Mr. Barker parked his butt on the drum stool, asked, "What do I do to this one, then?" and proceeded to blur through the entire album in one take.
But there was still the small matter of recruiting a singer to contend with. Leafing through their little black book of growlers, they happened across Peter Tägtgren, Hypocrisy singer/guitarist and workaholic extreme metal producer. With rabid enthusiasm he agreed to do it, and so, fittingly, the rest of the band made the journey to deepest, darkest Northern Sweden to Peter's Abyss Studio. In keeping with the spontaneity, the screams and growls went to tape instantaneously with all the subtlety and restraint of a wounded bull elephant.
The press reacted very enthusiastically about this debut offering Pleasures Pave Sewers (Rock Hard Rank 1 in the Soundcheck, Hammer 6/7 points, Heavy Oder Was 10/ 12 points), because this was the album they had waited years for. "Old school" was the most written word- which was entirely the point.
Because all the members were busy with all their main bands, there was no Lock Up tour possible. There was only one very successful gig at the famous Wacken Open Air back in 2000; 20,000 people went crazy. Fans were surprised to see that Peter Tägtgren was not in attendance- and in his place was none other than Tomas "Tompa" Lindberg, the legendary ex-At The Gates frontman. From then on Lindberg became a permanent addition to Lock Up.
In February 2000, Lock Up entered the Framework Studio in Birmingham, England to record their second album. Produced by Russ Russell and engineered by none other than Napalm Death guitarist Mitch Harris, Hate Breeds Suffering RELEASED IN 2002 became another old-school grindcore monster. For the release of this album the band played a few shows and festivals around Europe and were invited to play the "Extreme the Dojo" festival in Japan in July 2002 with WILL HAVEN and CONVERGE. Their performance was recorded for a live album that was released in April 2005 by Japanese label TOY’S FACTORY and later re-released on FETO Records in 2007.
For numerous reasons, LOCK UP is currently on a temporary hiatus; some songs are written for the third and possibly last studio album. Until that time comes, Lock Up remains an open ended question…
LOCK UP - LIVE - HULTSFRED FESTIVAL,SWEDEN 2002 ARGGHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!
