Interview with Aura Noir ( Blasphemer)

!! This interview is exclusive and the copyrights belongs to me. Don’t steal it without my permission!!

1.Hello Rune, it’s a great chance for me to have an interview with you! Let’s talk about your discography. You have a very rich discography with bands,side projects and live shows. What was the first formal band you were associated with and how did it start?

Hello Miruna. Yes, I do have quite a few records released already, with a wide span in terms of genre too, which I consider fortunate. Well, the first “real” band I was associated with on a bigger scale was Mayhem of course. I mean, I joined Mayhem in 1994 at the age of 19 years old, so prior to this I only had more local/regional things going, a demo-band called Testimony amongst others. This demo-band started out as a project for me and a drummer in a local hard rock band called Fury. The drummer was a huge fan of old school Thrash, Doom and Death Metal so in between the rehearsals he had, we would team up to play cover-songs in their reheasal room. I remember we played old Obituary songs as well as Pestilence and Death covers. This eventually led to our first (and only) demo “Enter Obscurity”, and some occasional touring in Norway before I turned my nose towards what happened in Oslo with the BM scene. Anyways, this band we had ended in 1993 but by the time we threw in the towel we had already done support jobs for Kreator as well as touring with the best and biggest Thrash band from Norway throughout the years, namely Equinox. Check out their “Auf Wiedersehn” and “The Way To Go” albums if you want a piece of old Norwegian Metal history.

2. 22 years by far since Aura Noir exists and 19 years since you are in the band. How it all began? What means Aura Noir for you? What will 2016 bring for this band?

It actually started with Carl Michael and myself meeting up in Elm Street one night after a Mayhem rehearsal. Not completely sure how or by whom we were introduced, but anyways, after a few beers we ended up in the Mayhem rehearsal space to jam. Both drunk as fuck but I still remember the night clearly. This was late 94 perhaps…or very early 95. So yeah, since then we kept going, doing our Black Thrash. Although there is a few albums I didnt get involved in (Deep tracts Of Hell etc) I still feel I have been a part of the band since the first meeting. It was a good “click” so to say, and thats the reason why I am still there. The band for me is my guilty pleasure of old Thrash nostalgia as well as homage to the glory days of proper extreme music, when stuff was exciting. I still prefer 80´s Thrash metal to most extreme things released after 1995, fact. For 2016 we will (finally) record the new album. It has been some years since Out To Die so we feel the time is right to step up and finalize the next chapter, so to speak. Apart from that we will continue doing some shows around, most notably Wacken Open Air in August as well as some other festivals in Scotland and Sweden + one-off shows around Europe. I believce the new album to be out by late autumn this year via Indie Records.

3. What can you tell me about your last album ( Out to die)? What made you decide on the album name? Are there any future projects for the band?

Well, Out To Die was mostly written by myself and Apollyon due to Aggressor´s accident. We wrote the album in Apollyons house in the mountains where he resided during that period. Was a cool period actually, a lot of skiing in between the sessions, hehe. But yeah, I guess the album is a bit more aggressive than the previous offering “Hades Rise”. It was also a bit more “jammed” as we ran out of time in the end, as the label forced us to record earlier than expected due to the release-schedule etc. But yeah, these things happen once in a while. Still feel this album as a massive offering, with some really cool tracks in “Priest Hellish Fiend”, “Trenches,” “Abaddon” and the title track. As for the album title, that we chose from one of the lyrics written for the album. The lyric was written by Dirge Rep (x-Gehenna) and we thought it to be fitting somehow. Very ugly, like the rest of the band´s music and style.

4. Is it hard for you living in Portugal and the bands you are part of are in Norway?
R: Not really. The world is a small place these days with the internet and all. Besides, there is always a flight. Good flight connections from Lisbon to Oslo actually, and the prices are fairly low so no real obstacle. I feel living in Portugal more as an advantage than anything else really. I mean, sure, the music scene around here is not so great perhaps, and to get things done requires a huge dose of patience, but the laid back lifestyle, accompanied by the sunny and pleasant weather is highly regarded in my book. It makes me more at easy, more relaxed and when I am more relaxed I perform better. The inspiration comes easy. Win/win.

5. What influenced you to take up music?
R: I guess it has something to do with the fact that I am a musical spirit, to put it a bit vague. I have always, since my earliest memories been kinda obsessed with music and the universe it brings along. I even clearly remember I told my grandmother before she passed away in the early 80´s that I wanted to be a musician. I was probably 7 years old, but still I knew what I wanted to be. Kinda cool actually. So yeah, from there it has been a long and complicated but somewhat fruitful journey, from attending my first big concert (Motorhead in 1985 with my older sister) to residing here in Portugal, doing music for a living since the mid 90´s. I believe by now I have composed/played on about 15 albums or so, and done guest appearances on 6-8, and many more to come, so yes..I feel blessed being able to do this. It is not only a dream, it is my whole life …the only thing I know how to do 110%. Well, at least I think I know how to do it, hehe. To put a bit more “meat” to the answer to your question: I also had somewhat musical parents, well my father was a guitarplayer anyways, as well as my grandparents. So, that too did help naturally.

6. A little bird told me that you and Carmen are working for a new project. Can you tell me some details or it will be a surprise?
R: Well, yes we are. It has been in the works for a long time actually, and I think it will surprise some people out there. Its quite the opposite of what we did with Ava Inferi and we have also used a long time to finalize the expression for the band, and now I feel we have our (secret) formula. Its more upbeat and “rock” orientated but with a great sense of hooks and melodies. Lots of (free-spirited) riffing and strange, ethereal ambiance. More to come in the next months. But rest assured it has nothing to do with our older efforts, this is a whole new start on a whole new level, with new and exciting musicians in place.

7. Having played for many bands over the years, what are some of the memorable moments ?
R: Oh, there are many. I have great memories from all the bands Ive played with, and they dont nesesarrily need to be of a huge show or anything like that. I mean, sure, playing Wacken in front of 70.000 people is kinda great, but also sometimes its the magic one creates in the rehearsal room or here in my little home studio which elevates me as a being and brings me to gratefulness. It can be a comment from somebody, a new deal we secured, a fun travel to a show where everybody rides the same current, can be anything….I feel blessed to be able to live this dream, and I try to be more and more present in every moment (when possible, hehe) in order to build on it and elevate it.

8. Thank you once again for taking the off to answer the questions! Hope to see u soon in Romania, again.
R: Thanks you for the interview. Much appreciated. Yes, hope to be back in Bucharest later on this year. It always feels like home away from home.

 

 

Wormood interview

Hello Nine, I’m glad that you accepted my invitation to answer these questions.
ANSWER: The pleasure is mine.

2 WORMWOOD is a side project of your, besides Withershin . Was entirely your idea or are you a part of it?

I am not sure I would call it a side project because both are different entities. Both require different things. Whilst Wormwood is more active, Withershin is a slumbering giant who awakens from time to time with ferocious vie.

3. What about the gigs? where did your first concert take place? I would like you to tell me full details about the first steps you took with this band, please.
ANSWER: We were asked to play on the same gig as Månegarm the 14th of June 2014. We saw it as a good opportunity to test our sail on home-soil with an audience not knowing what to expect. They were pleasantly surprised.

4. you were in Romania twice. First time with Withershin and then with Wormwood. Do you like our country? Is the Romanian audience different from the Swedish public? Do people have the same kind of enthusiasm everywhere you go, or is your music received differently according to the places you go?

Romania is very different from Sweden in many aspects, but that is a different subject. The reception we got from the audience in Romania with Withershin and Wormwood was overwhelming. One of the best audiences I have had the pleasure to play for. They don’t take the bands for granted and they give everything they have on gigs.
Our state of mind does not change, no matter where we play. Be it Russia, Sweden or Romania. Every ritual is different, yet the same in that sense that we go out to perform as good as humanly possible every time. We do not change. When you see Wormwood or Withershin, you shall except the unexpected and enjoy the ride.

5. Tell me about your EP, The Void: Stories from the Whispering Well . Who wrote the lyrics, and who was responsible for most of the instrumental part?
ANSWER: The concept behind the EP is from my journey through the northern parts of Sweden. I’ve gathered stories and anecdotes whilst reading in books and talking to people. I’ve created the mythos and the mystery. Some are fictitious and some based on true event. It’s up for the reader to fins what’s what.
Rydsheim, the guitarist, is the mastermind behind all of the songs (except for some riffs in A Virgin Smeared on Stone which Jothun created). He created the perfect atmosphere for what the different stories should tell. Let’s not forget Nox who did all of the solos on the album. The beastial blasts from Jothtun and the doom-laden bas from Borka is a big part of the sound as well.

6. What is with this name: WORMWOOD. Was is your idea? Or did something or someone inspire you? What made you chose this rather common word? Does it mean something special to you or the band?
Wormwood is a star from the Bible which crashed down on earth and made the water sour and the people sick that drank from it. It has many more meanings as well. One reason why I did choose the name was from an old anecdote I found whilst being up in the north. They were talking about something called ‘Tomrummet’ (the void). A reference to an evil, ominous force which have haunted different parts up there. This ‘void’ is my reference to Wormwood. The forest void.

7. Where do you see yourself in the near future? Any plans or visions for this band or is it the kind of side project where you let the inspiration and ideas flow and just watch where it takes you?
As we speak we are creating songs for over upcoming full-length album. More information about it will come later.
We might also in a near future have some information about an upcoming European tour.

8.You are doing vocals for Withershin as well as for Wormwood. What band takes most of your time and if it were to choose one as a priority, which one would it be?
As I stated before. Withershin and Wormwood are very different. Both stimulate different parts of my brain. Both require different set amount of time. I cannot choose because both are a part of me.

9. Thank you a lot for the interview! Hope that you will come again in our country. Finally, what would you like to say to your fans and audience in Romania? What is it that they should look forward to experience during your future performance?
 No matter where our fans comes from, you’re an essential part of our inspiration and future. Stay true to yourself and follow the voices from The Void.
Can you hear the hissing in the wind? That might be us coming to Romania soon…

Interview with Xenoyr (Ne Obliviscaris)

Hello Xenoyr and first of all I wanna thank you cuz you did that, also I want to thank you for your wonderful show in Romania at Rockstadt Extreme Fest. Now tell me how it all began? Let’s begin with the name. Why Ne Obliviscaris?

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed the Rockstadt performance.
The band name Ne Obliviscaris, means ‘forget not’. It was chosen as it could be interpreted in many ways, as we wanted something that resounded with people and has a poetic sensibility about it. When you give people the opportunity to interpret something for themselves, allow them the space to think rather than telling them exactly…they form their own attachment to it therefore in turn it has more meaning to each individual. We’re not a simple band overall, however we simply believe in freedom of thought and expression.

You just release two EP’s this year Hiraeth and Sarabande to Nihil. Tell me a bit about the impact of them in the metal world/scene?

Well, the two EPs were both written between 2005-2006, so very early on in our career…we were very ‘green’ and inexperienced, and I think that shows comparatively to our two albums. That’s not to say they’re terrible, it was about us trying to find our feet and understand one another. We decided to release the material exclusively for our 2014 crowdfunding campaign…they were pressed only for the people who supported us during it; the EPs will never be pressed again nor will we play them live…as long as I live. The feedback from the metal community has been surprisingly positive, however granted we get a little negativity from them (as most people think they’re recently written), so we have an issue with people listening to the EPs as the first NeO experience, as it’s not a correct representation of what we do. Every time the songs appear on Youtube, they get taken down…We can’t stop torrents, however Youtube is more of an easier avenue to listen to music so its about limiting the accessibility to the EPs for listeners, and to respect the fans who supported the campaign.

Your violin playing also has a more new age/world music flair this time around. Am I right ?

I wouldn’t say you’re incorrect, after all we each have our own interpretation, but the term has never crossed my mind with what we do. I don’t listen to much new age/world music so I couldn’t honesty couldn’t say, however I would say that Tim uses his violin in a very experimental way, especially with the opening and closing tracks from Citadel; something you could possibly relate to a thriller/horror movie. Perhaps its a different sort of “new age”…

Tell me about the lyrics? Who is writing them? You or Tim? What does inspires you?

I write all the lyrics for both Tim and myself. For Tim’s parts he’ll generally give me a melody (and/or syllables) to work with and I’ll adapt words around that. My inspiration comes from many, many things; old art and literature, history (especially a fascination in world disasters, mass suffering and generally anything that creates extreme emotions in people), music, old black and white films…and I guess I draw on emotions from the darker experiences I’ve had.

Comparing you to other bands when suggesting you who are some bands that are unexpected influences in your sound?

To start with it’s really hard to give someone an understanding of our music by listing bands, but people have summed us up by mixing; Enslaved, Opeth, Cynic, (early) Tristania and Dream Theater…how accurate that is, is an argument fans will have, but in terms of unexpected influences; everyone in the band listens to a wide variety of music so we range from Sigur Ros to Emperor, to Mahler, to Death. I think if each of us listed the bands we listened to, there would be a lot of nodding heads but also some very cynical raised eyebrows.

I guess you’ve been asked that before but how do you and Tim determine when to go harsh vs clean and when to go dual? What kind of discussions go on?

Most of the time it’s all about the feel, for instance if we’re at rehearsal Tim and I will trial ideas over the top of riffs, now and then we’ll look at each other at the same time which will signify, yes. We’ll go away and try some ideas, then send thoughts back and forth via email, and most of the time it works out that what we write separately may in fact compliment one another’s parts…we seem to have this subconscious understanding.

Let’s get back to the beginning of the interview. You were this summer for the first time in Romania to play at REF. How was it in your opinion? How was the crowd towards your gig? Will you come back to us? : )

I could write an article on it but in short, Rockstadt Extreme Fest was my favourite show of the whole tour; it was about everything coming together…playing against a sunset backdrop surrounded by forest, in front of a passionate and beautiful crowd….and also being able to share the stage with some of our favourite bands always helps too. It was relaxed yet extremely well run, the staff were friendly and the day went without fault…we couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
We were a little unsure how our music would go down, but it turns out Romanians seem to get what we do…perhaps its the old world sensibility that we retain in part of our music. We’ll definitely go back to Romania…and in all honesty, I didn’t want to leave…so, if I disappear one day, I may or may not be living as hermit somewhere deep in their dark forests.

How do you compare the album from 2012 with the one from 2014? (Portal of I vs Citadel)

Portal of I was more of a collection of songs we’d written over quite a long period, whereas Citadel is more cohesive, flowing and more guitar driven. It feels cleaner and more direct yet just as much experimentation as POI, and somehow we got out what we wanted in a more efficient way I think. We’re proud of both albums, and there are elements which I like on one more than the other and vice-versa but Citadel feels like us more, as all 6 of us were there through the whole creation process…

The band recently crowd-funded a world tour. How did the response of over 1000 fans doubling your goal make you feel as an artist?

The crowdfunding campaign was certainly an overwhelming surprise, we really didn’t expect such a reaction from people across the world. It gave us the sense that maybe we were doing something right, it was validation to a degree…and I guess our fans also appreciate that we’re somewhat of an interactive band, as we always try to make our fans feel acknowledged. Treat one as you wish to be treated, is not a hard concept to follow. We’re still a very young band internationally, but this gives us hope.

Thank you again Xenoyr for doing this and thank you for your time. To conclude would you like to say something for your Romanian fans?

Thank you for the great questions, and also a big thank you to all our Romanian fans and everyone that supported us by coming to see our Rockstadt performance, it meant the world…and you all were our world that evening, an experience we’ll never forget. We will see you all on tour again!

Interview with Lars from Wallachia (norway)

Hello Lars, I’m glad I’m talking to you now. Tell me about your new EP, how it’s gonna be called? I’ve heard that the album recording that has been scheduled for June will be cancelled and delayed a few months, unfortunately. The artwork will also be done by Laura Sava?

Hello Miruna, and thanks for inviting me.
Because of the live-plans for August and investments in musical equipment, flights for rehearsals, hotels and anything related, it took its toll on the budget I had already planned for the album recording, and for those reasons I had no choice but to delay the album recording a few months. Even though we’ve already started to do some recordings of guitars, orchestral/keyboard stuff and also had a session with female vocals done last week. The idea of doing an EP prior to the new album came to me since we’re already doing some “test recordings” of the live-material, including some stuff from the upcoming album, and we wanted to do this special EP featuring the entire live line-up as what we do is basically a one-time event (now to begin with, at least). So it’s a 3-track EP that goes under the name “Carpathia Symphonia” and will have a playing time of approx. 22 minutes. The plan is to have it available around the time of our concert in August. As regarding the artwork for the new album, we will this time go back to using photographs taken by my Hungarian friend Tamás Vámosi, just like on our demo/EP & first album. These shots were taken during our trip through Transylvania in July 2014. If it’s gonna be Laura Sava or someone else behind the editing and layout this time around, it’s still not sure. I’ve had a dialogue with Laura, and well knowing that she’s very busy with several bigger illustration jobs, so it depends on what she manages time-wise. And after all she’s purely an artist and don’t really work with design and editing type of work, so we’ll see now in the months ahead.

The ‘WALLACHIA’ project started in 1992, and from 1992 to 1995 Wallachia was a solo project of yours. Tell me more about the solo project, how did the idea for the project take root? what inspired you to start this journey?

I created Wallachia in my early teens and from the very beginning I wanted it to be a one-man band, as first of all there were really no scene for this kind of music up here, and especially to find a drummer was a difficult task. I was heavily inspired by Bathory and Burzum, and how they more or less were fully one-man bands were also a big inspiring factor to me. I kept practicing drums whenever I was able to, and were asking the more experienced musicians in my town about the process of recording in the studio, etc. But in the first couple of years nothing happened apart from me writing the material that would become the demo. In the summer of 1995 I hooked up with Eystein Garberg (now known from Norwegian folk metal band Lumsk) who was in the same situation as me, living 200 km’s away from my town. And we decided to do Wallachia together as a duo; me doing the guitar, bass and vocals, and him doing also guitar as well as keyboard and drum programming. So we bought this 1st generation ’80’s drum machine (which would be perfect for artists like Modern Talking, etc.) from the studio of my mom’s band, and during 4 – 5 weekends in the summer – autumn of 1995 we had completely rehearsed and arranged the demo-songs, and in November we booked ourselves into the studio and recorded the demo over a couple of days. So much thanks to Eystein the whole process with realizing Wallachia went very smooth, and I am very thankful for everything he did with the creation of this band. And it made me realize that I depend on having someone to help me out realizing the recording, as I am basically after all only a guitar player. The early – mid nineties was a blooming time for the underground scene, and it was inspiring to see how people at your own age or a few years older were creating these monumental albums, which they still remain today. And it was the need for saying something, for expressing your soul and thoughts, which in these days one can do in different ways too. But music is for me the most powerful tool of expression, as it hits all the senses, and most of all something you can feel and connect with in a spiritual and emotional way.

The album Shunya it’s way different compared to From behind the light? Why did you changed your style? How was Shunya received by the public?

Well, from my point of view we haven’t changed our style, but rather evolved the sound naturally over the years. And it’s a 13-year gap from the debut until our latest effort “Shunya”, and also we have done the “Ceremony of Ascension” album in 2009, which makes this transition in a pure audial sound even more natural. We didn’t take away or change any elements in our musial sound, but rather added to what was already there, and that’s the biggest difference from the debut album and up to what we’re doing now. Even on the 1st album I would say that the music was quite eclectic, but that became even more evident on the 2nd album – our most experimental one up to date, as also having Stefan coming into the band and recording process and adding some of his own touches with the keyboards and effects, which are partly more ethnic and Eastern influenced in sound. The biggest change, or rather improvement, is perhaps the way that I do the vocals nowadays; purely without any effects/harmonizer as to how we did on the early stuff. It’s much more raw and primal, and closer to my original intention now since from the 2nd album. And everything we do is basically what we instinctually feel evolves the sound. Now with the upcoming album I think we have songs that are more close to the 1st album than to the other two, so it’s like a natural circle of evolution within the so-called frames you set for yourself. Shunya is our most well received album until now, as first of all it’s more cohesive sound- and music-wise compared to the previous album. Those who embrace it seems to get beneath the feelings I put into the songs, and I’m happy that people see the total picture of the album – meaning the music, lyrics and artwork as a full-bodied entity.

For the first time in Romania as a band on stage. Why don’t you play in the geographical romanian region Wallachia?

At least I get to visit and travel through Wallachia itself this year, and I am looking much forward to that.
It all comes down to the booking and the location being set in Transylvania, as it’s the first time we’ve been able to confirm yes to play a show. When Doru proposed the idea for us to play at DBE, I had to ask the guys if they were up for the job and finally realize a Wallachia live show. So within a week’s time I had gotten a yes from all the guys that help me out; with Stefan and Paal already being a part of the whole studio process, then to also have Grolig and Thomas stepping in was a great relief to me.

It will be the only concert for this year?

It’s the only booking we have confirmed so far at least, so we’ll see what happens ahead. At the moment we are set to do this one and only event before starting the full work on recording the new album.

What can you tell me about your personal view on black metal? Is it different now than 20 years ago?

When I first got into black metal music in the early nineties, it was like for many else at that time coming from a death metal background and discovering a new creation taking shape from the same foundations. And I’m into this form of music nowadays for the same reasons as back when I first got into it. The rebellious aspects of the music appeals to me the same, as that’s the whole basis of black metal in the first place. Rebellion, opposition, the quest for truth and individual liberty; to be free from doctrinal rules and totalitarian ways of thinking and being bound to live by – such as we see in religious governed states even now in our time and age, unfortunately. Black metal as a music genre has evolved over the years, for good and bad, and some might say it has been dilluted and not have the same aura of mystique any more. Maybe much thanks to how it became more accessible with the growth of the internet as a medium, and how some pushed into more of a purely “Disneyland” entertainment thing rather than the more obscure artistic form it originates from. But that’s basically the same fate all subcultures have shared at one point or another. Death Metal, too, reached a peak where it got mainstream and nearly died out by the middle of the nineties, only to get even more extreme and be revived stronger than ever, and one can say the same about black metal too. Many of the great bands are the ones who have always been doing it, when it was totally underground to begin with, when it got big and popular, and through the hard times when it nearly died out, and they are still here doing it for the right reasons, for personal satisfaction most of all. A lot of my favorite bands come from the early – mid nineties, but also bands I have discovered the past 5 – 10 years have an equal high impact on me, so I’m just happy to see that there’s possible to still create and surprise when there’s so many bands and releases out there. As I have grown older and have a broader perspective of the world and society, of myself as person too, one grows a larger sense of understanding, empathy and tolerance, naturally. And at the same time the rebellious flame and anger towards injustice, abusive power, corruption, totalitarianism – the opposition and repulsion towards such things grow even stronger and thus also more important to speak up against. And that’s why black metal as an artform hold great importance to me. The freedom of speech, equality and individuality are the most important aspects in our lives, I think.

What do you love so much about music? How would you describe your musical progress over the years?

As a child I grew up with music being an important thing in my family, as my mother was vocalist in a 60’s styled pop-rock band. And from her I got the same emotional connection with music, I think. At an early age I just knew that I wanted to play guitar more than anything else, and finally for my 13th birthday I got myself an electric guitar and amplifier, and from then on it has been no turning away from music. My cousin who is one year older than me, got me into a lot of the metal stuff, basically from I was age 7 – 8, and I was 12 years of age when I got into the more extreme bands at that time. Getting into the more extreme stuff only opened up more doors and allowed a lot more dynamics come into my (musical) life, to have a larger spectrum of connection and expression. I have always liked music that have a sense of sadness and melancholy to it, a more reflective, realistic and meditative quality. There are songs for any situations in life, and some times we need music as a way of being understood, finding tranquility with ourselves, and also to have music that is uplifting and motivating, a sense of feeling that nothing can break us. It’s both the pure physical connection and also the intellectual and emotional connection with music that are important, and especially when all those are combined. There are a few artists that really manages to move us in such a way that we feel they are speaking directly to us, and that’s the most amazing feeling and experience with music. I simply need music every day.

Thank you for your time. It was a pleasure talking to you. Do you have some words for Romanian fans?

Thanks for the interview and the pleasure was all mine. I want to thank the Romanian fans and friends, and hope to see some of you at DBE in August. And I look much forward to visit your beautiful country again.

 

made exclusevely by me aka Vitriol. This interview can be also find on the site I work on Eragon Vibes. Here is just my personal blog

Interview with Fredrik Norrman (ex Katatonia) October Tide, Thenighttimeproject

q: Hello Frederik and thanks a lot for accepting my invitation. It’s an honour for me. Let’s star with the beginning; you were part of many bands as: katatonia, October Tide, Fulmination and now you started a new project named THE NIGHT TIME PROJECT with Tobias Netzell(In Mourning) and Nicklas Hjertton, could you please tell me details? When can we expect the debut release?

Hi and thank you for taking your time to make this interview. Yes i started this project after i quit Katatonia. I had some unused ideas left from my time in Katatonia that didnt fit October Tide. I also felt i wanted to do something that didnt had anything to do with metal. I asked Niklas who i had been playing with earlier if he wanted to join . I did some sessionwork in his old band Mandylon. Tobias invited himself:)

8 songs have been recorded and the mix is almost finally complete. Just a few more adjustments. It will be released by a small norweigan label. More news about that soon.

q:Tell me about your impact on music since 80’ and the emotional touch of both music and lyrics. Each band you were a part of wears your mark. Tell me, how do you do it? Every band, every album and almost every song you were involved in so far is depressive and melancholic. Is it because your work is related to your nature or are you just channeling all the dark thoughts through the music you make and play, this being a means of escaping them?

Most songwriters/musicians got their own style and i guess i have mine;) I grew up with early Iron Maiden and Kiss and such very melodic bands. Those bands had a strong impact on me and have followed me to this day. I dont see myself as a depressed person so i’m not sure where the melancholic part of my music comes from. I’m swedish so its just probably that;) its dark here most time of the year, must be affecting us in several ways.

q: Now it’s around two years since Tunnel Of No Light was released… Tell me how are you satisfied with it now? Any new materials for this year or maybe next one?

I’m still satisfied with the songs, they turned out pretty much the way i wanted. Perhaps the overall sound could have been a bit better or should i say different, but its nothing that bothers me.
All songs for the next album is actually written. Just lyrics and vocal arrangements left. The songs are a bit more complex this time but still lots of leads and melodies.

q: October Tide had three different vocalists so far and many more other members. How do you choose the people to work with? Do you organize any auditions for that? I am asking you the same about your new project THE NIGHT TIME PROJECT.

We basically search among friends and friends friends. It worked good so far;) i sincerely hope we’ll keep this lineup now. The same for Thenighttimeproject. Searced among friends….exept for Tobias who suggested himself:) which was great cause he did an amazing job with the vocalmelodies.

q: It seems that your musical path is in many times crossed with your brother’s, Mattias. You’ve been together in Katatonia and now he also joined the band October Tide. Is there any special artistic chemistry between you two?

I dont know but he’s a great bassplayer and many like his playingstyle. Theres also not many bassplayers around here so it was quite natural to ask him. We also play together in Trees of Eternity 🙂

q: Tell me about the lyrics. You made them? They are made to go straight to the heart
This is perhaps a bit strange but noone in the band write lyrics for OT. Alex do write but only for his more brutal bands;) So we’ve brought in some good friends to help out with the words. It’s been working just fine so we’ll continue working that way.

q: Any changes since you quit Katatonia? Good or bad. Do you miss those times?
Actually mostley positive things came out after i quit. I got alot more productive. I didnt do much in the end and i guess i suffered from writers block. All that dropped when i quit. But i do miss the guys and the touring part. Since there’s no money involved in OT theres quite difficult to go away on long tours. To come home after a month with no money is not an option. But we’ll hopefully make at least one shorter tour for the new album.

q: You toured and perfomed almost all over the globe. Did you ever came to Romania? Would you like to come here?

I’ve played in Romania with both Katatonia and October tide:) had the best of times every time i played there so i most definitely wants to go back.

q: We have been talking only about music but what about your personal life? Do you live by music? Do you think a band could make a living by making music?
No i dont make a living out of music, not even close to. I dont think you can make much money unless you’re a huge artist or do alot of touring. Music should obvioulsy not cost anything today and its too easy not to buy cds. Like Spotify where you pay almost nothing and can listen how much you want. Ofcourse i use Spotify myself but i buy as much music i can afford. Specially vinyls these days.

q: Thanks a lot for your time and I hope you enjoyed answering my questions. Would you like to say something for your Romanian fans?
Bring us back to Romania!! Have a nice summer and thanx for the interview.

http://https://soundcloud.com/thenighttimeproject/empty-signs?in=erydiam-wintermoon/sets/the-night-time-project

Povestile sunt povesti…unele cu happy ending altele fara ending.

Si orisicat as incerca sa cred ca ceva nu e infinit, poate ca ma amagesc degeaba. Stiu ca sufletele pereche pasesc impreuna spre lumi paralele, de manuta cate doi in randuri randuri..
Ne e menit sa fim alaturi de cine ne completeaza. Sa creem impreuna povestea noastra, sa o facem cunoscuta foilor de hartie, blogurilor, sa ne ferim de ochii lumii cand vrem sa ne iubim pe ascuns nu ca si cum ar fi ceva rau ca si cum ar fi ceva ce trebuie pastrat in suflet fara sa impartasim si cu altii..

Iubim pentru ca astept in continuare sa vina acasa, sa ma cuibaresc in bratele lui ca si cum as face asta pentru prima data, si apoi sa adorm linistita cu gandul ca stie.. pentru ca vrem sa nu se mai termine niciodata si spuneam anterior ca exista infinit…sau nu.. sau nu-l vedem. Mai bine il traim.

When The Stars Go Blue

“where do you go when you’re lonely ?
where do you go when you’re blue
where do you go when you’re lonely?
I follow you…”

tu.

Nu am mai scris demult.. sunt intr-o continua beatitudine… intr-o perioada scurta de timp m-ai facut sa-mi deschid sufletul..sa imi pierd capul si sa ma indragostesc ca niciodata pana acum…intr-o perioada foarte scurta de timp..m-ai adus langa tine..ti-ai deschis sufletul incet dar sigur si m-a primit acolo cu toate nebuniile mele..tinand piept zi de zi si necedand nervos…ma bucur ca ai reusit sa faci fata pana acum unei nebune de legat, unei copile care da cu stangul in dreptul de multe ori … ma bucur ca am facut alegerea asta. Sunt fericita si iti multumesc pentru tot…

Moonspell – Dekadance

Tomorrow I will wake up
and try everything not to be alone
Tomorrow will I wake up?
and try everything to be alone