Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Thyrfing interview 8-08



1) So it has been almost 3 years since your last release. Care to give some insight as to why such a long time?
- This is really a déjà-vu moment, as I got the same question three years ago doing interviews for "Farsotstider". And then I said that there shouldn't be such a long time again until next album … ha-ha. So maybe we have to accept that nowadays it will take us 3 years to make a Thyrfing album that can live up to the standards that we and other people would expect from us. The writing process took quite some time and we throw away a lot of material that simply wasn't good enough … So from when we started writing (after settling the new line-up) it took us about a year to write and additionally half a year to record and produce 7 songs, which might sound ridiculous to some people … but for us, that time was necessary to achieve what we wanted.

2) How big of a difference is it having Jens in the band compared to Thomas. What did he bring to the band and how involved in the writing process was he?
- I wouldn't say it's a big difference. Both are great in person, easy to work with and foremost they know how to "deliver the goods". Jens instantly became involved in the writing process, both when it comes to music, lyrics and arrangements. So I'd say he was just as involved as the four "instrumentalists".

3) This will be your second release thru regain records. How have they been treating you, and is it a much bigger difference then Hammerheart, as Hammerheart did a pretty good job promoting you I think.
- I haven't noticed such a big difference. The most obvious is probably that Regain are situated in Sweden, which mean some practical differences. I would say that both Regain and Hammerheart (back then) are labels of the right size and intentions for our band. On Hammerheart we were among the biggest band on the label at the end, while on Regain we are probably seen as a small or mid-sized band … however, they seem to put much effort into the new album, so this far we're happy.

4) Back to the new album, how did the recording process go? Was there a lot of stress and would you say you are happy with how the album sounds overall?
- The recordings were everything but stressed, as we almost had unlimited time in the studio … which could be seen both as positive and negative. Without a doubt this is the production that have put most time and effort into this far. I'm very happy with how the album sounds. The production is more organic and "fat" comparing to "Farsotstider", which maybe was a bit thin and sterile to some extent.

5) This album like the last is all in Swedish, but on your earlier material there was a mix of Swedish and English. Have you completely strayed away from that ideal, or does go with however the music sounds or feels?
- There are actually English lyrics for two songs on the new album, "Isolation" and "Becoming The Eye". Apart from "Farsotstider", where we actually decided to be consistent with Swedish lyrics, there has been no "ideal" about what language to use. We have used the language that goes with the current feeling and ideas of the writer when doing the lyrics.

6) What is the theme or ideas behind the lyrics of the album. You seem to have all but left the viking concept of your early days behind?
- The lyrics are definitely different comparing to the first albums, but that's usually the case with most bands, isn't it? On the "Vansinnesvisor" album we took quite a big step when it comes to the lyrics, moving away from the more "heroic" and "warlike", into something more dark and foreboding, based on later Scandinavian folklore. I would say the lyrics on the last three albums (including the new one) are quite in the same vein, a bit more personal, but with symbolism of death, darkness, downfall …

7) From what I've heard of the new album, it seems that Jens vocals are a lot more aggressive and harsh then Thomas's. How would you say his style played in the composition of the new material?
- I wouldn't say that his vocal style affected the music or the way it was written. I suppose "aggressive" is a matter of definition and taste … I have to admit I haven't thought about it and compared them in that way actually!

8) The cover art is fucking killer, but also very different from everything else you've ever used. What is the symbolism or meaning behind the art. How does it tie in with music?
- The cover art is meant to portray death and punishment through ice and cold. We saw a miniature painting with a similar motive which we found fascinating and thought that an interpretation of this would summarize the lyrics and theme for the album pretty well.

9) The band seem very reviatalized. Are there plans to do a lot more touring this time and will you guys ever make it over to the us?
- There will not be any regular touring, but we will try to make shorter mini tours or occasional gigs now and then, here and there … We actually made it to the US with "Farsotstider" but only for one gig (Heathen Crusade I in Minneapolis in 2006). There are of course harder to make a gig happen overseas than in Europe, but you never know, so we hope we can make it this time as well, if the offer and timing is right.

10) With this new lineup and album set to explode, what does the future hold for Thyrfing?
- As I said earlier, it will probably take some years until next album comes out, so before that we will try to concentrate to do some good shows, but of course also write new material when the feeling is there … so who knows, maybe it will only take 2 years this time …?

11) Well it has been an honor to do this interview. Any final thought or comments?
- Thanks for the interest and support.Please check out "Hels vite" when it's released … I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

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