King of Asgard have become a staple in the extreme metal genre, having recorded five albums since 2010. Their most recent album, Svartvidr, received a 9/10 review from yours truly Here. I caught up with Bassist Jonas Albrektsson, to talk all things King of Asgard.
AN: Congratulations on the recent release of Svartvidr. Has the pandemic meant that the launch has felt very different?
JA: Thank you so much. Appreciated and strengthening! Basically, I’d say it has not felt very different. We went through the process much as usual. I guess at the very beginning after the actual recording, art and basic contents was finished and things went on hold a bit as it was difficult for all parties to get answers on approximate release date and this and that. Obviously and not anything strange when thinking of the pandemic and its many strange and mysterious turns. As we knew right away live activity would be a utopia we instead put our time and investment in the visuals being the three singles which all has video feature of three different presentations. So, in terms of thinking what ‘not’ to expect I believe it has been business as usual so to say with all that comes round and about an album release. Thus, both strange in many ways and usual in some but surely I’d rather would have been glad if the pandemic wasn’t present but that’s what we have to deal with and from there and on we strive forward despite the resistance. We for example had a small release party without performing live which of course sucked and was different and negative in all aspects. Though, on the positive side, we had a drunken blast.
AN: Given that much of the world has been in “lockdown”, how did this effect the process of writing, rehearsing and recording the music?
JA: Here in Sweden there never were any lockdowns of what most Europeans and whatever other countries has faced. So, the effect on us was in such terms positive I believe. We took the opportunity to get the material put together and finalized for the studio booking. When the pandemic first started we were close to finished with the material for the album so we hooked Magnus ‘Devo’ Andersson up to see if there was studio time available in Endarker Studio during late spring and summer. As he was positive and glad we called we immediately started to rehearse and fix the final touches for our own pleasure and personal perfection. As I said, in Sweden at that time things worked very much as during normal circumstances. There were, or always was, just regulations and personal restrictions under sole responsibility. Thus, we could rehearse if everyone, of course, was healthy. As were the same situation regarding the studio. We were allowed to enter the studio and welcome as long as we were healthy and so forth, obviously, and we took great care to not risk anything or spoil the sessions and the progression of the album. Some stuff was recorded at home and some of the sessions, or many were made only with one participant and Devo at the studio to avoid trouble in such case. We were allowed to meet and work all of us but preferably, if possible, alone as well. Devo also did all of of work by himself in the studio with for example sound tests, mixing-proposals and such things which we then had time to study before we entered the next time. So basically, I believe the pandemic only had benefit on the work and recording of ‘svartrviðr’. We had more time off our regular daytime jobs. There were more focus and opportunities on how and when we did our sessions in the studio and much thanks to Devo for being flexible and as keen as us to get the best result possible under such circumstances. So, strange enough I must say that the pandemic and the (Swedish) regulations/restrictions in society affected us in a good and positive way. At least when considering the finalisation – writing and rehearsing of the material, the actual recording and the mixing process. The accessibilities we had really made it easier, so we were lucky in that way.
AN: I know that King of Asgard are a band that thrives on playing live. Do you have any plans to tour for this album?
JA: Yes we absolutely enjoy playing live, though I have to say we do it quite rarely unfortunately for some different reasons. Anyway, we would of course want to present the album from stage but as it seems with this, again, ongoing situation it’s very hard to even see the possibility of doing it. We just had one gig ahead which unfortunately was postponed until next year. So there are as you might have noticed no such plans but when things start to brighten and the opportunity will be given we will do our utmost to get out and meet and greet our followers and true supporters.
AN: King of Asgard have managed to be a band that manages to keep a central “sound”, while evolving on each new album. What do you put this down to?
JA: Well, I believe it’s due to our own dedication and by following our hearts and to create what we, personally, treasure the most musically. We have our, say, standards and basic ground on which we build and evolve in different directions but always keeping it close to our roots which we, ourselves, think is of great importance. The music of King of Asgard is basically a product of us members as a unit presenting what we relish most in extreme music and mainly from the past I guess (read, early/mid nineties;P). Also our blend of folkish tunes are a central part to the basic sound as well as a progression. We feel we don’t have to prove anything, what one gets is our genuine love for this and our true execution. There’s a lot of thought and struggle behind every tune and in a way that determination is our strength that shine through and keeps evolving and bring new angles to the table. I’m glad you, and others, still see we carry evolvement as we ourselves feel we never repeat but still keep our hearts close to the very core.
AN: This is, I think, your second album on Trollmusic as a label? How did you come to be on the label, and what is the experience of being on a label like in the age of streaming being more and more common place?
JA: Sure, this is our second one through the Trollmusic label and in cooperation with SPKR Media and Prophecy Productions. A long story short. We had some great years over at Metal Blade Records for the three first albums and as that era went out we felt we had more in store on working with a smaller label as well as it felt more suitable according to our size and what we also as a band could offer. Thus when the talks with Thor and Trollmusic took its first steps we thought we might give it a try and we have not regreted anything as he and his co-workers really meet our expectations and vice versa I guess. We’ve always wanted to do this the old fashion way and thus include a label and all other parts that are essential around the process from the first riff until the very last and final physical product. It’s again the basics and foundation of all working together with one goal that we treasure. The age of streaming and the ever-flowing heartless home projects, and whatnot, sometimes feel hopeless when trying to penetrate it but in the end we all have to share it and I just hope we get through and take our place even in this present situation. We strive and fight, together with our accomplices being the label and all the people working with and for us.
AN: Is there a common theme to the songs on Svartvidr? Which of the songs do you think best represents the album?
JA: No, there’s not a common theme as in a conceptual album but it surely has links and terms of similarity and connected content or how to put it. The actual title ‘svartviðr’ represents the album in many ways as some or many of the lyrics and its content reflect upon our immediate surroundings and the myths and the heritage it blesses us with. I believe more or less all the songs has something that carry references to what we came to call Svartrviðr; meaning black forest or rather black woods – the black vastness and the expanses in between. That sort of set the basics and coloured the whole album atmosphere and the lyrical content. Yet, again, not being referred to as a concept album but rather an album with conceptual similarities. A praise and a homage to the soil we walk and to our ancestral paths – what we’ve done before as well but keep on doing. As an example to this notion is clear as both ‘Svartrviðr’ and ‘Kvikr’ as well as ‘Ammobiærg’ are very local narratives and well representing the albums overall concept. Thus, the title has left a very big mark on the whole of the album, both musically, lyrically and visually.
Personally, I believe that the song that most represent the album and bring most of our grandeur on display is: ‘Frôðr’. My absolute favourite and total satisfaction of its outcome. On the other hand I believe one has to travel throughout the whole album to get the total picture and experience as it carry many emotions and expressions along the way.
AN: Final question – where do King of Asgard go from here? You’re all extreme metal veterans in the band, what does your experience tell you to do next?
JA: As the situation is as it is in times of pandemic I guess we have to deal with that first and see what possibilities there is further on for example of getting out and play live and the like. Apart from that we’ll keep on the trail we’ve carved for many years and create whatever the heart telleth and the path guide its direction. My experience tells me we’ll keep evolving and it’ll be worth yet to struggle for this is a great piece of our lives and the result of what it says only time can tell…
Thanks for supporting the King!
Chaos gnaws on Oden’s gallows . . .
(Interview Chris Davison)
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