1. So, let's get started..Patrik lead us through the most important events in the history of THYRING!
yeah...we started for about four years ago, and since that things have happened pretty fast... We recorded two demo-tapes before we got signed by Hammerheart Records in '97. Now two years and two albums later, we stand here stronger than ever!
2. And these 2 demos will be soon re-released by H Heart right?
They have actually already been released (just before the tour). They are on one CD and this item is entitled "Hednaland" just as the second tape. This album is actually out on "Unveiling The Wicked" which is a sublabel of HHR, just releasing old demos and stuff.
3. You took part in the Dynamo Open Air are just back from another big tour, what have you learnt most from these experiences?
A lot of course.... we were very unexperienced before these happenings. I am not telling you that we are proffessional and very experienced live band now, but I think we feel a lot more "into" all the gig-stuff now, and everything around, basically how things work, equipment etc.
4. Any particular misfortunate event?
on the tour? of course.... On many gigs the poster said that the gigs started at 20.00 and we played between 19.15-19.45. That really pissed us of aswell as people who visited the gig and missed us!
5. Fuck...that really sucks. But at least how did the lucky ones who saw your shows react?
It seemed like a lot of people there only were into really brutal Deathmetal which is quite natural as 4 of the 6 bands played that style. But at some places we got a lot of great response, especially Hungary and France...
6. And how are the sales to your new album going?
Quite good.....before the tour started I think it was something like 6 500.
7. That's quite good. What do THYRFING aim to musically?
We want to keep an evolution in our music, but still keep our basical sound and roots. I think that every future release will include something new and fresh, but you can still hear it's the same band. That's what I hope at least...
8. And that's a principle most bads should really keep in mind. Brilliant. What will the new Thyrfing album sound like?
I don't know yet.....maybe a psychadelic viking space opera? ;-) Nah, seriously, we only have two new songs yet, and the sound from "Valdr galga" is definitely still there... We will try to get some more variation in tempo. You know, have some slower songs and some faster, instead of mid-tempo all the time.
9. A psychadelic viking space opera is quite an original concept indeed!! :)
Yeah....maybe we'll do that in ten years, when we are totally fed up with distorted guitars and "real" drums ha-ha.
10. Who in your opinion are the best bands in the genre? (My personal faves are MITHOTYN and THYRING, FALKENBACH.)
I guess that you refer to the genre that some people calls "Viking Metal"..... I think it's very hard to place bands into labels, but if we take band with the "viking-concept" I would say Bathory, Enslaved and Einherjer. (...and of course Thyrfing ;-) )
11. OK, you are really modest (like me ;-) So, is any of you guys involved in some other band or project or?
At the moment the only active band is WINDS. That was actually a one-man project and mainband by our new guitarist Henke. Nowadays Thomas and Jocke are members too.... They have recently recorded a promo, which is soon to be released. It's good stuff....a mix of most kinds of metal.
12. Interesting. Since how long have Winds existed?
I think he started it up in '93 or something. He did two demos under the name ANCIENT WINDS....heard of it?
13. The name sounds familiar somehow, but I dont really recall. And you, have you played in other bands before THYRING?
Yeah, a band called Pantheon. That's me, Jocke and Thomas from Thyrfing. We haven't offically laid that band to rest yet, but it's on ice since two years now.
14. What inspires your music and who are your your favourite guitarists? (Not necessary guitarists that hav influenced you)
The music is mostly inspired by all great music that you hear around....not only metal.... it could be folk music, soundtracks, classic stuff or the usual pop-music.... as long as it's good it doesn't matter. I can't name any guitarplayer who has influenced me. I don't see myself as a "guitarist" in the true sense of word. I'm not very skilled or doing virtous leads and solos. I use the guitar for making good music for Thyrfing. [more to come] The ones that inspire me are the ones who make good songs....not the one who are technically perfect and musical genious.... But if we take the question outside the band, I really admire Andy LaRocque, Yngwie Malmsteen, Chuck Schuldiner....you know....the usual fellows ha-ha.
15. Oh, wonderful taste indeed! ( I adore all of them!!!!) Is it a coincidence that 2 out of 3 are Swedish too?! :)
ha-ha......I don't know. I must say that I like Andy more though. Yngwie might be better technically but I like King Diamond's music better than Rising Force so....
16. Would you like to work with him, as the guys of MITHOTYN did on their second album "King Of The distant Forest"?
Yes, it would of course be cool to work with him, but the productions that I've heard from Los Angered isn't that good I think. At the moment, Abyss feels like a better domain for us....
17. Peter Tagtgren is indeed one of today's hottest choices..
Yeah, but we've recorded (and will) in Abyss B with his brother Tommy. That studio is also very good, even if Peter's studio of course is more popular. I think it will be really hard to book a time in that studio in the future as he got a new contract with PAIN and so...
18. I would like to thank you for your time and wish you all the possible best for the future of THYRFING and all the relatd efforts. Last words are yours man!!
ok, thanks for this cool interview then.... I want to raise a horn heaped with mead to all supporters, pushers and fans who have helped us on our journey. We are not done yet! Cheers and hails...
