1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
We finished the recordings early this year and since then we have played some really nice festivals like Hellfest, Graspop and Summer Breeze. After the summer we started to prepare new live sets with songs from the upcoming album and the promotional work of the album started. Interviews, making new merch and booking festivals and gigs for instance.
2.You have a new album coming out in 2025, musically hoe does ti differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
We are continuing in our work of perfecting the Ereb Altor sound. I think we have a rather unique sound already but everything can always be a little bit better. We have implanted some new elements like broken beats, disharmonic chords and new (for us) ways to make sounds on our instruments. In my opinion this is like a continuation of Vargtimman but better in every aspect.
3.Over the years you have covered a lot of Nordic mythology, which aspects of this topic and which stories have your covered with your songwriting so far?
The birth of the world according to Norse mythology where the gods built the world with the body of the giant Ymer. The birth of humans Ask and Embla. Nidhögg and Nifelheim. Odins struggle to struggle to get wiser and powerful. The death of Balder and the rescue of Balder and of couse the whole Ragnarök topic to mention a few.
4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have over the years with your music?
Ereb Altor have always a connection to the inheritance of Scandinavia in our lyrics. We deal a lot with the Swedish folklore, ghost stories, myths and legends. Mainly dark stories simply because that’s what reflects our music the best. We also reflect on the present, there are a lot of things happening in the world the last years. We live in crazy times and when we touch such subjects we do it with the “Ereb Altor” vibe and using ancient references and such to make it fit the Ereb Altor theme.
I would say that Norse mythology is only a small part of the stories we have dealt with during all these years.
5.You have mentioned an interest in fantasy video games and literature in the past, which aspects of this genre have you covered with your lyrics?
I don’t have any interests at all in video games and I would say that I am not a fanatic when it comes to fantasy as well. So I would say we have no aspects of this genre covered in our lyrics.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The title and the artwork on the album is a homage to where I come from; Hälsingland. You can see the lady of the forests on the cover art which is a mythical creature from the Swedish folklore. The title and theme of Hälsingemörker is something that was decided long before the album was written or recorded. I also knew instantly that Christine was the one that should make the artwork for this album. She is living in Hälsingland and she is somehow the essence of this magical place. Her art has always had a very strong connection to Hälsingland and I didn’t really have to explain what we were looking for. I have known Christine for years and I’m a fan of her art and she is also the one that made our previous album and we have always had a good collaboration.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Some of the best shows when it comes to big festivals would be both times at Hellfest, Graspop and Summer Breeze.
Smaller festivals I would say Cernunnos Pagan Fest, PartySan Open air and Kilkim Zaibu.
Our stage performance has a lot of energy and feelings. We are always trying to create the right atmosphere and to have a strong connection with the audience.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We have announced some festivals for next year like Bavarian Battle open air and PartySan Open air for instance but we have more plans but I can’t mention those plans just yet.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of viking metal?
Ereb Altor is far from a strict Viking Metal band and we have fans from the black metal scene as well as from the doom scene for instance. But I would say that we fit pretty good in the Viking metal scene as well and we have done a lot of appearances at Pagan festivals also. I think the fans of the Viking metal scene that are more serious and not just interested in mead drinking party Viking bands are the ones that embraces our music.
10.What is going on with 'Isole' these days which also shares some of the dame band members?
We are writing new material and we are doing some festivals next year.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
It’s hard to say, only time will tell. We always let the inspiration guide us and right now all focus is on Hälsingemörker.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?
I can only speak for myself and if I take a look at the pile of records I have next to my stereo system I find:
Opeth – Still life
Iron maiden – 7th son
16 horsepower – Secret south
Gåte – Jygri
Primordial – To the nameless dead
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Hail the Hordes and hope to see you all sometime/somewhere during 2025
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