Sjukdom: So "Stridshymner og Dødssalmer" was recorded between 2015 and 2016, but work with the album didn't really stop until late 2017. In the meantime though we have actually been busy writing material for whatever comes next. We are currently working on about a dozen new tracks.
2.You have a new album coming out later this month, what are some of the things you feel you have done different musically with this recording that you where not able to do on your previous releases?
Sjukdom: The debut album "Når alt Mørkner" was kinda rushed in both writing and recording, we were young and eager to release something.
This time however we have taken our time with the process of writing and recording and we think the end result speaks for itself.
Expect a much more furious and agressive sound, but without letting entirely go of the more melodic approach we had on our first album.
3.This is your first release in 5 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?
Sjukdom: Honestly we've just been writing tracks, rehearsing like hell and honing our passion for the music that we do. Some members has come and gone since the last album, but that is just how it is playing in a band.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the newer album?
Sjukdom: Lyrically this album isn't too dissimilar to the debut. Core lyrical topics still revolve around the topic of death, grand scale misantrophic warfare and anti religious themes.
The title of the album "Stridshymner og dødssalmer" (War hymns and death psalms) describe it pretty well.
5.In one interview you also talked about an interest in Norse Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
Sjukdom: Oh boy, that must have been an old interview! It was a topic that we were perhaps exploring for a short while, but ultimately nothing specific ever came out of it.
It is of course an interesting subject and every now and then some concept relating to mythology or folklore might show up in our lyrics, especially the more esoteric and occult songs that deal with the concepts of death in the more abstract, like a form of transcendence.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Sjukdom'?
Sjukdom: Sjukdom is the Northern Norwegian spelling of the word "Sykdom".
The English translation would be either 'Sickness' or 'Disease'.
There wasn't really any inspiration behind it, it was just a name we happened to land on in the early days.
It's a pretty catchy name though and we feel that our music really reflect the name in some way and vice versa.
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?
Sjukdom: What remains of a frozen battlefield. Completely void of compassion.
There is only destruction and death and cold embrace of an early grave.
8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Sjukdom: Tricky question, we've done quite a few really good shows.
We don't play live all that often so every show we do kind of stands out for us.
The best one would probably be the last one we did back in March 2017, We played for almost an hour and 20 minutes and people were really enjoying themselves!
9.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
Sjukdom: We wish to do something, but nothing is confirmed as of right now.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Sjukdom: Funny you should ask, there was this one Web-zine that criticized the album for having a "clean licked and polished sound" and the band members for being "Atheists in corpse paint". I guess we weren't satanic enough for their liking!
Other than that though the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive!
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Sjukdom: We've found our style and we're sticking to it, more or less at least.
The material we are currently working on is perhaps a little less straight forward and a little more eerie and haunting sounding.
It will still be the Sjukdom you all know and love, so no worries.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Sjukdom: Anything from the classics of the 90's to the more modern era of black metal, really. We try to keep our perspective broad and we're not afraid to experiment a little with our formula.
But to mention a couple of common favorite bands that we all share in the band, Marduk, Djevel, Mgła, Burzum.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Sjukdom: Sanity is for the weak.
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