We recently uncovered some of our unpublished interviews that were supposed to come out in our 6th issue (printed fanzine) scheduled to be released in 2010.
But our enthusiasm to carry on with the fanzine back then was in limbo. The excitement will come unexpectedly one day, and suddenly gone by tomorrow. Somehow, we could see everything drawing end despite all the efforts we have tried to put in. At last, the enthusiasm just ended naturally as other commitments took their big parts in our life. We have strived but lost. But who knows what the future might holds.
This is an outdated interview conducted way back in Feb '2010 to promote the band's new and 6th studio album - 'Nattvasen' ('Night Creatures') which was released in Nov '2009 under Swedish - Regain Records. A lot of times and efforts have been put out to make this happened, not only from us, but from the band itself. Hence, as to honour them, we are to share it here under our - 'Archive - Unpublished Interview' ...
It was not until 12 years later, in year 2010, during the time of 'Nattvasen' that we finally got in touch with Erik Grawsio (drum/vocal) for the interview.
At time of writing this, the band has left as a 3-piece (with session for live show), and he has since 2013 fronted MANEGARM on vocal/bass (started from their 7th studio album - 'Legions Of The North'). The band will celebrate the release of their 9th studio album - 'Fornadarsagor' in April '2019 under Austrian - Napalm Records.
So, enjoy the interview, as much as we've enjoyed doing it back then ...
Official homepage : www.manegarmsweden.com
We got to know about the Swedish band MANEGARM when Ron of DISPLEASED RECORDS sent us promo of their debut album 'Nordstjarnans Tidsalder' (means 'The Age Of The Northstar') back in 1998. Interestingly, the band wrote and sang in their mother tongue, and they also incorporated touches of folk. To us, it was a strike of genius, and a positive review was put out in our issue # 3 (November '1998).
It was not until 12 years later, in year 2010, during the time of 'Nattvasen' that we finally got in touch with Erik Grawsio (drum/vocal) for the interview.
At time of writing this, the band has left as a 3-piece (with session for live show), and he has since 2013 fronted MANEGARM on vocal/bass (started from their 7th studio album - 'Legions Of The North'). The band will celebrate the release of their 9th studio album - 'Fornadarsagor' in April '2019 under Austrian - Napalm Records.
So, enjoy the interview, as much as we've enjoyed doing it back then ...
WELCOME ERIK ! LET US HAVE SOME OPENING WORDS FOR ALL THE METAL HEADS HERE IN MALAYSIA ...
Hi there all Malaysian metal heads ! This would be MANEGARM first Malaysian interview so I really hope you'll enjoy your reading.
HOW'S THE BAND DOING NOW ? NEW TOUR PLANNED ? WRITING NEW MATERIALS ?
We're all okay. We're planning a tour this year but nothing is ready yet. Some new songs are in the pipeline, and well do some demo recordings at our rehearsal place quite soon.
LET'S START WITH SOMETHING EASY ...
HOW DO YOU SAY 'METAL REIGNS SUPREME' IN SWEDISH ?
'Metal Regerar Overlagset' ... : )
WHAT DOES 'MANEGARM' ACTUALLY MEANS ?
MANEGARM is the name of a wolf in the Norse mythology. He lived in a dark and terrible forest called the Iron Forest. He feasted on blood from dying people. During 'Ragnarok' - the end of the world, he hunted the moon which caused an eclipse of the moon, and he spitted blood among him that blackened the sun ...
YOUR DEBUT ALBUM 'NORDSTJARNANS TIDSALDER' CAUGHT MANY BY SURPRISE WITH ITS STRIKE OF GENIUS. HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THE ALBUM IN PUTING WHERE YOU ARE TODAY ?
You could say that this was the time where it all started. I think the first album was very important for us. First of all because we got the chance to release an album and reach out to the listeners. We also started experimenting with the 'sound/style' which later on would turn into 'our' sound.
THE BAND FINALLY MOVED AWAY FROM DISPLEASED RECORDS. WHY THE NEED TO SIGN TO A NEW LABEL ?
The contract with Displeased Records reached its end first of all. We had released five albums and collaborated with them for nearly ten years. At that time, we also wanted some 'fresh air'. No hard feelings, we just wanted a new label with the possibility to take us one step further.
WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO ADD 'VIOLIN' IN THE FIRST PLACE ? IT REALLY BRINGS A FRESH DIMENSION INTO THE MUSIC ...
I don't really remember, maybe Jonas (note : Jonas Almkvist - guitar) ... or Pierre (note : Pierre Wilhelmsson - bass) ... maybe both ...
HAS MANEGARM TOTALLY MOVED AWAY FROM ALL THE 'BLACK METAL' INFLUENCES YOU STARTED WITH ? THE ALBUMS WERE TO FOLLOW AFTER YOUR DEBUT WERE STRONG 'VIKING/FOLK' ORIENTED ?
We have gotten old and tired and so we have left that behind a bit. But we still put in some 'black metal' stuff once in a while. The song "Vetrarmgin" on the new album is a bit 'black metal' oriented if you ask me ...
THE EP 'URMINNES HAVD - THE FOREST SESSIONS' (2006) CAME OUT EVEN DIFFERENTLY WITH ITS 'FOLK ACCOUSTIC'. WERE THE LISTENERS SUPRISED ?
Yes, surprised but very positive. That album showed MANEGARM from a different side and we really thought that the acoustic album was a great thing to do. We noticed that the fans/listeners thought so too.
TELL US ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM - 'NATTVASEN' ? IS THIS YOUR BEST ALBUM TODATE ?
I think 'Nattvasen' is our best and most 'work through' album so far. It follows the same music path as our two earlier albums but it is darker, more 'straight on' and we have also incorporated more classic heavy metal on this album. The response has been really good so far. We have received plenty of reviews, and the average score is around 8/10 ...
IS 'NATTVASEN' A CONCEPT ALBUM ? WERE ALL YOUR ALBUMS CONCEPTUAL AND CONNECTED IN ANY CERTAIN WAYS ?
Its not a 'real' concept album as our last album 'Vargstenen'. But 'Nattvasen' has its theme both lyric and music wise, that is the night and its night creatures ...
KRIS VERWINP HAS AGAIN BEEN TRUSTED TO DO THE COVER FOR 'NATTVASEN'. IT LOOKS LIKE A PERFECT COLLOBORATION SO FAR ...
Actually, Kris Verwimp has not done the cover art on 'Nattvasen', we have done it ourselves this time. He has made all of our covers until now, we thought we needed something different this time.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LIVE SHOW ?
Rock n' fucking Roll !!! All hells break loose !!!
BY THE WAY, HOW WAS THE RELEASE PARTY WITH THE BANDS - SKYFOGGER AND THRIFING ?
The release party was a killer ! We're very satisficed with the whole evening. Great bands, great audiences and a really great night !
DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE EXTREME METAL SCENE HERE IN MALAYSIA ?
Nope .... jack shit ...
WHAT IN STORE FOR MANEGARM IN 2010 ?
Some great summer festivals and we're hoping for some touring ...
ITS GREAT HAVING YOU HERE ERIK, THANK YOU. SOME LAST WORDS PROBABLY ...
Hope to see you all some day, would be really great ! If you get the chance, buy the best album of the century - 'Nattvasen' !!!
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| (L-R) Jacob Hallegren (drum), Erik Grawsio (vocal/bass) & Markus Ande (guitar) |
Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/Manegarmsweden/
