My first question is what is the meaning of the band's name?
Manegarm is the name of a wolf that lived in a dark and terrible forest called the Iron forest. During Ragnaroek he feasted on blood from dying people and he hunted the moon which caused eclipse of the moon. He also caused eclipse of the sun as he spitted blood among him that blackened the sun.
What is the lyrical concept behind the band's latest release, Vredens Tid?
The lyrics are shorts stories based on our heathen heritage. Some lyrics are based on true stories and some are more fiction…..
Can you give us a summation of the band's biography?
Manegarm started up in 1995 in Norrtälje, Sweden, with five members. We recorded two demos (“Vargaresa”-96 and “Ur Nattvindar -97) before we finally got a record contract with Displeased Records. After we released our first fullenght album, “Nordstjärnans tidsålder (-98), Manegarm became a quartet due to some vocalist problems. Since that day the Manegarm line up is following: Jonas- Guitar, Markus- Guitar, Pierre- Bass, Erik- Drums and Vocals. From now on we also count our good old friend Janne Liljeqvist as a member of Manegarm. Janne has played the violin with the band since -97, so after some years as a “prospect” he’s now a member.
We released our 2
nd album, “Havets Vargar”, in 2000 and our 3
rd album, “Dödsfärd”, in 2003 and our 4
th album, “Vredens Tid” was released 28
th of September this year.
Your last three albums were released year after year, how do you write so much material and tour as well?
Well, that’s not really true as you can see on the previous question. We have released our albums in 1998, 2000, 2003 and now in 2005 so we have had a lot of time in between to write new songs. When it comes to touring we haven’t been doing tours before actually. It’s only in the last year that we have been playing live seriously.
How did you start working with the famed "Underground Studio"?
We recorded our first demo, “Vargaresa” there in 1996. At that time Studio Underground wasn’t as big as it is today, today it has become a really, really great and professional studio and a lot of good bands have recorded there. When we were about to record our 2
nd album, “Havets Vargar”, we once again contacted Pelle Säther at Studio Underground since we knew it was a good studio. We have always been very satisfied with the sound and production and Pelle is a really great producer and friend, so since then, all our albums are recorded in Studio Underground.
How did you come up with the Viking and folk them in the music and lyrics?
This has always been the theme for the lyrics more or less. When we started in -95 we played more aggressive and fast black metal but in -97 we started experiment with violins and female vocals. It was then the folky parts started to be a part of the Manegarm sound. Today it shouldn’t be Manegarm without the violin.
What bands influenced your music?
We get influenses by all different kinds of music but of course metal of all sorts is a big sourse to inspiration. I listen a lot to good old heavy metal like Motörhead, Maiden, Deep Purple, Saxon, Judas Priest.......They are really great bands, no one makes songs like these guys nowdays !!!
You make use of some classic instruments and female vocals on the album, what do you intend to put in the music using these?
We try to create music that has got a little bit of everything. We don’t want to record a whole album with just screaming metal guitars and growling vocals, we want to do something special. The violin works perfect with the guitars and creates a “folky” touch. The female vocals are beautiful and make the music very harmonic in softer parts. As I said earlier, we have been playing with violin and female vocals since 1997 so it’s nothing new for us. It’s a part of our sound.
Why doesn’t the band sing in English?
Pierre, our bas player, has written almost every lyric for Manegarm. He thinks that his lyrics are best expressed in our mother language. We have done some songs in English though…..”Ravenous” and “Pagan War” from the “Dödsfärd” album for example.
You perform a lot live, what memorable shows did you have in the last few months?
The last year has been a good one with a lot of cool gigs all over…We played at ”Kaltenbach Open Air” in august, a really great festival. In august we also played at a great festival in Essen, Germany. That was also a really great moment, we met some fantastic people and the audience were awesome.
Do you feel you share the same ideology and ideas that you future in your lyrics, meaning, is the band's concept a way of life or just the direction for the band?
For me personally it’s not a way of life. Pierre practises our ancient custom (asatru) though. He’s more into it that the rest of us….
Swedish metallers are known for being heavy Beer drinkers, but do you also consume the traditional alcoholic drinks, such as Mead?
I drink mead but it doesn’t happen often at all. When I drink, I mostly drink beer or vodka.
Had you been an active Viking, a thousand years past, what tasks do you see yourself performing as one?
I don’t know really, but since I like boats and the sea I maybe would have build long ships. The Vikings were very good ship constructers.
What are your plans for the next few months?
We have a couple of gigs coming up so we are rehearsing for that. We are also writing some new songs for our next album.
Any last message to the Israeli Manegarm fan?
Buy our new album, ”Vredens Tid” (the age of wrath), out in the stores NOW !!!!
Rock N’ Roll to you all !!!
That's it, thanks for doing the interview!
Alon Miasnikov
Israel
