Hi! The Formless Fires is your third album and the first one with Metal Blade Records. How did teaming up with them affect how you approached making this album?
Hello!
Well, on this album I knew that everything had to be taken to the next step in terms of songwriting, production etc. However, all of the songs were already finished before KVAEN signed with Metal Blade Records.
Kalix, your hometown, seems to be a big part of KVAEN’s vibe. How does living in such a remote, wild place influence the sound and themes of your music?
It influences me alot. Especially winter time.
I get very creative during winter, the mountains and the ice cold weather is one of the best things I know about living here and I try to have that feel while writing the songs. It does get hard sometimes when the other guys are all based in Stockholm and you live 1000km north of them.
Your lyrics blend personal stories with mythological elements. How do you strike a balance between the two, and do you ever find it challenging to mix these themes in your music?
I always strive towards, I would say, interesting mythological themes and elements. When it comes to personal stuff it’s way easier, every song I have ever written has a specific meaning. Most of the times, they are based on a personal level. I have never felt that it has been hard to mix these two different themes.
‘The Perpetual Darkness’ talks about feeling like an outsider. How much of this song comes from your own experiences, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
I would say most of the song but not in a negative way.
It’s all up to the listener to decide what they think it is about – I don’t like to spoil.
‘De Dödas Sång (Song Of The Dead)’ touches on the intense theme of Ättestupa, an ancient Norse ritual. What made you want to explore this subject, and how did you make sure the music conveyed its seriousness?
I always thought it was very fascinating and no one has really made songs about it that I know of. It’s a very serious topic so the music HAS to be 110 percent serious as well and not the other way around. It’s probably the song I spent the most time recording.
The track ‘The Formless Fires’ was originally meant for another project. What made you decide to keep it for KVAEN, and how did you tweak it to fit the album?
The project went quiet and I felt that this song was way too good to just stay on the hard drive never to be used again. So I ended up re-arranging it a bit and I am glad i did, it’s a banger. I didn’t tweak much besides the riff during the bridge.
How does The Formless Fires stand out from your earlier albums, The Funeral Pyre and The Great Below? What’s different this time around, both musically and thematically?
Musically, The Formless Fires is more mature than the two previous ones. This one has what I would call the KVAEN-sound. The two previous ones were great in their own way but sometimes lacked identity. This one does not. Thematically, not much has changed.
Since you’re the main creative force behind KVAEN, what’s it like handling everything yourself? Do you find it freeing, or do you miss the dynamics of working with a full band?
If you want something done, do it yourself – I live by that approach.
I was tired of playing in bands where nothing happened and people not being 110 percent devoted to the art of creating and playing music. This is why I started KVAEN. I play in other bands where we work more as a democracy. In KVAEN, I do everything myself besides inviting friends to help out with guest solos, lyrics etc.
How do you make sure the local inspiration in your music reaches listeners from different cultures?
That’s a great question, I am not sure if I do that. Most people know that I live in Norrbotten which is a desolated place far from everything.
How do you usually start a new track, and how do you decide what themes to explore in your lyrics?
Usually it starts with a melody and then I work around that. Sometimes I just arrange a drumtrack and press record. That’s a great way to start.
With themes, It’s a “feel-thing”, lyrics comes last 9/10 times.
You’ve now released three albums – how do you think you’ve grown as an artist since your debut? Are there any specific experiences that have really shaped your evolution?
I am a totally different person compared to 5 years ago.
I think every experience has helped shape me into who I am today as a musician and songwriter. Constant touring, signing with Metal Blade, selling tons of merch are of course things that made me realize that things are really going well. I always want to get better at writing songs, that’s my main focus.
You’ve collaborated with members from other metal bands on a side project. How does working with them influence your work with KVAEN, and how do you keep the two projects distinct?
I think you get influenced by everything around you, working with different people especially and hearing how they write and arrange songs. I think that’s where the biggest differences lies. I like to write music that is very easy to listen to even though it’s extreme metal. With KVAEN I write everything myself but with my other projects we work usually as a team.
Where do you see KVAEN going next? Thanks for your time!
Touring, album release, touring —>
Thank you!
https://www.metalblade.com/kvaen/
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