Mark: It’s been awhile since we last
heard from Tiamat, “5 long years”
to be exact right? So, what took so damn long?!
Anders- The really boring truth is that
it takes this long when business crap is involved.
We had to get a new contract, and it takes time.
My guess is that if we had had a running contract,
the record would have been out two years earlier.
M: “Amanethes” is a pretty strong
return by any one’s standards. When you
began writing and recording for this album, where
there certain thoughts or ideas that you wanted
to delve into this time around or was it all about
creating a Tiamat album that would stand the test
of time, as many of your albums do?
A- The only rule we had for this album
was that we take everything to the extreme, either
harder, softer, or heavier. We let the song dictate
fully where it needed to go. We needed to do everything
to the fullest, be it an acoustic guitar, or screaming
vocals, it had to be the total max of what it
could be.
M: When Tiamat goes to record, how much of the
album material is generally written before you
enter the studio? Do songs often change much from
the original vision?
A- Generally I’d say about 80-90
percent. But there are no rules, a song can end
up exactly like the demo version, or totally re-arranged.
We usually come up with a song or two in the studio,
there’s a lot of waiting around...
M: You guys have evolved constantly throughout
your entire career. From a fan’s perspective,
you never appear to get stuck at all musically.
Are there any things you do to try and ensure
your constant evolution?
A- It’s just restlessness basically,
we’ve never consciously sat down and thought
about what to do for the next album. I guess a
lot of it is just reacting to what we’ve
done previously. We get bored easily!
M: What is the biggest difference between “Amanethes”
and the last couple of albums for you personally?
A- Just the feeling of accomplishment,
really. This album could have just as easy, or
easier in fact, not have been done. So the fact
that we closed ranks, balled our fists and had
the tenacity to keep doing it in spite of everything
makes it a very special album for me personally.
M: “Until the Hellhounds Sleep Again”
is one of my favorite songs of the new album.
Would you mind sharing a little about how this
song was born and what thoughts/ideas contributed
to its lyrics?
A- I’m not big on disclosing lyrics.
My feeling is that your interpretation is as valid
as mine. But it started life as a Swedish song
Johan did, and we turned it into a very slow,
heavy Tiamat song. It does pose a good question
though, "Wouldn’t Lord allow us a little
fun?" Don’t take us so seriously at
all times; we do have humour. I think that’s
something Johan likes to point out. We are seen
as a very gloomy, gothy mystical band, which may
not always be the case.
M: Is there a particular song on “Amanethes”
that you feel captures perfectly where Tiamat
is in their evolution right now? If so, which
one and why did you choose it?
A-Sorry, I don’t have one. These
things change from day to day almost. But one
very important song on this album is “Equinox
of the Gods,” as it shows our hard side,
something that may have been a little on the shadowy
side for a few years. I don’t really think
about our "evolution" as such; we just
play and write songs. The changes are natural.
I know I sound boring now, but it’s true!
M: Are there any albums in the Tiamat catalog
that you’d prefer to pretend you never
made?
A-Absolutely not, I am very proud of
every album, and I can honestly say that at the
time each album was made, we could not have made
a better Tiamat album. Some things I may smile
at today, but at the time, we were dead-happy!
M: Why does everyone in Tiamat hate the Lord
of the Rings movies? What would you have done
differently?
A-Ha,ha. Actually that’s not true,
Johan and Lars do; I quite enjoy them! Our old
keyboard player, and neighbour, Martin, recently
had a great day of re-watching them back to back,
with wine, pizza and snacks. I loved the books
as a kid you know!
M: Will you be touring to support the new album?
More specifically, will you be coming to the U.S.
to support the album?
A-We will most definitely tour Europe,
and if more people buy our album in the states
than ice-cream at the north-pole, we just might
swing by! Seriously, there´s a better chance
than ever, but who knows?
M: Thanks so much for your time. This is a great,
freakin’ album. One of your best. Do you
have any parting thoughts you’d like to
leave our readers with?
A- Many thanks, and thanks a lot for
letting me blabber away. My parting thoughts?
Buy our album, bring us over there, you just might
like it
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