Thank you! I would say it’s not a departure at all. Our latest album is just a step forward and a progress for us both musically and lyrically. People trying to describe the album compared to our previous release finds that it’s like a mix between all our albums from the past. It has elements that could easily have fitted on our debut “Once sent from the golden hall”, as well as our last release “Fate of Norns”.

I've heard that Jens Bogren has made much of a impact on this album. Can you pls explain, in as much detail, for some of the readers who might be in upcoming bands themselves what the difference of a good producer can do.

I think a good producer must have the ears, and the ability to understand the band and capture their sound, to be able to truly help them. You can’t have a producer who’s working in his own directions especially if they’re in conflict with the bands. The producer should be like the 6th (or 5th/7th) member of the band.

Just how intense was the recording schedule for the new album. Was that Jens's idea or yours?

It was actually more relaxed for us than any precious album we’ve recorded, as a whole group, since we had 7 weeks in total in the studio. Plus the fact that we could go home in the weekends and take time off of the band. Jens though worked almost every day at least 10 hours, sometimes 12 and even 14! So during the days we recorded each member had to be really alert. But there was also a lot of relaxing time to kill. Jens came up with the recording schedule.

I understand that its also the first time the band worked collaboratively together - why did you not do this before?

We did, in the past, only not to the same extent as with “with oden…”. On “fate” we tried something new and both guitarists wrote the most songs at home and brought it to the rehearsal room as finished products with midi drums and everything. This because we felt we had no time to rehearse as much as we’d done in the past. But we felt that it was not the right approach for us. So on the new album we did the opposite. We spent 100% time in the rehearsal room instead and focused only on writing new songs.

I believe one of your earliest signings was with a label in Singapore - not too many Vikings there ha ha - how did that arise and did you guys ever make it out to the Far East? If you did, would you go as pillaging Vikings or swap the chainmail for beach shorts ha ha? (Its pretty hot out there, I think if you jumped off a longship all you would say is 'With Oden...' before collapsing from heat exhaustion ha ha!)

The only reason was because they were willing to sign a deal for only one release. We wanted to release the mini cd to shop around for a better deal. We’ve never been to the far east unfortunately.

You're clearly inspired by Viking culture, so is this only for the band image wise or do you try to live that life outside of the band as well in terms of your cultural and social values. Ok, so maybe you don't go to the supermarket with an axe - hard to imagine in Stockholm ha ha - but do you belong to any Viking / Norse cultural groups (kinda like the people who dress up and try to live like Vikings at the weekends)?

It inspires us just by the fact that it’s an interesting time and way of life and we’re proud of our ancestors. We don’t feel the need really to dress up and play pretend to feel that. Although some of us anyway likes to do it just for fun sometime.

There are many people who I have met while travelling to Iceland, Denmark, Norway & Sweden who definitely don't believe in Christianity (anymore) and have chosen alternative 'religions' like elemental (i.e. rain, fire) worshipping - do you guys have any views on this given the pagan beliefs of the Vikings?

Any man is free to believe in whatever they want, that’s our view.

Ok now for story time - is there any person, myth or piece of Viking history that has been particularly inspirational for you (not necessarily in your songs but also for you as a people) that you would like to tell the readers (especially those US readers of Norse forefathers who maybe want to learn more about their heritage)?

It’s nearly impossible to pick out one thing that’s more interesting than the rest, but the mystery around “Ingvar Vittfarne” is a personal favourite. No one knows really exactly what happened to him during his expedition that reached as far as to the Caspian Sea. But they do know that he and most of his crew died and there are many stories, and rune stones, that seem to be about the same trip.

Are there any recent movies that you feel give a reasonably accurate portrayal of the Vikings - I personally like 'The 13th Warrior' cos it shows (compared to the Kirk Douglas movie ‘The Vikings’) more of the traditions, social and cultural values of an actual (civilised) people rather than just a bunch of beer guzzling killers (although that is the popular myth).

Only one, the Icelandic film “Hrafninn flýgur“. I thought the 13th warrior was pretty horrible.

I believe that your name Amon Amarth comes from Tolkien - is that correct? If so, can you explain what’s behind this because I would've thought you would take a Viking type name (unless you love Hobbits that is ha ha)...?

It is true that it comes from Tolkien, it comes from the elf’s name of mount doom. We thought the name was cool and the meaning fitting. The connections to Tolkien are obvious since he was very much inspired by Viking mythology when he wrote the thing.

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-Shan Siva