It’s always a pleasure to hear new music from our lovely friends in Grimner – and their third full-length album Vanadrottning is another strong offering from the Swedish folk metallers. Next month, they will be playing their debut shows in the UK, with an appearance at Hammerfest festival in Pwllheli as well as headline shows in York, Nottingham and London, and since we didn’t want to do anything by halves, we decided to catch up with Johan (flutes, mandola, bagpipes) for a chat, and also reviewed the album!
Interview with Johan
So you’ve just released album number three, Vanadrottning. Can you describe the writing and recording process for it?
Well, we started working on writing and rehearsing new songs maybe a little more than a year ago. It mostly starts with Ted writing the songs and then we rehearse them to get a feel for the song. Then we might change some things if needed, and then Ted and I write the lyrics together.
When we recorded this album we started out in the studio with drums, then we recorded guitar,bass and keyboards ourselfs. After this we went back into the studio for flutes and other folk instruments. Then finally we record growl, clean vocals and all the extra vocals and choirs. This is probably the part that takes the most time of all the recording process.
Did you run into any challenges whilst recording it, or did everything pretty much go to plan?
The recording was very fun although very intense. It felt like we were more prepared and planned this time around. But yet, the production of the album grows with the band and it ended up in becoming a lot more work than planned. That said, we are very happy with the result. Also a big thanks and shoutout to our producer and studio technician Alexander Oriz who did a really great job.
Which song on the album are you most proud of?
Very hard question. I would probably say Sången om grimner or Kvällningssång.
Vanadrottning features a different lineup to the one on your last effort, Frost Mot Eld. Were there any differences when it came to making your new album compared to the last one?
Well, not really. Most of the music was already written when Martin joined the band – the biggest change was probably that I joined in more in the writing of the lyrics.
Your single Fafnersbane also features guest vocals from Månegarm’s vocalist Erik. How did that collaboration come about?
We have played with Månegarm a few times before a some festivals, so we do know them a bit. So we pretty much just asked Erik if he would like to join us for a song and he was up for it.
My personal favourite on the album is probably the second track, Avundas Hennes Ungdom. What can you tell me about that one?
The story tells of a giant that is envious of the Asir god’s immortality. So he forces Loki to steal the golden apples of Idun so he can get their immortality for himself. Under threat of his life Loke does this but then the Asir finds out they instead threatens Loki’s life if he doesn’t bring them back again. And so they make up a plan to bring the golden apples back.
Next month, you’re going to be visiting the UK for some shows! What can fans expect from them?
Well, as always they can expect a fun and intense live show. And a chance to hear some great tracks from the new album. We look very much forward to come to the UK and play our first shows there. We bring our 10th anniversary celebration show and a lot of joy!
What would you say the best live show you’ve played has been?
I would probably say when we closed the whole Sabaton Open Air festival as the last band after Sabaton. Or our latest visit to Hoernerfest in Germany, where we managed to fill up the whole festival area with people at about 14.00 in the afternoon.
What about the strangest?
Haha, tough one – no shows are strange, just different! But we have been around for a few years, starting off at a very basic level with pub shows in our hometown and now play all around Europe. We did some very fun shows at “Blood and Meat Fest” surrounded by drunk crazy punk rockers and local rockabilly folks. Good times!
If you could play a show with any band, who would you choose?
Hmm, tricky one as well. But I think a gig with Grimner and Turisas would be quite epic.
And finally, what does the rest of 2018 have in store for Grimner?
Well, mainly we have more gigs planned than ever before. So 2018 will be year of a lot of touring, live shows and hopefully meet a lot of new fans.
Vanadrottning Review
After releasing an album as strong as Frost Mot Eld, Grimner set the bar very high for themselves with Vanadrottning. More than proving that they are up to the challenge, the talented sixpiece have crafted a fine album that is a very addictive listen!
Vanadrottning follows on well from where Frost Mot Eld left off. The songs take mainly the same approach this time whilst all being uniquely good, which is a great quality to have. Each of the eleven songs draw you in and it results in a pretty immersive listen as a whole. There’s a lot going on with the music and the attention to detail is superb.
An early highlight of the album is second track Avundas Hennes Ungdom, which is my personal favourite of the album. The more acoustic and melodic opening sets the scene well before a rich in-your-face sound kicks in when the full band joins in. The song has a good blend of melody and aggression as a whole, with neither side being overpowering, and as such it helps to set the scene well for things to come later on.
Fafnersbane is another good offering, and featuring guest vocals from the mighty Erik of Månegarm, and his vocals add a nice element of colour to the song. It’s perhaps one of the more straightforward tracks, with it taking a more standard approach, so the addition of some different vocals was a nice touch. Meanwhile, bringing things to a close is the rather epic Freja Vakar. Like with their previous album, Grimner have really worked hard to ensure the album ends on a high and this track features several seriously catchy melodies that will definitely wind up stuck in your head for a while afterwards – truly a sign of excellent songwriting.
As a whole, there isn’t a whole lot to be faulted with Vanadrottning. Grimner are back in style and I for one can’t wait to catch them live next month!
Grimner: Website|Facebook|Twitter
Catch them live at one of the following dates!
15 March: Hammerfest, Pwllheli
16 March: The Fulford Arms, York
17 March: The Angel Microbrewery, Nottingham
18 March: Nambucca, London
