First of all congratulations on the last three releases and I would like to express my exhilaration for our communication. I believe both your works are of the most inspired in the 1st decade of the new century. I would like you to refer to the history of "For the Love of Art..." briefly and inform us on what influences you to write this kind of stories.

Thank you so much for your kind words – I’m flattered :-) My influences come from the heart really. My passion for music, composing, my instruments and music itself is what gives me inspiration. I think you can say many things with words but you can say so much more with music. So basically I try to speak through my compositions.

After the unbelievable in all aspects ‘The Devil's Hall…" you came back last year with the even better "Section X" and now with unbelievable "For the Love of Art...". Do you believe it is a matter of inspiration for someone to surpass themselves?

Inspiration is definitely one of the ingredients. Developing skills and talent is another. Being creative another. Being open-minded yet another. Some times the best art is created during extreme circumstances, through pressure, through pain etc. And sometimes the best art is created when simply having a good flow. Many things play a part of it I think. But it all comes down to one thing in the end. Having the talent of originality and follow your own path. Never follow the way the wind blows.

Listening to "The Devil's Hall…", "Section X" and "For the Love..." someone can easily realize that you are not influenced by the contemporary Metal stage. I read that you are not characterized by a mania to listen to everything that circulates in the market. Tell us some albums that in your opinion are most inspired as creations and some releases you listen to often.

I listen to everything really. Extreme metal, prog metal, all kinds of metal, jazz, classical, alternative rock – the list is ongoing really. Meshuggah’s "None" is one of my faves but I like most of their releases, Tori Amos’ "Little Earthquakes", but I like most of her releases, Metallica up until the black album, Faith No More all albums, many of Mike Patton’s projects, Sting most of his releases, Björk many of her releases, Dream Theater’s "Images & Words", but also many other of their releases, Pat Metheny different albums, Janacek’s Taras Bulba, Mats & Morgan many of their releases, I could go on forever really.

Are there any restrictions as far as the experimentation is concerned when you compose the music for Beyond Twilight?

No restrictions at all. I strongly believe in being open minded, putting restrictions to compositions would be like killing them. I have had only one during the years but that has nothing to do with the compositions but the length of them. I like the albums to be 40-45 min. I think there is some magic to writing albums in this time interval.

In the last two releases you were dealing with cloning and computer-brain relation. Matters that are very seminal and interesting. If someone asked you to be part of the experiments would you lend them your brain?

Yes and no haha. Some of the experiments would be really interesting and some would be over the edge. I find the human brain extremely interesting and it is one of the things mankind still hasn’t mapped yet. Many secrets to be found :-)

In "For the Love of..." album I see some changes in the line up of the group. Tell us about the new members, how was the selection made, and what were the reasons your collaboration with Jorn Lande was interrupted.

Only line up change is our new vocalist Björn Jansson. The reason why the collaboration with Jorn Lande ended was because we are as different as you can possibly be in the means of musical visions, musical believes, attitude, personality. We are the total opposites.

What makes you, as a composer, pursue the night?

Music itself, my passion for music is infinite. I started playing when I was 6 and within a year or two I started writing my first compositions. I think it is hard to find words for how much music and composing means to me, there are no such words. It stimulates me in every possible way, it brings me joy, I go through every possible emotion and it gives me satisfaction in such a degree that I stop to sense the world around me. It gives me the possibility to speak through music and say things you can't say with words. It gives me relief. Music and composing means everything to me.

Do you have any moulds as far as the musical direction of Beyond Twilight is concerned?

No not really. I just go where the inspiration and the music take me.

I like to ask you about your opinion concerning the new kind of format that is entering our lives. Meaning DVD-dual disc etc. Can you imagine what the future will be like? Are there any plans on touring?

I believe in development and I only think it is good. If you look at the development in terms of technology and formats there has been a dramatic progress within the last decade. The Internet is by far the biggest development in any form really. I think the Internet is going to play a major role in the lives of humans and of the future not only in terms of formats but in everything concerned in our daily lives. DVD’s are already history for the geeks, new formats are taking over and the Internet will rule the future developments I believe.

What would the set be like on stage? What do you imagine the perfect live performance would be like?

The sets will be different depending on gigs we will play. As for festivals it will be a mix between songs from "The Devil’s Hall Of Fame", "Section X" and parts of "For the Love of Art and the Making". The perfect live performance would be to do all of "For the Love of Art and the Making"with the full package, all the scene effects, different artists doing different things on stage but in venues where we get to be close to the fans. The fans means just as much as the music.

What is music to you? Journey, fellowship, consolation…? What does the future presignify for B.T.?

All your words are very describing. It is obvious reading them that you have a deeper understanding of music. Many people just use music as a sort of a consumer durable nowadays. To me music is the very essence of my soul but it is so much more than that. Music is art with a power that goes beyond most things in life. Music is a gift. If you look at our history music has followed us since the very beginning. It can be used for many different things – to communicate, as fellowship, journeys, consolation as you so perfectly described. Music affects our conscious as well as our sub conscious layer of mind. Our intellectuality. It can make you sad, happy, angry, melancholic, afraid all sorts of moods. It can give solidarity. It simulates. It can connect or make experiences stronger - I’m sure every person has a memory to a certain piece of music.

The future of Beyond Twilight. Time will tell. But hopefully a lot of live gigs. The next long period is booked with interviews. About 170-180 have been lined up. No promises – maybe the answer can be found in the last part of the new album? You never know ;-)

That’s all from me. I wish you all the best and I thank you warmly for the chance to speak with you.

Thanks to you too. It was a pleasure speaking to you. Thank you for taking the time and for supporting one of the few genres left still with a little dignity left. Metal!