Hi Oddleif and thank you for this interview. One year after your successful debut you're striking back with full force. "Waves of Visual Decay" may be the album that'll establish your name as one of the most in the fields of metal. Do you feel the same way?

I really hope that this new album will take us another step further, and it seems like we have managed to establish a name for the band, and that we stand for something unique among all the different bands out there these days, but time will tell how far we can take it.

From what I've read you used the same studio for the recordings and the production. Was it a matter of convenience or something else? Can you give me some more details?

It was an easy choice to head back to Jacobs studio, because it worked out so well the first time, that there was no point in changing. This time it was even better because you knew the producer and his way of working and we felt really at ease and at home in the studio and I think that brings out the best of the artist.

As I foretold the release of "Waves..." came almost one year after your debut. Should I guess that you have started writing it at about the same time with "Conspiracy..." or are that quick with the songwriting?

It didn't take long time before we started to work on new songs, mostly because that there was only a small tour after the release and not much going on so we just headed on with new songs and when we felt ready we booked the studio to keep it all rolling. No point hanging around waiting for something to happen. You have to keep up the pace.

Talking about the songwriting I guess that you're mostly responsible for it. What is the contribution of the other 2 members on that aspect?

I make all basic ideas for the songs but the other two guys make all their own arrangements and together we discuss every detail and we jam out the songs so everybody gets their own identity into the songwriting. It is really important for me that the other guys feel that they are contributing to the songs, so it all feels like a band and not like my project, because it is all a band effort.

How come you have written 7 lengthy tracks on this one? I mean weren't you afraid that some would talk about tiring lengthy songs?

We don't think too much about what people will say about it. As long as we like it we will use it, and then we have to see what happens. We know that we cant please everyone anyway so we make the songs the way we like it, and so far it seems like it goes straight home most places.

I believe that the term "aggressive" power metal is the closest and most precise description for your music? Do you feel the same way and what differences do you trace between your two albums?

The main difference is probably that this one have a bit more aggressive songs or maybe it's just the sound that is a bit more heavy this time. I don't know actually. It's basically the same kind of music that we stalked out on our debut, but I guess progressive / power / thrash / metal will all work as a description.

Many will say though that "Waves..." sounds very much like Nevermore, mostly because of the way you sing. It's true that your voice reminds me of Warrel Dane a lot and I believe I'm not the first to say so. How much this does bother you during the recording process and after it, when you hear it from the fans or the press.

Well this is the way I sing so I can't do much about that. And I don't want to quit singing just because some people may say that I try to sing as Nevermore. I take it more as a complement, even dough I don't think that it is that similar.

I'm sorry to say that I haven't read the lyrics yet, but from the cover I suppose that "Waves..." lyrically talks about the manipulation of humanity by the media and so. Am I correct?

You are pretty close. Its inspired by the way the media feeds us through their channels of digital distribution, and how we as humans react on the information sent to us, and is it all telling the truth or is it manipulated before it gets out to the masses?

In general I have the impression that social issues are the themes you like most to dress your music or not?

I often find myself in front of the television with the guitar, and I guess the impressions have inspired me along the way. Some may think of the lyrics as depressive or negative, but it is also dressed in a positive way because it raises some questions about this modern society that we all live in, and what can we do to get it better. The world is not a happy place these days even dough everyone tries to ignore the faults the best they can and only care about their own secret sphere they all live in.

Are you going to tour or play live? Taking under consideration that you're a trio the next logical question is how easy is for you to sound as dynamic and aggressive as on your albums?

Of course. This summer we have played some sweet festivals (Bang Your Head, Earthshaker Fest, Queens of Metal) and have had a blast. We have more festivals to do this fall. We are also doing a small tour alongside with label mates Scar Symmetry in October and we are looking forward to get out and play some club shows again. The aggressiveness and dynamics in our sound is well preserved in our live sound so that is nothing to worry about. It works really well with just the three of us.

What do you think about the modern metal scene? I believe that so far 2006 has offered us many great albums and there are more to come. What are you listening to lately and which bands do you single out?

I don't manage to follow the scene as close as I did earlier. I still consider myself as a fan of metal, but when I feel like listening to music, and don't work with something of my own, I tend to go back and listen to the older albums that actually got me into metal at first hand. I still buy new albums now and then, but it seems like they don't move me and get stuck as it did before. Maybe it has something to do about the fact that I have become a musician myself, and listen to much on details, production and stuff like that.

Before closing I would like to know your future plans. Should we expect a new offering soon?

Right now we are focusing on the rest of the shows that we have lined up, and the coming tour, but we have already ideas for new songs emerging so we have some more stuff coming, but I cant promise you a new album next year. We will have to see how much live activities that we get going and take it step by step.

Oddleif once again thank you very much for your time. I wish you all the best and I leave the closing to you.

Thanks for the interview and the support. More info to be found on our web and go check out the samples if you want to know what it's all about.