For someone who hasn’t heard your music, how would you describe it and what song would you play for them?
"In girum imus nocte ecce et consumimur igni", written violently through skin, for the love of abandoning the stagnated. The album should be listened to on high volume, preferably in complete darkness or in the epicentre of an intense snowstorm.
'The World. The Flesh. The Devil' was released in May last year, tell us about the writing and recording process. How have the fans reacted?
Things are a bit out of focus and hard to put fingers on in retrospect, because of the intensity of that period. It was a creative chaos that demanded a lot from us as people and as a band. I look back on it as a beautiful period of my life. A lot of blood, sweat and tears. Like there usually is in beauty.
How was playing at the Maryland Death Fest for your first trip to the United States?
Certainly one of the highlights of the year for me. Not only because it was our debut with In Solitude on American soil, but it was a great experience. The intensity of the show and the sun of Satan literally driving us to the brink of physical and mental exhaustion.
What have you been working on since then? Is there a new album in the works?
A few nights ago we worked on some new things and they're taking shape. But that's nothing we'll talk about at this point.
How have you changed as a band since your first record? New line ups, influences, etc?
Life's an ever ongoing evolution of things, and it's an ever ongoing evolution working with one's creativity. And it comes with age, life experience, evolvement of apprehensions, perceptions, immersion of spiritual theology (in the literal sense of the word), initiation and emotional teratology. Among other things. So yes, we have (and hopefully everyone else has) changed a lot.
You signed with Metal Blade Records in 2010, how has that changed things for you?
It gives us the opportunity to focus fully on our music.
What’s your opinion of the current metal scene?
I find most of it shallow and without substance, to be honest. There are bands , however, that I find great and inspiring. I hate lists though. But that shouldn't be a problem, since everybody has their own personal taste (I hope).
What’s a new talent that you think deserves a plug?
Reveal and Degial. Neither of them are new bands, but they certainly deserve far more attention than most things/bands out there these days. They are true parnassian stalkers of the abyss, who know where to harm in order to capture the essence of what drives them. I should also mention a Swedish band called Ghoulbog here as well. They are amazing.
What can fans expect from your live shows? Do you prefer being on tour or being in the studio?
Above all, I personally prefer to be completely isolated from all traces of humanity in the deep forests of Northern Sweden. But when it comes to our band, the whole experience of In Solitude means the world to me. What I cherish the most is the creative, rewarding and wounded moments, which can be shaking our lives anywhere, from on a stage, to the rehearsal place or a studio. Anywhere where it cracks, laughs and destroys us - which is (amongst other things) what happens to us when we play live.
What do you find is the most difficult part of writing/recording?
Having to try to explain it afterwards to magazines and people. For me, the work of art itself is the nearest the artist can ever come to explain anything in the first place. You don't need an alibi for a crime you're willing to die for, so to speak. Every process that demands the soul is often, in one way or another, difficult for me. That is an important part of it, though, and makes the struggling rewarding.
Describe your writing style - what inspires you?
There are details ("In deinem Nichts hoff ich das All zu finden") in our existence that correlate with our spiritual and/or inner currents, that in their turn unlock windows, pools and doors to the outer landscapes of confrontation. Where everything has a knife to its throat and awaits us behind all with love. We have no choice but to do our best in order to render it. Life is too short to not write love-poems about your own Death. There is someone who eats light..
Any plans to head to Australia in the near future?
Not that I know of at the moment. But hopefully in the future. In the name of the Devil, Bon Scott, Tracy Pew and Rowland S Howard.
Finally, what is next for In Solitude?
We're going on a UK Tour with Grand Magus on the 13th of March, and we leave for for a US tour with Watain & The Devils Blood in April. Apart from that, I'll pray and walk in knee-high snow until the flesh forgives the ghost.
