Sweden's own Gods of old school Death Metal, Necrophobic return with their blistering new album "Hrimthursum", the first full length release in over four years. MetalChaos caught up with Sebastian Ramstedt to talk over all things unholy.
How are things with you guys?
Rotten, infested and absolutely wonderful.
May 22nd saw the release of your new album ‘Hrimthursum’. The record has received positive press reviews, but what has been the early response from the fans?
So far it has been very good. We have only been on a short tour to Spain now and they hadn't got the album yet, but they liked the new stuff that we played. It seems like the fans still think that we are true to the scene which is important to us.
What can you tell us about the recording process, where you guys in the studio long? How pleased were you with the final cut?
We were in the studio for about two months. It was great to be in charge of process ourselves this time. The recording went really fast so we had a lot of time to listen and think of arrangements and effects. The final cut is exactly how we wanted it so we are very pleased.
‘Hrimthursum’ was recording at the ‘House of Voodoo Studio’s’, a departure as the band had previously used Sunlight Studios almost exclusively. Why change for this record?
We have always wanted to try something different but it wasn't until now that we were confident enough to do it. We also met the right people to produce this album which made us take the step away from Sunlight. The original idea was to let Tomas Skogsberg mix the hole thing but we didn't feel it was necessary to get him involved at all. We will probably work with Tomas again in the future but it was good to try something different this time. I think this album sounds the way we always wanted our albums to sound.
How did you approach the writing of the album? After 4-year hiatus did any of you struggle to get back into the band mentality?
We never stopped working as band. We started to write material right away after “Bloodhymns” but it wasn't until one and a half year ago that the songs started to sound the way we wanted. We didn't want to do the exact same album again and tried to find a more epic theme. I came up with the title “Hrimthursum” and after that the writing came very naturally. We still have a lot of material left for the future.
With the success of ‘Bloodhyms’ did you find it at all apprehensive when it came time to write the new record?
It was kind of hard but when we found the “theme” it went very smoothly.
The bands problems with record labels have been well published. Did you have any concerns when it came time to looking for a new record label, and what made Regain Records the best deal for you?
We felt that it would be good to have a company that we could have a honest dialogue with. Its important to be able to have a grown up conversation since you are making business. Per of regain is a great guy and its easy to speak to him. It was important for us to have a company that does not “oversign” bands.
The album was mastered by Fredrik Folkare of Unleashed fame. How did Fredrik become involved in the process?
We are good friends of Unleashed and their latest album sounded great so we thought it would be great to work with Fredrik. We wanted someone that has the feeling for Death Metal to have the final touch on the album, and Fredrik did great.
The cover artwork was provided by Tyrant of Nifelheim, how did this partnership come about? How did the concept for the cover come about?
The concept was made by me. I made some sketches and talked about it with the rest of the band before contacting Tyrant. Me and Johan are also members of Nifelheim so it was kind of natural to ask him since he is a very talented artist.
What plans do you have to tour in support of ‘Hrimthursum’?
We have been to a mini tour in Spain a couple of weeks ago and are playing festivals this summer. In the fall we will go on a major European tour. So far we have nothing booked overseas.
Is touring an environment you all enjoy, or is it a necessary evil in the promotion of a record?
Performing live is great. Its one of the main reasons we do this. Touring can be great but the traveling and waiting is boring after a couple of weeks. I love to see new countries and meet fans but most of the time you sit in the same ol´ bus looking out the window. But of course it's all worth it.
	The production of ‘Hrimthursum’ continues with the more aggressive, heavy direction taken on ‘Bloodhyms’. How intentional was it to continue recording in this vein?
	I think we were experienced enough on 'Bloodhymns' to get the sound that we had in our minds. It triggered us to try something outside studio Sunlight. We wanted to keep the aggressiveness of the last album and make it deeper and more atmospheric without loosing power. I think we succeeded.
	With a new album to promote, after 4 years away it must feel almost like a new beginning to the band? Does it feel like you have to make up for lost time?
	Necrophobic has never had any stops or long breakups. It might seem like that looking in from the outside but through all these years we have been working hard. Sometimes its important to let the process take its time in order to deliver something that you can be proud of for the rest of your life. We don't care if it takes 4 years to do an album as long as it sounds as we want.
	Are the band aware of the heritage of the bands that have hailed from Stockholm, does this create a pressure on any band still producing Death Metal?
	Yeah, of course you can see how Stockholm Death Metal has influenced the scene. I feel no pressure to satisfy the crowds but it's important to produce music that we in Necrophobic feel is “true”.
Of the current crop of Death Metal bands out there who still interests you?
Destroyer 666, Vulcano, Dismember, Unleashed and a few more. I hate bands that try to mix there death metal with modern influences.
Are there any final words to all the Necrophobic fans out there?
Thanks for the interview! Stay true! Death to False Metal!!!

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