Witchcraft Interview

Thanks for the interview. How are things with you?
Fine thanks! We are working hard on writing material for our album.
		The last two years have been quite a meteoritic rise for the band. Did you ever think things would go this well? How are you dealing with life in the spotlight?
		We're really surprised that the album has been so well received. I was a bit worried that the production of the album would put some people off, which I think it has for some. But overall we got a good response. As for life in the spotlight, we get a few more gigs and do a few more interviews, otherwise things are the same as before the album.
		Going back to the creation of the band, is it true that the band were originally formed as a tribute band to Roky Erickson and Bobby Liebling?
		Yeah, In 2000 Magnus called it quits with his former band Norrsken and wanted to record a tribute single dedicated to Bobby Leibling and Roky Erickson. Magnus asked Ola and Jens Henrikson (who produced our album ) to play bass and drums and I joined on guitar. I think we did one gig together under the name Wicked Angel, then we split as we all had other bands we played in at the time. Magnus carried on and changed the name to Witchcraft.
		Last year saw you release your self-titled debut album; can you tell us how the deal with Rise Above Records came about?
		Our former bass player Mats Arnezen sent Rise Above our single that impressed Lee and Will so much they signed us! · I don't think they had heard of us before Mats sent them the single but Lee had heard Norrsken.
		Since the release of the album how do you feel the band have developed, both musically and as individuals?
We've got a lot better playing individually and as a band. When we recorded our first album I had just rejoined the band two weeks before and was not very well rehearsed, but since our European tour last summer I think we have become as a band.
You must have been asked many times, but we have to know, where was the album recorded and how did you achieve that authentic 70’s sound?
We recorded in the basement of an old school Where the rooms there had a really good natural reverb. we also used vintage amps.
Not since possibly early Free or Sabbath have I heard a sound so full in texture and richness. Did the album turn out the way you had all anticipated; or looking back do you feel there are things you would do differently?
There's always things one wishes one had done differently. But it turned out more or less like we wanted it to considering that we had very little previous studio experience.
How did the Stone Bunny cover “Please don’t forget me” come to find it’s way on the album? Who’s choice was this?
I think it was Magnus idea. We rehearsed the song for our live set but thought it would fit on the album.
The whole album is brimming over with 60’s and 70’s influences. Is it fair to say you listen to little else recorded outside these two decades?
Yeah, most records we have are from the 60s and 70s but we listen to most types of music. Jonas and Magnus are big Tool fans.
Magnus wrote much of the debut album; now the band has had time to gel and bond as a unit, do you feel the writing dynamic changed?
It's still Magnus who contributes mostly to the songwriting but we all have a hand in coming up with riffs, a lot that we come up with when jamming in the rehearsal studio.
Has writing begun for the new album? When do you expect to get back into the studio?
We have written ten new songs for the next album and we are going to record in New Rising studios near Colchester in England in March which will be really cool.
What are you hoping to achieve with the next record? Where do you see the yourselves going musically?
Hopefully the album will still sound 70s but with a better production and we have become better musicians and tighter as a band that will show on the album.
The band toured much of Europe in support of the debut album, how have you guys found being on the road and do you enjoy touring?
It was great! We toured last summer with Orange Goblin and Grand Magus sharing a night-liner. It was really cool waking up in a new town or country every morning, it gives you a real sense of freedom.
On the subject of playing live, I understand you will be supporting Pentagram at their London show in March. How did this come about and how much of a thrill will it be to be on the same bill as the great Bobby Liebling?
The promoter for the Underworld got in touch with us a few months ago asking us if we wanted to support Pentagram at a gig. It's a dream come true to see them live let alone share the supporting them.
Having brought up the subject of Pentagram, the bands love of the band is well documented. Apart from them, who else is high on your list of influences?
There are so many bands that have influenced us here's a list of a few favorites, Black Sabbath, Bang, Josefus, Stray, Three Man Army, Comus, Mellow Candle to name a few.
With Count Raven reforming, Pentagram having a new album, bands such as The Hidden Hand, Sun0))), Goatsnake amongst others riding high; the doom scene is in high times. How does it feel to be a part of the doom resurgence?
It’s really cool that so many doom fans have taken such an interest in us as we are not a strict doom band. It feels great to be part of the scene.
After the early 90’s explosion of Swedish Death Metal scene, the country appears to be once again be producing a crop of quality bands; Spiritual Beggars, Grand Magnus and yourselves to name a few. What makes Sweden such an influential country to be able to produce such quality music?
There’s a very big music scene in Sweden. One reason being that the government puts a lot of money into music schools and the other being that there are a lot of small towns in Sweden and not a lot going so people start playing in bands. I think that as there's such a big music naturally there's a big doom and stoner scene
What’s next for Witchcraft? What plans do you have for 2005?
We are planning on recording our next album in March and will be out in the late summer, After that I'm not sure what's happening, probably a European and maybe a US tour.
Thanks again for the interview, and to sign off do you have a message to your fans?
Thanks for listening to our music and I hope you'll like our second album Cheers!

All photographs and images used with kind permission of Witchcraft & Metal Chaos