AMON AMARTH
By Falber Teles • Feb 7th, 2010 • Category: Featured Band
SOURCEWEBZINE – You released your Metal Blade debut, “Once Sent From The Golden Hall”, in 1998. How has the working relationship with Metal Blade been throughout the years ?
Johan Hegg (V) – Well, we’ve been with Metal Blade for twelve years now, so I think that speaks for itself. We’ve had a very good relationship with the people at Metal Blade, both in the US and in Europe.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Could you tell us about the four reissue “Versus the World”, “Once sent from the Golden Hall”, “The Avenger” and “The Crusher” via Metal Blade Records?
Johan Hegg (V) – Well, the idea came from the label to re-issue the older material but we didn’t want to just release the albums as they were. We wanted to give our fans something extra so we made special event last year where we did a live recording of each album to put on a bonus disc that comes with each album.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What has the response been so far from fans and critics?
Johan Hegg (V) – As far as I’ve heard the response has been pretty good. “The Crusher” even went into the charts in Canada.
SOURCEWEBZINE – How has the band’s sound progressed from “Once Sent From The Golden Hall” to “Twilight of the Thunder God”?
Johan Hegg (V) - Musically I’d say that our songs have become more to the point with a better song structure, and of course the production has improved on each album, especially the last two albums, but I still wouldn’t say that we’ve changed our sound that much really.
SOURCEWEBZINE – The band has a strong presence in all the various social media outlets like MySpace, Facebook, etc. Which platform seems to be most effective for you at the moment?
Johan Hegg (V) – I honestly don’t have a clue. I don’t have a Facebook or a MySpace page myself, but I guess the band’s MySpace does give us a good opportunity to reach out to fans across the world.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Bands are selling fewer CDs now, but the music is still finding its way into people’s hands via things like illegal downloads. Is that frustrating for you, or do you just want your music out there, regardless?
Johan Hegg (V) – It’s a tricky question, and I guess it’s easier to speak in general terms. On one hand selling fewer CDs does hurt the musicians financially. The record labels still will make their money, and what’s happening now is that labels are offering bands so called 360-deals, which means that the lable takes a percentage of everything, music, merch, touring etc. Hence the bands lose out on even more income. Another problem is that album sales is what makes it possible for bands to go on the road, but if the album doesn’t sell there is no label or promoter who wants to pay a lot of money to get the band on the road, since there is no way of knowing weather people will show up or not. For the already established bands, such as us, it’s easier. We already have a good reputation and a following, but for young up-and-coming bands this is really tough.
On the other hand, easier access to music via the Internet does give bands an opportunity to reach out to more people, and perhaps even to people whom otherwise wouldn’t have given the band a chance. It is a good promotional tool even though I think it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with all new bands that keep popping up everywhere.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Take us through your typical day.
Johan Hegg (V) – Well, when we’re on the road I usually get up around noon, and if we’ve arrived at the venue and we can get in already or if we’re in a hotel I’ll go for breakfast. After that it’s just a bunch of pass-time really, though you still have to be on call if there is interviews or other stuff to do, so depending on where I am I’ll go for a walk. Then it’s sound check, usually around 4 or 5 pm, then dinner and after that you start preparing for the show. After the show it’s usually showers and a few drinks and then back on the bus to go to the next venue.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Being a band from Sweden, and being a Swedish… Could you tell us the Swedish people characteristics?
Johan Hegg (V) – Not really. I guess Swedes are like people are most.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What aspects of the olden-day viking mentality and lifestyle do you incorporate into your life?
Johan Hegg (V) – Treat people with respect, both friends and foes, stay loyal to family and friends, to be honest even if it hurts sometimes and I guess a lot of other stuff, but it’s not like walk around thinking that “now I have to act this or that way ‘cause that is the Viking way”, it just comes natural.
SOURCEWEBZINE – If you could go back in time and actually be a viking, would you?
Johan Hegg (V) – I think it would be interesting for a while, but I think I’m too accustomed to modern comforts to stick around for a longer period.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What do you look forward to the most when coming to the Brazil to tour?
Johan Hegg (V) – To play the show and of course to meet the fans, but I also really look forward to the brazilian steak house. That’s really good stuff, and last time we ate so much meat that I had nightmares. We also drank shitloads of caipirinhas and got really wasted. That was awesome!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Johan Hegg (V) – Hopefully we’ll be able to come to Brazil again soon, so hope to see all our Brazilian fans next time! Cheers!
Falber Teles
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