SOURCE – Tell us a bit about the band. How did you come together and forge your sound?
Niklas Karlsson (Vocals, Guitars) – Thank you for having me, Source Webzine. I started this project with a group of friends back in 2013. We started out as a small jam group in our hometown called Eksjö. We recorded and released some stuff, including an EP and a couple of albums with members coming and going. Being the only original member left, ‘Orbit Culture’ has become my little baby of some sort so I write all of the material these days along with recording it and producing it, which is really fun. The influences for the music has changed over the years, but the writing and execution of bands such as Metallica, Gojira, Behemoth, Static-X and so forth still continues to be the music that I’m the most drawn to. Being a huge fan of cinematic themes and music, that’s something that I also try to incorporate within the music.
SOURCE – After Songs from “Nensha” and “Rebirth” — where did you want to take Orbit Culture, musically?
Niklas Karlsson (Vocals, Guitars) – Basically just trying to keep progressing on the road that we’re already on but also trying out some new stuff and incorporating inspirations from other genres as well to try to take the songs further.
SOURCE – Can you elaborate on the lyrical themes and messages you are looking to explore with “Nensha” and “Rebirth”?
Niklas Karlsson (Vocals, Guitars) – It’s all a big metaphor for living with anxiety and depression and how to get through it. I’ve had my fair share of those issues ever since my youth and I still have it from time to time. Once depression or that first real panic attack hits you, it’s a long road to beat it and as time has gone by, I’ve learned you never really get rid of it completely, you just get better at living with it and that’s a beautiful thing, because often you become more grounded from it and appreciate the small things in life.
So, that’s the main thing I write about, I love stories about dragons, fairy tales and so forth as much as anyone else, but for me, writing about issues I’ve experienced myself tends to translate better from mind to paper.
SOURCE – From just the singles alone we’ve seen a lot of progression and growth from your previous work. What does the new album project for the future of Orbit Culture?
Niklas Karlsson (Vocals, Guitars) – You know, hopefully we’ll find a bigger audience with this new album and be able to progress as a band both when it comes to writing music but also playing live.
I also believe that we’ve progressed our sound a lot with this album, going both harder and softer with the songs, hopefully creating more depth.
SOURCE – In a time where streaming and digital consumption of music is more the norm than owning physical releases, do you believe that great artwork is still crucially important for albums?
Niklas Karlsson (Vocals, Guitars) – Absolutely. That’s how I’ve found some of my favourite music throughout the years. For example, that’s how I got into the band Nile a lot. Ever since we got Bahrull Marta from Abomination Imagery on-board with doing our artworks, we haven’t really looked back, we’re so satisfied with his work. He’s really set the tone for the music with his work.
SOURCE – Speaking of throwbacks, your first album Odyssey will reach 7 years next December. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before that album, what would it be?
Niklas Karlsson (Vocals, Guitars) – Haha, to not record it.. Jokes aside, I’m glad that we just decided to do it and actually finish something, even though it sounds awful production wise. I’d also try to not write the riffs in Guitar Pro first instead of on the guitar. The whole writing on that album feels a bit sterile and very “riff-after-riff”-ish… Other than that, I guess it’s pretty cool.
SOURCE – If you weren’t playing metal, what would you be doing right Now?
Niklas Karlsson (Vocals, Guitars) – I’ve always loved to draw, ever since I was a little kid, so that would be something I’d definitely be doing a lot if it wasn’t for music.
SOURCE – What future plans have you got in store as a band?
Niklas Karlsson (Vocals, Guitars) – To really get out there and play in front of people. That’s been the main goal for the past year along with finishing up the new record. We’d really love to head over to the other continents soon. That would be awesome!
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Orbit Culture
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