Johan Hegg and his classmates Amon Amarth They are the quintessential reference when it comes to Vikings playing metal. The Swedish band has become the absolute benchmark when the subject is played and they have used it to position themselves as one of the most important acts on the planet on the scene.
Just a year after his enormous participation in the Corona Hell and Heaven Metal Fest 2016, los hijos predilectos de Odin vuelven a tierras mexicanas promocionando su más reciente álbum de estudio, ‘Jomsviking’ y aprovechamos para platicar con ellos antes de que se vayan a ir al Valhalla…
Viendo en retrospectiva, ¿cómo se sienten cuando recuerdan que “Jomsviking” es su décimo álbum de estudio?
We are all very proud that we were able to make making music around the world a career! As long as the fans keep coming to the shows, we will keep making albums for you.
“Jomsviking” es su primer álbum conceptual. ¿Por qué esperar diez álbumes para crear un álbum en torno a una historia específica?
We wanted a different kind of challenge for this next album. Not that we were waiting for ten albums to do it, we just felt good that this album was the concept album. We've been working on it for a long time, and the story finally felt ready to come to life.
It all comes down to a story that involves love and revenge. What do you think about the idea that the heart and feelings can be the most powerful engine to fight for everything regardless of the consequences?
The heart and the head are very powerful things, both are very powerful engines to fight.
The Jomsvikings were believing mercenary warriors of Odin, but who could serve masters of other religions such as the Christian if they had gold to pay. What is your opinion about the honor of these mythical warriors?
Well, mythical as such they were not. You can look up references to them in history books, they were real people like us, there are many tales of their exploits. You can still have honor and die for Odin while you steal the gold from the Christians [laughs].
About her collaboration with Doro in this album: How was that interaction born and what can you tell us about this iconic metal woman?
We are actually old friends of Doro Pesch. When we were writing Jomsviking, there is a part in one of the songs where the main character has a love interest and we thought it would be great to have a woman singing the parts of the song. She was our first choice and luckily she said yes. She is a lovely person.
What do you think are the things you can say that have changed on stage now compared to the first years?
What has changed on stage compared to the early years is that we now have bigger productions, sometimes we use fireworks, and we have the Vikings running around the stage. I don't think that in the first years we would have dreamed that the stage would be so big. The stages are now bigger, so we run more, compared to being squashed in small stages in the crowded little clubs.
With so many online and console video games about the war, are they players - or maybe an addicted player - of some of them?
Ted (Ted Lundström; bajista de la banda) es realmente un gran fan de los juegos de Nintendo. Él jugó Pokemon Go! junto a su hijo cuando apenas lanzaron el app, y ahora juego el nuevo Zelda en Nintendo Switch. Mira amonamarth.com para más noticias de videojuegos… sugerencia…guiño [risas]
How do you feel about the love of the Mexican audience for Amon Amarth?
We love the Mexican audience, we are excited that it is getting bigger and bigger, and we hope that you invite all your friends to come so you can enjoy this party as Vikings, with us.
For all your fans: What can they expect on the day of the concert and what would be your message prior to this incredible show?
Come to the concert and unleash your inner Berserker!
