Karma: …right…

Nils: …I think they got hooked on the Swedish thing! [Chuckles] We have never been to the States before, we’re obviously growing, and melodic music is also growing. It was time for us to come over and it’s the perfect way for us to start it, you know. I think it’s actually good for us to start at a festival and not doing shows at clubs and whatnot.

Karma: Definitely, and welcome (soon enough) as we look forward to seeing you perform!!

Nils: Tack!

Karma: This festival is more concentrated/specific in regards to the audience not to mention you have a co-headlining spot!

Nils: Yeah, it’s a good place for us to start.

Karma: How’s the scene in Umeå? Is it still growing?

Nils: It’s always been pretty big actually. I mean we’ve had a lot of big bands come out of Umeå for…I don’t know how long. For a long time we’ve had Meshuggah, we’ve had Refused and whatnot, so it’s always been good. There’s always been a lot of shows up here, locals’ shows you know, and a lot of bands and everything. I can’t say that’s its gotten any bigger it’s just sort of maintained the same level of the year.

Karma: Would you best describe yourself as a power metal band especially since you've gone through so many phases (power-speed-power) or do you prefer to stay away from tags?

Nils: It’s more up to the people to decide what we sound like, we just play music that we like and that’s it. I mean I think over the past few years, being called power metal isn’t really flattering, you know. I think we’ve always been a few steps ahead, you know we started out in ’95, back in then I was able to play with the typical power metal with all of the clichés of swords and dragons and all that crap! [We both laugh] When the power metal thing was at its peak like in ’99 or something like that 2000; we were stuck then we did Afterlife and that was really different. Then a few later all of the other bands started incorporating a lot of the harder sounds into power metal so to say…So I don’t know what to call that I say melodic metal or something.

Karma: Fair enough. Now in your opinion, why do you consider power metal unflattering? Is it that you find it to be so clichéd, passé, and/or oversaturated?

Nils: I think yeah, oversaturated. With any genre when it becomes popular a lot of bands start playing it and a lot of records come out and it sort of gets flooded out in a rush...I don’t know how else to explain it other than there are just way too many crappy bands and the quality is just, crappy! [Laughs] But you know what I’m talking about.

Karma: All too well! Well as far as your music is concerned, it’s very atmospheric and seems likes there’s a shroud of mystery, which surrounds it. How do you explain that?

Nils: I don’t know, we’ve when it comes to melodies I’ve always been fond of like you said the atmospheric kind of melodies and the keyboards and all that stuff. We can’t seem to get away from it for some reason. [Chuckles] We’ve never sat down and chose what kind of songs to write. We’ve always started out with every album with a clean sheet, whatever comes out, comes out, and that’s the way the songs end up. I don’t know how to explain it; it’s just us writing songs.

Karma: What have you learn about yourself and your band mates as musicians since the inception of Nocturnal Rites? In saying that, do you feel you've evolved to the fullest of your ability after seven albums?

Nils: I think so. I mean, when you’re in a band, we started out a long time ago [1990], and I started to play the bass for the band when I was really, really young kid, you know. In was in school and I was thirteen. What I’ve learned is that you should always base music and be in a band on having fun. Not set your goals too high and just have a good time, not get ahead of yourselves. We’ve done so many things over the years that are great. We’ve been on tour; we’ve toured all over the world, we’ve played in front of thousands and thousands of people. I mean I’m living the dream that I had when I was a kid; when I bought albums and listened to the classic old bands. I could never have dreamed that I would actually get to tour all over the world with my music! [Voice fills exuberance] So I’ve learned that music is all about having fun and just living in the now and having a good time.

Karma: Awesome advice, having said that, Are there any lessons you wouldn't be willing to repeat?

Nils: Yeah, it’s the whole business part of the band, you know. When you first start out, you don’t really think about money, that’s not an issue. You know, just really being out is cool and you really, really don’t pay that much attention to the money side of it. We’ve taken some tolls on that! We’ve should have done a lot of things differently; you learn as you go along just like with any other thing I guess.

Karma: Congrats, with recent release Grand Illusion, it’s an amazing release! Many lyrics seem to be straightforward yet some subliminal. Would you agree?

Nils: Yeah! I’m not your average kind of deep guy when I write lyrics but I don’t really like when lyrics are in your face. I think it’s boring to listen to and I’m not a political kind of guy and I don’t want to spread that kind of message with my songs. I think you’re right, definitely. When someone reads the lyrics, I think it’s really hard not to understand what they’re about.

Karma: Considering you are the main lyrist, do you think good lyrics can make or break a band?

Nils: Oh definitely! Maybe not make or break a band, but I do believe they are important. I think that lyrics, at least in this genre, not to be cheesy… I don’t know, it’s hard to explain but music is always number one in any case. Lyrics can’t be really, really crappy ‘cos then, it’s not gonna work out.

Karma: In developing a song to whom or what inspires you?

Nils: I guess the world, whatever comes to mind. Over the past couple of years, a lot of things have happened. And it’s sort of hard not to take notice of what’s going on around you. I always look for topics that go hand and hand with our songs. It’s really easy to look around you and get upset about things that are going on, you know.

Karma: Hmmph, very true! Speaking of influences, what albums, and/or person influenced you to become the musician you are today and to whom are you listening to today?

Nils: It’s always changing, when I grew up I was only into bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and all those bands but I always go back to the classics you know. [Smiles] I rarely put on one of those CD's to this day. I love country music for example, I love pop music, I love really cheesy melodic poppy AOR and whatnot. I love all of the melodic cheesy stuff so it probably that or just radio. [Laughs sheepishly]

Karma: Then again, it’s good to be well rounded, that way because you don’t get caught in just one thing or one frame of mind.

Nils: Definitely and we’re all different, everyone in the band’s different. Some of the guys in the band are really into brutal death metal and one guy can be into jazz or whatever so I think it helps us when we write songs together.

Karma: Speaking of songs, which song off Grand Illusion is your favorite?

Nils: I guess it’s either “Fools Never Die” or “Still Alive”.

Karma: Why are those songs your favorites?

Nils: I think that the important thing in our sound and what would develop over the years is the balance between really melodic and still having an edge and some sort of aggressive spark in our music and attitude. I think a lot of bands lack that at least in our genre; they’re only melodic and that’s it. Its melody, upon melody and nothing happens, you know and you just get sick of it in the long run. I think our strength is that we can write really melodic and memorable songs and still have them come out somewhat aggressive more punkish than a lot of other bands can. I think it shows in those songs, especially “Fools Never Die”. It’s really mainstream orientated; I think a lot of people that aren’t really into metal can relate to it and can dig it. Still it’s not cheesy and it’s not pop so, I think that’s the most important thing when we write music and our strength as a band and musicians! I think Jonny [Lindkvist] has a big part in that; his voice is great, you now.

Karma: It’s amazing especially on “Still Alive” I love the build up in the song and the way Jonny’s voice is built around the song…it’s simply amazing.

Nils: Yeah, I agree! Definitely!

Karma: I know earlier we were touched on different genres of metal. What do you think will be the next one to blow up?

Karma: Now if you could commission another band to cover a Nocturnal Rites song, who would do it and which song would it be?

Nils: [Laughs boisterously] Oh my god! I would love to hear [pauses] Travis Tritt “Still Alive”. [We both laugh]

Karma: Oh, now that would be a good one!

Nils: Oh yeah, I’m your country guy, so, I love my country. That was great!!

Karma: Are there any musician and/or bands out there that you would like to work with on any future music projects?

Nils: There are so many great bands and musicians it’s really hard to say one or a few but just anyone that has the right mentality or are in it for the right reasons. Having fun and love writing songs and playing music, it doesn’t really matter.

Karma: Being a bassist, who in your opinion is the ultimate bass god, the epitome of a bass player?

Nils: Oh my god! When I was growing up it was Steve Harris but now maybe within the past ten years [laughs] he may not be the best bassist in the world but he’s cool to watch live. But I’ve never been into musician’s music, you know. I don’t listen to music because it’s hard to play or because it’s really instrumentally good; I love music it’s good music. I don’t look for a lot of weird things in music, just good music, and melodies. I appreciate great musicians obviously; definitely, it’s just not something I look for when I listen to a song.

Karma: So then, you don’t necessarily have an all-time favorite.

Nils: Umm, no…I don’t think so.

Karma: So what exactly would you say would draw you to new music?

Nils: You know, just melodies that sort of play with harmonies inside the chorus. I’ve always loved simple melodies but I love weird melodies as well. I always go for the feeling of the song and if it’s good, it’s good.

Karma: Okay, what would your band mates do for a living if they did not have Nocturnal Rites?

Nils: Oh my god, what would I be doing? [Laughs] You know it’s really funny we had some time off, like six or seven weeks. We’ve been playing a lot since September of last year…

Karma: ...wow…

Nils: Yeah and we just had some time off and even if you play weekends, what are you going to do but we didn’t play for six or seven weeks and it was really weird. I got so restless and I was depressed [laughs] because I love playing and I love being on the road. I love the whole thing about playing live and just being about something that’s bigger than you. Just hanging out, drinking beer, and hanging out is what life’s all about. Playing in a band is definitely the greatest thing I have ever experienced. Meeting all these people, having all this fun…its great! I don’t what I’d be doing but I can’t say what the other guys would be doing either. So I don’t know.

Karma: What would complete you as a musician and as a person?

Nils: A beer! [We both laugh hysterically]

Karma: Wasn’t expecting that one! What do you think is more important, to be strong in body or to be strong in mind?

Nils: I guess it depends on what you’re gonna do if you’re gonna go work in the forest, [chuckles] I guess it’s better to have a strong body is a bit more important. But if you’re a physician or if you’re a scholar or some sort, then I guess the mind is more important. But I always look for personality and that’s never the body, that’s in the mind so… I’d have to say the mind.

Karma: Favorite song lyric?

Nils: Of all time?

Karma: Yes.

Nils: “Imagine” is a great lyric ‘cos it’s really simple and at the same time it gets you thinking and it’s not cheesy and it’s not shouting out its message. It’s subliminal but at the same time, you can really grasp the concept of it.

Karma: What is the one thing that people wouldn’t know about you that you would not mind sharing?

Nils: [Pauses] Wow! [laughs] I’m pretty open when it comes to talking about myself… Come on, help me out here, [we both laugh] in what area please?

Karma: Hmm…I don’t know, I was leaving it open. It could be anything… A tidbit people may not know about you, items or things you may collect…It’s pretty much open ended.

Nils: I have a cat that just recently started to hate me all of a sudden. I don’t know what I did.

Karma: Oh no!

Nils: Yeah, it’s true!

Karma: Maybe you’ve been away from her too long.

Nils: Maybe I haven’t paid too much attention, I don’t know. She just sort of walks away from all of the time. [Laughs] Yeah, it’s kind of sad actually!

Karma: Oh, what’s her name?

Nils: Solveig, it’s like a name for old ladies in Sweden. [We both laugh]

Karma: Well what is your most embarrassing CD you own?

Nils: Oh my god, I just went through my CDs and I don’t I found anything that was embarrassing thing would be my Powerslave [Iron Maiden] CD. Probably one of the most embarrassing things is busted. It was sitting on a lamp at a party and it sort of burned to a crisp.

Karma: [Shock fills my voice] Okay!

Nils: [Says shamefacedly] That’s sort of embarrassing!

Karma: Well I guess it would be your most embarrassing CD since it’s burnt.

Nils: Yeah, exactly! [Laughs]

Karma: What’s your favorite Swedish pick-up line?

Nils: Oh my god! I lost my phone number, can I have yours? [Laughter ensues]

Karma: Oh, that’s a good one! I like that one!! What does the next year hold for NR?

Nils: After we’ve been to the US, we’re going to Japan then coming back…

Karma: To the States?

Nils: No, no, we’re coming back to Europe and we’re doing festivals…I’m going to have to check actually. We’re doing Wacken Open Air, we’re doing some festivals in Sweden, and actually starting this weekend, we’re playing a festival in Sweden. We’re doing Bloodstock in the UK and I guess they’re still booking so we’ll see what happens. We’re gonna keep playing throughout the year and maybe start writing an album in maybe September? We’re still fiddling around with some ideas already but no real songs yet.

Karma: Oh, that’s awesome. What would you like the music community to remember about Nocturnal Rites?

Nils: That we had fun and that we were a fun band, we loved playing music, and that we were just nice guys. I don’t know, we’re in it for the fun! We’re not a pretentious band, we don’t want to be the fastest band, to the most evil band or the most,…I don’t know what. We’re just out there to have fun and I think the crowd appreciates that’s why they buy our CDs you know. 

Karma: Here’s a bit of a role reversal for you, if your job were to interview bands, who would you interview and name one thing you’d like to know about your interviewee?

Nils: Oh my god! [Laughs] You’ve got some difficult questions, that’s a good thing actually! You’re putting me on the spot here.

Karma: [Laughs apologetically] I’m sorry!

Nils: It’s 2:00 in the morning!! [Laughs] No, no problem. I’m nocturnal, I’m a night owl.

Karma: Cute, goes along with Nocturnal Rites, fits the profile, right!

Nils: Exactly! I would probably interview…I don’t know, that’s not my strong side. Can I pass on that one? Because I can’t come up with a band right now that I’d like to interview.

Karma: You sure can! Are there any special messages you have for your fans?

Nils: Come out and see us, have a good time and have a few beers with us! It will be fun!!

Karma: And in closing, what can we expect at the Chicago Powerfest for your North American debut?

Nils: Just like any other show I guess, just high intensity, we’re gonna come out with a set for about 90 (ninety) minutes with songs off all of pretty much every album even off the first few. It’s gonna be a good set from pretty much all our albums and we’re gonna have a good time. It’s gonna be a great show!

Karma: Awesome! Again, I am looking forward to seeing the show!

Nils: Are you coming out?

Karma: Yeah, yeah definitely! I’m from Chicago.

Nils: Ah cool!

Karma: Tack så mycket för intervjun igen, Nils!

Nils: Ingen fara!

Karma: And in the meantime, I hope you can repair your relationship with Solveig too!

Nils: I hope so too!

I'd like to thank Nils again as we await their upcoming performance at the Chicago Powerfest and to the wonderful PR Department at Century Media Records.