Q"Fasornas Tid" was recorded, mixed and mastered at Wing Studios by Sverker Widgren. How did the decision to work with Sverker shape the sound of this record specifically — and is there a moment on the album where you feel his work made the biggest difference?
A: He is almost like the 6th member of the band so the decision was easy. He's able to help out with producing some minor things through the whole record and usually we like his suggestions overall.
QC-G handles both drums and artwork for the band. Having the visual identity of the record come from inside the band rather than an outside artist — how does that affect the relationship between the music and the imagery?
A: I think it's a huge advantage and a bit of a "cheat code" having a band member that's also an artist in doing album covers. So we are spoiled here.
QThe album features C of AVSLUT on "Tornet." How did that collaboration come about, and what did his presence bring to the track that you felt you couldn't achieve with just the existing lineup?
A: As we are, according to them, a huge influence in their music, he asked mostly for fun if he could contribute. As he's one of the best black metal vocalists in the world, the decision was easy.
QGoth Gorgon takes lead vocals on "Det Svarta." When you decide which voice leads which track — what is that decision based on?
A: It was more that we have this tradition with him taking the leads on a track on every album. This one suited him well. Digitally there's also an alternative version with yours truly on the lead vocals.
QYou have three vinyl variants of "Fasornas Tid" — black, silver marbled, and transparent red. Physical formats clearly still matter to you. Do you collect records yourselves, and is there a pressing or edition in your own collection that you consider particularly important to have?
A: Oh yes, I'm collecting physical formats so it's important for me. The original pressings of "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" and "Black Sabbath" are two of the most important copies in my collection.
QThe gap between "Hinsides Vrede" and "Fasornas Tid" was four years — much shorter than the eleven-year silence before the comeback. Does the band feel like it's in a different phase now, where music comes more naturally, or is the process still something that takes time to force into shape?
A: Unfortunately it takes more time today, due to lack of time with full time jobs, families etc. But we try to keep up. We are currently writing for the next album.
Q"Fasornas Tid" translates as "The Time of Horrors." Looking at the world right now — is the album title starting to feel more literal than you intended when you named it?
A: Oh yes!
QSweden produced some of the most important melodic black metal of the 1990s and then went largely quiet. You've been one of the very few bands from that era still writing and releasing new music. Do you feel any responsibility toward that sound — or is that framing something you'd rather leave behind?
A: We don't feel that we have any kind of responsibility to anything. The 90s was of course great times within extreme music, but the past is the past. We focus on the future, doing what we want to do, as long as the health is in shape.
QPulse Records is based in Lisbon, Portugal — a country with a genuine underground scene that has been growing for years. Have you ever played Portugal, and is it somewhere you'd want to bring MÖRK GRYNING?
A: No we haven't, and we'd gladly come to Portugal if any opportunity would be brought up.
QWhat does a typical week look like for the people in MÖRK GRYNING outside of the band?
A: We are like most of us — common people working, having children and families. The artistry is an escape from the daily routines and tasks.