“Formed in Stockholm in 1993, internationally acclaimed band Mörk Gryning is a legendary force in Swedish black metal, known for their raw, atmospheric sound and relentless drive to forge their own path. With milestones like their iconic debut Tusen År Har Gåttand and subsequent groundbreaking albums, they’ve shaped the realm of black metal. After a hiatus, they returned in 2017 with a powerful live performance and the acclaimed album Hinsides Vrede. Now, with their seventh studio album Fasornas Tid on the horizon, Mörk Gryning continues to push boundaries, honoring the ferocity of the past while embracing the chaos of the present.
We’re thrilled to bring you an interview with the bands frontman, Draakh Kimera here at Metal Lair. We will dive into their legacy, creative process, and what fans can expect from their much anticipated new release.
Metal Lair: Mörk Gryning has been a prominent force in Swedish black metal since the mid-90s. How do you view the band’s evolution over the years from Tusen År Har Gått to Fasornas Tid?
Mörk Gryning: The circle is complete. I think that with “Fasornas Tid” we are back at where we once started. Not to ignore the albums in between, I’m proud of them as well, but now we are at our “DNA.”
Metal Lair: Your debut album Tusen År Har Gått is considered a milestone in Swedish black metal. How does it feel to see that album still being celebrated nearly three decades later?
Mörk Gryning: Fantastic! It was such an important album for the band and it’s amazing to know it still holds a place in people’s collections. Of course, it wasn’t anything that we ever could have dreamed of when doing it.
Metal Lair: Mörk Gryning has always walked its own path, from Pieces of Primal Expressionism to your more recent work. How do you maintain such a distinct sound while remaining true to the genre?
Mörk Gryning: We have always done what we have wanted to do, that’s true. “Pieces…” is a clear declaration of that and one of the albums I’m probably most proud of as it was in many ways before it’s time. With that said, I don’t think we ever had stayed “True” to the genre, but if everybody else disagrees, that’s okay too.
Metal Lair: What role do you think Mörk Gryning has played in shaping the Swedish black metal scene, especially given your early success and experimentation with various sounds over the years?
Mörk Gryning: I’m always humble to bands that have been influenced by us because I don’t think we really created something new (Maybe apart from “Pieces…”). We basically just took it over after early Dissection and re-shaped the melodic tunes in the riffs. But we were one of the first ones writing lyrics in our native language and that’s probably the biggest influence.
Metal Lair: Fasornas Tid is described as a brutal homage to the raw ferocity of black metal. How did you approach capturing that timeless energy in a way that feels relevant today?
Mörk Gryning: I appreciate what you say. Part of it has probably been that we dug deep into what the band was about when we once formed it. And we didn’t put up any kind of “rules” when writing, just to write what we are influenced by and what we like. Then of course I have the privilege to work with 4 amazing musicians.
Metal Lair: Can you describe the creative process behind Fasornas Tid? Were there any new challenges or experiences while writing and recording this album?
Mörk Gryning: One thing was very different when writing this album compared to the previous ones: We wrote like 13-15 songs and then we cherry-picked the songs that suited best for the album. The rest of the songs will probably be released later as bonus tracks or something. There were no challenges really. We just let the creations flow free and, we had a lot of ideas stored from when writing “Hinsides Vrede.”
Metal Lair: Given the critical acclaim for Hinsides Vrede, how did you build upon that momentum and bring something fresh to Fasornas Tid?
Mörk Gryning: I think we just took off from there and upgraded some things. We used clean vocals this time which brings more contrast to the music. We believe that it keeps the listener interested throughout the whole listening process.
Metal Lair: The lineup has evolved over the years, with the addition of Avathar and the return of the band after a long hiatus. How has the band dynamic changed in recent years, and how does that affect your creative output?
Mörk Gryning: Avathar actually left the band in 2020. S.L. took over and he’s been in the band in the past so he’s not new to us. It’s mostly been myself and Goth writing and making decisions so the musicians were always considered hired guns. But now we’re a band where everybody has creative input.
Metal Lair: The band has worked with some iconic producers like Dan Swanö and Tomas Skogsberg in the past. How did those collaborations shape the band’s sound, and what kind of production vision did you have for Fasornas Tid?
Mörk Gryning: They’ve all had impact in a way. We learned a lot using different producers as they work in different ways. But for the last two albums we’ve worked with our long-time friend Sverker Widgren at Wing Studios. He knows exactly how our sound is and should be, so it’s an easy choice to work with him.
Metal Lair: Your music is known for its aggressive yet melodic nature. How do you balance those two elements in the songwriting process? Do you ever find it challenging to merge brutality with melody in black metal?
Mörk Gryning: We are really into death metal and early thrash metal, combined with melodic metal such as Iron Maiden so I guess it just comes naturally. The day it becomes challenging to write music, we’ll stop recording albums.
Metal Lair: Mörk Gryning returned to the stage with a live performance in 2017 and followed that up with new music. What motivated the decision to come back and what kept you going during the years of inactivity?
Mörk Gryning: Because of the great response we got from our fans. That was a huge boost that made it easy to start up again. But the years of inactivity was also important for our personal development.
Metal Lair: Looking at your career from 1993 to now, what do you think has been the most significant change in the Swedish metal scene, and how have you adapted to it, if at all?
Mörk Gryning: The younger musicians when starting new bands are usually better. These days kids can watch YouTube for guitar and drum lessons and learn faster. Back in the day you had to figure things out on your own so it took more time and got more “punk”. So in a way, we’re still “old school” and haven’t adapted to anything really.
Metal Lair: Given the constant changes in the music industry, from streaming to live shows, how do you see the future of Mörk Gryning? Do you envision the band continuing to evolve in a new direction, or are you focused on staying true to your roots?
Mörk Gryning: You’ll never know what to expect from us. For now, I have no visions of the future. We will Just wait for the release of the new album and do some live shows. We will continue doing this as long as we have the energy to still do it. Meeting with and talking to all the fans are the boost making all the hard work worth it. One thing that worries me is AI. That could be the deathblow of human created artistic work.
Metal Lair: Mörk Gryning translates to “Dark Dawn.” Does this title hold a particular significance for you both as individuals and as a band? How does it reflect your overall musical and thematic journey?
Mörk Gryning: We picked the name when we were at a very young age (16-18) and just wanted to have something that sounded sick af:) It also has to do with the intro “Dagon” on the first album. It ends with a line spoken in Swedish: “When the dawn arrived it was still dark”. It reflects in a way that we try to compose with those occasionally eerie elements with effects and stuff.
Metal Lair: Black metal is often associated with intense, dark themes. How do you personally separate the music from the real-life emotions you experience while writing or performing these intense tracks?
Mörk Gryning: That´s easy because it’s just pure fiction. Like a writer writing a book. There’s no difference really. But then you get influenced by things going on IRL. That’s the best inspiration.
Metal Lair: If you had to introduce Mörk Gryning to someone who has never heard your music, what would be the one song or album you’d play for them first, and why?
Mörk Gryning: Tough choice, but I would go with “Fältherren”,the opening track on “Hinsides Vrede”. It´s a total “Bullseye” of everything that is Mörk Gryning.
Metal Lair: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us today, It’s been an honor. Before we wrap up, do you have any final words or messages for your fans who have supported you throughout the years and are eagerly awaiting Fasornas Tid?
Mörk Gryning: Thanks to you too for this interview. Good questions! To all the fans: No words can describe how much we appreciate your support. We believe “Fasornas Tid” (“The time of horrors”) is all of what represents us. I really hope you enjoy it. The title is very suitable for these days…
Preorder Mörk Gryning’s New Album Fasornas Tid Out December 13th Via Season of Mist Here:
Fasornas Tid Track Listing
1.Intro
2.The Seer
3.Tornet
4.Fasornas Tid
5.Before The Crows Have Their Feast
6..Savage Messiah
7.An Ancient Ancestor Of The Autumn Moon
8.Black Angel
9.Barren Paths
10.The Serpent’s Kiss
11.Det Svarta
12.Age Of Fire
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