In the shadows of Stockholm, where light flickers only for a fleeting moment before being swallowed whole, a creature stirs. A beast is forged in the fires of creation and destruction. This Gift Is A Curse, a band whose music feels like a journey through realms unknown, invites you to step into the haunting world of their latest album, HEIR. The fourth chapter of their luminous saga. This album isn’t just a collection of songs, it’s a harbinger of a new Cimmerian age. With each track, the music ebbs and flows black metal, sludge, doom, and hardcore that resonates like the final echoes of a dying world.
As the first note of “Kingdom” emerges from the tenebris, you are transported to a kingdom of night, ruled by a beast both foul and majestic. This is not just music, it’s an experience. It’s a journey through the void, a descent into forgotten spaces, and a reckoning with the forces that dwell within. HEIR pulls you into its gravity, making you feel both the weight of despair and the majesty of rebellion. It is the soundtrack to a world where the sun is no more, where darkness reigns, and yet beauty rises from the ruins.
Today we talk to the heart of HEIR, guided by the band’s vocalist, Jonas A. Holmberg. As we navigate the cosmic landscapes and ceremonial sounds of This Gift Is A Curse, we’ll uncover the inspirations and the untold stories behind the music that’s destined to echo through the ages. Join us as we descend into the depths and unearth the secrets that await.
This interview was answered by J. A Holmberg, vocals THIS GIFT IS A CURSE
ML: This Gift is A Curse was born from a chance meeting in 2008. Looking back, do you believe it was fate that brought you together?
J. A Holmberg: Oh, that is a funny/clever question. I guess it is a matter of perspective and/or “beliefs”? Me and the old drummer of TGIAC (J-Rot) moved from the north of Sweden to Stockholm at the same time (2008) and ended up at the same work and living in the same area of town. But we never talked at work because I am “more of an introvert” and he is the total opposite of my personality. J-Rot actually came up to me at a concert some months later. Just because he thought I was in one of the bands playing that night. Then we started talking and found out that we worked at the same job. And liked some of the same music, as well as played in bands before. I had already met Lahzyaxe (bass TGIAC) before moving to Stockholm and we had talked about starting some kind “violent/chaotic punk project” after I moved there. So, I asked J-Rot if he wanted to play drums on that project. The rest is history. In conclusion: I guess it is a series of coincidences brought forward by in the fact that the heavy music scene in Sweden is quite small. And that people who are into the “heavy shit” are going to run into each other, sooner than later. That doesn’t mean that everyone is going to start a band. But to me it is the ultimate way to spend your time. Call it fate? Call it modern urbanization? The fact that I saw no future in my old hometown made me move. Same with J-Rot.
ML: With Heir, you’ve fused black metal, sludge, and doom with a haunting ambience. If you had to describe the process of crafting this sound as an alchemical experiment, what would be the key ingredients that made this “beast” come to life in the studio?
J. A Holmberg: We have been “crafting” this sound for a couple of years now. Or since we started the band really. All the memberscame from (somewhat) different musical backgrounds/taste, which overlapped of course. I come from more of a hardcore punk/indie/alternative background. Lahzyaxe and Pacman (guitar TGIAC) are more like “metalheads”. Dave (guitar TGIAC) that joined later (2016) I would say is “all-round” with one foot in punk rock and the other one in heavy metal. Same with C-Flex (drums TGIAC) that joined in 2022. Punk background but also classically schooled. Give him a beat and he will play it. Anywhere, anyhow. TGIAC likes to experiment and not limit us that much. To see where we can push ourselves. We all bring what we like to the table and make it work as a whole. I don’t think we have it in us to be “puritans”. Our minds are too chaotic and our blood too restless.
ML: Your lead single, “Kingdom,” opens the gates of Heir with eerie enchantments and crushing riffs. Was there a specific moment during the recording of that track where you all realized it was the perfect opening for the album, or did it evolve naturally in the process?
J. A Holmberg: Dave (guitar TGAIC) knew early on that he wanted “Kingdom” as an opener for the album. I guess he always has some kind of operational view of things because he writes most of the riffs and “song skeletons”. I must wait a bit into the recording, just to get a feel for the material. Individually as songs and in a body of music. But I really like that song where it is, and it fits really well. Maybe I had that unconsciously in my mind when I wrote lyrics and arranged the vocal parts? For it to be an “opening mass” of sort.
ML: There’s a strong apocalyptic essence in your sound, does this reflect a particular worldview, or is it more about exploring the darkest corners of human emotion?
J. A Holmberg: Apocalyptic. Yes, I have read some articles and reviews that state the same. I mean; to me the outside and the inside are part of the same “thread” that leads in and out of the “human social experience” and perceived reality. How we see and understand the world operate within/without. It is both the external and internal realm. As above so below. The physical and meta-psychical. I also feel that we “get what we deserve”.Humankind, as a whole. The world right now is in a “turmoil” and people project their feelings and experience into the art and culture around them. ‘HEIR’ is what it is, but I guess the timing on releasing now resonates with a collective feeling of that we are in “apocalyptic times”.
ML: If Heir were to manifest as a physical entity, what kind of nightmarish being would it take shape as?
J. A Holmberg: It is whatever you want it to be. How it speaks to you. Where is take you. It is your calling. Do you want to follow? To me it is a guide… or a vessel of chaos. Something that takes you into “the red waste” (void). And for you to get lost in. At the same time, it is a beacon to lead you out form the “wilderness”. It can be change or annihilation. There are portals and keys to find, if you dig deep enough. Otherwise just ride along for the journey.
ML: You’ve recorded in some unusual places. Abandoned houses, graveyards, and isolated studios. How does the recording environment influence the music itself?
J. A Holmberg: I always felt that the band performs best under pressure or in negative circumstances. There is a “vibe” or a feeling that you can’t get in a “million-dollar studio” or playing in an arena. There is a certain atmosphere we always try to find/catch/channel/ride. And sometimes that can take us to somewhat unorthodox circumstances, recording-wise. Luckly, we have worked with very understanding producers.
ML: On this album, there’s a palpable sense of “cosmic horror” and existential dread especially in songs like “No Sun, nor Moon” and “Void Bringer.” How do you balance exploring such heavy themes while maintaining the raw, cathartic power that your fans expect from This Gift Is A Curse?
J. A Holmberg: I think the sense of “cosmic horror” you mention comes from some of the lyrical/musical themes that deal with the notion that “reality” is much bigger than the human mind ever will be able of comprehending. At least in my mind. I can understand human tragedy and evil because it is in front of us all the time. It is our nature. It is hyper-realistic almost. But what lies behind darkness and beyond is unfathomable. That both gives me a feeling of dread and bottomless grief. But there is comfort here as well. The safety that we eventually will be swallowed up by great darkness. That we will return to the anti-cosmos. The void. We are all falling, we just don’t notice because we are trying to get by day by day. This is the more “inward” side of TGIAC. The other side is the pursuit of channeling raw aggressiveness. The cathartic spear that aims to shatter physical veil of reality. I usually compare TGIAC to the medieval weapon of the morning star. Heavy, unpredictable and full of glittering spikes to crush all hope. Or all locked cages.
ML: You’ve worked with MAGBJORK in the past and with Heir, you’ve worked with W. Blackmon. What differences were there about these partnerships and how did they bring out the rawest elements of your music?
J. A Holmberg: we worked with W. Blackmon of the Overlook studios (Gävle, Sweden). Just like on our last album ‘A throne of Ash’ (2019). On that album we both had MAGBJORK and W. Blackmon. About MAGBJORK: after recording our first EP (s/t 2010) we were somewhat disappointed with the outcome. We wanted to do something completely different with “I, Guilt Bearer” (2012). Like a “wilder” production or more “fucked up” or unhinged. I remember feeling very pissed off. And the new song material was more chaotic. We wanted it to sound like we were killing our amps/gear. MAGBJORK was really into the idea of doing something “gnarly”. He was also the one that suggested that we started redoing on other places than in a conventional studioenvironment. To get the right atmosphere and creative space. We have since carried on with those ideas in later recordings. MAGBJORK really helped to shape the sound in the beginning of this band. We owe him much. Side note: MAGBJORK has somewhat disappeared, and I haven’t talked to him in some years. I’ve been searching for him through mutual friends, but no one seems to know where he is. But I hope he is alright.
ML: Laura Morgan’s guest vocals on tracks like “Kingdom” and “Ascension” add an extra layer of haunting beauty to the album. What role did she play in shaping the overall mood of Heir, and how did her voice complement the album’s vision?
J. A Holmberg: I think she did a phenomenal job with her additions to the album. She brings a lot to the atmosphere that we already were aiming for. She amplified that. It really clicked on all levels. I’ve had the privilege to know Laura for some years now. Both as a friend and her as an artist in the industrial/noise/ambience project LIVMÖDR. When we were coming to the end stages of recoding ‘HEIR’ it was almost like we already could hear her voice on the songs. So, I asked her and lucky she was into what we were doing. There are plans to push the collaboration even further, let’s see what happens.
ML: This Gift Is A Curse has always thrived in the underground, creating music that defies trends. Has your approach to songwriting and recording evolved in a way that reflects your own personal journey or the changing world around you?
J. A Holmberg: I think that TGIAC always evolved best in a somewhat isolated state. Or in darkness, or under the surface. Just to reach “weird places” without any outside interference. But with that said, we all listen to a lot of different music and are open to what is out there.
ML: Your lyrics often feel like incantations rather than just words. What role does language play in creating the aura of your music?
J. A Holmberg: I have always been very interested in symbolism and the human psychic. In TGIAC I get to dress up the lyrics in esoteric rhetoric and occult themes. I like to bend and break the language to my will. In an attempt to make sense of the inter-social and intra-social experience of being here in this reality. There are so many different aspects to stumble down into. Where you’re both stuck and freed. To me everything is both very chaotic and at the same time in order. Reality to me is like a storm trapped in a black diamond floating through time and space.
ML: Is there a specific lyric or passage on Heir that you feel encapsulates the album’s essence?
J. A Holmberg: I really like the songs “Kingdom” and “Old Space”. Also “Cosmic Voice” which is a kind of an enchantment or evocation that I think encapsulated the album lyrically.
ML: You’ve described HEIR as a new age of darkness, how do you envision the evolution of THIS GIFT IS A CURSE beyond this record?
J. A Holmberg: We have already started working on new material. Just wait and see. I hope we will venture even further into darkness. I want to know what lies beyond this. That is art and being, to me.
ML: With Heir, you’ve created a world where “there will be no heirs to the throne of darkness.” If This Gift Is A Curse were to rule over this kingdom of shadows, what would your first decree be for those who dare to enter this realm?
J. A Holmberg: “Do what thou wilt”
ML: If you could create the perfect setting for someone’s first experience with HEIR, what would it look and feel like?
J. A Holmberg: In a dark room with closed eyes? I don’t really know. It depends on what you need it for. To go beyond, into the red waste? Or to come back from the void. It can be both a guide and a vessel of chaos. Do you want to smash the frames of reality to keeps you down or do you need to venture into the void to get lost… in order to get back as “new”. It is inward traveling. Maybe it is needed both on the subway on the way to work or alone in a dark room? Use it to your benefit, anyway you feel it fits.
ML: The name This Gift Is A Curse itself speaks volumes. What would you say is the greatest curse and the greatest gift the band has experienced during the creation of HEIR?
J. A Holmberg: To make it short: it was a bit of a struggle. It took longer than we expected. We blame different factors such as the global pandemic, personal crisis and circumstances. We also parted way with our old drummer just before recording, which also took a bit more work to get the new drummer C-Flex into the loop. But in the end, I think we got it right. It feels better to us to release later than sooner, because we all wanted to feel satisfied with the result. We are just glad that the label and our listeners had patience with this.
ML: Given the intensely atmospheric and ritualistic nature of your music, do you have any specific rituals or practices before recording to tap into the right mindset or energy for the album?
J. A Holmberg: Just to be true and open to “things”. Or rather to everything and anything. Don’t hold back. If you open yourself, there are many interesting “things” to “channel”. I wouldn´t call myself religious but there are things about us as humans we cannot fully understand/grasp. There are ways to get closer to that, but how you go about it is not up to me/us to say.
ML: Performing live, your music is known to evoke a powerful response from fans. What’s the most intense or unexpected reaction you’ve witnessed from the crowd at a TGIAC show, and how does that energy affect you as performers?”
J. A Holmberg: I am always fascinated by how people receive and perceive what we do. There have been some interesting reactions and encounters over the years, for sure. We have people that have walked out mid set, like to take breaks and come back because they think that the impression and sound is TOO heavy. Some people have even left the building/venue to later come back to buy records/merch and thank us for blowing all their senses. Some people say they go into trances and lose their sense of time and space. Some even said they get “black outs”. Some get scared and leave. We usually have wood tar, so the room usually smells of fire and smoke. That in combination with high volume and a heavy sound seem to trigger people’s flight mode. I guess there is some kind of meta-physical warfare going on from our side. I usually feel very empty after a set. Which is not strange because I have been pouring all the angst/anger I have in me on stage. It is very good cleansing and an emotional purge. It usually lasts for like 45 – 60 minutes before I’m somewhat back to normal.
ML: For someone just discovering This Gift Is A Curse for the first time, which song from HEIR would you recommend they start with, and what makes it the perfect introduction to your sound?
J. A Holmberg: It depends how you feel? The “angry and bitter” trail I would say start with ‘Void Bringer’ (slow heavy) and then ‘Death Maker’ (fast). If you feel more introspective go with ‘Old Space’ (slow heavy) and then go out with ‘Ascension’ (fast). But if you are true and open just start with the gate opener ‘Kingdom’ and see where that takes you…
ML: Do you have any last words for your fans?
J. A Holmberg: First: thanks for this interview and taking the time to give our band attention. To our fans: thanks for sticking around. We need this as much as you. And more is coming. Buy ‘HEIR’ on vinyl, that is the best way to experience it, according to us. Only live will be better. Buy the album here: https://www.tnor.se/ or at Season of Mist Records.
Support underground music!
ML: Thank you so much for sitting down with us, its been a real pleasure talking with you!
Tracklist:
1. Kingdom (5:43)
2. No Sun, nor Moon (8:17)
3. Void Bringer (9:17)
4. Death Maker (4:26)
5. Passing (2:17)
6. Seers of No Light (5:52)
7. Cosmic Voice (6:51)
8. Vow Sayer (6:00)
9. Old Space (8:42)
10. Ascension (9:17)
Line-up:
Jonas A. Holmberg – Vocals
Patrik Andersson – Guitars, Vocals
David Deravian – Guitars
Lars Gunnarsson – Bass
Christian Augustin – Drums