Norwegian metal band In The Woods… are set to release their seventh studio album entitled Otra on April 11th. The band’s guitarist Kåre Sletteberg spoke with Metal Express Radio about their upcoming album, working with their new singer Bernt Fjellestad, their upcoming European tour with Soar, and more. Check out the chat below!
MER: Your band, In The Woods…, are set to release their seventh album entitled Otra on April 11th, what can you tell fans about the upcoming album?
Sletteberg: Correct, this is our new album titled Otra after our local river. It’s the first time in In the Woods… history that the same exact band has recorded two albums in a row. It’s an interesting one, that takes new unexpected turns, yet filled with elements of black metal, and everything else connected to our history. Past, present and future.
MER: How was the writing and recording process having this being your band’s seventh album?
Sletteberg: The process on this one was a bit different, as the whole band was involved in everything. That has not been the nature in this band, especially during our time together with an English vocalist. So for this one, this was essential. And it turned out just as we hoped.
MER: This was your second album with your singer Bernt Fjellestad, how was it writing and recording with him for the second time?
Sletteberg: Bernt is a super professional and a really good musician so the process is really smooth. He has an amazing sense for melodies and can turn almost anything in to gold. Everything is easy, we are all on good terms, luckily.
MER: You’ve released two songs from the album, do you feel they represent the album well?
Sletteberg: They represent the diversity of this album in my opinion. With the first single we knew we were gonna get critique, and we got a lot of it. And it’s the sort of comments from people that tend to forget the history of the band, which is to evolve. The story doesn’t stop there. With the second one, we take a step back to the days of the two first albums, and it’s a heavy, brutal yet beautiful song. When it comes to the rest of it, it is up to the listener to decide if they find it good or not. We hope, at least, that these two songs are a good indication of what is to come.
MER: In April, you’ll be touring with Soar in Europe, what are your expectations on the upcoming tour?
Sletteberg: We are very positive for this one, it’s not a long run so it suits us well. It’s gonna be nice not to play last every evening, so looking forward to that. Also to connect with new listeners, that’s the main goal of this. But on a tour like this, if there are no divas and rock stars, you usually make friends for life.
MER: What do you see as plans for you and your band after the tour with Soar?
Sletteberg: We have a few festivals lined up, so that for sure. After that, it’s not set in stone what we are going to do. We haven’t thought that far ahead yet, anyway.
MER: Is there anyone that you hope to tour with and why?
Sletteberg: No, I don’t think about that. It is more about what kind of package we can deliver on the road. But would be cool to for example take Ereb Altor on the road again, great guys and great band. Same with the Danes in Saturnus. Basically all the bands we have toured with the last ten years are good candidates. Could also be a nice thing to do a support tour for a way bigger band, but no band in particular.
MER: Is there anywhere you hope to play live that you haven’t yet?
Sletteberg: We haven’t been in Asia, Australia or New Zealand yet. Canada would be fun as well.
MER: Out of your band’s seven albums, what is one you would recommend to a new fan and why?
Sletteberg: The last one, Otra, because it represent where the band are today.
MER: Since the band’s formation in 1992, you’ve faced a lot of adversities to stay together, what’s been the key to the band’s longevity?
Sletteberg: The bands been through a hell of a lot of changes. We like to see this version of the band as the third chapter in the story. Different people, new music.
Be the first to comment