AMON AMARTH Drummer: 'We Just Keep Getting Better And Better At What We're Doing'

August 5, 2011

Jarrod Bennett of the Edmonton Journal recently conducted an interview with drummer Fredrik Andersson of Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Edmonton Journal: Even though the common themes of "Twilight Of The Thunder God" and "Surtur Rising" are Norse mythology, what was different about this latest album for you?

Fredrik: The lyrical theme is the same. We feel it's such a big part of AMON AMARTH that we really don't want to venture too much out of it, because we would lose our identity a little bit. Musically, we've developed a lot as musicians and as songwriters. That's something that's a progress since the first album and onward; we just keep getting better and better at what we're doing. For this album, we decided pretty early just to think a little bit out of the box and allow us to experiment a little bit more than we usually do . within reasonable limits, I would say.

Edmonton Journal: In the writing of "Surtur Rising", was there one specific element you wanted to include?

Fredrik: No, not really. On the previous album, we collaborated with guests. but we thought that was something that was called for. On this album, we didn't want to bring in guests just for the hell of it. We may have different ideas in the process of how things should be done, but once we've nailed it on the album, we unite on that. When the album is finished and the end part is done, then everybody is like, "This is what we as a team came up with. This is what we are going to tour with and play."

Edmonton Journal: Most of the time, we get the chance to talk with vocalists and guitarists, but as a veteran drummer, do you have any advice for burgeoning metal percussionists?

Fredrik: Most of all I think it's important to just have fun. If you go in with any other goal, that's the wrong angle to begin with. There is no golden shortcut, there are really no tricks that you can learn to get better faster it's just tedious practice. In extreme metal drumming, it's important to relax and not rush it because you can hurt yourself.

Read the entire interview from the Edmonton Journal.

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