DARK FUNERAL Guitarist Talks Lineup Changes, Upcoming DVD

Slovakia's Hellmagazine recently conducted an interview with guitarist Lord Ahriman (real name: Micke Svanberg) of Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Hellmagazine: You are looking for a new vocalist, bass player and drummer through your official website. People could send their videos or some audio stuff. How was it? Have you found someone who is suitable?

Lord Ahriman: So far we have received a bit over 500 applications and it keep coming in new application pretty much every day. So it sure has, and still is, a lot of material to go through. Out of the 500-plus applications we have received so far, there's a few VERY interesting candidates, of course, some who we are talking further with at this point of time, but, we'll keep the search "open" until we have come to a final decision and officially announced the new member(s). So if you do believe that you have what it takes for the job, don't hesitate to send us some audio/video files of your vocal/drum performance! Send to: [email protected].

Hellmagazine: I'd like to ask you about the last show with Caligula [vocalist Magnus "Masse" Broberg, a.k.a. Emperor Magus Caligula]. How was it actually? How did you feel? And what about him? He had to be sad, hadn't he?

Lord Ahriman: Luckily, I was so extremely busy that day. I didn't have any time to think about it. From the arrival to showtime, I had to plan the pyro with the pyro company, plan the DVD filming with the film company, sort all the biz stuff between the label and all these companies that were involved in the DVD production, among many other things. For obvious reasons, I really wanted this to become a very special show, and a killer DVD. So I was constantly on the phone, run back and forth on the festival site like a madman talking to all these people to prepare and make sure everything turned out just perfect. It wasn't really until we were on stage and played the last song it struck me that this was in fact the last show we were doing with Caligula on vocals. And considering the fact that Caligula and I have been friends and worked together for 15 years, it sure was a sad feeling, I won't deny that. But at the same time it's just to accept the fact that sometime people's lives takes different turns, where their priorities also change. And even though it was Caligula's own decision to leave the band, I'm quite sure he also had a mixed feeling about it all, some sad, some excitement to start a somewhat new life.

Hellmagazine: As you have already said, you recorded the show for a live DVD. When could we expect to see this material?

Lord Ahriman: Hopefully soon! Everything is pretty much ready and it sure will be a killer DVD! Now it's up to our label, Regain Records, to nail the last few things and to suggest a release date. As soon as we know more, you'll get to know it too! So stay tuned!

Hellmagazine: What about your new album? I've already read that you have some ideas and also some new material. Am I correct?

Lord Ahriman: Yeah, I've begin to write material for a new album, but it's still too early to reveal anything about it. As soon as we have something more to say, we'll publish it on our websites!

Read the entire interview from Hellmagazine.