JOHAN SÖDERBERG Says AMON AMARTH Gave MACHINE HEAD Idea For 'Evening With' Shows

November 27, 2019

In an interview with Grasser Production prior to AMON AMARTH's November 15 concert at Zenith in Munich, Germany, guitarist Johan Söderberg and drummer Jocke Wallgren discussed whether they could be a hypothetical replacement for IRON MAIDEN as one of metal's leading arena and festival headlining bands, as well as their approach to live shows considering they now have 11 studio albums to their credit.

"I don't see us as a replacement for IRON MAIDEN in any way," said Johan (see video below). "Of course, someday, they're going to quit, I guess, then we need other bands to take their spot."

Söderberg and Wallgren were then asked about their thoughts on doing "An Evening With" shows since they now have so many songs to choose from for a live set. These shows — since largely employed by MACHINE HEAD — eschew opening acts in favor of extended set times.

"We actually told MACHINE HEAD about that idea," said Johan. "We did it before them."

When asked whether AMON AMARTH would consider doing more of these shows in the future, Johan said, "I mean, it's possible," while Wallgren added, "I'm not opposed to it."

"Maybe not for a tour, then," added Johan. "Maybe for a special show or something."

The conversation shifted to Wallgren's experience recording AMON AMARTH's latest studio album, "Berserker", which was released this past May. Wallgren [ex-OCTOBER TIDE] joined AMON AMARTH as the replacement for Fredrik Andersson, who was dismissed from the band in 2015.

"It was good," he laughed. "It was easy. Since I was a part of writing the drums, of course, it was good. Good feedback from the band and good feedback from the producer [Jay Ruston] as well. Yeah, it was kind of easy."

"Of course, entering the band, I was super nervous," he continued. "I'm always nervous when it comes to recording because you can hear everything very clear. If you make one single hit wrong, then you have to re-do the take or whatever. But, yeah, it turned out well."

"Berserker" was released in May via Metal Blade Records. The disc was recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California with Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER, URIAH HEEP and STONE SOUR.

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