1. Hello guys, let’s start with unusual topic. Has anyone from you professional experiences with the music? Did you study (or still studying) something that is connected with the music? Or are you self-taught persons?

M. Kristiansen: I started to play the guitar when I was 12 I think, and I’m completely self taught. I have always thought it was great fun just to play around with the guitar by myself. I did want to study music at some point, but it never worked out that way. But hey, I’m working with music on a regular basis now anyway, so I’m quite content.

A. B. Lauritzen: I have a bachelor degree in classical music from the music conservatory in Bergen. At the moment, I work as an orchestra musician in Oslo, but at the same time I'm trying to finish my master degree in Stockholm. Lately, I've had little time to do the latter, so we'll see about that, when the school's had enough of me...

2. You’re two in a group. Is there any leader? What roles do you have? And what can you tell me about the writing process?

M. Kristiansen: I don’t want to use the word “leader”, but we do serve different roles within the band. I take care of all the practical stuff, such as promotion, finances etc, and it has always been like that since I founded the band back in 2006.

A. B. Lauritzen is not involved with the practical stuff, but he plays his part when it comes to the music. As I play the guitars and bass the song writing process usually starts out with me writing and recording a sketch of the song. When we have something we are pleased with we both start working on the details where we decide where to include screams, clean vocals, bassoon etc. We then work separately on the song, sending suggestions back and forth until we are done. A. B. Lauritzen takes care of the string-, bassoon-, and grand piano arrangements and is therefore in charge of the instrumentals.

3. I’ve noticed that you both are playing only in GALAR, is it true? But let me ask you; GALAR is your first experience with the music?

M. Kristiansen: Yes, it’s true, we are both just involved with GALAR. For me it’s enough really as it takes up a lot of my time. There is always something that needs to be done concerning GALAR; answering interviews, doing promotion, practicing, writing new music etc. I also have a regular day job to attend to, so GALAR is, and will be, the only band for me in the future as well.

GALAR is our first experience with metal, but not with music in general. I and A. B. Lauritzen have played together before as well. About ten years ago we both played in a ska punk band called 7 Inches. It was most for fun really, and it never became too serious.

4. How many percent means your nationality for the music you’re making? Do you think if you’ll be the same persons, but born in Germany for example, will you play the same music? To be honest, I don’t think so… What kind of things inspires you the most during the creating of the music or your life globally?

M. Kristiansen: I can understand why you ask that question as Norway has a long tradition for black metal, especially. Norway is rich in folk music as well. Personally, I don’t think the fact that we hail from Norway means that much really. Plenty of foreign people listen to the same music as ourselves, and I don’t think we necessarily would have performed any other kind of music if we lived in another country like Germany, France or what not.

I get inspired to make music by listening to good music in general. Even though it’s a cliché, I do get inspired by our wild and beautiful nature as well. It’s always great to go outside for a walk in the mountains or the woods to recharge the batteries and to get some new found inspiration.


5. Let’s talk about GALAR now. What is the exact message that you want to spread with GALAR?

M. Kristiansen: We don’t have an explicit message we want to preach with GALAR. Our main focus is to create good music and to enjoy ourselves at the same time. We also want to give new life to old and forgotten history by presenting it in a new package like we do on “Til Alle Heimsens Endar”.

6. The most actual topic is definitely “Til Alle Heimsens Endar“. I wanna ask you if you can tell me something about the idea of the album and the texts, because everything is in Norwegian. :)

M. Kristiansen: Sure! Vestfold, and the area around the Oslofjord inlet, were for a long time a long-established centre of royal power. The Norwegian branch of the Nordic dynasty called the Ynglinger, consisting of six kings, is said to have moved to Vestfold and ruled here in the 8th and 9th century. The lyrics presented on “Til alle heimsens endar” tell the story of the first five Ynglinger kings who ruled in Vestfold.

We have based the concept on the few written sources available to us, in which the most essential is Snorri Sturluson's book Heimskringla (1230 CE).

We would like to add that when looking back in history, we do not wish to propagate either nationalism or culture pessimism!

Also, it’s worth to mention, for those of you who are interested to know more, that the 16-page booklet contains linear notes in English which explains the concept and lyrics for each song.

7. About the creating process of an album, what came first – music or texts? Are you creating texts that fit with the music after the track is composed or conversely?

M. Kristiansen: On “Til Alle Heimsens Endar”, Jorge “Blutaar” Scholz from the band Drautran wrote all the lyrics. He started the work after I and A. B. Lauritzen were done writing the music. He gathered inspiration from the songs as he wrote, and tried to capture the essence and atmosphere from the music within the lyrics as well. I think he succeeded in doing so, and the lyrics turned out just great. After they were done I and A. B. Lauritzen arranged them to fit perfectly with the music.


8. I unfortunately did not hear the debut album of GALAR so please let me ask, what is the biggest change between the first and the second album? I’m happy that you’re using not only guitar, bass and drums, but also other interesting instruments, but was it the same in the past?

M. Kristiansen: I think “Til Alle Heimsens Endar” show that we have developed both as musicians and songwriters since the release of “Skogskvad”. The songs are longer and more epic this time around, and the production is more powerful.

On “Skogskvad” we used the bassoon and grand piano in addition to the traditional instruments such as guitars, bass and drums. In my opinion, the bassoon gave us a distinct sound not too many bands have, if any at all. On “Til Alle Heimsens Endar” we wanted to develop that sound even further, and decided on including a string quartet and an additional double bass, as well as female vocals. I think this has given us an extra dimension on the new album.

9. What about GALAR and a future? Do you have any exact plans what you would like to do? Is possible that your music will turn to the different direction?

M. Kristiansen: I have just started to work on a couple of new songs. We will try to develop our sound even further, but without losing the distinct GALAR sound. I won’t say anything more on the topic. You just have to wait and see!

10. Did you hear any voices that you’re followers of Windir? Because I heard that from some people around me. :)

M. Kristiansen: I can understand that some people compares us to Windir as we have some similarities, but to say that we are “followers” would be a false statement. Even though there are similarities there are also a lot of differences such as for example the instrumentation.

We have never tried to copy any other bands. We are just focused on writing music the way we like, and at the same time to create something special and unique of our own.

11. That’s pretty all from me. Thanks for the interview and interest in Mortem zine. It was my pleasure to support GALAR. All the best to the future…

Thanks for the interview!