1. Hail to the far North! Weather in Europe is unbelievably tropic in past few weeks and Id like to know how you are spending these hot days?

A: As the reply to this interview is long overdue, autumn has fallen upon western Norway, and summer-holidays are in the distant past. Work and family is now our everyday lives, and this also reflect on our commitment to Thundra since “Angstens Salt” was released.

2.Despite that THUNDRA have on their account 4 full-lenght albums already, it doesn't exactly belong to most known bands. That's why I would ask you about short history of your band.

A: Thundra started up in 1998 by Harald Revheim (drums), Stein Sund (bass) and Nils Johansen (guitars). Thundra was soon expanding from being a trio to include Rune Fredriksen (guitars) and Steven Grindhaug (vocals). After discussions regarding which musical path to take, the band decided to add synth into the musical picture. As no suitable synth-players were found, Nils was unanimously chosen for the task.

The first album “Blood Of Your Soul” was released under Spinefarm in 1998 and received good critics, but unfortunately our contact person at Spinefarm was reassigned, and we gradually lost contact with the label altogether. Thor Helgesen was a guest vocalist on this album, and he joined Thundra shortly after the release, doing both guitar and vocals.

The second album “Worshipped By Chaos” was recorded in 2006 in Stein Sund’s studio, Black Dimension, and released by Black Lotus. However bad luck seemed to follow in the wake of the band, and the label was deemed bankrupt shortly after the release.

In mid 2008, Thor Helgesen left Thundra to be replaced by Ruben Osnes.

The third album “Ignored By Fear” was recorded in Black Dimension studio, and released in 2009 by Einheit and was also critically acclaimed. However the cooperation with Einheit was not to be. That being said, Thundra have no dispute with Einheit whatsoever.

The fourth album “Angstens Salt” was released in May 2013, and has up to now received good critics. As Thundra was unable to close a deal with any labels, the album was released under Thundra’s own label, Black Dimension Records.

3. Newest addition to your discography is „Angstens Salt“. How did you compose music for this release and who was most creative from the band? And how much time was spend on actual recording?

A: The music was composed as we always have done in Thundra. Individual members (and especially Rune, which was the most creative on Angstens Salt), brings riffs and sometimes almost complete songs to rehearsals. We then sit down and play through the material, find out what works, and what don’t. The recording itself took from mid January to late March as we have the privilege to record whenever we like.

4. Are all songs written for new album contained on CD, or are there any leftovers which have not been used and you count with them sometime in future?

A: There are no complete songs leftover that wasn’t included on “Angstens Salt”. However we have plenty of unused riffs that may turn up in future releases.

5. Typical for „Angstens Salt“ are long compositions, build upon various parts, which sometimes seem as if they do not exactly fit together. What methods are used to connect different parts so, that in the end you come up with interesting material for listener.

A: As mentioned earlier, songs can come almost complete, or they are entirely composed by riffs. We usually sit down and discuss the best way to bridge themes, and we might compose suitable riffs while rehearsing, or try to find old, unused riffs, which suits the purpose.

6. Personally for me new album acts as black metal version of Opeth, which isn't estranged from ''Draconian Times'' era of Paradise Lost for example. Where do you see most biggest musical influence yourself?

A: Thundra have always been a band where each respective member have our own musical influence, and bring it into the music. We have always been very careful not to categorize ourselves, and rather leave it to the listener to interpret our music (as you have).

7. When we are on subject of inspiration, what is your biggest one in general?

A: Thundra is our biggest inspiration. We inspire ourselves not to repeat ourselves on our next release. Individual members do have bands they are inspired by ofcourse, and yes, it can be heard in our music. But I think each member’s inspiration have to a degree been watered out, so that in the end, the result comes out as, well…. Thundra.

8. Do you belong to musicians, which are trying to be aware of whats new on metal scene, or do you prefer to avoid listening to your competition, so it would not have any impact on you music?

A: There are so many releases nowadays, that it’s almost impossible to be updated on what’s going on in the metal scene. As for competition…. We don’t have any. Why the hell should we look upon other bands as rivals? Other bands, in our eyes, are potential drinking-buddies. So… Thundra will continue to compose music in the same manner as we have done in the past.

9. As I mentioned '' Angstens Salt'' contains music build from many different passages, which can created issues on stage performances. So what's up with THUNDRA and gig's? Under which conditions are you willing to play live and how you present your music on stage?

A: We do perform, but on our own terms and conditions. As we all have jobs which provide the daily income, we have found it necessary to pick gigs that doesn’t interfere too much with our jobs and family life.
Our conditions for playing live are usually: Don’t let us come out negative on the economy, and provide beer… lots of it. Oh, and we get to pick the songs.
Regarding presentation on stage, we have always had the opinion that interaction with the audience is as important as the musical aspect. Don’t we all hate musicians that look like they have rammed a two by four up their ass?
As for the songs, we try to present them identical to what is presented on the CD’s.

10. Norway is one of most important countries, when we talk about black metal. How do see nowadays black metal scene in comparison to how it looked 10-20 years ago? Is there any band from your country which recently catched your interest?

A: Norway has a lot of prospering bands. In my opinion the very start of the BM era, was definitely the best. The BM scene today has really just been a natural development from which it was born from. Today the music is more polished, but I am glad to see there are still a few bands that are keeping true to the old style.

No particular new bands have caught my attention recently, but I am always paying attention to what’s going on with Throne Of Katarsis, especially since this is the band our former guitar/vocalist and good friend Thor Helgesen plays in.

11. One more question on this subject. How do you see differences between Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish scene?

A: It all depends if you mean 20 years ago or now. 20-25 years ago we had the birth of Norwegian BM, while in Sweeden we had the birth of Gothenburg metal, which are incomparable. Altogether I think we, the Scandinavians, have much the same scene, at least nowadays.

12. So far „Angstens Salt“ was released only on CD format. Are you planning to release this album also on LP format which could be attractive collectors item?

A: As for now, we have no plans to release “Angstens Salt” on LP, but one never knows.

13. Try to go through your discography„step-by-step“. In what do you see biggest differences between new album and older releases?

A: “Blood Of Your Soul” was probably the most “unfinished” album, in a sense that we didn’t know for certain which way to go. We had an idea, but we didn’t know how the idea would be received by the audience. Also the lyrics are more of a medieval/mythical character.

“Worshipped By Chaos” was the album where we was finished with all musical experimentation, and set the path which to follow. This album is probably the most versatile of them all, and the lyrics, written by Harald Revheim, is something entirely different from the first album, and quite personal to him.

“Ignored By Fear” is a natural follow-up from “Worshipped By Chaos”. This album has far better sound, and we were able to really use our time in the studio. Also this time, Harald wrote the lyrics, and again they are quite personal.

“Angstens Salt”. This album is much “rawer” than the previous albums. Less symphonic elements, and even more guitar based. For us it has become a natural development in our musical performance. So to answer your question, the rawness distinguish “Angstens Salt” from the other albums.

14. According to information's on metal-archives you have one demo on your account, which was released after debut album. Don't you have any other demo's? Aren't you planning any EP releases?

A: We do not have other demo’s than the before mentioned. Nor do we plan to release any EP in the foreseeable future. BUT… one never knows.

15. What feedback you got so far on „Angstens Salt“?

A: The feedback on “Angstens Salt” up to now, have all been good. The reviews from magazines have all been “up there” close to the very top. We’re extremely happy with this release.

16. What are your plans for future? Do you have any idea about next path your band will take? In what will be biggest difference between actual and future release?

A: We have no idea what our future plans are, except that we will continue to make music as long as the interest is there and we have a good time doing it. We have no idea what will be the biggest difference between actual and future releases. We’ll just have to see where the music leads us.

17. Thanks for interview. Last words are yours...

A: Best wishes for all metalheads out there, regardless which style you like. We’re all in it for the music, and that’s the important bit.
Drink beer and… drink more beer.
Live long and prosper!

Nils Johansen.