A traumatic gothic style band, with high emotions and endless talents; no truer words were spoken when they describe MIST OF AVALON. Not so much a typical style of gothic metal, but a well-balanced faculty. Having the chance to review Here And After was a pleasure, and then now receiving the opportunity to interview MIST OF AVALON was taken with great delight, since I myself love their music. With changing from early day punk into an intense gothic style metal, MIST OF AVALON is truly marked as a unique and inspirational band.

Stacie: How long has band been together? Are there any recent changes in the band’s line up?
Aram: The band has been around since 1995, but with a very different line-up than today. Me was in the original line-up, Erik joined in '96, Malin in '97, Magnus in '98, Joakim in 2001 and Tony in 2002.

Stacie: Since the band has had many to leave and come back to MIST OF AVALON again, was it hard to get going as a band when certain people came in and brought in a new sound?
Aram: No problem at all if you ask me. When a new member joins the band, we know that he/she has something they can add to our sound, for the better. So the changes in the bands “sound” never comes as a big surprise. BUT what you can’t know in advance is whether a new member actually fits in with the bands overall mentality rather than the “sound”, but that’s a whole other story….

Stacie: With the current line up do u think the band as a whole make MIST OF AVALON more than what was of the past?
Aram: The new line-up makes songs that include more levels and a wider soundscape that what the old songs once possessed. In the beginning with the first couple of records, the listener got a quite narrow path to tread, but now, the music can be interpreted on many more levels I think (jeezz, I'm deep today)

Stacie: How long did it take to record this album?
Aram: Hmmm, the 1st album took about 6 weeks, Here And After took us about 8 weeks….

Stacie: How does this album differ from previous MIST OF AVALON albums?
MOA: Here And After is more thought-through album. It contains more grief, more aggression and is more of an emotional statement that the older records. Much of witch is a reaction to the death of our guitarist, Sacko.

Stacie: Is there any influence to the sound with this new recording as ones of the past?
Aram: Hard to say…I guess we have opened our eyes to what modern technology can bring to the sound. Our producers have been using a lot of samplers and synthesizers this time around, so that obviously brings another dimension to the sound…

Stacie: Any plans to go on tour in the near future? And if so what other bands will you share the bill with?
MOA: We hope to go on tour as soon as possible, but for the moment we have just got a couple of stray bookings in Sweden, but no real tour.

Stacie: MIST OF AVALON has a strange eerie feel to that name, who came up with the name?
Aram: I guess that had to be one of the elder members of the band, perhaps it was me or Andreas (the old bass player).

Stacie: Is it odd being labeled a melodic band from Sweden when that place is known for extreme death metal?
Aram: Well, nowadays I think the extreme has been exchanged for melodic. Everyone plays melodic death metal OR melodic black metal nowadays. Furthermore I don’t think that being called melodic feels odd in any way since we have never intended to be extreme.

Stacie: Seeing that the band is seeking a label, what label would the band like to be signed on?
Aram: Any label that promotes us, lets us go on tour and can afford a descent production…..Spread the word !

Stacie: Releasing 2 albums/ 2 EP’s and some compilation CD’s the band seems to keep themselves busy, any side projects for the band?
Aram: Well…lets see. Tony plays in a couple of punk bands which I don’t have the name of. And Joakim is the drummer in Skyfire. Other than that…nothing much to mention

Stacie: What are some of your band influences?
Aram:In my CD at the moment: Devil Doll, Opeth, Colony 5 and Roky Erickson. Don’t get me started.

Stacie: Any final thoughts or words?
Aram:“The one who waits on something good, never waits to long”

Aram Yildiz

3/2004 © Stacie Kirby • The Mist Of Avalon •