Good afternoon, thank you very much for answering these questions. How are things going in Bengtsfors?
Good afternoon, and thank you for your interest. Things are calm in Bengtsfors, nature is close, the air is clean, and it provides a good contrast to the chaos we channel through our music. It’s a peaceful place to return to after the intensity of touring and recording.
1. Lord Belial was created around 1992. What memories do you have from that time? Why did you create Lord Belial, what does the name refer to, and why did you choose it?
In 1992, black metal was a rising storm, and we were drawn to its raw power and uncompromising energy. We wanted to create something dark and real, expressing the inner void and the spiritual rebellion many of us felt. The name Lord Belial comes from demonology. Belial is a figure of lawlessness and defiance. It captured exactly the spirit we wanted to express. We chose the name not only for its sound but also for its weight and meaning.
2. Although Lord Belial has been active for over thirty years, there have been different eras for the band: the most continuous from its formation until 2009, then a more turbulent period in the 2010s, and it seems you're now facing a second youth. Let's take it step by step. Is the period up to 2009 Lord Belial's best period? Could it be described as its classic phase? Were the 2010s very complicated for you? Did you think about abandoning the band for good and focusing on other projects? What prompted you to return, not only with an album as complete as "Rapture" but also during a complicated time due to Covid-19?
Yes, the era from our formation up to 2009 could definitely be described as the classic phase of Lord Belial. We were inspired, productive, and constantly evolving. After 2009, things became more complicated. Health issues, personal responsibilities, and the wear of constant intensity took their toll. There were moments when we seriously considered leaving it all behind. But after some years, the fire returned. The will to create was still there. That led to Rapture. It was written during uncertain times, with the pandemic in the background, but it gave us clarity and focus.
3. I suppose “Rapture” meant something very important to you, not only because you had a new album out again after fourteen years, but also because of its quality, without diminishing your legacy in any way. How did you approach this return? Were you surprised by the positive reception the album received, and what did this endorsement mean to you?
Yes, Rapture was more than just a new album. It was proof to ourselves and to our supporters that we still had something vital to say. We wanted to honor our past, not repeat it, and create something that felt current but rooted. The positive reception was very encouraging. It gave us energy to keep going and confirmed that our voice still matters.
4. And the release of “Unholy Trinity” is just around the corner. How did you approach the writing and recording process for this new album? What brands of instruments did you use in the process, and what changes have you made to your sound?
Unholy Trinity was written with intent and focus. We used Solar and Ibanez guitars, Zuta, Mesa Boogie, and Kemper amps, and mainly Istanbul cymbals. We did not make drastic changes, but we did fine-tune details. The process was driven by a desire to create something more spiritual, intense, and stripped to its essence.
5. I think with the new album you've maintained the bulk of the style and style of “Rapture,” but if anything, you've taken a step closer to your more classic sound. How would you describe the sound of the new album for those who haven't heard it yet? What might have influenced you when defining the sound of “Unholy Trinity”?
That is a fair description. The new album does retain much of the feel from Rapture, but there is a shift back to a more atmospheric, classic Lord Belial sound. There are influences from our earlier material, especially Enter the Moonlight Gate. The sound of Unholy Trinity is more solemn, more spiritual, and more focused on mood than complexity.
6. The themes of your lyrics cover topics such as Satanism and the occult. Do you think that Satanism has become less prestigious these days, becoming more accessible to the masses and becoming a mainstream religion? Who handles the lyrics in the band? Does the music adapt to the lyrics, or vice versa?
Yes, and we take those themes seriously. Today, Satanism has been diluted, often turned into a fashion statement or internet trend. That is not what we represent. For us, it symbolizes spiritual resistance, independence, and inner strength. The lyrics are mainly written by Thomas. Sometimes, the music shapes the words, and sometimes, the lyrics guide the structure of the song. In the end, both parts have to serve the overall message.
7. Your last two albums were recorded at Sonic Train Studios. Why did you decide to work with them to complete the recording of your last two albums? Do you think it gave your sound the edge you needed to make a comeback?
Sonic Train Studios gave us the sound and environment we were looking for. Andy LaRocque understands metal production deeply and respects the band's identity. Working with him allowed us to focus on performance and atmosphere. The results speak for themselves.
8. You've also reissued a new album with Hammerheart Records. How did this collaboration for these two albums come about? How did the idea for this "definitive" release, which includes an LP, CD, and cassette, come about?
The collaboration with Hammerheart Records started naturally. They were interested in a full-scale release and respected our vision. The idea of a definitive version on LP, CD, and cassette came from a shared belief in the value of physical formats. It is not just music, it is a piece of art and history.
9. Your covers have always been very open to interpretation, with a large number of details, and the one for "Unholy Trinity" is no less so. Who was in charge of the cover design? What does this cover represent and how does it relate to the album's content?
Mike Hrubovcak created the cover of Unholy Trinity. He can uniquely channel myth, darkness, and symbolism into powerful images. The artwork represents cycles of death and rebirth, spiritual fragmentation, and the unholy trinity of destruction, transformation, and rebirth. It is meant to evoke thought, not give answers.
10. Now that you've been active for many years and the years are adding up, are you more selective when it comes to choosing and offering concerts? What concert and festival plans do you have planned for the upcoming release of the new album?
Yes, we are definitely more selective now. The energy and purpose behind a show have to feel right. That said, we currently have no concerts or festival appearances planned. There is an ongoing issue that needs to be resolved, and it is expected to be cleared up by December 2025. Once that is behind us, we will be able to make proper plans and hopefully return to the stage with full force.
11. How do you think the black metal scene has changed in the more than thirty years you've been active? What do you miss most from that era and what do you hate most about the current scene? How interesting is the extreme metal scene in a city like Trollhättan? How important do you think a country like Sweden is today in terms of contributing to black metal, in terms of new bands you can recommend?
The scene has changed in many ways. In the early 90s, there was mystery, danger, and a sense of the forbidden. Now, some of that has been replaced by trends and aesthetics. But there is still depth and sincerity out there.
12. How did you get started in music: first concerts you attended, first albums you bought? What event in your life made you want to be a musician?
My first real experience of musical awakening came through Bathory (and Venom). It opened the door to a darker and more expressive path. I started collecting records, rehearsing obsessively, and writing music. It became a way of life more than a career decision.
13. What album represents the essence of black metal for you? What recent albums have you bought?
Bathory-Bathory!
14. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit. If you'd like to add anything for Lord Belial's fans, this is the place. I hope you enjoy the questions.
Thank you for the opportunity. To our fans, your support is everything. We have walked a long path, but the fire still burns strong. Stay true to yourself, seek the truth in darkness, and never compromise.
Niclas Green
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