1. Jord started around 2020, first as a one-man band, then brought in other musicians and finally shaped the band. At what point was the decision made to create Jord? What does the word Jord refer to, and why did you decide to use it?
I decided to create a music project in the fall of 2020. I was taking daily long walks in the forest and the ideas started to come to me. I just discovered Alcest at that time and they sounded like the music I wanted to make. I took the name Jord because it means earth/soil in Swedish and it felt like Jords music comes from the soil and grows into forests and landscapes.
2. I mentioned earlier that Stefan and Sebastian joined the band around 2022. Why was this decision made to incorporate these two new members? What was the goal of these new additions?
I started to get a bit more attention from bigger record labels and my previous label Northern Silence Productions didn’t want to make more records with Jord. So I decided that it is time to step up and create a real band and get a professional studio recording. The first two albums is just created in my home studio. So I asked them to join me and we signed with Hammerheart Records.
3. When Jord's previous album, "Tundra," was released, Stefan and Sebastian had only been in the band for a short time. Perhaps their involvement in the recording and writing of the new album was more noticeable. What was the writing and recording process like for "Emellan träden," your new album? What brands of instruments did you use in the process?
For “Tumdra” and “Emellan Träden” I was still writing all the music and lyrics. But they helped to form the songs with their style of playing. On the next album the other members will write some of the music though. I write everything at home in my small home studio. I usually go out in the forest and get some inspiration. And I get inspired by other bands as well. Our producer Micke, who have joined the band now on second guitar, also contributed to shape the songs into what they are. We use PRS guitars and Fender bassguitar. ENGL amps for guitar and Hartke amps for bass. I think Stefan use Mapex drums.
4. Over the years, and not to mention on the new album, you've achieved a balance that isn't entirely easy to achieve, offering a sound that doesn't renounce the darkness and that aggressive, cold tone of black music, but all of it dressed in a sound where the atmospheres have been perfectly crafted and manage to immerse us in the solitude of nature. At the same time, certain developments can be classified within styles like blackgaze or post-rock, with enough skill so that nothing clashes and sounds coherent. How would you define the sound of the new album for those who haven't heard it yet? What bands or styles have been an influence on you when writing this album?
It’s hard to define what genre we belong to but we have the atmospheric black metal sound in the foundation. Then we just add what we like on top of that. I’m very driven by balance. I want to take the listener on a journey through darkness, light, space and melancholy. So atmospheric BM with postrock and doom could give some direction. I really love bands like Alcest, Katatonia and Dissection. Also Opeth. They all inspire me a lot.
5. On previous albums, your lyrics were more focused on nature. It seems that the new album focuses on other, more tragic aspects, mythology, and ancient stories. Is this statement correct? What inspired you to write the lyrics for the new album? Do the lyrics adapt to the music or vice versa?
Yes I always write the music first and let the lyrics fit in. This album is a bit more tragic. It’s more about loss and heart ache mixed with demonic creatures and folklore. I went through a very dark period of my life at that point and it was healing to write about it. One song though is a salute to my favorite season the fall. Gotta have something positive haha.
6. Hammerheart Records is once again handling the release of the new album, as was the case with "Tundra." At what point did you make the decision to change labels? What do you think having Hammerheart Records' support has meant for Jord's visibility?
As I said earlier I got more attention from other bigger labels after the second album and choosing Hammerheart was a very good decision. They have been very supportive and easy to communicate with. And they have really helped Jord to grow as a band and get more fans.
7. For the new album, you also worked at Studio Soundport. Why did you decide to undertake studio work there? What do you think recording there may have contributed?
Studio Soundport is very close to where we live and we knew Micke from before. And we knew that Micke was a very good producer to work with from others who had recorded there. And after ”Tundra” we didn’t even consider going to any other studio. We feel at home there and together with Micke we are creating Jords sound in a very good way I think.
8. Following on from what was previously mentioned regarding the lyrics, the mysterious image also makes itself felt in the cover. Who designed the album cover? What does it represent and how does it relate to the album's content?
I made the cover for this one and for ”Tundra”. I work as a tattoo artist and can create covers that I like for the albums. I wanted to make a cover for this album that reflects the forest as both terrifying and beautiful. And there is a woman central to some of the songs. If you look carefully on the image you can see some demons hiding among the trees. The title means ”Among the trees” or between the trees.
9. Some of you have extensive experience in other Swedish black metal bands over the past few years. How do you think the Swedish scene has evolved since its beginnings in the 90s until today? What do you think has been lost from that era? What do you think has been the greatest contribution of the Swedish scene to black metal?
Actually I joined my first band in 1990 playing death metal but we changed to black metal in 92-93 or so. I was 11-12 years old in 1990. But we never made any albums only demos. I guess a lot have changed over the years. Music keeps expanding. People test the boundaries of every genre and challenge them. Musical skills have gone through the roof these days. Drummers who are faster than lightning and guitarists who do nearly impossible things etc. Maybe some of the mystery of black metal have been lost today. Lika a lot of things in life now days. The biggest contribution Sweden have made to black metal is in my opinion Marduk and Dissection. I love their music. And it never gets old.
10. Do you already have plans for the live presentation of the new album? What can your fans expect from the live presentation of this new album? Is there a solid extreme metal scene in a city like Borås? What bands from your area would you recommend?
We are rehearsing for our tour that starts September 18 and goes to eleven countries and ends October 5. We will play mostly new songs but also some old. We just want to deliver a live performance that makes people want more. Play really well, create an atmosphere and a lot of energy. I often see people close their eyes and smile at our shows. And that makes me happy to see. We have som really good metal bands here. I recommend Evocation, Industrial Puke, Leach, From the pyres and Rimfrost. Good friends of ours as well.
11. How did you get started in music: first shows you attended, first albums you bought? What event in your lives pushed you to want to be musicians?
I started at 11 years old in a death metal band as I said and I hadn’t seen a live show before that. So the first live show was our own. Then I saw my first big show with Pantera in 92 and absolutely loved it. My first metal album was Kreator ”Coma of souls”. We just started to play in bands at an early age because there was nothing else to do. My father was a musician so he inspired me to play when I was very young.
12. Which album represents the essence of black metal for you? What recent albums have you bought?
For me it’s Dissection ”The Somberlain” I just couldn’t get enough of that album. Recently I haven’t really bought any albums. But I think I’m gonna get the latest Katatonia album on vinyl.
13. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit. If you'd like to add anything for Jord's fans, this is the place. I hope you enjoy the questions.
Thank you for having me here and I hope that your readers get curious about Jord and decide to get our album. We have a really cool splatter vinyl in limited edition besides the standard black one. And if you have the opportunity to see us live on our European tour in a couple of weeks please come talk to us. We love to meet new people.
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