Interviews: Svarta Sanningar

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal/Post-Rock band, Svarta Sanningar from Sweden. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

A good name for a band is sometimes hard to come up with, and so it was for us as well. It all came out crystal clear, when we started to create our fictive backstory on which our lyrics are based upon. Everything in the story is connected to an occult order society, with the same name as the band... Svarta Sanningar, which in English means Black Truth’s. It’s the complete opposite of “white lies”. The truth is darker and not always the most convenient for some people.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

We didn’t aim for a specific genre. It was more of a direction towards dark, melodic and suggestive music based on ideas by Jonas (guitar) . The main purpose in the beginning was to get together, rehearse a couple of times and basically just see what happens. The music formed as we rehearsed and the very starting point of finding our sound, I believe, was when Klas put his vocals and lyrics on the very first song (Pentagrammet). It was a little unexpected, at least for me, that the lyrics was in Swedish, but it sounded awesome and we all loved it! And yes, it is probably hard for our fans outside Sweden to understand the lyrics, but at the same time it will bring a certain vibe into the music that stands out. To make it easier to understand the depths in our lyrics, we always make space for translated lyrics on our website, but also as lyric videos on YouTube.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Klas (vocals) and Håkan (drums) are members of Beseech and Klas and Jonas used to play in another band. But we hang around the same circle of acquaintances outside of the band so we’ve known each other for a while.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Mattias: Opeth and Ghost.

Jonas: Kent (Swe) and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

Klas: Kiss and Black Sabbath.

Håkan: Marillion and Porcupine Tree.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I believe that everything that surrounds you will affect you. It can be art, movies, music, books or events that occur in life. For our latest EP “Kapitel 2”, I guess that Gordon Stuart's film adaptation of H.P Lovecraft's Re-Animator had some impact, but also old horror movies in general.

6. Where was your last gig?

It was at “Subkultfestivalen” in Trollhättan, Sweden, 2019. A really cool festival, which have succeeded in creating a platform for dark music in general.

7. Where would you like to act?

Anywhere there is room for more darkness! We’re looking forward to play live again. Small or big venues, festivals etc.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Not a specific band in mind, but a setting where there is a thought behind the arrangement. I personally like seeing a gig where the opening act differs a lot in sound and style from the main act.

9. Whom not?

Not a specific band in mind here either, but a nightmare would be to play a gig in broad daylight alongside a bunch of sugar pop bands haha.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I’ve had stage fright when I was younger and it was a terrible phase. I don’t know why it stopped though. Of course I still am a little nervous before the gig, but it’s not a problem anymore. A tip is to prepare well and have enough time to chill just before the gig.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I believe that music and bands you learn to love early in life, will have a great impact all your life. Even if some of us grow up with Kiss, we don’t bring riffs and ideas that sounds like Kiss to the table. Some bands just became the foundation for a great interest in music, not only as a listener but also as musicians and songwriters. As you grow older it has become harder to get the same kicks out of new music.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

So far, we haven’t been asked to do anything weird, but hopefully that will happen soon haha. Life is too short to not go down the weird lane sometimes, so bring it on.

13. What do you think of your fans?

In many ways we are just like them, mostly true music lovers that might like records, concerts or just occasions where music is a central part. We are delighted that we’ve recently gained more followers in social media. Every follower is very appreciated and motivates us to continue.

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s a very cool thing that your are dedicated to support new and up coming bands.

15. Something to add?

Thank you so much for your interest in Svarta Sanningar. If you are into bands like Ghost, Opeth and Depeche Mode in their darkest moments there is a good chance that you might like our occult rock and metal.