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[ENG] Interview with Erik Modin (Wildness)

With the upcoming release of Avenger, Wildness are ready to once again take the melodic rock scene by storm with their energetic and captivating sound. In this interview, we spoke with Erik Modin about the creative process behind the album, the challenges they faced in the studio, and the inspirations that shaped the new tracks. From powerful riffs to introspective lyrics and an intense recording session, Avenger promises to be an exciting journey.

  • Hello and welcome on Heavyworlds.com, it’s a pleasure to have you here. How are the things going so far?

Hi there, and thanks for having me! Things are great, thanks! The new album has received great reviews so far and we’re excited about the release.

  • Talking about your upcoming album, what was the main inspiration behind the creation of “Avenger”?

We’re mostly inspired by the classic hard rock and heavy metal stuff that we all grew up with. Our inspirations are pretty wide and spans between the most cheesy west coast stuff to black metal.

  • Can you tell us about the creative process behind writing and recording “Avenger”? Was it different compared to your earlier albums?

The writing process has pretty much stayed the same over the years. Sometimes we write the songs individually from start to finish, sometimes one of us writes the music and hands it over to Erik Forsberg (lead vocals) or someone else for lyrics and melodies and sometimes we write togheter in the studio or rehearsal room. The recording was pretty different this time since we spent 1 week in a studio in the middle of nowhere to record the drums, bass and rhythm guitars all together live. That gave us an opportunity to be creative and focused through the whole process, and also polish the material in a more detailed way. What you hear on the album, as far the the drums, bass and rythm guitars are concerned, are recorded 100% live!

  • What was the most challenging song to write or record on Avenger, and why? How did you overcome those challenges?

I think the song “Walk through the fire” was quite a challenge. The chord arrangement for the rythm guitars during the guitar solo was a bit complicated to remember for the guitar players Adam and Pontus. We had to write down sheets with all the different chord changes, and it took some time before we managed to get it done. Bass player Marcus was the one ho was most prepared of us, and he kind of led us through the songs during the album recording.

  • What role does vulnerability play in your songwriting process? Do you ever feel exposed sharing such personal themes?

That all depends. Many of my lyrics on this album are based on real experiences, but it’s also kind of therapeutic to transfer your thoughts and feelings into music.

  • The lyrics of this album touch on themes like struggle, resilience, and introspection. Were any of these themes inspired by personal experiences or challenges the band has faced?

That’s right. I would say that the lyrics are more based on personal experiences than stuff within the band.

  • “Wings of Fire” opens the album with such explosive energy. How did this track come together, and why did you choose it as the opener?

The basic idea for the song came out of a guitar riff from Adam, and I wrote the rest of the song from that. I wanted to create a chorus where the vocal hook followed the riff. Without any ideas, I started to look around in my studio, and found the phrase “Select song pattern” among the written instructions
on my old Alesis SR-16 drum machine. I then came up with the phrase “The wings of fire” that follows the guitar riff within the chorus. We simply chose it as an opener since we felt that it was a good song that kind of summarizes the vibe of the whole album.

  • “Crucified” has such a dark, introspective vibe. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind its lyrics?

Crucified is about panic attacks and anxiety that controls your life. The title is a metaphor for being left out and beyond control of mental issues.

  • “I’ll Be Over You” feels like a deeply personal and emotional ballad. What was the inspiration behind this track, and how did you approach creating such an intimate and heartfelt song?

It’s a song that lead vocalist Erik Forsberg brought to the table. As far as I know, it’s a song about deep heartbreak and the desire to move on.

  • “Walk Through the Fire” feels like a perfect closer for the album. What made you choose this track to end the journey?

Like the opener, it’s a song that summarizes the album in a melancholic and epic way.

  • How do you feel the melodic rock scene has evolved in recent years, and where do you see yourselves in it?

t’s a scene with dedicated fans, and many of the bands are as dedicated for the music as fans themselves. I hope that we’re about the reach the level of a “house-hold” name within the genre with this album.

  • How has your relationship as a band evolved during the creation of “Avenger”?

The recording of the drums, bass and rythm guitars was done all together during one intensive week, and we grew stronger as a group during the recording since we finally had a chance to work on the music in an isolated and focused situation.

  • What’s next for Wildness after “Avenger”? Are there any plans for tours or new projects on the horizon?

We’re looking at possible live slots for 2025, and we will reveal everything as soon as possible.

  • That was the last question. Thank you for your time. Is there anything you would like to say to European fans or Heavyworlds readers?

Thanks a lot for supporting us, and we hope to see you out there as soon as possible!