Saturday 30 December 2017

An Interview With THRONELESS


Swedish Doom/Sludge Rockers – THRONELESS – will be releasing their new album – CYCLES – in March 2018 via Black Bow Records. We've already reviewed this record and rate it very highly.

Very different to their debut album and perhaps more aggressive with their overall sound. I was asked to interview the band where we discussed the making of their new album and what albums they enjoyed the most in 2017.

Hi Throneless. How are things with you today.

Things are great, thank you.

Can you give a brief history of how the band came about and where it is today.

We all met through skateboarding, that’s basically how we know each other. We had a vision of starting a band together, since we were into slow and heavy music. We started jamming and Throneless happened.

How would you describe your overall sound.

We all three come from different paths, musically, and combining them is Throneless. The sound is built on a heavy low end foundation, combined with psychedelic and spacey attributes.


We are here to talk about your new album Cycles. Such an incredible and progressive album compared to your debut album. What can people expect from the album.

Thank you. People can expect a variety of tracks, travelling in and out of heavy riffing and unexplored spaces.

What influenced you all when recording the album.

Our lives got harsher and so did our music.

Did you want to move away from the sound that you created on your debut album.

We let sorrow and disappointment take a step forward on this album. Capture a more melancholic and bitter point of view, musically and lyric wise.

You're now signed to Black Bow Records (Jon from CONAN's record label) and who will be releasing the new album. How did that come about. As you were previously signed to Heavy Psych Sounds.

It stretches back to the first album actually. Heavy Psych Sounds released the physical version of the album and Black Bow were/are responsible for the digital release. Once “Cycles” was completed we decided to do this release fully with Jon. We’re grateful for the time with HPS and are now looking forward to deepen our collaboration with Jon and Black Bow.


Did Jon have any input or provide any helpful advice in regards to the recording and releasing of the new album.

Jon’s been great, everything been going smooth and been handled professionally. We do record and write everything by ourselves, and are free to do that. Having this freedom being able to write our music the way we want to is essential.

What is the song-writing dynamic in the band. Is it a group participation or down to one individual.

It’s definitely a group effort, everyone of us are providing riffs, but it’s when we jam it truly comes together.

What influences you when writing music.

Everyday life and everything that’s going on, it all goes into our music.

What have been your high points and low points with the band.

We had a dip during the recording process of “Cycles”, all of us had our own stuff to cope with. We pushed through and are proud over the fact that we’re still here and have a new album on the way.

Would you change anything about your time with Throneless.

We’ve been together for some time now, we all learn from our mistakes and everything happens for a reason. It’s how you handle setbacks and what you make of it that matters.

Are you all involved with different musical projects or is this your main band.

Johan Burman and Johan Sundén have a new sludge project, it’s still in the making and jam phase, but it’s something new and fresh. Johan Burman also has a Black/Death band with his brother Patric Kreutzberg, called Oberion.

What is your musical setup when performing or recording live. Is it an advanced setup or a basis setup.

The setup is kind of basis, even though our amps are vintage powerhouses. We’re always having troubles with the local sound guy, but it usually works out. We strive for getting the audience, and ourselves, in a medative state throughout the show.

How hard is it for Throneless stand-out from the crowd. Or do you not worry about things like that.

We want to stay heavy and do our own thing. As long as we do that, we feel that we’re on the right track.

Sweden has a well deserved reputation for being one of the best countries providing top-notch Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal bands. How is the scene actually perceived by the Swedish Public. Do you get more recognition from abroad or at home.

Yeah, only in our home-town we have great bands like SUMA and Pyramido. We have actually played more abroad then in Sweden, and the response has been really good both at home and abroad.

Do you perform many local gigs or do you have to travel further afield.

We’ve mostly performed local gigs, now when we’ve been recording and so on. We’re going to book more shows now when the album’s finally out.


With 2017 drawing to a close. What have been your favourite albums you've listened to this year.

There’s been kind of few. We are listening to a broad variety of stiles within the band, but here are a few ones we agree upon.

* Slomatics – Futurians (Live at Roadburn)
* The War On Drugs – A Deeper Understanding
* The Bug vs. Earth – Concrete Desert

Do you have any other exciting plans happening in 2018. Such as tours.

We have some plans for the future, we’ll be playing a lot shows and work on a new album.

Before you go, do you have anything to say to your fans.

We’re grateful for all the support and appreciation we’ve been given. It means the world to us!

Thanks for doing this.

All the best with the new album.

Thank you!

Words by Steve Howe and THRONELESS

Thanks to Curtis at Dewar PR for arranging this interview. Cycles will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Black Bow Records from March 23rd 2018.

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