KREPUSKULUM: Talk to us about the bands` beginning? The name of the band sounds like a Doom/Gothic band, but you are a powermetal act, what is the reason to the name Winterlong?

Weīve knows eachother since the schooldays, and when we where even younger than today we all had bands and projects going on…After various setups in a lot of local bands, we came to the conclution that we (winterlong) where all into the same style of music…We quit the bands we where in and formed Winterlong.The name actually comes from a longtime metal/rock band from our hometown who never managed to suceed, and one day when we sat down to come up with a name for the group, the former drummer of that band happened to catch up on what we where talking about, so he mubled something about Winterlong! At first we thought it wasnīt that great, but as time went by it sort of attached to us, and here we are!

The artwork is made by an artist and musician/singer from the band Satariel (Per Johansson), who came up with the illustration all by himself…We sent him the lyrics from the song Valley of the lost and told him to get inspired, and he did!

We have all been listening to metal since a very early age so it was just a natural to fall into the metal-era. The best 10 metal albums through all times (in order of random appearance)must be;

Judas Priest –Painkiller/ Blind Guardian –Imaginations from the other side / Yngwie Malmsteenīs Rising Force –1984 / Manowar –The triumph of steel / Helloween –Walls of Jerico / Iron Maiden –Seventh Son of a Seventh Son / Pantera –Cowboys from hell / Ac/Dc –The razors Edge / Gamma Ray –Somewhere out in space / Accept –Russian Roulette /

The five best band right now : Blind Guardian - Judas Priest - Manowar - Children of Bodom - Winterlong

Hussni Morsare (vocals) has a great voice, does he study lyrical chants or somekind like this?

Once he took lessons, but not anymore…It must be the fire for metal that makes him so great!

The guitar solos and riffs are one of the great marks of this first album, talk with us about the creative process behind these inspirated solos and riffs?

The solos are mainly inspired by Yngwie, but also KeeMarcello, as well as some violinstyle playing for examle the passage in the song "Winterlong".As far as the riffs are concerned itīs very hard to say where they come from, they just come!

The legendary musician Lars Eric Mattsson was the producer and guest musician in some tracks on the album, talk to us about the Mattsson-influences in your music and creative process of the album?

Weīre not that much influenced by Mattsson, though heīs a very talented musician…In the studio however, you could say he had a very positive impact on the band, making us come up with some really great ideas! Heīs a great producer as well, and did a splended job on the album…

From what comes the inspiration to write lyrics like the Waterspirit, Mystery of life and Written in blood??

It comes from the desire to create some sort of a scenario or a story, mostly fantasy stuff, like warriors, vikings etc. Itīs more fulfilling than to write about politics and daily problems in the society . Itīs simply more stimulating to create than to complain!

Weīre not that much into those genres, but if itīs musically done and serious it can be quite interesting.

Talk to us about the metalscene in Sweden now?

Up here in the northern area of Sweden where we live itīs very little action in the metalscene, but it seems like weīre heading for new times even up here…

Talk to us about the plans for the "valley of the lost"-tour?

At the time our drummer is away on a job, but when heīll be back we will surely start rehursing for a little tour, and hopefully it will take place in the southern part of Sweden as well, and who knows, maybe even abroad!

Thank you for your time, Sincerely Winterlong.