Patrik Rimmerfors: Vocals, Cow   
         Antler, Bouzouki, Jew's Harp,
           Swedish Bagpipe, Recorder,    
              Hurdy-Gurdie, Willow-pipe
Niklas Rimmerfors: Moraharpa
                      (Keyed Fiddle), Vocals
Lennart Specht:  Keyboards
Thomas Antonsson:  Bass
Esko Salow:  Drums

Formed: 2001   Lilla Edet, SWEDEN
Label: Napalm Records
Genre: Dark Folk / Rock / Metal

CURRENT LINE-UP:

Fejd's Esko Salow

April 30, 2009

Interviewer: Peter

DISCOGRAPHY:

I En Tid Som Var   (Demo, 2002)
Huldran   (Demo, 2004)
Eld   (EP, 2006)
Storm   (Full-length, 2009)

TO THE TOP

Fejd has made a name for themselves within the folk metal scene, with the emphasis on the folk part.  Although that name is only familiar with the few who have heard their three EPs, their style has already drawn positive feedback from them.  Now signed to Napalm Records, the rest of the world can now hear what the few already know.  Their debut album Storm was released recently and on the heels of their performance at the Ragnarök Festival, drummer Esko Salow took some time to talk to Metal Psalter about all things relating to the band and the new album.

Peter: For those who don’t know about Fejd, would you like to say a few things about the band?

Esko Salow: Fejd is a Nordic Medieval Folk band that plays real Swedish Folk. We are influenced by Metal, since we all used to play in different Metal bands before Fejd, not to be mixed up with all the bands playing Metal and adding a flute in an intro calling it folk. Our music has the foundation from Metal and adding the melodies and instruments from Nordic Folk is the frosting.

Peter: What are some of the band's influences?

Esko: We have lots of influences, both in the folk world and from the Metal scene: Hedningarna, Garmarna, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, and of course, Iron Maiden, just to name a few.  Influences are something that can change from song to song, depending on when in your life you wrote it; different parts in the songs might have been written in different eras in your life and also influenced by different things.

Peter: Recently, Fejd signed with Napalm Records.  How did that deal come about and how has it benefited the band to this point?

Esko: Actually, it was our producer for Storm Marko Tervonen (Ex. The Crown, Angel Blake) who thought that the album was too good for an “own” release. He contacted a bunch of labels without our knowledge and caught a great interest. Napalm felt like the right choice, considering their wide range of acts on the label and with lots of folk influenced acts. The biggest advantage for our part thus far, is of course, that people are able to get their hands on a actual CD, and that it’s probably somewhat easier to get a Fejd album when you can buy it from more places than just us.  This is also great for us, considering the marketing that did not exist before Napalm.

Peter: The first album to be released on the label is also the band's first full length album Storm.  What are some of the things you can say about it from a production standpoint?

Esko: When we decided to make a full length album, we were not a signed band and we didn't feel any pressure from anyone but ourselves. The first thing we decided to do was to try a new producer.  We had been working with the same producer (Jonas Beijer) on the three previous productions, and they are something that we are proud of and that reflected where we were at the time, but that we felt we should try to get away from with Storm.  We knew that we didn't have the money to do a monster production and that we had to get the most out of the time, money and songs we had.  We had a great time recording and shared lots of ideas with each other and we are happy with the result, knowing that we could have done it better in many ways with a little more time and money. We have learned a lot at this session that we think will help us when we start the recordings of our second full length album.

Peter: Who did the cover art for Storm and how does it fit with the overall concept of the album, if any?

Esko: We used Jonas Beijer, who has helped us a lot in the past with both covers, producing, and as our web master. I think that the mood given when looking at the cover fits quite well with the music, but there was not really any concept. The cover was something that we had to finish in a hurry when we got signed to Napalm. When we got signed, we didn't have a clue about how the album cover should be, we didn't have any recent band pictures and nothing prepared at all, for we didn't expect to get signed that fast. I guess we learned something about being prepared, even when it comes to covers, photos and planning a “concept” for coming albums in the future.

Peter: Is there any chance that Fejd will re-release the first EPs now that the band is on a larger label?

Esko: We talked about it and decided that it was not right for the ones who bought the albums in the past. The sound quality is not good enough for an album and we know that the sound and performance could have been better.  The idea is to re-record some of the songs and use as bonus tracks on coming albums, but it will be completely new recordings and maybe even some changes in the songs.

Peter: Recently, Fejd played the Ragnarök Festival in Germany.  What was the experience like and were there any other bands that impressed you?

Esko: The gig and the audience were really fantastic.  We were a bit nervous because of the fact that the rest of the bands was clearly metal oriented  and we  were the only band playing clearly Folk influenced music. But everything turned out really great, we had a great time and we would definitely come back if we got asked. There were a lot of bands that impressed me in the backstage area.  I have only short impressions from other bands on the festival and what I saw was great, but not enough for reviews.

Peter: Are there any other shows planned in the near future?

Esko: We have two more festivals in Germany this summer and we are looking at some tour options for this fall, but nothing is booked at this point. We are preparing for the second full length as it is now and the goal is to start the recordings this winter if we're not touring.

Peter: Anything else that you would like to add?

Esko: Please feel free to visit us at our myspace page or our homepage. (Editor's note: see links above)                        

We really hope to get the opportunity to play for you in the future!   

Cheers!    
                                         
Esko & Fejd

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