Firstly, thank you for the interview, how are you doing today?

Work has, as usual, its filthy claws buried in our flesh.
 
You second album, ‘Contamination’, has recently been released; how do you feel about it?

We did finally reach our full potential. Compared to its forerunner, I’d call it more mature and a forceful album which became the vessel of a vast process. Each detail has been carefully placed into the landscape and nothing has been done by mere coincidence. Each composition more worked- and thought through than our previous titles, a note which clearly can be seen by an individual who goes into detail and descend beyond the surface and dares down the deeps. To make variations through contrasts was an ulterior motive from the beginning, thus giving each element and detail the space required to reach the highest of peaks. In short – this is by far the most vicious work we have managed to compose under the banner of Valkyrja.
 
From the statements on your website and other places I would assume that negativity and death still play a large part in the lyrics?

These are two of the fuels that turn sparks into fires, correct.
 
Tracks from the new album seem to have a massive, epic sound to them, was this the intension?

From the beginning we didn’t had a clear vision of what the final result of the studio session would have transformed into. I can for sure agree that you may find some epic parts on “Contamination”, but that generalization doesn’t cover the material in its whole and is simply one piece of many that built the album.
 
Who chose the name Valkyrja?

We had our motives in our early days. Now the name is simply a banner under which we create and let everything that is done by its members manifest. 
 

I know a few members have other projects in this genre, so what attracted you to Black Metal in the first place?

I started to listen to classic rock and found attraction in more extreme music. Black Metal is (at least was…) an extreme genre and I found many interesting acts under the moniker, yet that goes for several genres and not this particular one you mentioned.
 
What are your thoughts on the Swedish scene these days?

Sweden has several great bands, but personally I´m not involved in “the scene” and do not consider our work to be placed within these borders as well. Geographical origin does in no way affect our creations.

You have a few live dates set up for the middle of the year, are there any plans for a tour? Any dates in the UK?

Nothing in addition to what is written on MySpace is yet confirmed. I hope for a tour, and UK dates as well, but can’t tell anything at the moment. Time will spread its cunt sooner or later, so keep the eyes open.
 
What does the future hold for Valkyrja?

Probably a lot of live appearances and hopefully some touring since we have not yet been active outside the borders of Sweden. We’re also working with a vinyl edition of “Contamination” which hopefully will manifest as soon as possible.

Thank you very much for the interview, anything else you'd like to add?

Visit www.myspace.com/valkyrjaswe for valuable information.

Answered by A.L. (vocals) and S.W. (guitar). Questions by Carl Sucharyna Thomas