“The Grand Inferno” marks another milestone for TUNGSTEN. Can you share the creative process behind the album and what fans can expect from it when it’s released on October 18th?
Nick Johansson: “The Grand Inferno” marks another significant milestone for Tungsten, blending both old and new songs into a cohesive album. We approached the creative process for this album in much the same way as we did with the last one, “Bliss.” Each track was carefully crafted to maintain our signature sound while also pushing into new territories. Fans can expect “The Grand Inferno” to usher in a new era for Tungsten, an evolution that still holds onto the core elements they’ve always loved. It’s both a continuation of what we’ve done before and a step into something new.
Your latest single, ‘Lullaby,’ delves into a haunting narrative of a mother and her vengeful child. What inspired this chilling story, and how did you bring it to life musically?
Karl Johansson: The story is something I came up with myself. I’ve always been a fan of horror stories, particularly the old folk tales from Scandinavia, and I’ve always enjoyed writing my own little horror stories inspired by them. I wanted to translate one of these stories into a song. The music for the song went back and forth for a while as we considered how best to translate the story into music. In the end, we wanted it to have the feel of a traditional Tungsten song, but with a slightly creepier and more straightforward vibe.
The use of children’s voices in ‘Lullaby’ creates a truly eerie atmosphere. How did you decide to incorporate them, and what effect do you think they add to the track?
Karl Johansson: I wanted to create something a bit more special for the chorus, so I asked two of my former classmates from a songwriting class I took a few years ago to sing the melodies in a haunting style. Their voices really add that eerie and creepy effect to the track.
Niklas “Nick” Johansson directed the music video for ‘Lullaby,’ which features some unique and spooky locations. Can you tell us more about the experience of filming in such an eerie setting?
Nick Johansson: Filming the music video for ‘Lullaby’ in that cool, big old warehouse was an unforgettable experience. The place had this eerie vibe, with moss and grass growing all over the walls and floor, which really added to the spooky atmosphere we were going for. Despite the setting, it was incredibly warm inside—seems like whenever we’re recording videos, it’s either extremely warm or freezing cold, never in between. But that heat didn’t stop us from making the most of the unique location to bring the vision for ‘Lullaby’ to life.
You mentioned that the warehouse where the video was filmed had small trees and bushes growing indoors. How did the strange atmosphere of the location influence the video’s final outcome?
Mike Andersson: Yes, that’s true, hehe. We needed a spooky atmosphere. Something desolate, abandoned and mystical. So, because of this location I know Nick was very inspired and everything fell nicely in place when he finalized and directed the video. This old abandoned sugar factory/mill is located not far from where I live so, I suggested the place to my comrades in Tungsten and then we hired it. Perfect location to shoot the video for “Lullaby”.
TUNGSTEN’s sound blends symphonic elements with industrial tones, especially in ‘Lullaby.’ How do you balance these different musical influences, and how has your sound evolved over time?
Nick Johansson: Balancing the symphonic elements with industrial tones in TUNGSTEN’s sound, especially in ‘Lullaby,’ has become second nature to me. Since I’m the mixing guy and producer, I’ve really been able to shape and evolve our sound from our first album, “We Will Rise,” to our latest, “The Grand Inferno.” Incorporating a lot of keyboards and symphonic layers isn’t too hard as long as you keep things balanced. If a song feels like it’s missing something, I’ll add another layer to enhance it. But if it starts sounding too messy, I’ll strip things back until it clicks. This approach seems to work the best for us.
As you prepare for your upcoming Scandinavian tour with SONATA ARCTICA, what are you most looking forward to, and how do you think fans will respond to the new material from “The Grand Inferno”?
Mike Andersson: We are ready and really excited! We are really looking forward to do this tour and to meet our Scandinavian fans. I am quite sure they will headbang to the new songs. The feedback this far for the singles that’s been released this far has been fantastic. The only bad thing with this tour for Tungsten is that we miss the rest of Europe but, I know our booking agency is working their fingers to the bone to make Tungsten tour Europe.
The story in ‘Lullaby’ touches on themes of regret and revenge. How do these emotions play a role in the overall theme of “The Grand Inferno”? Are there other dark tales on the album?
Karl Johansson: The whole album is, in a way, about human emotions and the stories we create ourselves. We have a few other dark tales on the album, but they focus more on storytelling and various elements of Scandinavian folklore. For example, we have a song called ‘Sound of a Violin’ that tells the story of the mythical being known as ‘Näcken’ from Scandinavian folklore.
The video for ‘Lullaby’ has already captured fans’ attention. Can we expect more visually striking videos for other tracks from the upcoming album, and are there any plans for a concept series?
Anders Johansson: A few more videos are on the way, each unique in its own right. There isn’t a common thread linking them together; instead, each one stands alone with its own distinct style and feel. However, we put our heart and soul into every single one, striving to make them as exceptional as possible in their own way. Our talented guitar player, Nick, is the creative force behind them all, bringing his passion and skill to each project. Stay tuned—there’s more to come!
With ‘Lullaby’ already out and the album on the horizon, what message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from this new chapter in TUNGSTEN’s journey?
Anders Johansson: We always hope that our fans will connect with and enjoy the songs we create. We’re not aiming to write in any particular style; instead, we focus on crafting anthemic and epic tracks that resonate on a deeper level. Whether they achieve that is, of course, for our fans to decide. Our records don’t carry a specific message—they’re a reflection of life itself. The lyrics explore a wide range of themes, from the everyday to the more mystical, as in “Lullaby.” Each song tells its own story, leaving the interpretation up to those who listen.
