How does “Year of the Witch" differ from your previous album, and are you happy with how it turned out?

Sebbe: I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It was my first full-length album with Hedon. Everyone in the band thinks it’s better than the first album. Year of the Witch really captures the sound we’ve been aiming for, so it feels like a solid fit.

How do you approach translating the intensity of your recorded music into your live performances?

Sebbe: It’s even more intense when we play live because there’s way more adrenaline and energy compared to the studio. Being on stage in front of a crowd gets you hyped up. In the studio, things are more meticulous and slower since you're focused, and, to be honest, there’s also a lot less beer involved, haha!

Can you delve into the lyrical themes explored in “Year of the Witch” and how they resonate with the album's overall atmosphere?

Sebbe: The lyrics were inspired by the witch burnings of the 17th century, particularly Matthew Hopkins. I also tend to explore the darker parts of the human mind. Some of the inspiration comes from other bands, but the lyrics have to fit the song. I even bounce ideas off my dad sometimes, which helps. My favorite song lyrically is "The Black Death," which is also the only one in Swedish. It's a tribute to a friend of the band who passed away two years ago, and although it's the hardest to sing because of all the lyrics, I think it’s a fucking fantastic song.

How do you view the relationship between your music and visual aesthetics, such as album artwork and stage design?

Sebbe: Our music is atmospheric, but on stage, we go all out with the visuals—bullet vests, full-on spikes, and a black metal vibe. We take our stage presence seriously because it’s a key part of the experience. As long as what we wear and how we present ourselves matches the music, it’s all good.

On the topic of artwork, can you share with us the process of collaborating with the artist for the album cover of 'Year of the Witch'? How did their interpretation contribute to the album's visual representation?

Sebbe: The artist was my lovely girlfriend. I had a vision for Year of the Witch, which I shared with the band. We agreed that it should feature witch burnings, in the style of Matthew Hopkins, along with the Hedon crest. I gave her free rein within that vision, and she created the album cover! It took a few months, and she painted it on an actual canvas, which was incredible to watch unfold. That was a really special moment.

What was your first encounter with black metal?

Sebbe: I was really young, around 5 or 6. I’ve always grown up with metal because my parents listened to it. My dad had a copy of Immortal's Battles in the North in his record collection, and that’s where I found black metal. My parents were into all kinds of metal—black, death, punk, you name it—so it was only a matter of time before I discovered something that grabbed me.

As a band, how do you approach the balance between maintaining authenticity in the black/death metal genre while innovating?

Sebbe: I think we’ve stayed pretty authentic to the black/death metal genre while still evolving. Mattias, one of our guitarists, is the main songwriter, and he always comes up with killer ideas. We’re constantly finding new melodies and ways to play, and every now and then, we stumble upon something great that really clicks with everyone.

How long did the process of making Year of the Witch take, from start to finish?

Sebbe: We recorded the album between May and June. It took about a month to get the drums, guitar, and bass down. The vocals, luckily, only took a day, which I was really happy with. The mastering process took around two weeks, but it all depends on how fast the person doing it works. The album was recorded and mixed by Daniel Kvist, and Robert Kukla handled the mastering. All in all, it took a few months. I was super excited to finally hold it in my hands, though!

Looking back at the journey of creating Year of the Witch, what are some of the most rewarding moments for you as a band?

Sebbe: Personally, it was a big deal because Year of the Witch was my first full-length release. Before that, we had the EP Blasphemy Reborn, and I remember thinking, "I can’t wait to get a full length album and have my first vinyl!" Then before I knew it, Year of the Witch was out. The whole band gave 110% to the album, and I think it’s a fucking banger. Seeing it released on vinyl was a dream come true. After that, playing the songs live was just amazing.

What can fans expect next from Hedon? What projects are on the horizon for the band?

Sebbe: We’re working on a new album for next year, and it’s going to be great. I can’t reveal too much without spoiling it, but let’s just say hell will be on fucking earth, and it’ll be really fun to perform live. You’ll see once it’s done!