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1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Since release we have been practicing the new material and started general preparations for our upcoming shows. Even though the band has performed the new songs in the studio it is, however, a quite different beast adapting them to a live setting. Other than that, it’s just been an absolute pleasure to see our new creation take flight and follow the positive response to the new album.
2.Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
In the past we had a sound that leaned even more on synthesizers and orchestral elements, this time we wanted to focus on getting the most out of our own instruments and voices. Thus, we reinvented our sonic identity and came out with a heavier sound than ever before!
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
Most of our lyrics are based on personal and real world issues, for example Fly With Me discusses the dark side of social media, Heral of Aegir is about pollution and destruction our waters and Borderland is a stance for the Ukrainian people suffering under Russias invasion. Other than that, many songs are about travel and conquest – things we missed dearly during the depths of the Covid pandemic.
Our process of writing for this album was altered by Covid restrictions as it forced us to work apart and alone. I used to write by programming my melodies and ideas directly into the recording software and have our guitarist Joona Björkroth adapt the riffs to work for a real guitar, but as we couldn’t meet for months I started learning more guitar myself and thus established a new method for composing directly with a guitar in my lap – hence the new, guitar-heavy approach on our songs. Lyrically we used to base lyrics purely on mythological concepts and personal issues but as the world feels like its falling apart around us I’ve had a stronger need to write about current issues plaguing humanity and this blue oasis of life we live in.
4.Over the years you also have covered Norse/Finnish mythology and the Nephilim with your lyrics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
As we are from the North, we have always identified strongly with our mythologies and draw a lot of inspiration from that realm. As the actual subjects of our lyrics have evolved, we still like to dress them up in mythological themes or use mythological concepts as metaphors.
5.Orignally the band was called 'Lai Lai Hei', what was the cause of the new change and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Brymir'?
We actually only went under the name Lai Lai Hei for a few weeks, it was just a hastily picked name as we performed one Ensiferum cover in a competition when we were 16 years old. Soon after that we decided that we want to keep playing together and after some consideration landed on the name Brymir, which is a combination of two words or concepts from Norse mythology: Brimir is a table or hall in Valhalla where the heroes of Ragnarök feast forever after the end of the world, and Ymir is an ice giant from whose flesh the world of men was created. So in short, Brymir equals to somethin akin to Alpha-Omega – before the beginning and after the end.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
We wanted the colors and themes of the cover art to reflect the dark times of the past years which strongly influenced the tone of the album. There is also the image of sacrificing yourself at the altar of creation – making, releasing and performing music is often emotionally very demanding and requires immense personal sacrifice.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
I think our best memories from shows are our 2019 appearance at Tuska Festival in our home town Helsinki, and our first tour in Japan. However, there have been so many epic adventures, like touring with Children of Bodom, that it’s difficult to choose which ones meant the most.
Brymir is definitely a live band and in my opinion you haven't truly heard Brymir before you’ve seen us on stage! We bring such a relentless onslaught that the crowd is left shell-shocked after our performance.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
Yes! We finally have a big European tour opening for Finntroll scheduled for November-December. We’ve dreamt about this moment our whole career and couldn’t have hoped for a better slot to kick off touring with our new record. We also have a big bunch of shows in Finland for 2022-2023. Touring is what we missed most during lockdown and we are so excited to head out again.
9.The new album was released on 'Napalm Records', how would you compare working with this label to other labels you have been a part of in the past?
Our signing with Napalm Records is our first proper partnership with a label and it has opened up so many opportunities that we’re inaccessible before. Previously we have done everything ourselves with labels only really releasing the music once completed. With this new ally in Napalm Records we feel that we can finally unlock the true potential of Brymir.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of melodic and extreme metal?
We’ve been quite stunned by the positive feedback and it feels as if we managed get our musical message across. It’s also very rewarding to see that our renewed sound and style has been recieved so well!
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Our music is very diverse and I think that will always be a part if Brymir. We had several very heavy, fast and dark songs that didn’t get quite finished for this album so it might be that our next release has some more black metal vibes! We also successfully integrated power metal into our new sound and I’m sure that aspect will also evolve to new heights.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles you are currently listening to nowadays?
I’ve been listening to a lot of pretty brutal stuff, such as Decapitated and Aborted. But our musical tastes range from classical music through metal all the way to psychedelic trance.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for the interview! We really hope to make it over to the United Kingdom during this album cycle for some shows and when we do… hold on to your hats!
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