Interview: Vulkan

Hello there reader! It’s been a while since we did this, but we have an interview. This time it’s Stephen who conducted it. Vulkan is a Heavy Prog band from Sweden that is releasing their third album, Technatura, early this year. I (Stephen) have been a Vulkan fan for a couple years now since first discovering their first album, Mask of Air.

When I heard Vulkan was close to releasing a new album, I jumped at the opportunity for an interview. Much to our surprise Vulkan gave us early access to the unreleased Technatura when they answered the interview questions, and let me just say it blew me away. Chances are it will blow you away as well. We decided to hold our full review until a later date, but I will reiterate, Technatura is very, very good. Here is what the band said about the upcoming album and more!

Thank you for doing the interview! First off, Mask of Air is one of my favorite albums from this past decade and I really enjoyed Observants as well. When did y’all start on the newest album, Technatura?

Thank you, we really appreciate it. We started writing new material when Christian (guitar) and Oscar (bass) joined the band pretty much after Observants was released in 2016. Christian is a really gifted songwriter and he began to write new songs straight away. Some of the songs just had a few riffs that we played around with and others were written entirely by himself. But you could say that Technatura is an album written collectively as we are always trying songs out in the rehearsal space, twisting, turning and adding to the arrangements. 

If someone reading this interview has never heard of Vulkan before, what would be your quick way of selling them on checking Vulkan out?

Heavy prog with specks of diamond dust.

What are the main ways Technatura going to be different from Vulkan’s previous albums, Mask of Air and Observants?

First of all, new members will always make the music sound different. But I guess this time around we are going for a more “each song for itself” instead of going for a concept based album, as we did on Observants for example. We feel that the album flows nicely in and out of songs and has elements of the previous albums but with a new cloak on its shoulders. A more mature one. And I guess we’re breaking new ground as we have three songs in Swedish which will change the whole perception of what Vulkan could become.

Did y’all face any new challenges during the writing process that were unique to Technatura, versus previous projects? 

I guess the trust in trying to do great music with new members. In this case we have been fortunate to have found Christian and Oscar. It has been an easy way in as they are very lovable people and also great musically. The writing process has gone incredibly smooth and without any hassle really. Previously we were jamming and writing songs as we went on and that took an incredible amount of time. Usually four to five hour rehearsals with endless repeating of the same riff. But there is a beauty with that when you hit those special moments where everything is aligned and euphoria breaks free. Mask Of Air contains of some of those moments. 

What types of instruments and equipment did the band use on Technatura? 

Apart from the main instruments, drums, bass, guitars and synthesizers there is a hurdy-gurdy, violin, cello, trumpet, trombone, mandolin and a steel banjo on the record. That has has been a nice touch to create a new sound. 

Will Vulkan be touring after Technatura is released?

We certainly hope so! Don’t know if we’ll cross the pond to the U.S but if anyone will have us we’re there! Hopefully we can open up for the Diablo Swing Orchestra in which Johan also plays the drums this fall. 

From what I’ve read there seems to be a concept about technology behind the newest album, Technatura. Can you expand on the overall concept and how it will affect the album, both sonically and lyrically? 

It’s the struggle between the uprising technology and tech companies and the ancient Mother Nature. How we as humans put technology first instead of preserving the one thing that keeps us alive. We touch subjects as the consumption craziness and the big ego people generally have. Also racism and the fear of the unknown. The fear of something else that isn’t you. Medias way to portrait news. Basically everything that is occurring now in 2020.
Sonically it’s a punch in the face to wake up.

What challenges did the band face with the creation of Technatura? 

There weren’t really any challenges although you are very intrigued in recording your material that you have been writing and polishing for about one and a half years. 

There is a great progressive rock/progressive metal scene in Sweden, how has that influenced Vulkan’s music?

There are some great progressive bands in Sweden although we are influenced by lots of music world wide. But to mention a few Swedish bands we have Gösta Berlings Saga, they are a masterful band from Stockholm which we all are into. Opeth, Hansson & Karlsson, Dungen, GOAT and countless others but the main influences are from abroad. You take what you like musically and you put it in your brain to grind, add a little Swedish culture, salt and pepper and you have Vulkan.

Do you have any favorite bands that deserve more attention? 

Gösta Berlings Saga, Elden, Svederna Garde to name a few.

If you could give one word of advice to up and coming progressive bands/artists, what would it be? 

Keep on playing and try to get better at song writing and on your instrument. Don’t forget to have FUN doing it!

Vulkan opened for Pain of Salvation back in 2018, what was that experience like?

Yeah, that was a nice treat. They’re a bunch of great guys! If we get the opportunity to support them again we’d love to.

Anything else you would like to add in closing? 

We hope you’ll enjoy Technatura. We are really proud of it.