Christofer Johnsson (THERION): The new album is not an album. It’s a rock/metal musical with opera vocals

Can You tell me, in short, the main ideas behind Your music?

In general we just write songs we like and then we perform them, there are no specific ideas.

Could You name Your favourite compositions / albums / collaborations?

Depends. Like I prefer catchy uptempo songs like Typhon, Din and Mitternachtslöwe. 

On the records I prefer songs like Via Nocturna, Land of Kanaan and Adulruna Rediviva.

I have no perticular fave album, they all have meaning to me.

What about the new album?

The new album is not an album. It’s a rock/metal musical with opera vocals. The CD release is the audio version of it.

Your new album is really even more impressive than earlier ones. Three hours of music... And it's so beautiful. How did You decide to make such a grandiose project?

I decided to do a Therion opera due to failing writing a classical opera and I decided to recycle the ideas.

What is and what is not a Sound Art?

That’s not up to me to decide.

What do You think about relations between the old art and computer art? Are they compatible?

When you work with music the difference isn’t that big, but for creating pictures, I’d say it’s two completly different forma of art.

What do You know about Lithuania?

Small country that used to be bigger historically. Capital Vilnius. Belonged to Soviet Union for half a century and have a great beer called Utenos. We played there in the 90’s and had some great concerts, the audience there is really good.

What Lithuanian musicians do You value most?

I think we had some local support acts when we played there back in the 90’s but I don’t remember how they sounded. Haven’t heard any other artists from there I think.

What inspires You most?

Voivod, Wagner, 70’s hard rock and 80’s heavy metal.

Thank You and see You in Vilnius.