SOURCE – Void is the newest Aphyxion album – your third with the group. Tell us about the songwriting and recording sessions for this release – and were there key moments that you remember during the process that you knew you were developing something very special this go around?
Michael Vahl (Vocals) – So going into the studio, a lot of new layers are added to the songs, and sometimes they turn out totally different than what the initial song-idea sounded like. So when that happens and the song gets ‘transformed’ somehow, is when we tend to share that special moment, and it honestly happened with nearly every song. We especially shared that feeling of ‘this song is different than what we had thought it’d be’ with the song Void, which reassured us that this should be the title for the album as well.
SOURCE – What do you believe Jacob Hansen brings with his mixing abilities that makes Aphyxion sound so outstanding?
Michael Vahl (Vocals) – His finish is just perfect, and suites our music well. It brings out the aggressive nature of our music, but still keeps the sound super clear.
SOURCE – Along that same line of thinking and providing something more, could you talk about the video and song Fork Tongued?
Michael Vahl (Vocals) – Well, this is one of the most aggressive songs on the album and it’s got that ‘let’s fuck shit up’-energy to it. We wanted to do a video that was simple and pleasing, so we teamed up with our film-buddy Hans, and decided that it should be drone shots, silhouettes, slo-mo, body paint and a little bit of special effects that should visualize this song.
SOURCE – Four albums in at this point, what defines Aphyxion from a musical standpoint?
Michael Vahl (Vocals) – It’s 3 full-length albums actually, even though 4 sounds better. I think we are ever-changing when it comes to who and what we are musically, so our next album is probably going to deviate from the direction that VOID is headed. We play some sort og metal with melodic elements, but with all the sub-genres of today, it’s difficult to make a clear definition.
SOURCE – Are you surprised by the power of social media today as far as influencing people in the world? How does Aphyxion approach their own social media content?
Michael Vahl (Vocals) – It’s crazy how global the world we are living in today is, and ‘amazed’ is probably the correct word for it. It’s amazing how powerful it can be, and also a bit frightening to think about. We love it when people take our music in and really appreciate it for themselves, but we also use our social media as a way to make community. There’s an Aphyxion-fangroup on Facebook, and we met up with them at Copenhell this year, and also invited them to our releaseparty, so that’s community right there.
SOURCE – What are some of your favorite Aphyxion songs to play live these days – especially when looking at the deep catalog of tracks available? Are there certain ones that you know will just set the right mood and tone with the audience?
Michael Vahl (Vocals) – New songs are always a blast, especially the ones that get’s the crowd going. On our last album it was Destined to fail and Dark stains on ivory, and on the new one It’s songs like fork tongued and Sleepwalkers. But I’m yet to decide a definite favorite.
SOURCE – How have you changed as a person as you get older and wiser?
Michael Vahl (Vocals) – Grey hair… Definitely gotten more of those. And also just a more nuanced and empathetic way of thinking, which shows both in the lyrics but also in the songs on the new album. Each song and also the album as a whole is just much more dynamic than our two previous ones.
SOURCE – What are your plans outside of the album release and Void tour?
Michael Vahl (Vocals) – Renting a house with a sauna in the woods, and just have some Aphyxion-time with some good stories and a lot of beers there. That’s usually a success.
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