Interview by Miriam "NocturnalConcerto"

Norway is not only meaning of black metal during the 90's, in contemporary with the black scene too, a new metal scene was born : the doom metal scene the fans and experts will recognize that cult bands like The 3rd and the Mortal, Paradigma, Theatre of Tragedy and Funeral have opened so many roads and influenced so many bands. One of this are To Cast a Shadow, now out with their new second album "In Memory Of". Let the singer Gunnhild unleash more about the band and the new album. 

Hi Gunnhild, how are you? First of all thanks so much for accept this interview!

Greetings Miriam. Thank you for having me!

For our readers can you tell a little bit about the history of the band?

The guys have played together since childhood but To Cast a Shadow came about in 2005. Shortly after a demo was made and in 2007 the band released its first full-length album "All Alone". It received quite a few very positive reviews even with a minimal amount of promotion. We were signed by Kolony Records in 2010 and started recording our upcoming album early the same year.

Where the band name come from?

The band was on the look-out for a name that was like a short sentence or an expression, and that was figurative. I don’t know exactly where the phrase "To Cast a Shadow" was picked up but somehow it stuck in our minds and it sounded right with respects to our music and our sound.

"In Memory Of" is a huge step from debut 2007 "All Alone". What happened to the band – personally and musically during this time?

I was not yet a full-time member of the band and I only appeared on a couple of songs on "All Alone" but I would have to say that I think the personalities in the band are more confident and steady now than on the first album, which is understandable, as everything was new and unchartered the first time around. We are somewhat more experienced and more determined in our actions and opinions now than before.

Your second album "In Memory Of" will be unleashead on the 14th Febraury, 2011. Can you tell us about more the genesis of the album?

There was an eventful two and a half year period for the band between the release of our first album and starting the recording of our second. Events on both a personal level and as a band naturally generated new material, which reflects the rollercoaster of emotions the different band members went through in this period. The recording and mixing sessions of "In Memory Of" were spread out over quite a long period as well, which gave the material time to mature and evolve in between sessions. 

Congrats for the deal with Kolony Records, how you come across and when was the first contact with this Italian label?

We were contacted in 2007 by Kolony Records through Myspace, not long after the release of "All Alone". We kept in contact up until a new record was in the making and were pleased to see that the label was doing good and was still interested in signing us.

In the cover album I see those 2 woman... can you explain what represent and mean the cover? By the way, how's the creator?

We let the designer come up with a concept based on the title "In Memory Of". For me, the women represent duality and perhaps a symbol of a second album? The cover also among other things showcases our new logo, which is based on an ancient sundial (given life to by shadows cast). The art is centered around time and mortality and shows, as I see it, a course of events from calm and somber landscapes,to things burning and lastly a crow in an ashy glow. The artwork was created by Matthew Vickerstaff of Darkwaveart in England, who has also done artwork for My Dying Bride among others.  

"In Memory Of" it's just a really curious title, does the album is dedicated to someone?

Yes, it’s quite a personal title for all the band members. We all have different people/events we connect to this title and each of us dedicate it to lives or love lost in the turbulent period since the last record.

"Betula" features former Theatre Of Tragedy singer Nell Sigland, how's born this collaboration?

Nell Sigland lives in the same town as us and her husband Kristian is an old acquaintance of Marcus. We asked Nell to try and come up with some vocal lines for this short and emotional little song and she did... brilliantly!

Are scheduled any video clip shooting?

If someone came up with a very good concept for a video and budget permitting, I think we would definitely shoot a video.

I've a little curiosity : where the fans can buy "All Alone" since on your site isn't present an online shop?

It’s available on Amazon and iTunes, as well as a few other websites that we have links to on tocastashadow.com

Norway, despite to be the leader in black metal, from the 90's also in contemporary with the born of black metal, was growing a strong doom metal scene acts like Theatre Of Tragedy, Paradigma, Tristania, Funeral, 3rd and the Mortal.. which of this act like and inspires you? And why?

These bands are exactly the ones we would mention as the some of the very best within the genre. It was in the early years of The Third and the Mortal and Paradigma when this style reached its pinnacle we think. We try to and hope to continue where these bands left off in the mid-nineties and carry the Norwegian torch forward.

What are the next band planes (touring etc..)?

We’re hoping to get out there and play our music wherever and whenever we can. Currently, we’re trying to get in contact with a good booking agency,which is a must for a potential tour.

What are your best favourite metal albums ever?

Oh, where to begin!I actually have trouble naming any specific favorites. I try to always stay open to all kinds of potential new sources of inspiration.

So we're at the end, greet our readers and fans as you want.

I would like to thank our fans who’ve followed us since our self-financed album and through the long wait to our upcoming album. And if you’ve not heard our music yet, we hope you’ll take the time to discover it…and if you enjoy it half as much as we do creating and playing it, we’re content.

Greetings from the cold north, Gunnhild

Greets from Italy, Miriam

Links

To Cast a Shadow Official MySpace

To Cast a Shadow Official Site 

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