The sound on "Burning Sermons" is more modern than on the previous release, and it actually works very well with the music you wrote. I suppose it's your producer, Emil's input? Is that actually the sound you were after?
Yes, definitely. And absolutely, this is Emil's work, and we knew by choosing him that he would help us get a more updated and diverse sound.
The new album seems to be a bit more varied than the debut release. Were there more people involved in the song-writing this time around?
Not really, the only difference was that Chris had time to give some ideas as well. Last time Patrick had to do all the riff work. And of course, Emil had his finger in the pot as well, helping us choose which songs fit the best and helped us refine the songs.
And what about the keyboard stuff? Did you have those arrangements in mind before going into the studio, or was it all suggested by Emil during the production process?
The arrangements are totally Emil's, we just knew we wanted something like that but didn't know exactly what, so we let him go crazy and be creative.
What is actually the meaning of the title "Burning Sermons"? There's no title song on the album...
I prefer titles that don't match a song actually, don't ask me why. And we first just thought that is was a cool title, but then I found it to suit the album too, because lot of the subjects I'm writing about are something that I would prefer to change or do differently, then the title makes a good metaphor for things I like to change.
A lot of your lyrics seem to be about personal experiences and daily stuff that's going on in the world. It looks like you prefer to write about matters that are important to you?
Definitely! Writing lyrics is therapy for me, of course they tend to be on the personal side.
Talking about lyrics, "Ghost in the Dark" is quite, well, dark... What's this lyric about?
Well, as you said, it's a bit on the darker side, it's the feeling you have when you suffer from anxiety or depression, that it's always with you somehow, hiding, ready to come out.
And one more question about the lyrics... "Slave to the Machine" is about technology changing our lives, right?
Yes, in one aspect, and in another that people of power are using technology and social media to get us where they want us, to mould us and control us.
"Hope Begins to Fade" is a bit different to the rest of the album, more symphonic, more progressive I'd say. Looks like you've put some extra effort into creating that one?
I think Emil, our producer put a lot in this one, because he could really work with the orchestral parts here, and that definitely gave the song a push up.
You got Bjorn from Soilwork to do a duet with you in this tune. How did this collaboration come about?
I met him years ago when Sister Sin played and he came out to watch the show, and he was such a nice guy. So when we talked about who would be good as a guest vocalist his name came up, and since I knew he liked my previous band, it didn't feel weird to ask him if he wanted to join in.
OK, what about the new album are you the most proud of?
They whole sound I think. We really found a great guy in Emil, who understood what we wanted and he gave the album a certain feeling.
Got a question about the band's beginnings. After Sister Sin disbanded, how did you put together the line-up of your new band? Did you know all the guys in person?
I knew the drummer Per and one of the guitar players, Patrick, but not the other guys. Chris I found through Instagram and Tommie through other band contacts.
And why did Sister Sin actually call it quits?
Two of the members were sick and tired of touring, and me and the other guy didn't wanna continue without them, it wouldn't have been the same.
Your singing style is quite aggressive. Have you ever had any problems with your voice due to the way you sing?
Yes, it's not the smoothest way to sing, so I have to be very careful. I've done surgery once and I don't wanna go through that again.
In the '80s there appeared many great female metal singers, to mention Doro, Jutta Weinhold, Leather Leone or Ann Boleyn. In today's metal girls mostly sing in clean or semi-operatic voice and sometimes it feels like it's more about their looks than the actual music. But hey, metal is not pop. What's your opinion?
I'm not so fond of that style either, but I do like some of the more growling girls.
So, who's your favourite singer ever?
So hard to tell, there have been many, but Glenn Hughes is great, Rob Halford of course, Aretha Franklin was amazing and Eva Cassidy too.
OK, thank you for your time Liv. At the end tell me, are you planning to bring your music to the UK and play some gigs over here any time soon?
Unfortunately, none that I'm aware of now, but we hope so!
