Tobias Rosen

Noctum

After much begging and pleading for a review copy, Metal Temple's Damian J. Cousins finally got a chance to review NOCTUM's new release, "Final Sacrifice", a mystery of an album that fans have been pawning over and interview one of its members, founder and bassist Tobias Rosén, who talks about, among other things, his love for TWISTED SISTER and his hatred for KISS' beer, Destroyer.

By Damian J. Cousins

• November 23, 2013

Interview - Tobias Rosen (Noctum) interview

Tobbe, thanks for giving me a few minutes, I greatly appreciate it, and I'm a big fan.

No problem. Thanks for helping spread the word.

Are you guys all excited that the record is coming out and everyone gets to hear the fruits of your labors?

Yeah, that will be fucking great, to see the response and know where we should tour.

So, no tour plans as of yet. But you will hit the States, right?

Yeah, we're just waiting for opportunities to see what will be best.

Can you give me a little insight to the story of Final Sacrifice without giving anything away?

Well we actually decided not to give away any of the story at all. All I can say is it's a fictional horror story and that includes all the lyrics, music, and the artwork. We really hope that people will come up with their own ideas and tell us them.

I know that people like to say you have somewhat of a retro sound, but what is it that drew you to a much darker vibe with this record?

David and I started to talk about a new approach and which way we wanted to go. We love the early 80s a lot, and once it's mixed it keeps that groove but still has this hard-hitting fucking face punch, you know? I guess "Final Sacrifice" is a result of that combination of the groove and the harder metal.

You've had a couple of line-up changes with guys leaving, but how's the vibe in the band now?

Yeah, everything is top notch. I can't ask for a better line-up than right now.

What has changed about you in the four years since NOCTUM started to take off? Because it has happened rather quickly.

Whoa (laughs)! What a question. Well, as a lyric writer I think that the main thing is that I have another point of view of the music now overall. And the way I listen to music nowadays, write it, consume it, it's just changed. It's a real hard question, you know?

Hahaha, because I don't like to ask the easy boring questions, that's why!

(laughs) Yeah, of course.

Since you brought it up, when you're not working or playing your parts in NOCTUM, what do you listen to in your spare time away from the group?

That changes from day-to-day, but right now I'm listening to a lot of THE SMITHS and TWISTED SISTER. Their first album is fucking brilliant!

TWISTED SISTER? They're from Long Island, like me! I love those guys! I grew up with them on my turntable!

Lucky you! I've only got Under the Blade so far on vinyl, but I got to have Stay Hungry and Come Out and Play as well. I love all of them. And of course I'm listening to a lot of MOTORHEAD. That's one of my favorite bands of all-time.

Yeah, their new one comes out tomorrow. I have to check that out.

Me too, for sure.

How does the writing work in NOCTUM? What's the dynamic?

Well it's changed, actually. For this album David concentrated on the music while I concentrated on the story and designing artwork, and then David had his own input on lyrics, because he's the one that has to sing them.

As the creator and founder, what was that like for you, letting go of the reins a little bit?

David has a lot of things coming from him musically, and I wanted to focus on the story. I've been spending the last two years on it, so it's kind of important for me to build a great story. That's just as important as the actual music.

As far as live shows go, will you be playing Final Sacrifice from start to finish or change it up? Will you play anything off Séance?

I think we're going to play only new stuff for the time being. We'll play it in whatever order strikes our fancy, I think.

What do you do when you're not playing music to unwind and have some fun?

Oh right, uh, drinking beer (laughs)!

Right on, man!! Have you tried IRON MAIDEN'S "Trooper" beer yet?

No, not yet. But I tried the KISS one, "Destroyer". It was fucking awful! One of the most fantastic bands in the world, and then they come out with this beer that's 4.7% alcohol called "Destroyer" and it tastes awful as well.

How is 4.7 gonna destroy anything when here in America 5% is the minimum?? Uggh. I am gonna try the "Trooper" beer soon, though.

When you do, get back to me, please, and let me know.

Sure thing. Is there anything you'd like to say to the NOCTUM fans waiting for this record?

Just keep in touch with our Facebook page for upcoming tour dates, and keep rocking and having meaningless sex! (laughs)

Tobbe, thanks for giving me one hell of an interview first thing in the morning! We gotta get you down to Dallas so I can bring you guys some BBQ, cool?

Fucking awesome! Keep in touch, for sure!

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