What is your name and role within Amaranthe?
Olof: My name is Olof Mörck, and I am the guitarist, composer and co-founder of Amaranthe
How did you start?
Olof: We started in Gothenburg, sweden around 2008, as a project set to include a lot of high-profile Gothenburg metal band stars, but as me and Jake got Elise and Andy on board, it started to take the shape of and actual band, and when we released a few songs on MySpace shortly after, we realised from the reception that we ahd something special brewing – and from there on we decided to pursue this band as far as we could.
Where are you based?
Olof: Gothenburg, Sweden, but our members are spread out over Denmark and Finland as well.
Please give an example of your music writing process?
Olof: It is initially a relaxed and spontaneous process, me sitting down with one of the singers, structuring the core of the song, and once that is down, I flesh out the instrumental parts into what is a full-blown Amaranthe song.
What are you working on right now?
Olof: right now we are still in the middle of our ‘MAXIMALISM’ world tour, in the middle of the festival season, more precisely. A new album processes will likely be initiated in the not too distant future, however.
What is your gear setup?
Olof: Nowadays I am taking full advantage of the digital advances is music performance hardware, so I am using a Line6 HELIX is my rig straight into the PA, and I play Jackson custom built guitars exclusively.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
Olof: I have a variety of interests I pursue. that combines quite well with music; since I am a major history buff, I tend to try and experience the architecture, the sights and wonders of the many places we visit, and I also like to sample the local cuisine, using that as inspiration for cooking at home.
How would you describe your music genre?
Olof: Modern metal, with elecronic elements, fronted by three singers with different styles.
Do you know any music theory?
Olof: Indeed. I have studied classical composing for many years, and even though our music is not within that style, I have still incorporated a lot of my knowledge into Amaranthes music. It has also taught me when to abide by theory, and when to break the rules.
What are your plans for the future?
Olof: Complete the ‘MAXIMALISM’ world tour with the summer festivals, a trip to the USA, south America, a European tour and Russia, and likely record and release an album next year.
How did you get into music?
Olof: I was brought up in a family that had a lot of interest in music, and my first piano and theory lessons was from my grandfather at quite an early age. I started to play in school bands at my first opportunity, so music has always been a mjaor focus in my life.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Olof: Since I have a little time at home, I have been into some relaxing music, right now Wagner’s ‘Lohengrin’ is playing in my speakers.
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
In terms of metal, bands like In Flames, Soilwork, Scar symmetry have been influences for the band’s music, but also 90’s pop music. Icons and heroes are likely the masters of the past, such as Paganini, Liszt, Chopin and so on.
When are you playing next?
Olof: Next up is Norway, in two weeks, at a festival called ‘Tons of Rock’
Featured Photo Credit: Patric Ullaeus
