A Dirty Dozen with GUSTAV SVENSSON from VITTRA – July 2025

Photo credit: Linus Brorsson

According to a recent press release: “Reign Supreme” is the latest single from Swedish melodic death / thrash metal unit VITTRA. Now playing at Decibel Magazine, the track comes off the band’s second full-length album, Intense Indifference, set to drop on September 19th. Intense Indifference follows VITTRA’s critically lauded debut, Blasphemy Blues, released in 2022, and centers on one’s own emotional journey — soul searching while simultaneously fighting an inner battle, all while presenting an untroubled, almost indifferent attitude. Inevitably, it all cracks. Originally called Vildvittra, based on the characters created by Astrid Lindgren as part of Ronja Rövardotter [Swedish for Ronia, The Robber’s Daughter, a children’s fantasy book first published in 1981], their name later evolved into VITTRA, inspired by the mythical creatures appearing in Swedish folk stories. And while Swedish folk is a recurring theme weaving in and out of their music, the band is firmly rooted in melodic death and thrash metal in the vein of At The Gates, Dissection, and Megadeth.” We get bassist Gustav to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

To me the best nuggets are the ones that really change the mood of the songs although they are pretty obvious and not so hidden in the sense of being “hidden”. We’ve got a Jazz section, Country Twang, Cowboy saloon piano or whatever you call it. And we also squeeze in a bit of unorthodox metal percussion like vibra-slap!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I am almost ashamed of saying it but Guitar Hero 3 was a BIG deal for me as a kid growing up in the mid 2000’s. That was kinda my first contact with music and at least “pretending” to play music myself. After that it is hard to tell when exactly. I think I got my first taste for blood when I joined my first metal band when I was 16 and they needed a bassist. I wasn’t a bassist but I kinda became one hesitantly because I was already playing the guitar (How hard can it be right?). From there on it went and now almost 15 years later the dream still keeps me going.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

In the beginning there were two main bands that affected me musically with two live dvd:s respectively. It was Metallica with their iconic live dvd from Seattle from 1989 and Ozzy Osbourne’s Live at the Budokan (2002). There are a bunch of other bands and live performances that have affected me as well but these two were to me like “the perfect live performances” and staple of what live should be growing up.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Janne Wirman (Warnen). I would LOVE a keyboard solo on a future album!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

Video games are without a doubt my main hobby outside of music. I am not much of a single player guy. What gets me going is the multiplayer experience with people I know or to meet new people.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would say MeloThrash’n’Roll! Not sure on the second one but I know that Johan, one of our guitarists is not too happy with being compared to In Flames, he is more into bands that influenced In Flames. While our vocalist David would be super happy being compared to them!

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

When it comes to roles I think that Alex will be the drink bringer and Lars the acoustic menace. Me and David would be fighting over the food and Johan would have taken a safe distance from the chaos.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

We were partying at this Metal ferry (Close-Up metal) heading for Estonia and all of a sudden one evening on our door step to the cabin stood (what I remember) every single member of Vomitory. I was so shocked I just screamed, not believing my eyes. I think I scared them away. I am not sure. But a very good memory!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part about being a musician is without a doubt the thrill of playing and releasing music. For me the best part is the moment you go on stage. What is cool about music is also that it feels like you are never perfect. There is always something to improve and always a next step for you individually or for the band as a whole. It makes the struggle and grind fun and it makes you ever so excited to release more music and improve your craft. If music was out of the picture I think my dream job would have been an archeologist or some scientist exploring ancient civilizations and traveling over the world. That would have been really cool.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask –and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

“If you don’t mind me asking. How is it playing on such a crazy cool Spector Bass?” Not at all! It is bloody f****n amazing, I didn’t think you would ask! It has done wonders to my tone and devastated my wallet.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I think that everything that has happened has taught me what ultimately has lead me to the place I am in right now and I would not want to change that. I would however convince my old self to stop caring so much about others opinions.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose –and what does that record mean to you?

I would go back to the recording of Follow the Reaper (2000) by Children of Bodom. It is one classic album where not a single song is skippable and on top of that it was recorded by another childhood hero of mine Peter Tägtgren. That album has followed me from when I first got into melodic death metal up until today when it was and still is one of my favorite albums.

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Category: Interviews