Peter Svensson has spent much of his career deep in the Swedish Metal underground, most notably as a songwriter, bassist and guitarist with doom Metallers Void Moon. A prolific multi-instrumentalist, he has also been involved with bands and projects including Assassin’s Blade, Gauntlet Rule, Amaurot, Cult Of The Fox, Furnace and Solus Rex, moving between traditional Heavy Metal, Doom and Death Metal along the way.
As well as performing and writing, Svensson has increasingly taken on production, mixing and mastering duties, making him one of those musicians whose fingerprints can be found across considerably more records than his name recognition might suggest.
What’s the most Metal thing you’ve ever done off stage?
Attending business meetings in Metal shirts. Quite unusual in the pharmaceutical industry, at least.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played, and why?
Probably the second gig with my first band, Demon’s Eye. Our first gig was at our school, and we were quite pleased with ourselves. The second gig was at a big music competition, and I realised on stage there just how godawful we actually were.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played, and why?
Void Moon live at Doom over Vienna last year. The live rebirth of the band closest to my heart. Everything was perfect. Travel, performance, crowd response and merch sales.
Would you choose a platinum record or one perfect, legendary live show?
Platinum record. I love to write music.
What’s your greatest fear?
Dying before I see my daughter grow up.
What’s the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My ability to hold a grudge longer than most other people.
What’s the trait you most deplore in other musicians?
Not showing respect to band members and/or fans
Describe yourself in three words.
Worrying. Calm. Creative.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Watching mindless comedy series.
What does a great riff feel like to write?
Like something otherworldly. If I stumble upon something I wrote that I think is great, I’m always surprised that I wrote it.
What’s the worst thing a fan has ever said to you?
That we sound better on record than live, and this was with Cult Of The Fox and the first abysmal record.
What’s the worst thing a critic has ever said to you?
That they started laughing when they heard the record.
If you weren’t in music, what would you be doing?
Writing books or poetry. Maybe programming games, which I did when I was young in the early ’90s.
What’s one album outside your genre you secretly love?
Old Ways by Neil Young
When did you last cry, and why?
Last year, when I had sort of a very serious health scare.
What keeps you awake at night?
Work.
Riffs, royalties or recognition, if you had to choose?
Recognition, the only thing I lack [laughs].
How do you want to be remembered?
As somebody doing his own thing, and who was not a complete idiot.
What’s the most important lesson the road has taught you?
Things work out, and if they don’t, do something different. Don’t beat a dead horse.
What happens when the music stops?
Hopefully some other creative output takes its place.
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