Exclusive interview: the story behind Cyning

Although you created a few songs in Old English before, most people know you from your Old Norse/Nordic folk music. What made you decide to create a full album in Old English?

I’ve always been fascinated by ancient languages and how they shape culture and storytelling. With Old Norse, I’ve explored a lot already, and I wanted to explore a folklore theme. One that is well known, but being approached from a more pre-Christian perspective. Arthurian mythology has always intrigued me, and this is where I began.

I first looked into the Brittonic languages, but I felt I wanted to tell the tale not from the moment of its origin, but from the perspective of a 7th – 8th century artist living in medieval England. I wanted to imagine how an artist could portray these legends, or how it could have been told during that time. This is why I chose Old English.

It could seem a bit contradictive to sing about Brittonic legends, such as Excalibur, in Old English. What was your perspective on this?

Historically, it’s speculated that the real king Arthur lived around the 5th century. Over time the Brittonic languages were displaced by Old English because of the conquest of the Anglo Saxons. As mentioned, I wanted to approach this album from the perspective of an artist who lived 200 or 300 years later after these events. For me the intriguing question is: when do stories turn into legends? And now imagine that such a person had Brittonic as well as Anglo Saxon ancestry. When does pain/hate turn into something else? When does one forgive or overlook hate towards others? These are relevant themes in current times and an interesting story to share from an medieval point of view. This is why I chose to sing these songs in Old English, even though this could be considered contradictive to some.

Can you describe the creative process for Cyning? How did the album evolve from initial ideas to the final product?

After realizing the emotional depth of diving into such deep ideas I knew it was going to be quite a heavy album to create. For me creating music is like making a medicine for the body, mind and soul. I really felt for example with the theme song “Cyning” to give people the idea of this conclusion of Arthur’s story. I like to think in images and what comes to mind is someone who fought his whole life till the end. In one of the earlier medieval sources it’s said that King Arthur was mortally wounded at the Battle of Camlann and passed away shortly after… This song specifically tells the deeds of Arthur. In my mind, the question arises, how would one even face such a moment. How would someone who has been fighting most of his life for freedom for his people accept such an uncertain end. Not even for himself but for when he’s gone… For his loved ones… Which is what truly matters at the end. With these ideas I step in the studio and put my emotions into music.

There are many versions of the legend of ‘Excalibur.’ In some, there are actually two swords: the sword in the stone, which your song focuses on, and the sword given by the Lady of the Lake. It’s often said that the sword from the Lady of the Lake was named ‘Excalibur,’ while the sword in the stone was either nameless or called ‘Caliburn.’ Given this distinction, why did you choose to name your song ‘Excalibur’?

The legend of Excalibur has indeed evolved through many interpretations over the centuries. In early versions, such as Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae (circa 1136), the sword is called Caliburnus, which comes from the Welsh Caledfwlch. Later, in French romances, the name Excalibur became more famous, especially for the sword from the Lady of the Lake.

For Cyning, I wanted to focus on the idea of a single magical sword. Personally, I like to think that Excalibur and Caliburnus are not separate swords, but two names for the same legendary weapon. This way of looking at it ties into Arthur’s destiny and the mystical power connected to his kingship, which fits perfectly with the themes of the album.

The themes of mythology and history are prominent in your music. How do you balance historical accuracy with artistic interpretation when creating your songs?

Historical accuracy is very important to me because it honors the stories and cultures that inspire my work. I spend a lot of time researching historical sources – old manuscripts, linguistic details, cultural practices. But I also believe that art is a bridge between the past and the present, so I give myself room for interpretation. My goal is not to create a textbook version of history, but to capture the emotional truth and spirit of those times.

With Cyning, for example, I delved deep into Old English to connect with the mindset and worldview of early medieval England. At the same time, I wove in universal themes of loss, struggle and hope that can resonate with listeners. In this way, the music remains authentic to history while still being a personal and emotional experience. It’s about finding that balance between respect for the past and the need to tell a story that feels alive and meaningful today.

Are there any songs on the album that hold a special personal meaning for you?

Yes, one song that holds deep personal meaning for me is Cyning. It represents the final moments of a king who has fought tirelessly for his people, facing his mortality and reflecting on his life. For me, this song is about literally staring death in the eyes. Because of my chronic health struggles, I’ve had to confront how fragile life is. It’s a scary thing to face, but it also makes you realize what is truly important – the people you care about and the purpose you find in life. Cyning captures that for me.

Does Cyning hint at the direction of your future work?

Absolutely. Cyning marks a deeper exploration into early medieval culture and Old English storytelling. There’s so much more to explore in terms of mythology, history and ancient languages

I’m also very interested in Scottish Gaelic. It’s a language and culture I really respect, and I’d love to create something inspired by it someday. It’s full of beauty and depth, and I think it would fit well with the themes I work with.