Sykofant is a dynamic Norwegian band blending intricate storytelling with a cohesive, live-recorded sound. Their debut album takes listeners on a continuous journey, following a reluctant protagonist through surreal landscapes—from lush forests to alien deserts—against a backdrop of raw, emotionally charged music.

Co-produced by Emil Moen and Per Semb, alongside mixer Ole Øvstedal, the album captures the live energy of the band, with minimal overdubs to preserve its organic feel. Melvin Treider’s rhythmic precision and Emil’s vivid lyricism create an immersive sonic experience that resonates with themes of existential reflection, identity, and human connection. Though the band members have full-time jobs and outside hobbies like reading and hiking, Sykofant remains their primary creative focus, with all their energy dedicated to pushing their unique sound.

“The joy of exploring different soundscapes and combinations”

Sykofant’s debut album showcases a fusion of various musical styles. What inspired this eclectic blend?

Emil Moen: Oh, that’s an interesting question! You’ve touched on a key concept in understanding our music: “blend.” Every member of our band has a deep appreciation for a wide array of artists, genres, and musical expressions. When we began writing the album, we made a pact that anything and everything could serve as an influence. This open-minded approach was crucial in shaping our creative process. During our jam sessions, we experimented with countless combinations of genres and influences, allowing us to explore and fuse various musical styles until we found something that truly resonated with us.

In essence, the biggest inspiration came from the joy of exploring different soundscapes and combinations. We never actually set out with the intention of creating an album. However, as we continued to develop material that we loved, it gradually expanded until we realized, “Okay, I guess this is an album at this point.”

Our debut album reflects this eclectic and exploratory journey, being a blend, as you say, of a quite diverse range of influences.

The tracks ‘Between Air and Water’ and ‘Monuments of Old’ offer listeners a glimpse into Sykofant’s unique soundscape. Could you walk us through the creative process behind these songs, from inception to recording?

Melvin Treider: Oh, I actually joined the band when we were working on ‘Between Air and Water.’

Emil: Yeah, that’s right. We wrote most of the album in chronological order, aligning with the conceptual story that goes with the music. Sometimes the story shaped the music, and other times the music influenced the story. ‘Between Air and Water’ came after our first track, ‘Pavement of Color.’ We were jamming up to the more rhythmic section in the middle when Melvin joined. I’d say his addition really influenced those heavier, rhythm-driven sections.

Melvin: I remember us jamming on that middle section a lot before we were happy with it. I think we also had the main riff for ‘Monuments of Old,’ that rush-like part of the intro, ready around the same time. It helped give ‘Between Air and Water’ some direction.

Emil: That sounds about right. We often start working on bits of the next song while writing the previous one to ensure our tracks flow into each other, forming a coherent story.

Melvin: By the time we went into the studio, all our songs were finished. We made very few changes during recording. There might have been some tweaks to drum fills and minor embellishments on guitars and bass, but those were just small details.

Emil: Right, and because we were so prepared, the recording process was smooth. We knew exactly what we wanted, which made it easier to capture the energy and intent of each song.

Melvin: Absolutely. Having everything planned out beforehand allowed us to focus on bringing the best out of each performance in the studio.

Emil: It’s all about ensuring that the final product reflects our vision as closely as possible, and I think we achieved that with these tracks.

Each member of Sykofant brings their own musical background and influences to the table. How does this diversity contribute to the band’s creative dynamic, and how do you collaborate to ensure each voice is heard in your music?

Melvin: Absolutely, one of the most important aspects is that each of us brings a diverse musical background to the table. For instance, I come from a jazz and funk drumming background. It wasn’t until I joined Sykofant that I started to really dive into more obscure rock, progressive rock, and metal genres. This exploration has been incredibly enriching for me as a musician.

Emil: Yeah, and Sindre is another great example. He has a background in electronic music, which has really added a unique layer to our sound. His skills have allowed us to blend electronic elements into our songs in a way that feels natural and fresh.

Melvin: Emil and Per, on the other hand, have been into rock and extreme metal for a long time. They’ve played in various rock and metal bands over the years. Their deep understanding of these genres has been crucial in shaping the heavier, more intense parts of our music. Thanks to them, our sound has this powerful edge, filled with the raw energy and complexity that define rock and metal.

Emil: Per and I usually handle most of the music writing. I also write most of the lyrics and deal with the conceptual side of things. But that doesn’t mean Melvin and Sindre don’t play a big role in our sound.

Melvin: Exactly. We all contribute and color the music, especially since we often jam a lot during the writing process. I think you can really hear our individual influences on the album. For instance, there are groove-oriented, jazz-like rhythms that I bring in, and you can definitely pick up on the funky, electronic-inspired bass lines that Sindre contributes.

Emil: That’s the beauty of our collaboration. Each of us brings something different, and it all meshes together to create a unique sound. We make sure every voice is heard, whether it’s through jamming together or discussing how to integrate different ideas into a cohesive piece.

Melvin: And by blending these diverse backgrounds, we’re able to create music that’s not only unique but also dynamic and rich in texture. It’s a collaborative effort where everyone’s input is valued and helps shape our overall sound.

How do you approach crafting arrangements that showcase each instrument’s strengths while maintaining a cohesive sound?

Emil: One of our strengths is that we don’t include keyboards in our music, except for about four minutes on ‘Forgotten Paths.’ This creates a lot of space for complex instrumental sections. We’re always striving to get better at using our instruments in the most diverse, dynamic, and exciting way possible. Personally, I think we could improve at letting the music breathe more since the album can get pretty intense at times. But that intensity felt right at the moment, so we went with it.

Melvin: Yeah, and we spend a lot of time during rehearsals and writing sessions making sure the listener is challenged without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a fine balance, and sometimes it feels almost impossible to achieve.

Emil: There have been times when the guitars are really hectic, but then Melvin and Sindre come up with a cool and intricate drum and bass part. When that happens, we adjust by toning the guitars down to make space for them.

Melvin: It’s really about listening to each other and finding that balance. We want each instrument to shine without overshadowing the others. It’s a collaborative effort where we’re constantly communicating and adjusting to make sure everyone’s strengths are showcased.

Emil: Exactly. It’s important for us to maintain a cohesive sound, even while highlighting individual instruments. We jam a lot and experiment with different arrangements until we find something that feels right. Sometimes that means stepping back and letting someone else take the lead, and other times it’s about pushing forward together.

Melvin: And in doing so, we create music that’s not only technically impressive but also engaging and enjoyable for our listeners. It’s a dynamic process that requires a lot of give and take, but it’s what makes our sound unique and powerful.

<a href="https://sykofantband.bandcamp.com/album/sykofant">Sykofant by Sykofant</a>

Could you elaborate on the themes and emotions explored in your songs, and how they complement the musical landscape you’ve created?

Melvin: Oh, Emil, you’re definitely the one to delve into this.

Emil: Absolutely. The themes and emotions are really my forte in this concept album. From the outset, we designed the entire record to flow as one continuous track, so listeners can experience it as a cohesive piece if they wish. This approach was important because the album unfolds a unified story. It follows a protagonist who, somewhat reluctantly, embarks on an extraordinary journey.
The story begins in lush forest landscapes, then ventures into the vast expanse of the universe atop a white whale. From there, the protagonist finds themselves in a desert, encountering an alien tribe, before ultimately finding their way back home. The narrative is intricate, offering layers for listeners to interpret and explore on their own.

The themes draw heavily from my personal experiences and delve deep into the human condition, wrapped in metaphorical layers. This journey is an exploration of existential meaning, grappling with themes of loss, identity, and the quest for purpose. It reflects on life’s fundamental questions and the emotions that accompany them. I believe these themes will resonate deeply with listeners, providing them a space for introspection and contemplation.

Melvin: Emil’s storytelling really creates a vivid landscape that we as musicians get to explore and interpret through our music.

Emil: Exactly. The music serves as the backdrop to these themes, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. Each musical passage is crafted to evoke the specific feelings and moods of the storyline, whether it’s the serene beauty of the forest, the vastness of space, or the mystique of encountering an alien tribe. We wanted the music to be not just an accompaniment but an integral part of conveying these emotions and themes.

Melvin: And as musicians, we’re constantly shaping our sound to fit these emotional landscapes that Emil paints with his lyrics and concepts.

Emil: It’s a collaborative effort where every note, every rhythm, and every texture is carefully considered to resonate with the overarching themes of the album. We want listeners to not only hear the music but to feel immersed in the journey we’re guiding them through.

Melvin: Absolutely. It’s about creating an experience that’s both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant, where the music and themes intertwine to create something greater than the sum of its parts. And I think that connection is what makes this album so special and meaningful to us as a band.

What challenges did you encounter during the creation of your debut album, and how did you overcome them as a band?

Melvin: I think one of the strengths of our debut album was that we didn’t face too many major hurdles. We all have clear roles within the band, and we respect each other’s decisions, which makes our collaboration smooth and respectful overall.

Emil: Absolutely, Melvin. You make a good point there. One of the significant challenges we encountered was on the technical side of recording. Both Per and I co-produced and co-mixed the album alongside Ole Øvstedal, our producer/mixer. We aimed to capture the vibe of a live band, so most of what you hear on the album—bass, vocals, two guitars, and drums—was recorded together in the studio. We minimized overdubs and avoided double-tracking guitars and vocals as much as possible. Balancing this approach to sound good in a modern context while keeping it raw and straightforward was quite challenging. Another hurdle was mixing the entire album as one continuous piece, which involved a lot of logistical coordination.

Melvin: Yeah, and speaking of recording, we actually tracked most of the album live, playing all together in the same room. Although we ended up re-recording most of the guitars later, we kept the original drum and bass tracks. It was challenging but crucial in capturing that live energy and vibe—the feeling of being in the room together.

Emil: Exactly. It was important for us to maintain that organic feel throughout the recording process, even as we fine-tuned and polished certain elements. We wanted the album to have a cohesive and natural sound, reflecting our live performances as closely as possible.

Melvin: Overall, I think the result is an album that not only showcases our musical strengths but also resonates authentically with our listeners. It’s a testament to our teamwork and commitment to creating music that we’re proud of.

Are any of you involved in any other bands or do you have any active side projects going on at this point?

Emil: No, not really. We all have full-time jobs and various hobbies like reading and hiking, so our focus is primarily on Sykofant.

Melvin: Yeah, exactly. We dedicate so much time and creative energy to Sykofant that there isn’t much room for other projects right now. But who knows? Maybe down the road, we might explore other musical avenues.

Let’s end this interview with some of your favorite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?

Emil: Oh, this question always stumps me, but there are a few recent discoveries that stand out. One album I have to highlight is by another Norwegian band called Gunerius og Verdensveven. They released their album on the same day as us, and it’s a psychedelic and delightfully weird blend of different inspirations. Definitely worth checking out. Also, I’ve been captivated by Hania Rani’s Tiny Desk Concert from a few months back. Her music is enchanting, and seeing her perform live is incredibly inspiring. In the progressive rock landscape, I’m still hooked on Crown Lands’ Fearless, which was released last year. It’s a fantastic homage to the golden era of Rush and thoroughly enjoyable.

Melvin: I totally agree, Emil. This question is tough because there’s so much good music out there. Lately, I’ve been really into the latest Pom Poko album. It’s this groovy, experimental mix of influences that just hits the spot. And on a different note, I’ve been diving deep into the entire catalogue of Kingston Wall. Their music is massive, epic, and incredibly well-crafted. It’s been a perfect band to explore lately. And finally, I’ve got to mention Dina Ögon, a phenomenal pop-jazz band from Sweden. Their music is incredibly refreshing, blending catchy pop melodies with sophisticated jazz elements. It’s great to see them finally getting the recognition they’ve long deserved, at least here in Scandinavia.