Interviews: Angelic Foe


On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Symphonic Metal band Angelic Foe from Sweden. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name; did you plan it or come out just like that?

The first album “Oppressed by the Heavens” was a concept album that circulated around Lilith and originally, I had some other ideas for a band name, like “A Touch of Lilith”, but think that “Angelic Foe” both sound a bit more abstract and poetic and refers to the alluring danger of a winged creature.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

The genre has somewhat shifted from the beginning of the project and over the years. The music style was at first more acoustic and guitar-based with a softer sound and then became more neoclassical and dramatic. The music style has very much been reflected by the influences of the different collaboration partners for the releases, but ultimately the dark ambience and symphonic elements have always been there to some extent. And for the “why” is that the music we create is something we appreciate ourselves and can associate with.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The last three albums have been produced together with my husband, Fredrik Hermansson. We were already a couple for some time before we tried to write music together, and it went surprisingly well. I didn’t know if it would be a good or bad idea to make music with your partner, but in this case, it was a great idea! Since we share a son of 6 years it has sometimes been difficult finding the time to sit in the studio together, so we have had to split the time between us a little to enable that creative space. 

4. Each band member's favorite band?

We both listen to so many different genres of music and really cannot define one specific favorite band. This is impossible to answer, we’d have to name bands from every music style we appreciate. Sorry for the boring reply but that really is the truth. Also, the favorites shift, but right now I listen a lot to Lacuna Coil and Rotting Christ for example, and the latest album by Opeth. And I love watching music videos when you can see the song concepts come alive visually as well.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Primarily an inner urge to create, a driving force that is always present and it probably stems from having a restless soul and a vivid imagination. But then inspiration can be drawn from many things in life, like nature, history, mythology, ancient places, films, books, computer games, and, or course other people’s music. Sometimes a few words can inspire me to write lyrics for a whole song.

6. Where was your last gig?

The last gig with Angelic Foe was at the Entremuralhas Festival in Portugal in 2016. A very long time ago indeed! Our band is primarily a studio-based project and not the conventional rehearsing kind of band with a normal set of instruments. But it would be great to perform again with Angelic Foe, someday! The last performance I did was in our hometown, Eskilstuna, in 2023, when I shared the stage with the rest of the members of Arcana. Fredrik often performs with other bands and at different music events.

7. Where would you like to act?

It would be very atmospheric to perform in a castle or an old church or monastery ruin, but a Gothic festival would work great too!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Quite many different musicians I guess, if they are nice guys or girls and share the music is interesting enough. It would be interesting to do something with Sarah Jezebel Deva, for example, she is one cool lady and has an amazing voice!

9. Whom not?

Everyone with a bad attitude and makes music for the wrong reasons.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Oh yes, many years ago when I started to perform on stage, it was very frightening! Still to this day I can become nervous before the first song starts, but not in the same way as in the beginning. My advice to avoid that would be to rehearse a lot so that you learn your part by heart and perform often! Good monitor hearing is also crucial! Remember to enjoy yourself on stage, otherwise it is just not worth it! And don’t beat yourself up afterward if everything didn't go perfectly well.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Again, that tricky question… Many bands in different genres inspire me daily; acts from scenes such as melodic metal, symphonic metal, death metal, black metal, neoclassical music, electronic music, dark ambiance, punk, etc. But when it comes to the music of Angelic Foe, I would say that film music or video game music are perhaps an even bigger source of inspiration.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Not sure about the level of weirdness here, but a couple of fans have asked me to marry them! I am sure there have been strange questions asked in the past, just can’t recall them right now. Or perhaps I have just suppressed them!

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are of course great, and I am so thankful that they have found our music amongst the enormous number of different artists and bands that are out there. Also, as our music is a blend of many different genres it is not really an obvious part of a specific scene, which makes it even harder to reach the listeners that might appreciate it. So, to the ones that manage to find our music and appreciate it - thank you, thank you, thank you!

14. What do you think of our site?

Very stylish and packed with interesting content! One could easily spend a few hours there!

15. Something to add?

Thank you very much for this interview, and for helping us spread the word about our music! And thanks again to everyone else out there listening to our songs, it is only through you that the music comes alive!

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