MM: This is probably a question you have been asked hundreds of times but, for people unfamiliar with your work, can you give us a brief description of the band?
Agnete M. Kirkevaag: Well, I’d say it’s definitely heavy, melodic, and groovy. We have lots of contrasts.

MM: Is it your first time in the UK?
AK: Yes. At first we were a bit skeptical because we’ve heard things about the UK audience and they might not always welcome new bands, but so far it’s been really good for us.

MM: How do the gigs compare here to say back home? AK: The gigs back home you have friends and family there. Usually the Scandinavians, unless it’s a big band don’t make much noise and stand there with their arms folded. MM: It’s been about 5 months since the release of "Deadlands", what has the reaction been like to it? AK: The reviews have been excellent, I think people will either love it or hate it. Were doing better than the last one, but I’m not sure how many copies it has sold.

MM: Although metal its constantly changing it’s still pretty much a male dominated area. Have you ever come across any problems?
AK: No, not really. I’ve been in the band for a long time now so I’m used to it. It depends on your attitude to it all really, I don’t let it bother me.

MM: How did the collaboration with Opeth come about?
AK: I don’t really want to say anything about them whilst they are here (as they stand in the doorway) they are very nice guys. We speak the same language and have the same taste in music. We both have a very relaxed attitude so we get on well.

MM: Are you playing any of the big European festivals this year?
AK: We’re playing at the Inferno Festival and a couple of others ones. I don’t think we will be doing any others because we have to write another album. We’ve also got jobs to go back to so we can earn some money.

MM: We’ve been looking around your site a bit recently and came across this from your guest book. "Great tour with Opeth, I'm stealing everything you done from Kazaa right now. I really liked the music, I hope to see you all again". What do you think about Kazaa and other file sharing programs?
AK: I personally think it’s really good, especially for metal. It gives people a chance to hear new stuff. The biggest source of income of the bands isn’t record sales it’s doing tours from the merchandising. It’s not so good for say Britney Spears, who releases a single and everyone forgets it the next month so no one buys it. You get a chance to try before you buy.

MM: What do you think was the bands highest and lowest point? AK: The worst moment for the band was when our first record company, Misanthropy closed down, and also when the previous members of the band left to do different stuff. We have also played in a dance restaurant on my 25th birthday, the guy arrived with an oversized PA, that was pretty bad. The best moment is probably this tour, arrangements and stuff and lots of beer on the plane!

MM: What are your three favorite albums of all time?
AK: Faith No More’s "Angel Dust" ..(couldn’t make out the last two, the recording went quiet)

MM: Finally, if you could create your own dream festival, including yourself who would appear in the line-up?
AK: Reunited Sepultura and Faith No More, Arcturus, Us, Aerosmith, Opeth, Muse, Emperor. I’d like one stage with experimental noise and another stage with baroque stuff. Lots of different music all brought together. I’d also have AC/DC, a reunited Europe, Elvis, Bach, Oh and acoustic folk songs. That would be cool!