It has been a decade since the Swedish folk metal band Fejd released a new album. Their latest effort is Nifelheim. Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Patrik Rimmerfors gets us up to speed on the album and other topics.
Chad Bowar: What led to the 10 year gap between albums?
Patrik Rimmerfors: There are quite many reasons for this and different circumstances. To name a few, it is private life, illness, family and work that have delayed a new album and other priorities for many years. But now we seriously felt that we now had to tie the knot and make an extra effort and visit the studio and have the songs immortalized.
Was there anything unique about the songwriting process for Nifelheim compared to your previous records?
Actually not, we have been working on as business as usual, and the actual music writing has not changed much over the years. Me and my brother (Niklas) always start by composing the music acoustically first and then make a recording at home and send it to the others in the band where we build an arrangement of the song when we get together in the rehearsal room. In that process, a lot can happen with the song from the original version. We try out lots of different things, like sound and rhythm and establish a comfortable tempo so it feels like all the pieces of the song fit together.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
In my opinion it was the vocal recording. I was visiting a good friend, Mathias Gyllengahm from the band Utmarken/Norrsinnt in the far north of Sweden in his studio. A pleasant enthralling experience during the recording, huge forest around us and midnight sun joined us for this lovely weekend.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
It was obviously the actual mixing of the album. Endless possibilities for sounds, embellishments, different kinds of levels so it became difficult to decide which mix sounded best among countless mixes. We didn’t really have a real deadline for when it would be finished so this is how it turned out that too much time can sometimes lead to a disservice. But it worked out very well in the end and we are proud of the result.
How has your sound evolved from Trolldom?
Of course, it´s different if you compare this album from the previous Trolldom. First, we haven’t used electric guitar on this recording. We tried to develop ourselves and aimed to reach a wider audience with that production because we had sometimes problems before with our categorizing what kind of music we play; folk-rock, folk-metal and so on. But we didn’t feel comfortable with that arrangement with electric guitar for the songs for Nifelheim and it sounded heavy enough, so we went back to the roots.
What inspired your lyrics?
Things that captivate the mind emotionally, the gifts of nature, the sadness and joy of life, and sensations deeper than today’s superficial society. Death, fate, sorrow, happiness has an important meaning in everything we write, legends, fairy tales, and stories, but at the same time intertwined with our own emotional experiences, albeit in a different guise. The thought of seeing things in a larger context with the resonance of our ancient Norse heritage means a lot.
How did you come to sign Black Lodge Records?
We had a couple of other companies interested in releasing the record, so we reviewed various contract proposals and decided on Black Lodge, and we had already a good collaboration with their publisher/distribution Sound Pollution before when we made the video for “Härjaren.” Generally felt like a stable and safe company with a good service in our market of music.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
We have a contract with Black Lodge to deliver two more albums, and it feels really inspiring because we already have a lot of new songs in the pipeline, so the future looks very bright for Fejd in the future and we always strive to improve ourselves both musically and during our live performances.
How much attention do you pay to reviews?
They are always interesting to read because it’s a different view how these people listen to our music, who is consuming a lot of new releases daily and how they must quite fast make a judgement about a new album and never let it grow. I suppose it would be different over time. Obviously if the first listen is good and positive it is not a burden at all but in the whole creation you need more time for deeper reflections. If we are satisfied with our musical expression is enough confirmation for the band to go further with new songs as we want without impact from reviews.
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
I can proudly announce we shall play at these venues:
Månegarm Open Air Norrtälje Sweden 28/8
Release concert in Gothenburg Sweden 4/9
Cernunnos pagan festival Paris France 13/2-2027
Heathen strike over Brno Chechia 20/2- 2027
You play several different instruments. Which was the most difficult to learn?
Quite complicated question, but if I must choose one instrument in general it´s jaw-harp. Very easy to make sound in the beginning but handle all the incredible overtones frequencies that are made in your oral cavity and processing them into melodies is a challenge and needs a lot of practice.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
I have grown up at the countryside in the northern west coast in Sweden so nature and fishing in sea or lakes is the perfect environment for me to spend my life with my family.
What’s currently in your musical heavy rotation?
I am already working with new songs, feel like I´m in good flow for the moment and have so much more to share for whom wants to listen, and this release of Nifelheim has give me a huge touch of power.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
I want to thank everyone who supports us during all these years and I’m so grateful you appreciate our music and that makes us strong! Thanks a lot for the questions!
(interview published August 20, 2026)
Watch Fejd – “Nifelheim” Video
