Panzerchrist is without doubt one of the veteran Black Metal bands in Europe and more specifically in Denmark. The band recently released their new album “Last Of A Kind”, adding vocalist Sonja Rosenlund Ahl to their line-up. The new personnel addition, and the fact the album comes ten years after their last studio album, makes the new release exciting for both fans of the band and Black/Death Metal bands in general.
We had a great chat with Sonja, asking her about the new album and her experience with the band so far while getting to know her better! Enjoy this interview with Sonja Rosenlund Ahl from Panzerchrist!
Reuel
Hello Sonja! I am very happy to chat with you. How are you and the rest of Panzerchrist doing?
Sonja
Hey! Thank you. We are all really excited about our upcoming shows that will be the first time we go on stage together.
Reuel
That’s great! You have recently released your new album named “Last Of A Kind”. How are you feeling about the way your fans received it?
Sonja
The album has been received incredibly well and I am stoked by all the positive words. One thing is to enjoy writing music and be happy about the outcome yourself, but when others share your excitement, it grows to another level.
Reuel
Wonderful feeling. What would you tell our readers who haven’t got the chance to listen to the new album to expect if they go check it out right now?
Sonja
Mmh… 45 minutes of fast-paced savage witchiness with both full-on black metal riffs, merciless drums, and eery melodic passages.
Reuel
Sounds exciting! You have recently joined Panzerchrist as their new vocalist. How has your journey been so far?
Sonja
I was very honored to be offered to join the band as Panzerchrist was one of the bands I listened to the most in my early 20’ies. We immediately clicked and I love working with those guys. This feels like just the beginning of a long and interesting journey.
Reuel
What other bands did you grow up listening to and would say have influenced your musical identity?
Sonja
It’s been oldschool death metal all along, and some black metal. Deicide, Bloodbath, Carcass, Boltthrower, Vader, Dissection, Morbid Angel – stuff like that. And a lot of local Danish bands. There was a thriving death metal scene in Denmark in the 90’ies.
Reuel
Let’s play a game! I will set a scenario in an alternate universe with new rules and see how you’d react to the different situations. In a universe where humans can choose either to be able to teleport from one place to another or travel back and forth in time, which superpower would you pick?
Sonja
Neither. I like to be present in the here and now.
Reuel
In a universe where humans only see in greyscale, what would your favourite colour be?
Sonja
Black! Obviously
Reuel
In a universe where money does not exist, but instead, people pay for things by making other people laugh, how rich would you be considered?
Sonja
Hahaha, good question! I prefer to make people smile and feel appreciated than to make them laugh.
Reuel
In a universe where the senses of taste and hearing are mixed together, what food would you imagine your music would taste like?
Sonja
Probably something intense and really hot with surprising flavours and textures. I’d like that dish, actually.
Reuel
In a universe where a sitcom-style theme song plays whenever you wake up announcing the start of your day, what would your song be?
Sonja
Can I choose Bloodbath – Eaten? That would be a good tune to start off the day.
Reuel
Definitely! In a universe where you are an evil overlord, what object would you bind yourself with so you would never die?
Sonja
I think I would prefer to die at some point. Eternity is a very long time…
Reuel
Indeed. In a universe where you were given the task to take the One Ring to Mount Doom and destroy it instead of Frodo, which one of your bandmates would you take with you on the quest?
Sonja
I’d take Frederik or Danny. Always go for the guitarist.
Reuel
Thank you for playing! I hope you enjoyed this game. Do you remember the first time you performed live on stage? What was your experience like?
Sonja
Yes of course. It was just Awesome! A release of this primordial force from deep within.
Reuel
Have you ever experienced any kind of sexism in your professional life? What advice would you give our young readers who might experience any kind of discrimination?
Sonja
The metal scene is to me very safe and accepting in general. Cringe compliments I hear regularly are “Your growls are really cool for a girl” and “You are better than Alissa” etc. I wanna be compared to Corpsegrinder 😂 Best advice I have is to always speak up if you witness or experience sexism and other kinds of unacceptable behavior and don’t be afraid of ruining the good mood.
Reuel
Thank you for the interview and your time, Sonja. Is there anything you’d like to add?
Sonja
Thank you. See you out there 💪🔥
