You can pick a Scandinavian metal band from 100 paces. Not to say they all sound the same...it's just that they usually look like Vikings, growl like one would assume Vikings would growl and look built to live in below-freezing temperatures.

Sweden's Soilwork are no exception to this rule. If anything, they are one of the main acts supporting the theory. By the time my phone rings, I've managed to listen to Soilworks upcoming eighth album The Panic Broadcast a couple of times. Being that this is the reason Wichers and myself are even talking, I dive right in.

OTB: Had a few listens to The Panic Broadcast. Must say I'm liking it a lot. There's too much there to sum up. How do you feel it came out?

*Wichers pauses...or is the victim to the inevitable inter-hemisphere delay.*

Wichers: Oh yeah, we're stupid proud about it.

*I carefully write down the best use of a double adjective I've heard in some time and move on.*

You guys are generally pretty prolific, a big chunk of your career has seen an album a year ethic. Will people notice the difference the extra year or so made to The Panic Broadcast?

Wichers: Well we don't make bad records, but we took our time with this one more than some in the past. I wasn't there for the last few but it's good to be back on board.

Annoyed that I've been robbed of my chance to prove my research prowess by bringing it up first, I jump to the questions regarding Wichers departure from the band from 2005 to 2009.

Wichers: Yeah I wanted to focus on producing a little more. I do it full time when I'm not busy with Soilwork. I really enjoy doing it.

During his absence from the band, Wichers produced tracks for Nickelback, Nevermore and Warrel Dane whom he also played for briefly during the recording of the Praises to the war machine album

Wichers: It was a good feeling coming back. I had a real power under my wings. I'm really proud of my production work.

OTB: With the new album in the bag, next comes the hype. You guys have opted to use a bit of viral marketing on your myspace this time around (a competition where each fan who puts a blurb about The Panic Broadcast in their status has the chance to win the album)

Wichers: Yeah that's right. We've embraced the new way. The internet plays a huge part in marketing these days. We all live really far apart so it's a really important tool to us.

I mention Radioheads 'In Rainbows' released online for a price nominated by the downloader.

Wichers: Yeah, I mean I don't believe in free downloads so we'll stick with proper albums but things are changing.

OTB: Being that the full album; that is a unified aesthetic, theme, story and sound, is so important in the metal scene do what to expand on that a bit? Your personal thoughts?

I think albums are important, having a whole album of songs. We're confident that people will listen to a few, online or on the radio or whatever, and want to collect all the songs. Have the full set.

OTB: Like Pokemon? It appeals to a human instinct, needing everything contained within any certain bracket.

Wincher: Yeah, we make albums this way as a conscious decision. There was no real theme to (The) Panic Broadcast, just that they are all really solid songs. There's some awesome themes out there like Tool's album with the glasses.

OTB: It's a fine line between innovation and gimmick. Between you and me, that album needed the glasses.

*Laughter* It was a good album.

OTB: Yeah, but not for Tool. That's like Led Zeppelin releasing a Wolfmother album. Yeah...it's good...but....Stairway to Heaven, you know?

*More laughter*

OTB: So speaking of Scandinavian metal, can you put your finger on what it is that makes Scandinavia so ripe for riffing? Personally I harbor a theory about Vikings but that's neither here no there...

Wincher: I think it's the look and feel of the place. It's ancient, lots of history.

OTB: Yeah, I can see that. Australian metal is good, but kind of thin on the ground compared to parts of Europe.

Wincher: Ah come on, Karnivool are great man.

OTB: Those guys are from near here! I've met the band a few times, some of them went to the high-school down the road from where I live

Wincher: Yeah we love those guys. Awesome.

OTB: They're definitely good, but still teething if you know what I mean. Or more the scene is.

Wincher: Yeah well the Government here is really supportive. There's a lot of financial backing and opportunities for artists over here so it's not such a crazy option.

OTB: Karnivool started out doing sponsored gigs around the place, at schools or through council programs etc. Did you guys have a similar rise?

Wincher: Yeah similar. It's important to get recognition so you play where you can.

OTB: So is Australia in the cards in support of the new album? I know it's a hard gig to make work with the travel costs.

Wincher: Yeah definitely. We love it there, hopefully get there this year. We're aiming for September or October.

OTB: Great, looking forward to it man. Thanks a lot for the talk and good luck with the release and touring.

Wincher: Great man, awesome have a good one. Thanks

By Levi Dobbie