Hällas are a band from Sweden with deep roots in heavy metal, hard rock, and progressive rock. Across their 3 studio albums, you’ll find songs that spin creatively told adventures. Their music features the main character Hällas, who is a knight that battles tyrants, cosmic evil, and endeavors to save the world. They are pioneers in the realm of “adventure rock” that blends elements of metal, rock, and prog from the 70’s and 80’s.

In early 2022, they released their 3^rd studio album titled, “Isle of Wisdom”. It has been met with critical acclaim from critics and fans alike. It’s a 44-minute epic journey filled with everything you’d expect from them… and so much more. There’s a clear and deliberate maturity that has evolved in the sound and lyrics. It’s worth the investment to experience and explore this album.

TheNWOTHM was able to catch up with Nicklas Malmquist, who is the keyboardist and backing vocalist from the band. He was able to give us some great information about the album, their upcoming US tour, and their roots in heavy metal.

Interivew

Thank you for taking the time to speak with TheNWOTHM. Can you please introduce yourself?

My name is Nicklas Malmquist and I play keyboards and sing backing vocals in Hällas together with Kasper Eriksson (drums), Tommy Alexandersson (bass, vocals) and Alexander Moraitis and Marcus Petersson on guitars. I was also the producer of our first EP and the next two albums.

For the record “Isle of Wisdom”, where did you draw inspiration from?

The album was inspired by myths and stories from both history and fiction that we found interesting, and we made our own sort of creation myth out of that.

How has your songwriting process evolved over the past few years?

I think the arrangements tend to be a bit more complicated now as we like to challenge ourselves and become better musicians.

Considering that you are challenging yourselves, there may be some songs that seem to come together more easily than others. Was there a song on “Isle of Wisdom” that came together easily for the band?

I don’t think so, practically every song came together in parallel during the 1-5 years or so prior to recording. So, the process was about the same for every song.

Conversely, was there a song that really challenged the band and came together with more difficulty?

I think Earl’s Theme was the ’hard’ one, at least when it came to recording.

You’re about to embark on your first US tour in March of 2023. How did the band choose a set list for this group of shows?

Since it’s the first time for us in the US we’ll try to give the audience bit of everything, something from every release. But we also think in terms of what makes a good and interesting set which varies in intensity and drama.

For your US fans, what can they expect for your live shows?

I think we’ve become quite a solid live band over the years, getting to really know each other musically. Compared to our records our live performances often become more raw and heavier.

Is there a US city that you won’t get to but want to play there?

We’d like to play all the major cities, of course. This time we were able to schedule some dates on the West coast, and cities like Salt Lake City, Denver, and Houston, but East coast would be nice to do as well, New York for instance. Hopefully we’ll get there too someday.

What is your favorite part of touring?

To meet the people who like our music, and to be able to see new and exciting places.

How did the aesthetic and sound of Hällas evolve into what it is today?

In the early days our music was simpler, more bluesy. If you watch our first video, Autumn in Space, there was a more 70’s rock kind of aesthetic going on. Today we’ve evolved more into progressive rock, and we’re influenced by the 80’s as well. And our stage appearance is different, more theatrical with capes and make up and such things.

What are a few metal bands that have influenced you?

Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. Many more if you’d ask the others.

What bands in other genres have influenced you?

Rush, Gentle Giant, Genesis, Yes… We listen to a lot of diverse music, and we all have different preferences, but we try to meet somewhere in the middle.

TheNWOTHM would like to thank Hällas for taking the time to speak with us. The metal world is filled with a diverse group of very talented bands that draw from the traditional heavy metal sound. While Hällas leans heavily into the progressive space, it’s clear that there are direct influences from the metal world.

Be sure to catch them on their 2023 US Tour and support them across their social media presence. You can find more information here:

Official Website: https://www.hallasband.com/

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haellas/

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hallasband/