Dynazty are a band that have been around for a good number of years and they seem to have been a bit of musical chameleon, as they started out as a bit of a sleazier band, that turned out more melodic hard rock, only to end up playing melodic heavy metal. The one true and constant thing about them however was however that they had something special going on, the “eye of the tiger”, so on their fourth proper effort “Renatus” – singer Nils Molin and Co, rise up to the challenge and deliver the punches to all the competition. Starring as Rocky Balboa, but not yelling “Aaaaadrian” in a silly voice, the Swedish Stallion: Mr Nils Molin!
Hello Nils, thanks for doing this interview with Grande Rock…
N: Thanks!
First of all introduce the band to us, as you may have possibly flown under a lot of people’s radars but you just seem to just be getting enough exposure about now. (also did you recently change the bassist ? Please address that too)
N: We’re a band originating from Stockholm, Sweden. We’ve been around for a good 5-6 years now and have released four albums thus far. Our latest album “Renatus” is quite a big step for us and in many ways we view it as our first. Musically it deviates somewhat drastically from our earlier work and we have a new record label and a new bass player in Jonathan Olsson. We’ve also produced the album ourselves for the first time!
Why did you decide to call the band “Dynazty” – Were you Kiss fans and there already was a Dynasty band doing the rounds or was it something completely different?
N: We all love Kiss of course but that was never the reason for the band name. I think it was just us wanting something short and rather powerful. We live in the age of Google and YouTube so the unique spelling was just a way to make it easier for people to find us on the internet.
“Renatus” is the fourth album for Dynazty, I’ll be straightforward – who or what is “Renatus” or is it latin, cause it certainly has that “ring” about it? And what’s with the Egg? Give us some details about the album too.
N: It is latin and means “rebirth” or “the reborn”. We didn’t feel like being very subtle about us actually viewing this album as a restart for the band so the idea was to amplify that statement with the album title.
You seem to be a band that has shape-shifted musically in every album so far. Was that a conscious decision?
N: With this album it was definitely a conscious decision. Like you’ve said, I think that we’ve always been going a little heavier with each release and this time we felt like going for it full on. Personally, and I think I speak for the rest of the band as well, I’ve always been wanting to make music in the vein of pure heavy metal. Throughout my life it’s the one thing that really makes me feel alive and in order to do this in the long run you need to be true to yourself. Before starting to write this album we all talked about it and we all felt the same way.
Can you give us a small hint about the tracks in your own words and tell us which tracks are your personal favorites?
N: I love all the tracks on the album and I think that each one has its own identity and place on the album. Everything from the opener “Cross the Line”, the anthem “The Northern End”, the first single “Starlight” to the finale with “Salvation” and “A Divine Comedy”, I feel very strongly about. If you haven’t heard this album… check it out! ‘Cause it rocks!
You are one of these new Scandinavian bands ie (Wig Wam, The Poodles, Crashdiet, Reckless Love, H.e.a.t etc) that managed to come out with some pretty impressive retro/80s sounding stuff that is however very much into the now. This scene used to look like it was going like the next big thing, but now, not as much… What’s your take on that?
N: I think that it has self-imploded a bit. Too many bands within such a small genre and the lack of something truly revolutionary might be the reason. With these sort of things nobody can truly know the absolute answer but to me, music has to be “daring” to remain fresh.
You took part in the Melodifestivalen 2012, which could have led you in the Eurovision, like H.E.A.T tried to do or like Wig Wam had done, for Norway, but ended up second, I think, with that whole competition, being like a bit of a circus, with bearded ladies and the lot, (lol) weren’t you a bit concerned or did you just think of it as just a good chance for gaining exposure?! “Land of Broken Dreams” was an awesome track obviously… and you obviously kept the tradition of coming up with anthemic stuff with “Run Amok” and others on the new album too...
N: It was an attempt to reach a bigger audience for us. In retrospect I don’t know how wise of a decision entering that competition really was, haha. A lot of people back away from the bands that have been there because they don’t like the event. And I totally understand that because I’ve never liked it either. When you’re looking for the “quick-fix” in the music business it usually back-fires on you. Yet at the same time a lot of people did find out about us through being in the competition so, like I said, it’s really hard to truly know the correct answer about things like this. Time will tell.
What’s music to you and what was your initiative to start singing? Who were your “musical” heroes growing up?
N: Music in general and hard rock/metal music in particular is something that I could never live without. When I was a kid and heard a distorted guitar for the first time I literally could not stay still. I guess I knew quite early on that I would try to pursue a musical career. I’ve been a massive Judas Priest and Iron Maiden fan since I was a kid and I guess that Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson were two of the main reasons for me wanting to be a singer. They still are. Along with Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale and many many more!
Dynazty is a new band, that plays with a sound that owes a great deal in the past... with all the older band either hanging it up soon, or really being shadows of their former selves touring with less and less original members and putting on progressively worse shows – do you think that bands like you might be given a chance to shine?
N: I hope so! We all owe it to the classic bands for showing the way and being such great inspirations to us all but sooner or later the torch needs to be passed on. There will definitely be bands there to pick it up. I hope that we can be one of them!
What’s your take on the internet? Good means of promotion? Easy access to music for free? Sweden for some is the “New Caribbean”, with its loose laws over piracy having allowed various sites to operate that allow people to seek up various material for free. So, as a recording artist, how do you feel about all this?
N: There are many good and bad sides to this. The only thing I know for sure is that there is no going back to the way it was before. Labels and bands need to find new ways to accommodate to the current age. It’s not easy, that’s for sure.
How did you manage to get a deal with Universal/Spinefarm? It must feel like quite the upgrade, but how do you feel about it? Do you think it's what could lead the band to the “next” level?
N: They released our last album “Sultans of Sin” in Finland so when it came time to find a new label for “Renatus” they were one of the first names on our priority list. We hope it will be something that can take us to the next level!
N: Thanks!
First of all introduce the band to us, as you may have possibly flown under a lot of people’s radars but you just seem to just be getting enough exposure about now. (also did you recently change the bassist ? Please address that too)
N: We’re a band originating from Stockholm, Sweden. We’ve been around for a good 5-6 years now and have released four albums thus far. Our latest album “Renatus” is quite a big step for us and in many ways we view it as our first. Musically it deviates somewhat drastically from our earlier work and we have a new record label and a new bass player in Jonathan Olsson. We’ve also produced the album ourselves for the first time!
Why did you decide to call the band “Dynazty” – Were you Kiss fans and there already was a Dynasty band doing the rounds or was it something completely different?
N: We all love Kiss of course but that was never the reason for the band name. I think it was just us wanting something short and rather powerful. We live in the age of Google and YouTube so the unique spelling was just a way to make it easier for people to find us on the internet.
“Renatus” is the fourth album for Dynazty, I’ll be straightforward – who or what is “Renatus” or is it latin, cause it certainly has that “ring” about it? And what’s with the Egg? Give us some details about the album too.
N: It is latin and means “rebirth” or “the reborn”. We didn’t feel like being very subtle about us actually viewing this album as a restart for the band so the idea was to amplify that statement with the album title.
You seem to be a band that has shape-shifted musically in every album so far. Was that a conscious decision?
N: With this album it was definitely a conscious decision. Like you’ve said, I think that we’ve always been going a little heavier with each release and this time we felt like going for it full on. Personally, and I think I speak for the rest of the band as well, I’ve always been wanting to make music in the vein of pure heavy metal. Throughout my life it’s the one thing that really makes me feel alive and in order to do this in the long run you need to be true to yourself. Before starting to write this album we all talked about it and we all felt the same way.
Can you give us a small hint about the tracks in your own words and tell us which tracks are your personal favorites?
N: I love all the tracks on the album and I think that each one has its own identity and place on the album. Everything from the opener “Cross the Line”, the anthem “The Northern End”, the first single “Starlight” to the finale with “Salvation” and “A Divine Comedy”, I feel very strongly about. If you haven’t heard this album… check it out! ‘Cause it rocks!
You are one of these new Scandinavian bands ie (Wig Wam, The Poodles, Crashdiet, Reckless Love, H.e.a.t etc) that managed to come out with some pretty impressive retro/80s sounding stuff that is however very much into the now. This scene used to look like it was going like the next big thing, but now, not as much… What’s your take on that?
N: I think that it has self-imploded a bit. Too many bands within such a small genre and the lack of something truly revolutionary might be the reason. With these sort of things nobody can truly know the absolute answer but to me, music has to be “daring” to remain fresh.
You took part in the Melodifestivalen 2012, which could have led you in the Eurovision, like H.E.A.T tried to do or like Wig Wam had done, for Norway, but ended up second, I think, with that whole competition, being like a bit of a circus, with bearded ladies and the lot, (lol) weren’t you a bit concerned or did you just think of it as just a good chance for gaining exposure?! “Land of Broken Dreams” was an awesome track obviously… and you obviously kept the tradition of coming up with anthemic stuff with “Run Amok” and others on the new album too...
N: It was an attempt to reach a bigger audience for us. In retrospect I don’t know how wise of a decision entering that competition really was, haha. A lot of people back away from the bands that have been there because they don’t like the event. And I totally understand that because I’ve never liked it either. When you’re looking for the “quick-fix” in the music business it usually back-fires on you. Yet at the same time a lot of people did find out about us through being in the competition so, like I said, it’s really hard to truly know the correct answer about things like this. Time will tell.
What’s music to you and what was your initiative to start singing? Who were your “musical” heroes growing up?
N: Music in general and hard rock/metal music in particular is something that I could never live without. When I was a kid and heard a distorted guitar for the first time I literally could not stay still. I guess I knew quite early on that I would try to pursue a musical career. I’ve been a massive Judas Priest and Iron Maiden fan since I was a kid and I guess that Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson were two of the main reasons for me wanting to be a singer. They still are. Along with Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale and many many more!
Dynazty is a new band, that plays with a sound that owes a great deal in the past... with all the older band either hanging it up soon, or really being shadows of their former selves touring with less and less original members and putting on progressively worse shows – do you think that bands like you might be given a chance to shine?
N: I hope so! We all owe it to the classic bands for showing the way and being such great inspirations to us all but sooner or later the torch needs to be passed on. There will definitely be bands there to pick it up. I hope that we can be one of them!
What’s your take on the internet? Good means of promotion? Easy access to music for free? Sweden for some is the “New Caribbean”, with its loose laws over piracy having allowed various sites to operate that allow people to seek up various material for free. So, as a recording artist, how do you feel about all this?
N: There are many good and bad sides to this. The only thing I know for sure is that there is no going back to the way it was before. Labels and bands need to find new ways to accommodate to the current age. It’s not easy, that’s for sure.
How did you manage to get a deal with Universal/Spinefarm? It must feel like quite the upgrade, but how do you feel about it? Do you think it's what could lead the band to the “next” level?
N: They released our last album “Sultans of Sin” in Finland so when it came time to find a new label for “Renatus” they were one of the first names on our priority list. We hope it will be something that can take us to the next level!
Where do you envision Dynazty, 5 years from now?!
N: On top of the world, haha! Nah, we’ll see. I’m pretty sure we’ll be very content with wherever we are. I think we’re definitely on the right path now!
Do you have concrete plans for a tour? Could we ever hope that one day Dynazty might be visiting Greece?
N: There are many plans in progress now. It will be announced as soon as we can. It won’t be long before we’ll make it to Greece!
Weird questions!!! Nils Almighty – If you were God for a week, what would you do?
N: I guess I should stop the existing wars, climate change, battle poverty, diseases and corrupt governments but I might just create free Beer for everyone!
Did the Egg or the Chicken come first – what’s the expert opinion of the singer of Dynazty on the matter?
N: Well I am a firm believer of evolution so the answer is quite clear to me. The egg.
What’s your favorite movie?
N: “Aliens”. Not the original Ridley Scott movie but the James Cameron one from 1986! It scared the shit out of me when I was a kid and today when I watch it, it never stops to amaze me how brilliantly thrilling an action movie can be.
If you were not Nils – but could be anyone else (male, female, fictional character, historical figure), who’d you choose to be and why?
N: I’d be Superman! For the simple reason of… well… Being indestructible and able to fly sounds pretty awesome!
Being that you’re a “Sultan of Sin” and all, which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that’s gonna have you barbequing in gravy in the afterlife?
N: Good question! Probably “Gluttony” or “Pride”. I tend to over-indulge in the things I really like.
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
N: She would not be my girlfriend/wife anymore!
Salute the readers of Grande Rock and all the fans of the band!
N: Thanks for the support and see you on the road soon!
N: On top of the world, haha! Nah, we’ll see. I’m pretty sure we’ll be very content with wherever we are. I think we’re definitely on the right path now!
Do you have concrete plans for a tour? Could we ever hope that one day Dynazty might be visiting Greece?
N: There are many plans in progress now. It will be announced as soon as we can. It won’t be long before we’ll make it to Greece!
Weird questions!!! Nils Almighty – If you were God for a week, what would you do?
N: I guess I should stop the existing wars, climate change, battle poverty, diseases and corrupt governments but I might just create free Beer for everyone!
Did the Egg or the Chicken come first – what’s the expert opinion of the singer of Dynazty on the matter?
N: Well I am a firm believer of evolution so the answer is quite clear to me. The egg.
What’s your favorite movie?
N: “Aliens”. Not the original Ridley Scott movie but the James Cameron one from 1986! It scared the shit out of me when I was a kid and today when I watch it, it never stops to amaze me how brilliantly thrilling an action movie can be.
If you were not Nils – but could be anyone else (male, female, fictional character, historical figure), who’d you choose to be and why?
N: I’d be Superman! For the simple reason of… well… Being indestructible and able to fly sounds pretty awesome!
Being that you’re a “Sultan of Sin” and all, which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that’s gonna have you barbequing in gravy in the afterlife?
N: Good question! Probably “Gluttony” or “Pride”. I tend to over-indulge in the things I really like.
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
N: She would not be my girlfriend/wife anymore!
Salute the readers of Grande Rock and all the fans of the band!
N: Thanks for the support and see you on the road soon!