Doomed Confessionary: Marcus Rosenqvist (Void Moon)

Void Moon is an epic doom metal band from Skåne, Sweden. Formed in 2009, it features members of Assassin’s Blade, Battle Axis, Furnace, Cult Of The Fox, Gauntlet Rule, Heir Corpse One & more. Currently reduced to a duo, with only Peter Svensson (bass, lead & rhythm guitar) and Marcus Rosenkvist (lead vocals, drums) remaining.

While the last song on »The Autumn Throne« (Sun & Moon Records, 2020) trailed off into the mundane darkness of humdrum life, Void Moon’s latest album, »Dreams Inside The Sun« (Personal Records, 2024), sets the tone with the rising sun. As an ever-evolving creature and quite similar to life itself, Void Moon keeps changing and growing into something sometimes reflecting the band members and sometimes with a life of its own.

Either way, »Dreams Inside The Sun« sounds unmistakably Void Moon, and is undoubtedly the band’s the most powerful album yet. More pointedly, while it heralds the power of the sun, it still maintains the reflective and somber tone that Void Moon are known for. Diehard fans of classic Candlemass, Solitude Aeternus, Isole and Doomshine already know that!

Can you please say a few words about your band?
We are a doom band from southern Sweden that has been around for a few years now. The band started in 2009 and has undergone some changes since then, both musically and member-wise. Now we are a duo where I, Marcus, who joined in 2014, plays both drums and sings and Peter takes care of guitar and bass. Since we became a duo, the music has become more melody-focused than before.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Writing and creating music as a duo is much easier compared to when more people are involved. However, it will be more difficult to play live. We are looking at different solutions to be able to stand on stage again. It’s been too long since the last time.

What can you be most proud of so far?
For me, the latest records, »The Autumn Throne«, »Dreams Inside The Sun« and the EP »Waste Of Mind«, are something special. »The Autumn Throne« was the first record we made as a duo and with me on vocals (although I sang on some of the songs on the »Ars Moriende« EP). It was the start of our new sound and it was exciting to explore what I could do with my voice. I was used to hiding behind the drums, but now I also had to take on the role of lead singer.

What was your biggest regret?
Having lost touch with playing live is sad. At the same time, we’ve had other projects going on, so it hasn’t really been time either. As I said, we are currently looking at solutions on how we can fill the places that Peter and I cannot fill on stage. We keep our fingers crossed.

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We haven’t played in a long time, but you certainly remember when we played in Malta as something special. It was a doom festival in the middle of the Mediterranean. Warm weather, good beer and lovely people. Can it get better? Playing in Dublin and Belfast was fun although in Belfast I was asked to hold the camera when a fan wanted a picture with the band, something we’ve laughed about ever since.

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
That Kerry King’s new album sounds awesome. Maybe not a surprise, but I wouldn’t have dared to hope for it.

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Unfortunately, I don’t listen to as much music these days as I would like. I’ve kind of lost my grip on all the new music even though I try to keep up as best I can. In recent years I have recorded drums for a number of different other projects with Peter. As an example, the new Anchorite is underway. A new Heir Corpse One as well. So trying to keep track of my own music is almost enough.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
To practice. I never practice but it was good advice.

What are your guilty pleasures?
In Sweden we have a singer-songwriter called Lars Winnerbäck. Sometimes, preferably when it’s autumn and gloomy, his songs are played frequently here at home. Don’t tell Peter…

Can you say something more about the current music scene in Skåne?
It’s quite difficult for smaller bands to get gigs here, it seems. Bookers want bigger bands that will surely attract visitors and thus money. So that’s pretty sad. There are some smaller clubs that try to find more alternative bands, but it is difficult.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We are very happy and proud to announce our return to the stage at the prestigious Doom Over Vienna festival!

(Doom Over Vienna XIX, November 7-8 with Mourners Lament, Wooden Veins, Kielkropf, Hemplifier, Ditch & more.)

What are your plans for the future as a band?
We are looking at how we can solve the live bit while making plans for new releases.

How can people best support your band?
People are welcome to check out our Bandcamp page. There are a lot of fun things to spend money on. Kind words on our Facebook page or on Messenger are also good things.

Do you have any message for your listeners?
Have fun, take care and enjoy life. And don’t forget to hug a drummer every now and then.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp1 | Bandcamp2 | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well