Dimitris Melidis (Metal Eagle Webzine): Hello Marcus. How the collaboration with ROYAL HUNT came up?
Marcus Jidell: Andre (e.n.: Andre Andersen-ROYAL HUNT mastermind) called me up one day and asked me if I was interested in joining the band. A week later we met up and had a few drinks while discussing the situation with the band and me as a member. Andre and I really got along, so a few weeks later I was on my way to Denmark with my guitars and stuff.

Dimitris: Which is the current situation of ROYAL HUNT? Is there any record deal with a record company? When the new album is going to be released?
Marcus: At this moment I can´t tell you much about that but I think that the album will be released in late spring or early summer...

Dimitris: Which are the dreams that you want to fulfil with ROYAL HUNT?
Marcus: ROYAL HUNT is really a different forum for me as a guitar player, I can play a lot of stuff that doesn´t fit in with THE RING so it´s really a challenge for me and a lot of fun. I feel really honoured to be picked as the guitarist in this great band and I hope that the fans of ROYAL HUNT will like what I did on the album. We are going on a world tour later and I´m really looking forward to play both the new and the old songs with the band and of course to meet all the fans of ROYAL HUNT. I will work my ass of on stage and have a lot of fun.

Dimitris: Are you going to stay with THE RING as a full-time member? If the tour-dates of the two bands will be the same and you'll have to choose to go with one band, which one you are going to choose?
Marcus: I don´t think there will be a problem with me being a member of both the bands and if there will be the same tour dates I´m shore we can work it out. I like both of the bands very much so I really hope that it will work out good.

Dimitris: We know that ROYAL HUNT band has a great history behind, with masterpieces like "Moving Target" and "Paradox" to name a few. Do you believe that the ROYAL HUNT is able to create a new masterpiece with the new line-up?
Marcus: I don´t think, I know! This is a new chapter in the ROYAL HUNT book and there is hopefully a lot more to come, which I will be a part of...

Dimitris: Andre Andersen is one of the most talented songwriters in the area of melodic metal stage, and John West is one gifted singer. How you feel about working with these guys?
Marcus: I can tell you that the new ROYAL HUNT album is going to be a killer and that I really had a great time in the studio with Andre and John, they are both amazing musicians and wonderful persons. It feels great to work with so talented people and I just can´t wait to get out on tour with them. The new material is really the perfect mixture between high-energy hard rock/ metal and great melodies André is really a great songwriter and John is singing great as always.

Dimitris: You are one of the most promising guitarists in today's metal stage. Which are your future plans? Are you thinking of releasing a solo-album in the future?
Marcus: Thank you! I will continue with my bands and try to be as good as possible. I also like the writing process a lot so I will continue with that and try to develop my skills there as well. I have some ideas that would fit in such a project and I´m writing new stuff every day so in the future there might be a solo album from me...

Dimitris: Thanks a lot for your time!
Marcus: Thank you!