Vicky
As a Symphonic Metal enthusiast, my heart is overfilled with joy when I tell you that I have recently spoken with Thomas Vikström (whom I must thank once again for this opportunity!), Therion’s talented lead vocalist, about his entire career, and numerous preferences, including his beverage of choice, and a top 20 songs he currently loves. Enjoy reading this interview and don’t forget to get back to us with some feedback.
Vicky: Tell us a few things about your beginnings as a vocalist. How did you realize that you can sing, and when did you first go on stage?
Thomas Vikström: I started to sing in my first band pretty late. I think I was 15. We were called Bastard. I realized I could sing very early since I was for example able to harmonize correctly from very early age and so on. But I never back then had a thought of being a singer.
Vicky: What was the first group you joined?
Thomas Vikström: My first band was actually called GHOST (believe it or not). I was in third grade and got to play with the “big” guys in 6th grade. We did two gigs together and it was probably by then I realized I wanted to be an artist. I played drums back then.
Vicky: You have also performed alongside Candlemass for a few years, and you released with them the album Chapter VI. Looking back, are you pleased with the way that this album turned up or would you change anything about it?
Thomas Vikström: I’m very proud of the Chapter VI record that we did. And it’s fun to see how that album is blooming now and get respect from the fans. It’s not a standard Candlemass album but it’s a good one.
Vicky: Do you still listen to Candlemass? How do you feel about their latest EP, Black Star?
Thomas Vikström: I highly respect Candlemass and we are in touch but do I listen to them no. I almost never listen to metal music in my spare time. I have not heard the new EP.
Vicky: Dark Illusion’s album Beyond the Shadows turned 20 this year. What can you tell us about the production of this album?
Thomas Vikström: Beyond the Shadows was an album recorded pretty fast. I recorded it together with Chris Laney in Polar studios in Stockholm. It was a session recording for me. The record is pretty good, I think.
Vicky: Therion’s lineup released this year a new album (Odes to the Gods) under the name Defenders of the Faith. How did you come up with the concept behind this LP?
Thomas Vikström: Defenders of the Faith is Christofer Johnson’s idea. He has a thing for early 80-ies metal. He called me up and asked me if I wanted to write with him for this project and I said yes. Me and Chris work very good together. I also liked the idea of using different singers. The album is not aimed specifically at the Therion fans even if they seem to like it. At least most of them. I think it will be at least one more album with Defenders of the Faith in the near future.
Vicky: How did your fans perceive Odes to the Gods?
Thomas Vikström: Like I wrote above, I think most of our fans like the album. If you look at numbers (which I almost never do), it streams very well. Way better than expected.
Vicky: You have been a guest vocalist on numerous tracks by Diabulus in Musica, Snowy Shaw, Imperial Age, Legado De Una Tragedia, Sanctorium, Lori Lewis, etc. Which of the songs you were featured on is your favorite?
Thomas Vikström: Yes, I worked with a lot of different bands through the years. So many I can’t remember all the songs. I can’t really pic a favorite one.
Vicky: Speaking about Snowy Shaw, you were bandmates in Therion for a while. Has your friendship with him been affected in any way by his departure from Therion?
Thomas Vikström: Not at all. I love Snowy and his departure from the band didn’t affect our friendship at all. I would love to see him come back and tour with us again. But if he doesn’t want to, you need to respect that.
Vicky: January 30, 2026 marks the release of the live album Con Orquesta by Therion. How do you perceive this material?
Thomas Vikström: That concert is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done and I won’t forget it as long as I live. It’s tough to capture the energy from that night into a recording but it’s great. Are there flaws? Of course there are. We are human. But it’s really a great one.
Vicky: Where do you see yourself in 20 years – both professionally, and personally?
Thomas Vikström: Hopefully I’m still alive! But I see myself exactly as now. Singing and touring. Maybe produce other bands. I will do this until the last drop. You never get too old. At least not me.
Vicky: What is your favorite Therion song to play and why?
Thomas Vikström: That is also a tricky question to answer since I think different about it all the time. But to do “The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah” is something that is pretty magical. The roar of the crowd during the intro of the song still gives me the chills. It’s fantastic.
Vicky: What would you say music means to you?
Thomas Vikström: Music is something that is in my head almost 24/7 so I would say that after family it’s number 1. Life would be pretty worthless without it.
Vicky: You are a member of Therion and Defenders of the Faith, however you have a classical music background. What is your favorite composer, and your favorite piece?
Thomas Vikström: I’ve to say Wagner or Puccini or Offenbach. Also, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Giants!
Vicky: What artists have had the most impact on you?
Thomas Vikström: First of all, my dad. He was my mentor. Then Kiss came into my life. That’s when I really knew what I wanted to do. Later on, I discovered Alice Cooper, Queen, ABBA, The Beatles. Those are the core of my inspirations.
Vicky: 2025 has been a good year in terms of new material. What would you say is your favorite album released last year and why?
Thomas Vikström: I’ve to say The Revenge of Alice Cooper. A really cool album with a 70-ies vibe.
Vicky: At the same time, if we look back, we have lost a lot of very talented artists last year. You have written on your social media a bit about the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, and Ace Frehley. Could you tell us a bit more about the impact that these two musicians have had on you?
Thomas Vikström: Ozzy, what can I say? A legend and a face for Heavy Metal and a great singer. Maybe not in technical terms, but who cares? As soon as he opened his mouth you could hear it was Ozzy. When it comes to Ace, it almost felt like losing a family member. He has been there for all my life. And he is one of my guitar heroes. Same there, is it technically brilliant?? No, but it’s raw and straight from the heart and most of his solos are like a hit inside of the hit. You can actually sing his solos. I’m a bad guitar player but I do play guitar On my demos and I’m instinctively always influenced by Ace. Both Ozzy and Ace are legends and deserves all respect. Never forgotten.
Vicky: What do you think Metal will look like in 40 years from now?
Thomas Vikström: Hard to say… AI is here whether we like it or not. I think that different styles of music will blend together more. All vocals will be autotuned (well, they already are) but I think and hope that there will still be room for classic Rock and Metal as it is today.
Vicky: I need your help to create a customized top 20 featuring the songs that have influenced you most in your career and the ones that you really like.
Thomas Vikström: Ok, it’s without mutual order.
1. “Welcome to My Nightmare” (Alice Cooper);
2. “Painkiller” (Judas Priest);
3. “Bat out of Hell” (Meat Loaf);
4. “The Phantom of the Opera” (Andrew Lloyd Webber);
5. “Fox on the Run” (Sweet);
6. “The Tower” (Angel);
7. “100.000 years” (Kiss);
8. “Guilty of Love” (Whitesnake);
9. “The Boys Are Back in Town” (Thin Lizzy);
10. “Rock Me” (ABBA);
11. “Live and Let Die” (Paul McCartney);
12. “Eleanor Rigby” (The Beatles);
13. “I Duvemåla hage” (from the musical Kristina from Duvemåla);
14. “The Last in Line” (DIO);
15. “Live Wire” (Mötley Crüe);
16. “I Surrender” (Rainbow);
17. “Warpigs” (Black Sabbath);
18. “Dreams” (Van Halen);
19. “Keep Yourself Alive” (Queen);
20. “O Holy Night” (Christmas carol).
When I’ll read this, I probably will think “Oh no, I forgot that and that and that…”, but I answered very spontaneous.
Vicky: Now that we have finished this interview, we can relax, gather around the table in a restaurant, like friends do. What would you order from the menu, drink-wise? (I’ll tell you from the beginning that I’m going to start with a coffee).
Thomas Vikström: I start and finish everyday with coffee so that suits me very well. As the years pass, I’m starting more often to drink wine instead of beer. So, let’s go for that. But since it’s Christmas time, I would suggest some Swedish GLÖGG. It’s a warm mulled sweet wine with cinnamon, ginger, juniper and almonds and raisins. Very good.
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