Swedish psych-funk rockers GOAT were raised in the tiny village of Korpilombolo.

Rumour has it the place is cursed because a travelling witch doctor decided to settle there.

The story goes that, following a Christian crusader invasion, the fleeing few placed a curse on spot in remote northern Scandinavia.

It’s a fanciful tale, but the hype which followed the GOAT collective when their 2012 debut record World Music was released left fans intrigued for more.

The follow-up, Commune, was released last Monday. It continues the brew of Afrobeat, rock, Latin disco and Krautrock. There are more acid grooves and slippery guitar lines.

The album name “is a reminder that we are all part of various collectives and we need to be aware of that and play a positive role in them,” explains leader, Goat Dog.

“We also see ourselves as a commune and we work in that spirit.”

The commune consists of seven people, three of which hail from Korpilombolo. The rest are from Sweden’s second city, Gothenburg.

“Korpilombolo doesn't differ much from the rest of Sweden,” continues the man who does interviews via email and answers only as Goat Dog. “Except for those two-hour drum meditation rituals that take place once in a while.”

The trio from Korpilombolo have been playing together since they were five years old. They say Goat is a musical tradition from their village – and that part of the tradition is to be open-minded to music from around the world – but they don’t like to travel.

“We never do tours longer than two weeks and we don't want to do more than two tours a year. This year we pushed it a little bit but next year there will be less shows.”

Another way they avoid the public is via the masks. They want to be known for their music not for their faces. So why must the masks never change?

“Ha ha ha! I could tell you but then I would have to kill you.”

As for the tracks on Commune, Gathering Of The Ancient Tribes, a fuzzy hypnotic and hymnal slow-build, is the highlight.

“I don't wanna say anything that disturbs your feeling of it.

“I really like Talk to God and Hide from the Sun. Don't know why more than that. I think that those recordings turned out great.”

Other members of the mysterious collective are similarly elusive.

An unnamed ally of Goat Dog explains what GOAT really means.

“Goat is mainly a symbol of sacrifice. To sacrifice the individual for the collective good. To become one with the rest of humanity and universe.”

He continues: “We often talk about how all music is world music and all other genres are old fashioned. All you can hear is the universal similarity between all music. The music from some old cult in northern Sweden can be the same as the music from wherever.”