Helheim
is actually the most powerful viking black metal band in the scene,
they have deserved this title with the quality of their second album "Av
Norron Aett", who was highly influenced by the early nordic black epic
metal
mood, icy, grim, apocalyptic and majestic sound. They also added some folk
influences integrated with quality near the black roots.
Then they come out with the fantastic and bombastic "Blod & Ild"
that,
completely surprised me ‘cause remaning proud to their past they where able
to become more incisive, evaluating their songwriting in a more complex, but
not less extreme, way.
They gain in impact and dynamism, without losing the black atmosphere.
The Nordic vision on the northland is still intact, the mythological aspect
of their music is well traduced by the right, and not commercial, use of the
synth!
Now
let’s give voice to the greatest promise of the pagan metal awesome
band!
Represented by V’gandr Questions
made by Diego "Ildanachh":
1)For
sure you remained linked to your pagan tradition, the lyrics of AvNorron Aett
have deeply involved me, you speak of the darker side of yourmythology!I
believe that your tradition is surely one of the most interesting for the people
of the dark side…there is surely a special different point compared the others
cultures, like the death of Gods and the coming of a
newAge... can you explain your view of the "God’s Dusk" in Ragnarok?
1)Well,
it's just the ending of all really, "good" versus "bad"
where there are total equilibrium between
them. It also represents the collision of the elements which is both destructive
and fruifull.
2)Borknagar
never claim to be a viking band cause they aremostly
influenced by a mentality and a naturalistic mood rather then the "dogmatic"
mythology of ancient Norse? And for you?
2)Well,
pretty much in the same way really, but dogmatic? Come on, that's
one of the fascinating things about the Norse mythology that it is NOT dogmatic,
but rather shows guidelines how to live your life.
3)I
was reading the fantastic lyric of your song "Cosmic Winter" present
on
your mcd "Terrorveldet..."speaking of superiority of the hazardous
powers of
the naturea very interesting theme…do you feel influenced by themanifestation
of that prevalence? And do you give it a religious motivation?
3)Maybe
the "modern" ragnarok. I'm really talking about meteors hitting the
earth. But as with everything else I twirl some Norse thoughts into it all.
4)I
believe that in "Av Norron Aett" there is mainly a cold apocalyptic
mood, in "Blod & Ild" a more epic approach, but at the same time
still there
is an excellent hidden melancholic feeling, emotive .. can it be a common
Norwegian element? Can be your country territory the cause of that? Or itis natural
speaking of something so ancient and forlorn?
4)It
is the darker sides of nature that fascinates me the most, but I also
try to bring forth some integrity to it all, if you catch my drift. Blod &
Ild is much more personal to me than its predecessor.
5)
Your guitarwork is now mainly but not always tied to black metal, there
are more metal influences, more synth parts…Pagan metal is a lot of timesimilar
to heavy epic metal...what’s about your conception of viking
metal...it’s more extreme, or you think that in the future you will turn to
the softer side?
5)Softer
AND more extreme really. The MCD that should have been released
ages ago shows Helheim from a more groovy side, but then again the full-length
will be the most aggressive to date.
6)
What's about the new album musically, is anything changed and what's about the
inspirations, influences that have played a part? 6)Yersinia
pestis is a very varied album. We
have never been as gloomy as now. The synth and effect parts are more weird and
in the background. Another reason for its variety is that every member has been
a part of the writing process. I can't think of any musical influence apart from
what I can say for myself and that is pure brutality.
7)
I saw the video included in "Blod & Ild" and I have to
congratulate
with you for the intensity and the global quality of this one, it is really
cold ,intense... the music fits perfectly to the images, it has been difficult
to produce?
7)No,
it took us two days to record the footage, and another two days to
clip, so it was done really fast.
8)
Talk me about your presence on Aeternus, this interesting death-black epic
band...
8)A really great band hailing from Bergen. I've known the guys for years. They
needed a new bass player and I accepted. We're recording our new album "A
darker monument" and I guess the title says it all. Expect darkness!
9) What where the problems with Ars Metalli?
9) They ripped us off and just sank underneath the earth. It's impossible to get
an hold of the guy. I hope he choke on a bone.
10)
When your new album will be released?
10) March 2003
11)
You started with a mainly black metal sound incorporating viking metallyrics (like
Enslaved), for me black metal is not only a music based on asatanic
ideology (like Dimmu Borgir and others says) ...and for you?
11)I
see your point, but to be labeled black metal the music has to
represent the very core of evilness and darkness unless it's not black
metal...but this is something that will always be under debate.
12)
Europe is sadly losing his identity, only an élite is actually
defending our ancient root against the americanization, the attack of the modern
ideology...do you feel involved in that?
12)No,
I don't give a fuck really. The world is lost anyway.
13)
A lot of guys indentify Enslaved like the fathers of the viking metal,
but your ‘93 demo Helheim is not so far to the historical "Yggdrasil",
what’s about the first times of Helheim?
13)We
only started one year before the demo, so yes, Enslaved deserves the
title even though we follow really close, he, he.
14)
Enslaved moved them to unusual musical territories for metal, they losttheir folk
feeling but I believe that they actually still sound mystic and
mythological, what about Helheim...do you think that there will be space for
non-metal influences (like in some little moment of Blod & Ild), or youconsider
yourself an hardcore metal band?
14)We're
metal to the bone, but yes, we'll definitely use more of this
sampling that we've evolved into something really cool that fits our music
well, but we won't forsake metal. Never.
15)
And what do you think about Enslaved...have you heard their last albums?
15)Yes,
and I respect them as musicians and as persons. I like Enslaved but
has never been a fan.
16)
I’ve also listened to a great band of your country, Perished, do youknow them...your
opinion? Actually what are you listening? There is anynewcomer band
in Norway?
16)I
know them a little, but I'm not a fan of their music. Well, you should
check out the pagan band Cult of Catharsis on MP3.com. They are really good,
and they also hail from my hometown Bergen, and I'm also in the band...so, of
course it's good ,he,he.
17)
Your top 5 five all-time albums? And your preferred bands?
King
Diamond-Abigail and Them Mayhem-De Mysteriis...
WASP-WASP
Deicide-Deicide
Strapping young lad-City
Band contact:
Hrymr
Torborg Nedreaas gt. 16
5006 Bergen
Norway
them. It also represents the collision of the elements which is both destructive
and fruifull.
