Greetings, Frode... First of all, let's get back in time for a while.
The year of 1997 saw the departure of Stein Sund, Audun Vold, as well as Rune Bjelland, possessor of highly original and impressive voice, which was a constituent part of inimitable EINHERJERЊs sound... Do you consider Ragnar a worthy replacement? "Norwegian Native Art" sounds undoubtedly different to your former works; hence I wonder if the new guys are somehow responsible for that?
 
- It's never a good thing when band members have to leave, because it stops the flow in the band, causes stagnation because we have to use all our effords to find new people. But sometimes it can't be helped. I think that Ragnar is a very good replacement indeed. The point of having a new vocalist isn't necessarily to find an exact similar one, rather finding one that fills out our sound and suites the music, and I think that Ragnar does that. The only really new member participating on "Norwegian Native Art" is the second guitar  player Aksel Herloe. Stein Sund did the bass part for this album.
 
Most of Norwegian bands' lyrics are set to the ancient Scandinavian legends and myths, which however doesnЊt necessarily mean that people writing about their glorious past believe in various gods, deities and mythological events which supposedly took place millenniums ago. When I interviewed Rune (my mag's first issue), he agreed with me saying that these tales are quite entertaining to read through before getting asleep, although it's somewhat stupid to believe in their contents... Your opinion on the aforesaid?
 
- I agree with Rune on the point that this is very interesting reading and it's a world that it's satisfying to delve into because it's a part of our history and our original culture. In principle I don't think it's more stupid to believe in these Gods and Goddesses than in any other.
 
"Aurora Borealis" was brought forth the light by Necropolis Recs, "Dragonstorms" - by Napalm, "Odin Owns Ye All" - by Century Media, and finally "Norwegian Native Art", the latest CD of yours, was unleashed through Native North... How would you explain the fact that you have never released more than single CD through the same label (with an exception for Century Media who have also issued that "Far Far North" MCD)?
 
- I agree that the statistics doesn't look good. However, we don't have this terrible relationship with all of the labels you mentioned. On both "Leve Vikinganden" on Damnation and "Aurora Borealis" on Necropolis we were only signed for these releases, and there were no plans releasing anything else. On Napalm we were signed for 2 albums. "Far Far North" was originally meant for the second release on Napalm.
 
What made you to leave Napalm as well as Century Media? They have rather good reputation, and also seem to sell their products well...
 
- When we left Napalm there were a great deal of promises broken, and we were kinda young and restless. We could have made better deal out of it from both parts. When I look at it these days, we should probably have made choices differently. But Century Media came along and we though we had reached paradise. The breach with Century Media was a agreement from both parts. We weren't too happy with the situation, because with our tempo we'd be finished with the contract at the age of 48, and we were not exactly top-priority on the label. Century Media had some financial problems and had bigger expectations concerning the CD sale. They also said they did not like our new stuff so it was the best thing for both parts. This time we'll try to do everything ourselves and see what comes out of it. Right now things go great.
 
Yeah, and just by the way, isn't Native North your own label?
 
- Native North Records Records is our own label. It's run by EINHERJER and I don't see why we should try to keep that a secret. We've never been so pleased with the "Band vs. Label" siuation as we are now. hahaha. But we are three people doing this as a full-time job. So we are not doing this just for the hell of it. It will become a label for other bands too (we've already signed a band called ULVHEDIN). Check out www.nativenorth.com
 
The same metamorphosis you had with record companies as well goes for the studios. In my view, Grieghallen is by all means better than Los Angered Recordings... Both, "Odin Owns Ye All" and "Norwegian Native Art", sound less powerful and atmospheric in comparison to f.ex. "Far Far North"; at least that's my view. Consequently, why do you keep on visiting Andy's place? Are you utterly satisfied with the way your latest efforts sound and the way he treats you as a band?
 
- We did not know this studio until Century Media booked it for the Odin Owns Ye All-album. The reason they did not wanted to use Grieghallen was because it was too expensive. When we first came to work with Andy (beeing our hero for so many years!), he was just such an down-to-earth kinda person. And so easy to work with. We wanted to give it another go for the new album. None of our albums are completely alike and I guess we'll continue with that. Just not that different as 'Odin' hehe. As for the next recording, nothing is settled and we might use another studio.
 
Ok, the time has come to talk about "Norwegian Native Art". So let me bore you one of the numerous "FAQs": what would you name as the principal differences between your previous outputs and this CD?
 
- The biggest change would be that we don't sound anything like "Odin...". The sound are much rawer and the production is much better than on the last one. Everything is more complex with a lot of bombastic drums and more guitars. We have also used some female vocals on a couple of songs. I think we managed to take with us some of the earlier atmospheres and put them in a new wrapping. I think it is what they call evolution hahaha.
 
What was Ragnar guided by, changing his voice to lower (read - harsher) registers?
 
- Ragnar's vocals on NNA is rawer and he much more secure in his performance. If you compare the vocals on "Norwegian Native Art" and "Dragons..." you'll see that the differance is not as big as many claim it to be. The change of the style came as a natural change after we sobered up after the autentic "Odin Owns Ye All". Ragnar is a very skilled vocalist and he has already shown during rehearsals for our next album that the rawness of his voice will increase further....
 
"Norwegian Native Art" = patriotism?
 
- We are a Norwegian band, who play Viking-Metal with lyrics based on Norse Mythology and music is, as I know it, a form of art. I don't know how to explain it any easier... And of course we love our country.
 
What about that "Under The Black Sun Open Air" in Germany you're going to attend this July? What are the other bands youЊre going to play with?
 
- Other acts are HELHEIM, RAGNAROK, AMON AMARTH, SATANIC SLAUGHTER, etc.
 
Lately I've received Native North's notification regarding the upcoming MCD. It is said you're going to cover... ROOT? Why exactly them? Besides that, whom does the second cover belong to?
 
- Yes, it is true that we sent out that message. But right now things are a bit uncertain. We're not sure wether to release this mini-CD or to wait a while, working towards a full-lenght. The reason we wanted to do a ROOT cover is simply that ROOT is a great band and I think that our sound will fit on a ROOT song. Besides, "Casilda's Song" is in my opinion one of their best songs. About the second cover-song, we have no idea at this moment.
 
Getting back in time again... "Far Far North" coverart features some kind of certain Norse symbol, right? What does it stand for?
 
- This symbol is the mighty hammer Mjollnir posessed by the old Norse god Thor. It's a very powerful symbol representing the victory and power of the Gods and the protection of man. It's also a symbol that represents the whole Asatru faith. Like the cross of the christian religion.
 
EINHERJER was almost gone into oblivion between the years of 1995 and 1997... Either what or who caused this silence?
 
- We were busy working on "Dragons...", can not remember falling asleep.... But if you said between summer '98 and summer '99, we were sleeping off the hangovers. And straighting up the buisiness.
 
Is there any possibility of discovering a side-project led by either you or Gerhard?
 
- We are working with a side-project called ANGELGRINDER. It will probably be more in the vein of death or black metal. A lot faster and more brutal than EINHERJER. You have to be patient though, because we've never been known to be quick off the mark, and EINHERJER will always be our first priority.
 
You called yourself Grimmar in the past... Does that handle mean anything?
 
- The last letters "ar" is a typical ending of old norse names, while the first letters "Grimm" is the same as the english word "grim". The same thing with Ulvar. "Ulv" in english is "wolf".
 
Norway (together with Sweden) is famous for the enormous number of black metal bands; do you have any explanation for this "phenomena"? Doesn't quantity harm quality in this situation? Furthermore, should we  still perceive EINHERJER as a black metal act?
 
- I find it weird as well that two rather small countries like Norway and Sweden are able to produce this amount of bands. I have no valid explanation for it, sorry. I don't think that quality suffer because of quantity. Crappy bands won't go anywhere while the quality bands survive. We've never considered EINHERJER a black metal band. EINHERJER has, is and will always be Viking metal.
 
Ivar of ENSLAVED once said he considers EINHERJER one of few "true" viking metal acts together with his band... Do you agree with him here? What is your opinion on former and present works by ENSLAVED?
 
- I've never really understood or cared for the definition of being "true". As long as people have the deepest passion for what they do, then it's good enough for me. There has been a complete take off concerning Viking Metal, and I don't even know what bands are out there these days. I've always liked ENSLAVED's music and I've listened to them from the start. Some albums are great and some are not so great. My personal fave must be the "Frost" album. I really look forward for their new one.
 
I suppose you're a person with advanced knowledge in Northern mythology, hence would you like to tell us more on this subject?
 
- I'm neither a professor nor a guru on the topic, I simply enjoy reading the old stories. Thats what they are to me; old stories that reflect the past society, culture and standards.
 
What is the main idea behind the whole Scandinavian epos in your view?
 
- I don't know... What's the point with any religion. When things turn to shit for people, they have some higher power to blame.
 
Are you acquainted with the feeling of true spiritual, tranquil solitude? Have you ever wandered the woods at night, talking with the trees within yourself, sitting near either lake or river, transmitting your thoughts to it... when you sense you're the part of Nature, when you can easily mix with it's children and no human being should be near in order to keep this reverie inviolable...?
 
- I don't wander the woods that often too be honest, but if I do it would probably happen during the day. It's always good to get away from the usual hassle and just absorb the tranquility.
 
What do you know (and think) regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from our lands that you've heard lately?
 
- I have to admit, I have not heard any Russian bands lately. But you are all welcome to send us a demo!
 
Finally, we've come to an end of this hellishly long interview... Perhaps, any final messages?
 
- Greetings to all our Russian fans and friends + www.einherjer.com

EINHERJER contact -
Email: vikingmetal@einherjer.com
Native North Records -
Email: mail@nativenorth.com