First of all, let me wonder why are you fascinated with Norway that much? You see, the moniker as well as all the song titles are in Norwegian, however you are NOT of Norwegian origin.
- Hail Kai! Yes, you are right: I am absolutely
NOT of Norwegian origin! I am of pure German blood! The reason why I used
Norwegian titles on the Demotape "...Gjennom Tåkete Skogen" and on the
upcoming EP "Det Svake Lys" is quite simple: I just felt to do so! In my
eyes Norway has the best nature on the whole earth. Have you ever been
up to the north? I am totally fascinated by the vast, endless woods, the
mysterious and misty fjords, the majestic mountains and the atmosphere
up there! You know, VINTERRIKET is totally influenced by Mother Nature.
Therefore I thought that the norwegian titles would fit best to the whole
concept on the Demotape. The bandpicture was taken in Norway, too, and
the frontcover was drawn by the famous
Norwegian artist Theodor Kittelsen. I am
doing what I want, depending on my current mood. Maybe the some lyrics
/ titles will be in Swedish, German or whatever! All the new songtitles
/ lyrics are totally written in German language. I am a big fan of all
the germanic languages, like German, Swedish and Norwegian. They have a
very hard accent, if you know what I mean. When people talk English it
sound like having 10 chewing gums in their mouth, ha,ha! The German languages
are hard-sounding and spreading a kind of power and might. It's too hard
to explain actually. I hope some might get the point what I mean. I have
also plans to move to Norway when my studies are over here in Germania.
I hope this will be in 24 months... If you've not been to Norway yet you
MUST do it, because otherwise you missed something. Now I ask you: Why
is for example Varg Vikernes using German lyrics / titles on his CD's?
Right, just because he felt to do so and because he is fascinated by the
German language, though being of Norwegian blood.
Do you really speak in Norwegian fluently, or it was the dictionary you've taken all these titles from?
- I am not speaking Norwegian fluently, but a little bit. It's easier for me to read stuff in Norwegian language than to speak the language. But if I'll find the time I'll attend a language-school in order to learn the language more properly. You know, the outspelling of the language is not that easy. But it is not a big problem for me to understand the stuff when reading it, 'cause the Norwegian language is quite close to the German one. Of course you have to use dictionaries! I have dictionaries in French, German, Norwegian and of course English!
"...Gjennom
Tåkete Skogen" isn't the latest work of yours anymore, is it? What about
the second offering? The rumors say it's going to come up with a BURZUM's
cover, is that correct? Which one is it?
- Right now (25.02.2001) the demotape is my latest work, cause the EP is delayed due to some minor little problems. The 7" EP called "Det Svake Lys" (which means something like "The Dim Light" in English...) was supposed to be released in November / December 2000, but nothing happened up until now. I hope to get it within March, finally. The songs for the EP have been recorded in Autumn 2000. The EP will be limited to 500 hand-numbered copies only. Yes, I have done a cover-song of BURZUM, called "Der Tod Wuotans" from Varg's "Hlidskjalf" CD '99 (Misanthropy Records). This song will appear on the re-release of the demotape in Spring'2001. All in all, there are 2 bonus songs on this re-release. The 2nd song is also very special I think, because this time I used more drums, vocals and high-pitched frosty and grim guitars. You know, I wanted to have something special for the re-release, because it is supposed for collectors only. Therefore I made this cover-song of BURZUM and this new VINTERRIKET song called "Endzeit" which means "Endtime" in English. The tape will be limited to only 200 copies and comes with different cover-artwork. It'll be a split release with LEBZUL, an Ambient act from Panama (!). The release will be done by Panama's Infernal World Productions. There is also coming a Promo CD-R called "Promo 2001", which is meant for promotion only! It'll feature the demotape, the EP, the bonus songs of the demo re-release and one exclusive new song, never released before! To be available in March'2001. Anyone interested should get in touch.
Proceeding with the subjects I've just mentioned in the previous question. What's your attitude to "Daudi Baldrs" and "Hlidskjalf", two latest works by Varg? Aren't they too primitive to be everlastingly praised?
- Well, sure, the works are in a way primitive, but this is not important for me! The only thing what counts is the atmosphere the songs are able to spread! And regarding the last two CD's by Varg this atmosphere is phenomenal! Just take for example some ultra- brutal, technical and sophisticated death metal bands: I mean, they can really play their instruments very well and they are very talented and good musicians, but this music gives absolutely NOTHING for me. Music must be able to move your mind, to make you fly away, to send you on the darkest trip possible! Of course there are also some perfect, well-playing and technical death / black metal bands around getting my attention and beeing able to fascinate me. Sure, I respect the ability of some musicians to handle their instruments. Also, if I do not like their sound. But the other way round it is the same: There are of course existing some bands playing primitive and simple music but who are also not able to impress me, because they lack of atmosphere and feelings. All in all I can say music must be able to spread a certain dark, sad, melancholic, majestic or hateful feeling and atmosphere. My musical horizon is very wide, I think. I am not only listening to black metal. I like a lot of sounds and I am quite open-minded when it comes to new sounds and ideas. I like originality and individuality! These are the keywords! Coming back to the latest works of BURZUM: In my opinion the atmosphere they are able to spread is simple unbelievable! The songs are able to put you in a trance-like state of mind and Varg absolutely knows how to do this. Haunting and sad melodies with a lot of repetitions. The songs are full of emotions, feelings and changing moods and that's very good! Therefore I decided to do this coversong of "Der Tod Wuotans", because this is the best song on "Hlidskjalf". This song is so fuckin' dark and mysterious, arrrgghhh! I've not copied the song 100%. The sound are a little bit different and the sound is not that good as on the original BURZUM CD, because I do not have very good equipment here. By the way, it is only a demotape, nothing more...
Have you ever heard anything that could be defined as "genius in simplicity"? Perhaps, BURZUM would be the answer?
- Yes, BURZUM is quite simple I think. Your sentence fits perfectly I think: It's simple but it is genius! As I explained before it doesn't matter whether music is simple or complicated as long as the music is able to evoke feelings inside my brain. I also think that VINTERRIKET is not very complicated. What do you think? But it was absolutely NO problem doing this cover song for me.
Mortiis was amongst the first ones to quit a black metal act in order to come up with "dark ambient" sort of stuff. What's your view on his personality as well as musical efforts?
- Oh shit, again MORTIIS. Everybody asks
me this question. But this is always a good chance for me to make the things
clear: A lot of people compare MORTIIS to VINTERRIKET. But I can tell you
my opinion: The only thing VINTERRIKET has in common with this guy is that
both use synthesizers to create music, nothing more. Just listen to VINTERRIKET
and then to MORTIIS, or the other way round. If you'll listen more closely
to both band you'll not hear many parallels I think. I can say nothing
about Mr. Ellefsen's personality, cause I never talked to this guy and
I was never in contact with him. So, I am not the right person to ask this
question. I am not the person spreading shit about other people without
even knowing them.
Concerning his music: I have heard all
the old stuff but I like only a few parts here and there very much, but
all in all it is not my cup of tea. I mean, his music is good, but nothing
special to me. This is just my personal taste. I have not heard his brand-new
stuff yet. I've only heard that he's changed his sound a little bit. Personally
I like his project VOND very very much! But only the first CD called "Selvmord"!!
Arrghh, it's so dark, depressive and melancholic! Unbelievable! VINTERRIKET
is always compared to MORTIIS and BURZUM, but I think this is a quite normal
process, because BURZUM and MORTIIS are the most popular bands within the
realms of ambient. For example: When a band is playing melodic, yet aggressive
swedish-sounding music they'll be compared to DISSECTION or AT THE GATES,
etc. This is quite normal. But the ones who listen more closely and in-depth
to VINTERRIKET will recognise that my sound IS different from MORTIIS!
What I respect are the artworks of his old CD's. Excellent! The pictures
look a little bit funny to me, especially the new Batman- look, he,he,...
but I don't care! I am doing my stuff, regardless of others! I make music
for myself and NOT for others! If others like it, too, okay. If not, I
really don't care! VINTERRIKET's music arises from the darkest realms of
my sould exclusively. This is my way to express myself. Others write books
to express themself, others like to draw and I make music for myself. Of
course it is nice to see that there are other people out there who like
VINTERRIKET and who can identify with my sound.
What equipment did you use whilst executing "...Gjennom..."?
- The demotape was created and recorded with my Yamaha Sequencer QY 70. This sequencer is not that good, but okay for me. I think the sound on the demotape is quite acceptable, I think. I want to buy new and better instruments and recording equipment, but due to lack of money this is not possible right now. I have to use the equipment I have here. The sequencer is endowed with an integrated 16- track recording system. The keyboard I am using is even not belonging to me. I lent it from a friend some years ago and it is still standing here cause he no longer needs it, he,he,...
Haven't you been inspired by anything pertinent to Mother Nature, while composing the musical canvas for VINTERRIKET?
- I don't know if I have understood this question right: VINTERRIKET is only influenced by nature, nothing else! I just came home from a trip to our local mysterious moors. It's good to relax, to get new inspiration and to feel the strong force of nature. Sure, you get inluenced by many things around you, you can even say by ALL things around you: friends, books, films, landscapes, pictures, etc. But my main source is nature. We have a lot of great dark and powerful places here in our area where you can really feel the energy and might of nature! Of course I prefer dark, melancholic and moody places and landscapes. I really like to walk around in autumn and winter through stormy, snowy, misty and cold woods!
Do
you have an idea of why do all these BM kids and those, into dark ambient
(especially these ones!), exploit the themes dealing with the winter and
the woods (preferably lit by the full moon's light :) )? Unfortunately,
all this stuff became incredibly clichesque with time. Don't they have
anything else to deal with, lyrically?
- Well, I can only speak for myself. Some people might think that VINTERRIKET is full of cliches too, because of the name ("Winterrealm") and the stuff with the woods and the moon (The cover of the upcoming EP shows a dark picture with the fullmoon rising behind some dark woods...). I am just of the opinion that this concept fits best to the whole music and the sound. For example it would never fit to use industrial pictures and spacy layout for VINTERRIKET. Therefore the music should be different. Artwork / layout / logo / bandname should go hand in hand with the sound / music. You immediately can see which bands got the point and which ones not! Have you never made the following experience: You get a CD in your hands, you are looking on the cover and the pictures and then you're listening to the music. After seeing the pictures / cover for the first time you have an imagination in your head how the music will sound like, or at least approximately. Then you put in the CD and you are totally disappointed because your expectations are not fulfilled. For example: You see VINTERRIKET's demotape for the first time with these woods, the cover, the logo and the band name. Then you put in the tape and experimental industrial sounds are coming out! Impossible! Sure, it is a kind of trend since some years to use all this wood-fullmoon-winter themes, but I don't care! As said before, I am doing the stuff I like, regardless of trends, other bands and current cliches. Dark music MUST deal with dark themes like death, misanthropy, hate, darkness and so on. BUT: I also respect bands like SOLEFALD for example, because they are far away from all cliches. Their lyrics are dealing with philosophy and modern stuffs, but that's also okay! I love originality and individuality! But I don't think that such themes would fit to VINTERRIKET. Therefore I had to start another band with another sound and another source of inspiration, etc. But I think the main cliche is all this shitty satanism stuff within black metal. I will not go deeper in this topic, because this is another theme and it would fill books to discuss this. Only one thing here: All those blind followers should think about where satanism is coming from! Right, from the church itself. Here I speak of all those stupid satan- worshippers. I know that the word "satanism" has thousands of different sides. Some say that they hate religion: Now I ask them: Is satanism not also a kind of religion???? Yes it is! You see, they contradict themselves! Personally I hate ALL FORMS of religions, all stupid satan- lovers INCLUDED!!! Religion is only for weak and stupid individuals not able to stand for their own!
What's your opinion on the contemporary state of the black metal and dark ambient scene(s)?
- The today's state of the black metal scene is totally bad and shitty! I must say, I am no longer interested in the today's black metal scene. All the popular bands are only releasing shit these days. Just a few examples: ENSLAVED, IMMORTAL, EMPEROR, DIMMU BORGIR to mention a few Norwegian ones. I am mainly listening to the old stuff and to new interesting underground acts. Okay, 90% of all the new bands are also only crap in my eyes, but a few ones are really worth the attention. On the other hand I like for example the new stuff of DODHEIMSGARD, ULVER or MALIGNANT ETERNAL. Sure, nowadays they have changed their style totally, but it's okay! Some say that I am not "true" enough ot whatever, but this doesn't affect me and I really don't care. Black metal was meant to be extreme and existing in the underground. But nowadays the true spirit has gone, totally! DIMMU BURGER even was in the German Charts!!! But what the fuck, I have nothing to do with it and this is good I think. To be honest, I am not very familiar with the ambient scene at all. Do you know the finnish band ARTHAME??? This is a really interesting and great ambient act who's worth the attention.
Getting back to Mr. Vikernes. Do you share his point of view when it comes to political issues? What about "Vargsmal"? It features pretty much of exciting yet intelligent themes discussed.
- Yea, I regard Varg as a very very intelligent
and strong personality with great ideas and visions. Of course I read his
book "Vargsmal". Some points of view are really okay and totally acceptable
but others are not. It depends. You know, I have my own personal philosophy
about life & death & politics. I am not following a special theory
or attitude. Some are walking on the way of La Vey or Crowley: But these
persons are not strong enough to develop their own philosophy. Blindly
and stupid followers in my eyes! I am very interested in political issues,
sure, but I am not active in a political party. When living in Germany
you automatically get confronted with all the political topics. I can tell
you, a lot is getting wrong these days here in Germany when it comes to
politics. I don't know how the situation is in Russia, but here it is really
impossible to show ou true and honest opinion and attitude. If you do it,
you'll get to jail! An this they call "freedom of speech"! Our Foreign
Minister was a criminal and left-winged radical in the past, and most of
the others are liars and false persons! The main problem nowadays is the
topic about the muliticultural-society they want to create. But be sure,
this WILL fail! Just take a look at the animal kingdom: Each race tries
to separate themself from the other race. And this is the same with the
humans. Every race tries to separate themself from the other race. But
our politicians try to mix
us with all the others! Like Varg said:
To be racist means NOT to hate other races, but loving your own race instead!
He totally go the point I think! I am sure, you are proud to be Russian.
A person from Greece is proud to be Greek and I am proud to be German.
This is quite normal, I think. This is an endless discussion here in Germania.
It is even forbidden to say "I am proud to be German". You're immediately
labeled as a nazi and fascist or something like that. When you are walking
around with the normal German flag (black, yellow, red), for example on
your jacket you'll get problems, that's for sure! For example in Norway:
In front of most of the houses there are hanging big Norwegian flags! This
would be impossible in Germania. This theme would fill books to discuss
and is a neverending discussion...
Would we ever see you starting a black (or whatever) METAL project? Or you also consider it a crap of negro's origin, huh?
- As said, I am into black metal. I was playing with a band called GRAVEN for some time. But a few months ago I quit due to lack of time, interest and because of the unprofessionl behaviour of the other members in the band. GRAVEN has released 3 demotapes and a brand-new demo CD-R. GRAVEN plays a kind of mix of DARKTHRONE and old GEHENNA, but very original I think. But I am no longer a part of this band. I think they have signed a record-deal right now, but I am not sure, cause I am no longer in contact with the guys. Before GRAVEN I used to play in some other local bands, but I immediately recognised that it is better to work of your own. Nowadays I cannot imagine anymore to play in a real band again in the future with several members, because I am a quite individualistic and this always causes problems. As said, on one of the bonus songs for the re-release of the demotape ("Endzeit") I used guitars and drums / vocals. The unreleased song, to be featured on the "Promo 2001" is also with lots of drums and frosty guitars and even female (!) vocals. I just felt to do so. I am not sure if I'll use again vocals / drums / guitars in the future. Maybe? We'll see. It depends on my mood... Right now I am busy working on new songs. I have many ideas waiting to be turned into reality! Haha, not all metal bands are negro-bands, he,he,.... Of course there are some, but there are also whites, he,he,.... I know this opinion of Varg Vikernes you are referring to, but I cannot agree with this I think. He thinks that (black) metal emerged from negroes and jazz, right? Uh, quite weird... I never thought about it and I am not that informed about this topic, so I cannot tell something about it, sorry.
You've
started a label of your own a while ago. What were you guided by, starting
it? Are you going to keep Neodawn Productions working in the nearest time
to come? Will it ever become f.ex. Napalm Records- rival, huh?
- The story of NEODAWN PRODUCTIONS is closely connected to the story and development of VINTERRIKET. Okay, here we go: when the stuff for the VINTERRIKET demotape was ready I wanted to spread the stuff a little bit in the underground scene in order to check the reactions. The first, original edition was limited to only 100 copies. Because of VINTERRIKET being totally unknown in the scene I released the tape of my own. Before I started NEODAWN I worked together with a friend: We have been running a distribution. But I quite due to lack of time and interest and wanted to start my own thing. Therefore I founded NEODAWN PRODUCTIONS. Sure NEODAWN is still alive! I have no plans to stop it. There is no reason to quit right now. NEODAWN is getting bigger every day! No, no, I'll stay in the underground I think, he,he,... I'll not get NUCLEAR BLAST number two, ha,ha!
What about enlarging Neodawn's roster? As far as I know, there're only three acts signed (incl. VINTERRIKET) at the moment.
- As I said, NEODAWN is expanding right now! I have many plans for the future, but nothing is 100% sure yet. Right now, I am discussing with bands about possible releases on NEODAWN PRODUCTIONS, but it's too early to tell more details, because nothing is definately fixed these days. First of all I have to put out the VINTERRIKET EP together with swedish label NOISE, FILTH and FURY PRODUCTIONS and after that the re-release of the VINTERRIKET demotape together with INFERNAL WORLD PRODUCTIONS from Panama. The bands on NEODAWN are not "signed" to the label, cause all my "contracts" are of friendship, honesty and trust! So far I have released the demotape of the swedish black metal band LEGION called "Bloodaeons", limited to 735 copies, but it is sold out right now! NDP 002 was CROWHEAD from Norway, featuring Rym of RAGNAROK. They play a kind of original and experimental gothic music. Very sad, depressive and melancholic. The LEGION horde performs dark, hateful, apocalyptic, furious and ultra-fast black metal art, comparable to early DARK FUNERAL, SETHERIAL or BLOT MINE! Some people still think that I am a little bit sick in my head because my first release was ambient (VINTERRIKET), then gothic (CROWHEAD) and afterwards pure and fast black metal (LEGION), he,he,... My musical "horizon" is very widespread, you know, and I am not only into black metal. I like many kinds of sounds and music. Nobody knows what will come in the future on NEODAWN. I even do not know it myself, he,he,....
Any CD release expected?
- Yes, there is a CD release planned with the swedish band NORRSKEN. It's a project of guys from IN BATTLE, ODHINN, DIABOLICUM,... with guest vocals of VINTERSORG!!! They play straight in your face "Barbarian Metal"!!! The CD is planned for Spring'2001. It'll be a split release of NEODAWN and NORTHERN SOUND RECORDS (Finland). Check my webpage for the latest news concerning this topic!
Do you know anything regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from the country of mine you've heard lately?
- Actually, I do not know very much about Russia. I mean, I have heard quite a lot of things, but I've never been there. I know that it's cold in winter, he,he,... They have good and hard booze, too! So, I am not able to get a clear and overall picture of Russia, cause I know too less things about this country! I have heard a lot of Russian acts and I know that the scene in the eastern countries (mainly Russia) is very very strong and big! I am in contact with a lot of guys over there. The only problem is the corrupt post-system, because I have lost many parcels and letters over there. But I cannot change it. We have to accept it.
How would you like to finish this conversation?
- I'd like to finnish with a big "Thank
You" for giving me the opportunity to tell your readers all this stuff!
You rule my friend! Keep on doing your good job and good luck for your
magazine in the future! All readers should check out the new VINTERRIKET
EP and the Demotape! It is still available! Visit my webpage here: www.go.to/neodawnproductions
There you can also find my distributionlist
and the latest news concerning NEODAWN & VINTERRIKET! Drink German
beer and use Swedish Snus! It kills,
Germaniac Hails!
VINTERRIKET / Neodawn Productions contact
-
c/o Christoph Ziegler
Pfarrer- Striebel- Weg 11
88471 Laupheim/ Untersulmetingen
-GERMANIA-
Phone: (0049)(0)170/1546695
Email: neodawnproductions@ngi.de
neodawnproductions@hotmail.com