VINTERRIKET
I think that i don't
have to write a prologue here, because the interview is long enough and
interesting... So pass quickly these lines and continue with the interview...
1.DAY ONE TILL TODAY. BRIEF US
ON THE BAND HISTORY. WHO ARE VINTERRIKET?
- Hails! Okay, here we go with
the story about my project Vinterriket. It is nothing special I think.
This is the development until now. The future plans later below... VINTERRIKET
was born back in late 1996 as a one-man-project. It is not a "Band"! The
first sign of life was unleashed not until the 15th of May 2000 in the
form of a Demotape called "...Gjennom Tåkete Skogen" by my own label
NEODAWN PRODUCTIONS (NDP 001) in a limited edition of only 100 hand-numbered
copies. "...Gjennom Tåkete Skogen" featured 5 tracks (about 25 minutes)
of neo- classical, atmospheric, dark, and sinister synth- creations(Ambient),
recorded in the Winter of 1999/ 2000. The first edition was already sold
out within a few weeks and I got very good reviews in the underground.
You can check all of them on my webpage! A T-Shirt for the Demotape, limited
to only 20 copies, was published in June 2000, too. The logo for my project
was done by Belgian Master Christophe Szpajdel (he did also logos for such
bands as FALKENBACH, BORKNAGAR, TROLL, EMPEROR, etc.!) and the final result
was designed by myself. The cover shows one of Theodor Kittelsen’s (1857
- 1914) masterpieces ("Langt Langt Borttee Saa Han Noget Lyse Og Glitre"-
Soria Moria Slott/National Gallery of Oslo). Here I can tell you a quite
cool story: This autumn I got a special (private) exhibition of all the
Kittelsen- works in the catacombs of the Oslo National Gallery! Really
amazing, believe me! After an offer from BEVERINA PRODUCTIONS (Latvia)
another edition of 500 hand-numbered copies with glossy b/w booklet was
made. It was a split- release of my label NEODAWN PRODUCTIONS (NDP 001)
and BEVERINA PRODUCTIONS (BP 021). This edition is also sold out since
January 2001. After that, the Demotape was available in the form of a Demo
CD-R which is also sold out right now! I did this because of so many people
asking about this Demo. All in all, "...Gjennom Tåkete Skogen" has
been sold more than 900 times. This is amazing I think! In late Autumn
2000 I have recorded 3 new songs for a 7" EP called "Det Svake Lys". Due
to some unfortunate delays the EP was not released until April 2001 by
the Swedish label NOISE, FILTH AND FURY PRODUCTIONS (NFF 005/ Hail to you
Magnus!) and NEODAWN PRODUCTIONS (NDP 004) in a hand-numbered edition of
500 copies. The 3 songs are in the same vein as the "...Gjennom Tåkete
Skogen" Demotape 2000: Cold, isolated and moody synth- soundscapes (Ambient)!
But I think the songs are much more better than the songs on the Demo.
The whole edition of the EP was sold out within only 1 week!!! Another
T-Shirt ("Sunwheel") was made by my own label, limited to only 25 copies.
Also sold out. After that, the next release of was the official re-release
of "...Gjennom Tåkete Skogen" in June 2001. It was a split-tape of
VINTERRIKET and LEBZUL (Panama), limited to only 500 copies, released again
by myself (NDP 005). I have recorded 2 exclusive new songs for this re-release
as bonus songs in December 2000. One of them is a coversong of BURZUM ("Der
Tod Wuotans") from Varg Vikernes’ famous "Hlidskjalf" CD 1999 (Misanthropy
Records) as mentioned above. The other one, "Endzeit" showed this project
in a different light for the first time, due to having added guitars, vocals
and drums on some parts. "Endzeit" is not featured on the new Demo! The
artwork/ packing was also very well done: One half of the split-Demos are
coming with transparent cassette and the other half with totally black
tape! Glossy professional- printed black/white booklet of course!Sold out
now unfortunately. On the 16th of November'2001 I have unleashed my second
Demotape (NDP 008) entitled "Stürme Der Letzten Stille". This one
is still availble (because I did it in 1000 handnumbered copies this time,
he,he,...). The new Demotape shows this project in a totally different
light than the first Demotape/ 7" EP and can hardly be compared to it!
The new Demo starts where the song "Endzeit" on the split-Demo with LEBZUL
and "Zauber der Nacht" from the "Promo 2001" has ended! Readers who do
not know it should imagine the following to get a picture of the new sound:
Harsh, frosty and grim guitars & acoustic guitars paired with clean
male vocals, mixed with many Synth/ Ambient- parts and varied drums ranging
from slow to ultra- fast!! I want to avoid the term "Black Metal". The
tape contains many changing and different atmospheres/moods like on the
first Demotape: Dark, melancholic, haunting and diverse! The Demo was released
with professional glossy black/ white/ silver booklet (printed on special
photo- paper), including all lyrics and comes with black/ silver professional-
duplicated cassette, special inlay-card and black/ transparent snap-
box! Playing time: About 36 minutes! The cover- drawing was done by the
master himself: Morfeus of LIMBONIC ART/DIMENSION F3H (NOR)! In the middle
of November'2001, I have released a strictly Longssleeve of (Size
XL) for the Demotape "Stürme der letzten Stille". The edition was
only 15 copies! This one is also sold out, sorry! I think this is the story
up til now. out now since a few days:
VINTERRIKET(GER)
- Promo CD-R'2002( 180 copies)
VINTERRIKET(GER)
- Advance Promo CD-R'2002 for ; Källte" 7" EP'2002
( 180 copies)
And this stuff is coming/planned:
NDP 006:
VINTERRIKET/MANIFESTO(GER/SWE) - Split 7" EP'2002
(Summer 2002) ( 500 copies)
NDP 013:
VINTERRIKET/NORTHAUNT(GER/NOR) - Split 7" EP'2002
(Spring 2002) ( 500 copies)
NDP 014:
VINTERRIKET(GER)
- Herbstnebel 7" EP'2002
(Spring 2002) ( 500 copies)
NDP 015:
VINTERRIKET/FJELLTRONE(GER/SWE)- Split 7" EP'2003
(Winter 2003) ( 500 copies)
NDP SHIRT 004: VINTERRIKET(GER)
- Herbstnebel TS XL'2002
(Spring 2002) ( 15 copies)
out in summer 2002 on PARASITE RECORDS
(UK):
PR 001:
VINTERRIKET(GER)
- Kälte 7" EP'2002
(Summer 2002) ( 500 copies)
VINTERRIKET(GER)
- Kälte TS XL'2002
(Summer 2002) ( 50 copies)
out in winter 2002/2003 on FALÇATA
GALIA RECORDS (USA):
FALÇ 081:
VINTERRIKET(GER)
- ...und die Nacht kam
schweren Schrittes CD'2002/2003
Besides this I'll take part on
several compilation-cassettes....
2.WHAT DOES VINTERRIKET MEAN? HOW DID
YOU SELECT IT? WHAT DID YOU WANT
TO STATE BY THIS NAME?
- VINTERRIKET is a norwegian name
which means something like "Realm Of Winter". In my opinion winter the
best period in the year. When others stay in their houses during the cold
time of the year my activities begin, and when all these stupid minds are
lying at the beach in Mallorca I am at home to avoid the sunlight blackening
my white skin, he,he,... So I think the name fits best to the band. Winter
is the time when mother nature "sleeps" in fear of the cold and icy snow-
storms...
3.WHICH ARE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES? WHICH
BANDS DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHICH
DO YOU DESPISE?
- VINTERRIKET is only influenced
by nature, nothing else! I often make tripes to our local mysterious moors
and woods. 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! This is why I love Scandinavia (Sweden/Norway)
that much. For me, this is the paradise on earth (nature-wise).
- about other bands: This is a
quite difficult question because I like many bands around. But mainly old
ones of course. I also listen to a lot of stuff which has nothing to do
with Metal in general! The Black Metal scene is not as good as it used
to be some years ago. There are only very few bands who are worth the attention
these days. 99,9 % of the stuff I get for my label Neodawn are totally
shit in my eyes, really! Some good underground-bands around these days:
GRIFFAR(FRA), LEGION(SWE), NECROPLASMA(SWE), SADISTIC GRIMNESS(SWE),...
I cannot identify with this scene. 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, SOLEFALD, WINDIR or MALIGNANT ETERNAL (to mention some bigger bands)
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 nowadys 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. Of course I also listen
to a lot of underground- acts. But I do not want to mention all their names....
Too many stupid followers in the scene with only shit in their brains,
too many pseudo- satanists and too many little kids running around with
CRADLE OF FUCK shirts. I do not want be be labeled as "Black Metal"!
4.HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC?
- Some of the stuff is Ambient,
some is in the more "Black Metal" vein. The material on this "Herbstnebel"
7" EP coming is in the vein of "Stürme der letzten Stille" (more Black
Metal), the split with MANIFESTO and the split with NORTHAUNT is Ambient
and this "Kälte" 7" EP is in the BURZUM- Filosofem/Hvis Lyset...-
vein. I just do what I like! Maybe some future- stuff will be more Industrial,
more experimental, I do not know. Concerning "Stürme der letzten Stille":
You know, principally I make music only for myself. I make the music I
like and this depends in which mood I am in. I just felt to include guitars,
drums, vocals, etc. Be sure that the next stuff will be again different.
I hate bands doing the same on every album. I like individuality, progression
and originality. Therefore I always try to explore new musical horizons
and realms. I am sure that every VINTERRIKET release will sound different
in the future. If people like my music, ok, if not I really don't care,
because I make music for myself and not for others!Vinterriket should always
be dark, atmospheric and moody, and it doesn't matter which style. Just
these parameters should be fulfilled! I'd describe VINTERRIKET's music
as dark, melancholic, orchestral, atmospheric, moody and sinister synth-soundscapes
(Ambient) and avantgarde- blackened Metal.
5.DO YOU THINK METAL MUSIC SHOULD HAVE
ITS LIMITS OR SHOULD IT BE ENRICHED
BY OTHER GENRES?
- As I told above: I like original
bands, trying to make/ create something new and different, so there are
no limits! Progressions anddevelopment is okay when it goes into the right
direction!
6.TELL US A FEW THINGS FOR THE PREVIOUS
RELEASES OF THE BAND.
- I think I have totally answered
this question in question number #1 :)
7.TELL US SOME GENERAL THINGS FOR YOUR
LATEST RELEASE. HOW HAVE YOU DECIDED TO COVER A BURZUM SONG?
- My latest release was "Stürme
der letzten Stille" Demo and consist of 6 tracks:
1. Der letzte Weg (This means "The
last path" or something like this. Without any intro the new demotapes
starts with the new style. This was the second song I wrote for this demotape.
The lyrics are very dark and melancholic and describe a trip to the darkest
landscapes)
2. Kerker bitterer Kälte (This
is the best song on the demotape, absolutely! Also the hardest and fastest
one. I used different vocals at the same time and the lyrics/ music is
in the same vein as the first song. In English this song means "Dungeons
of cruel coldness")
3. Zauber der Nacht (This song
consists of many Ambient parts and the vocals are only female! The lyrics
have been written back in 1999 and they are a kind of poem with rhymes.
This song has a little bit weak sound, because I only used a 4-track-machine
to record it. It means "Spell of the night")
4. ...Morgengrauen(Einklang)(A
keyboard- Intro for the next song. It means "...Dawn(Intro)")
5. Aeon der Unendlichkeit(The most
complex song on the demotape, I think. In the same vein as track 1 &
2. In English: "Aeon of Infinity")
6. ...Im Abendrot (Ausklang)(This
is a very long outro with only synth, acoustic guitars, vocals (male &female)
and some drums.It means: ...in the dusk (Outro))
I like BURZUM very very much. All
stuff, nor only the old stuff! Therefore I have made the Coversong from
"Der Tod Wuotans" (Hlidskjalf- CD'99). It is so atmospheric and majestic!
I don't care about BURZUM's change of style from Black Metal to Ambient,
because you know, as I told before I love changes and progression. Vark
Vikernes is a very strong personality with great ideas and visions, I think.
Of course I read his book "Vargsmal", too. Some points of view are really
okay and totally acceptable but others are not. It depends. Sometimes he
has really strand thoughts, some contradictions too.
8.THE USE OF KEYBOARDS AND MALE DECLAMATION
CREATES A STRONG ATMOSPHERE. YOUR MUSIC SOUNDS DARK, PESSIMISTIC AND KATATONIC.
DOES IT REPRESENT YOUR PERSONALITIES?
- Yes absolutely: I have to be
in the right mood. Depressive, melancholic and misanthropic feelings must
possess me, then it is the right time to compose new songs! Sometimes these
feelings are so strong that I am even unable to compose... It depends on
the right time. Sometimes I do nothing for months, an other time I compose
songs every day as long as possible. So you see, there is no regular pattern.
Chaos rules supreme! I am truly a nature-child, so to speak. I live at
the border of a really small and unknown village near the deep, majestic
woods. And this is good! I hate big towns and accumulations of people on
one place in general! In a way, I am quite misanthropic, I think. The best
thing is to be far away from all of them! I like waking around in the nature
and visiting dark, mysterious and haunted places far away from civilisation.
I often do trips to moors/woods/mountains, etc. It's good to relax, to
get new inspiration and to feel the strong force of nature. I am not living
that far away from Switzerland and Austria. Both countries carry a lot
of great landsacpes, of course!
9.WHAT ARE YOUR LYRICS TALKING ABOUT?
WHY DO YOU USE THE GERMAN LANGUAGE? DON'T YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE
ACCEPT EASIER ENGLISH? DO YOU THINK THIS HELPS YOU EXPRESS BETTER YOUR
FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS?
- The reason why I used Norwegian
titles on the Demotape "...Gjennom Tåkete Skogen" and on the 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. 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, as I told before. 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, 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! I simply
do not like it!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...
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 beeing of Norwegian blood. Maybe the use
of Norwegian and German titles/ texts on my releases could also be regarded
as a sign against all the Americanism in our german language and culture!
I hate it! On Demo #2 I have used some astral elements besides the nature-themes.
Also themes of the dark abyss of the human soul. But the basis is still
"Nature"! The lyrics are all very personal and therefore I will not explain
them.
10.WHICH IS THE BIGGEST DREAM YOU WANT
TO MAKE TRUE?
- Mmh, difficult, very difficult,
really. Actually, I do not know,haha.sorry.
11.HAVE YOU DONE ANY LIVE SHOWS SO
FAR?
- Up til now Vinterriket has never
played live. Maybe in the future: Probably Never? But who knows what will
come ... This mainly depends on finding other competent musicians. But
as I said, many Vinterriket- material is pure Ambient. So it is senseless
to make live-shows. Or, shall I dance around like MORTIIS hehe?! In general
VINTERRIKET's music is absolutely NOT made to be performed live in crappy
concert halls. People should listen to it individually at home during the
uttermost darkness! I'd not like it very much to play in front of a drunken
horde of stupid kids , you know.... If there would be a gig it would be
something very special, I am sure!!!! But I make no thoughts about this
yet.
12.IF YOUR MUSIC WAS AN EMOTION WHAT
WOULD IT BE AND IF IT WAS A PAINTING WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?
- Emotions: melancholy, sadness,
depression, just DARKNESS!
- Paintings: Only pure haunting,
majestic, dark, endless, vast and moody Nature!
13.WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WEREN'T
ABLE TO COMPOSE MUSIC?
- Dying,..... Music is my life!
I cannot live without it! And only listening is not enough! I MUST make
music mayself!
14.IS THERE A BOOK YOU LIKE A LOT TAHT
YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IT IN THE CINEMA?
WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN PLAYING
A ROLE IN THE MOVIE?
- I am not interested in cinema/films.
And I am not that much into writing/reading. My main field is music and
art (paintings). I am not reading much dark poetry (books). This is mainly
because of lack of time....
15.IF YOU HAD THE ABILITY TO CHANGE
SOMETHING IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD
THAT BE?
- Oh, this is a quite difficult
question, really. This question would fill books to explain! I'd change
everything!
- The situation today is not satisfying....
16.THANK YOU!THESE LINES ARE YOURS...
|