Interview:	HELHEIM
Title:	At the roots of Nordic forefathers

Since 1992, these Viking Metal maniacs give himself fully to their musical instincts. Published have been six studio albums since, their new and sixth album „Kaoskult“ included.

Always upstanding for individualism and self-reliance in the genre, Helheim surprise the listener crowd also this time, despite all pitchblack attitude, with a whole wealth of surprising ideas.

The band makes even some extreme experiences on „Kaoskult“. Not entirely distanced from the stylistic experiments of their famous countrymen Enslaved, also the quartet around guitarist and vocalist H’grimnir drilled now quite like in forked progressive respectively discreetly psychedelic tinged climes.

There our resistant precursor heroes behave well in the current case again anytime credibly and transparently - and above all still connected to the fanatical underground of the profession.

Bassist Ørjan Nordvik aka Vgandr therefore as expected don't hesitates for a second, when he has his interview duty to comply.

Vgandr, what are your main responsibilities in Helheim?

„Bass & vocals. Apart from that to compose both music and lyrics.“

Why should buy listeners the new Helheim CD „Kaoskult“?

„Because it's damn good, that's why. Everyone into dark slightly avantgarde pagan metal should check it out.“

What can you do for the fans with your new songs that other candidates can't?

„I for one think that music is always up to the listeners to decide what it gives them as a person, but I must say that I feel that we take our music together with our lyrics really seriously and for those into obscure lyrics with a deeper meaning could appreciate Helheim. We're definitely not your everyday band.“

What are your lifelong dreams?

„I have paragons of dreams or hopes but no lifelong single dream which clarifies everything.”

Please tell about a time where you had to deal with conflicts in the music genre!

„Conflicts are a constant strife where Helheim are integral, so it's here right here, right now!”

What are your strengths as musician?

„To think beside myself. My endless curiousity both musically and lyrically. My will to progress and not stagnate. Breathing music in other words.“

Please provide examples of ideas that you have had for the new songs!

„Where to begin? I mean, I've stood for almost half of all the music since the beginning and I'm also the sole lyric writer. But Helheim is a democracy where everybody have their saying.“

Please tell something about your proudest achievements in the new music of Helheim!

„Up to now it must the lyrics for "The journeys and the experiences of death". I spent a hell of a lot of hours on those lyrics. Also the lyrics for "Kaoskult" are important for me. Musically it's harder. Maybe "Oaken Dragons" and at least two songs from our upcoming album which will probably be recorded sometime next year.“

Who are your favourite bands and why?

„Those are many and I'm also more of favourite album guy. But to at least mention some: The Cure, Mayhem - "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Band, Morbid Angel - "Altars Of Madness", Tom Waits, Deathspell Omega, W.A.S.P., King Crimson, Darkthrone and many, many more. There's also a hell of a lot of new acts which are amazing like Leviathan, Ravencult, Nachtmystium and The Sword to mention some.“

Who are your heroes among them?

„I have no heroes. I'm what you can call a "childish" individualist, hehe.“

What do you think are the qualities of a good band?

„A total package from music to lyrics to stage performance (if they play live). I don't demand from a band to find up a new kind of metal or to be painfully original as that seems almost impossible these days. Originality these days may be seen through personality and will. Will to power in a way.“

Why do you make exactly this kind of music with Helheim?

„This is what suits us and our personalities. We've always been kind of strange and we never (at least try to) repeat ourselves. We're very self-demanding.“

Where would you like to be in your career in five years?

„Still alive and healthy and hopefully play other continents and a bigger crowd. Yes, I'm a sucker for a huge crowd.“

What is your ideal song?

„That song is yet to be created.”

What brought Helheim to the current record label?

„Their trustworthiness and locality.“

What are you still looking in terms of development of the musical style?

„Always trying to be ahead of ourselves, but still we're quite unpredictable, so you never know.”

When were you most satisfied in Helheim?

„When we got a record deal with "Jormundgand".”

What spiritual ways in life are you seeking?

„To explore the roots of our forefathers continously and by my own principals. To be all I am and more and be righteous towards my ideas and beliefs.“

© Markus Eck, 27.10.2008

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