Mørkeskye #13 – a final gathering under black clouds…

blast and hope we gave some as well!

The greatest surprise besides the presentation of a new track was surely the Isengard cover version of »Vinterskugge« - your personal fave from those two albums? What does Isengard's music mean to you – it's quite boorish and eccentric, isn't it?

Jonas: Yeah that's right, we cover the Isengard song »Vinterskugge« because of the reason it's a big influence and a great song. That's the main reason. We simply pay tribute to one of our sources of inspiration. Might be that we will change it to something else later on as we've done it for quite some time now. This song is certainly one of my personal Isengard faves and I admit that some of the songs are as you say quite boring but it has a lot of nostalgia to it and it's a milestone within the genre. Else I think »Thornspawn Chalice« and »Total Death« on »Høstmørke« kick some serious as! I remember picking »Vinterskugge« up whence it got out and it started quite a stir within the scene back then but I liked it right away. So these albums has been say important (big word maybe) for us more or less as individuals as well as it has coloured parts of the King of Asgard sound. It took pretty long time to get the lyric but we hooked up Fenriz and got his permission as well as the lyric and Vinterskugge v/s King of Asgard was a fact. Guess our common thing is that we are both blending metal with folkish tunes.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but is there some »Isengard-spirit« as well in the beginning of »Nordvegr« and in »Up On The Mountain«?

Jonas: For sure. As I said before it's been with us as individuals for many years and now as we write this kind of music, blending folkish tunes with blackened metal it reveals and manifests in our creations. Not too obvious though, but it's there and it is one of our inspirational sources. Guess it shows more or less in the two songs you mentioned. So you're not mistaking and it is not either something we try to hide, it is rather something we raise to the skies. We create music that we ourselves like listening to and thus our influences at times get obvious and that might be just to give them credit really. To say, bring others what they might have given us so that the old masters get the attention they're/were worth.

By the way: in »Wrath Of The Gods« you paid obvious tribute to – is this a band that you all cherish?

»Never give up the old ways!« Jonas: I think Iron Maiden is one of all those bands we all grew up to and still has some feeling or One of the strongest surprises on last year's edition of Ragnarök Festival was the gig of King underlying memories of. So might be that it blends Of Asgard from Sweden who are first of all known as follow-up of the almost legendary our songs to some extent as you say and so forth Mithotyn and second for their more than solid and heavy debut album »Fi'mbulvintr« but not intentionally. I don't think anyone of us is which unfortunately wasn't discovered by that many listeners so far – at least if you listening to Iron Maiden very much nowadays consider the status of Mithotyn back in the days and the topical popularity of folk and though but we've all been into it. I have memories . But instead of whining about the missing link between quality and public of me and Karl as kids were listening to »Killers« success, we should now really focus on the new long player, namely »...to North« which is and »The Number Of The Beast« at the same time nothing but a forceful fist in the face of superficial wannabe-folk-metal-morons. Again the trying to paint the covers of the two albums, ha-ha. Swedes deliver passionately crafted compositions with many neck-breaking riffs, See... what we have become! So we might not beautifully arranged strong melodies and dramatic structures that pale other bands which cherish, but it sure had impact on us! might be more popular but surely not that heavily down with their feet to the frostbitten earth. After Ragnarök #9 I felt it was my duty to check the new album out – and what shall I A question which came up at the festival write? Just listen yourself, for example to killer tracks like the grim & majestic Bathory- area: don't you have some merch, especially tribute »Up On The Mountain«, the ancient-sounding »Gap Of Ginnungs« or the irresistibly with such a nice artwork on your debut crushing »Nordvegr« with its powerful chorus... »Never give up the old ways!« Old ugly troll album? Not only me would have loved to buy that I am, I will for sure follow this wise slogan and it was of course a pleasure to set sails to a shirt... travel to North to meet bass player Jonas Albrektsson and guitar player and vocalist Karl Beckman who were not only kind enough to answer my questions but who even made an Jonas: I know and it's a pity. We have shirts with exclusive photo shoot for this story – tack så mycket, guys! our emblem on but due to some circumstances we made the decision not to put them up at the merch- I must say I was truly impressed by your had to wait around for too long, had to leave and hit stand. Anyway, you're not the first one asking, be powerful performance on the Ragnarök the road. Just as we did our guitars/gear turned up, sure. Hopefully we'll get it done as soon as possible; Festival and I think with such a strong gig we went back and picked it up and drove like hell to either it'll be made by us or by Metal Blade. It you surely deserve a better place in the the festival. Once there we went right up on stage would be really cool to have printed on shirts for billing. Were you satisfied with the concert and didn't have the time for a proper soundcheck sure as the artwork itself is fantastic, no doubts and the surrounding circumstances? but still some. So during those circumstances things about that. I think there will be shirts made for the went really well I suppose. It was a lot of fun and upcoming album though so hope fully on the first- Jonas: First of all thanks and good to hear you great playing that venue as well as the crowd was born later on as well. Keep checking our channels appreciated our gig! We really had a blast at the great. We played Friday and stayed out the whole for info. Ragnarök Festival and met a lot of cool people. festival, partying and hanged around. I think the Actually we were a bit stressed out as our festival was great and everything worked out fine Let's turn towards the new album: a lot equipment got lost at the airport customs and we and the crew was all out great. So as I said we had a positive can be said about »To North« but - 8 -

Mørkeskye #13 – a final gathering under black clouds… we all know the phrases of natural try to have everything done as long as possible fresh and really a mind blowing experience progression, more variety and sharpened before the studio recording. Me and Jonas do to listen to! How often do you find yourself focus more than well, so I would like to several pre-recordings etc. with arrangements so in retrospective and if you sometimes do, discuss some details. I think the trump card that we know that it'll work in the end. I've never how much nostalgia is included? What do is the original metal spirit in form of truly taken any lessons or actually been singing that you miss and what are you happy to have left irresistible riffs which force you to bang much before starting King of Asgard up. It was at behind? your head and which are over the top! Was it this level I noticed I could do it and that I could do your aim to expand the classic metal it good. I've been pushed and forced to do things to Karl: This was kind of the reason I once started approach in order to kill the audience, almost perfection in the studio with takes over and King of Asgard. I wanted to go back to my roots, especially on gigs? over again. Still getting to the point it is well worth getting to play some similar way of the music I the battle with a result that I can be proud of and as enjoyed playing and listening to. Not that I'm Jonas: Ha-ha, thanks for the kind and right on are the other guys: Leaving victorious. looking back, I did before starting King of Asgard spot-words! We don't really plan that much when but now this is what I got and I don't need to lock writing the basics of a song. It is when we arrange There are many traces in your music which back longing anymore. Now I look ahead and enjoy and put things together the 'magic' happens. We wake remembrances of old heroes, this time every second of what we're doing. One can miss work close to each other, me and Karl, turning and Metallica, early In Flames (Lunar Strain) parts of course but that's a different story. It is a twisting to get where a song is finished. For and Bathory came to my mind. Which bands great memory that I'm proud of and there are some example, the first song we wrote for the »...to do you owe quite a lot for what you play memorable songs we wrote. Now I'm fully focused North« album was the last one finished. It is »The these days? with King of Asgard and feel very safe and satisfied Nine Worlds Burn« which we had a struggle with with the line-up and the direction we've taken. So but in the end it turned out to be one of the most Jonas: Of the ones you mention there is and has it's all left behind, still very present with the powerful songs. Our aim is actually as said to create always been since we started the ever influential similarities we've got. things we like ourselves and the structures we work godfather of and 'viking' metal: upon is often hard-hitting and straight forward Bathory. It's almost hard to explain what he meant If you had the chance to meet one of the which along with powerfully mythological characters of the arranged vocal performance North in order to talk with make the songs very strong. It him/her, to ask for advice or may sound simple but it is to accompany him/her on a countless of hours laid behind journey, whom would you almost every song. We are self- choose and for which reason? critical and always try our very best to please both ourselves as Karl: Oh, this ain't easy. There are well as our fans and listeners. many occasions and mythological Sure there are lots of classic characters one would like metal shining through on this experience and meet. Why not record I suppose and I guess experience a topic we often come that's just a coincidence and that back to? To walk side by side with it is the way it turns when trying Odin on the onset and downfall of to get to the straight powerful Ragnarök. This battle would be form we're playing. So it is very something for sure to have interesting and cool you mention experienced. No actual reason, just and recognize such thing. This something that fascinates me a lot tells us we've in some way and that is so powerful in all its succeed. mythological worth.

Although many productions In how far has your perception these days are quite of the myths changed over the powerful, the one of your decades since you discovered new album is especially them – are they only nice strong and really »We'll not limit ourselves saying we could not inspirational sources for lyrics emphasizes the contrasts of write anything else but the subject we now discuss. or have they more value for epic and brutality as well as example as ethical or the change of atmosphere. In It is cliché in all ways but to us it is something psychological guidelines for how far does Andy La Roque more, it's a sort of heritage we feel we need to life? help you to sharpen your sound and what role does he treasure and bring forth and doing it through Karl: Actually this is mainly a play for you – is he a helping these channels is just perfect.« - Karl Beckman source of inspiration and a sort of friend, a paragon, or a slave heritage we're carrying forth. I've driver when it is needed? always been interested to the matter and been fascinated by the Jonas: Well, we know really well what kind of for this kind of music, it is still timeless. We might myths but it have never turned into a religious way sound we're looking for so we simply told him at not show tribute all the time but Bathory is always of thinking. Of course there are lots that are well our first meeting in the studio. We want, as you say, present and we actually have a song on »...to worth thinking over and so forth. It has been with power and aggression when brutal and epic when North« that was supposed to work as a tribute to me in more or less all of my life but as said only as a needed and this time we succeeded very well. Andy Bathory and giving dedication to him in the high source of interest and inspiration. To some helps us out in all ways he possibly can and we also booklet. This never happened but the song is still on extent I could use it as guidelines in my life but no push ourselves to the highest level as we see the the album. On the other hand we try not to be very farther than that. It's my or ours heritage and that goal and we aim for it with full force. We know the focused on our inspirations and such but sure there is what I treasure most and bring through channels potential of the songs and thus need the sound to are traces of all kinds of heroes. But remember, as King of Asgard to others. It's a gift from the Gods support it. He's all three things you mention. He's a Only Bathory is real! and our Viking forefathers. friend as we've know him well and been there before during the years of both King of Asgard and »To North« will be released on vinyl as well once combined a listening previous bands. He is for sure a paragon with all of – was it a conscious decision to choose the session with the visit of Viking museum, what he have achieved with for example King faster songs for side A and the slightly Helheim promoted their music with an Diamond, brilliant stuff! Last but not least he is a heavier ones for side B? acoustic set in a kindergarten and facing the slave driver (when needed). He pushes us to greater many new metal releases each month, ideas heights when needed and never gives in for our Jonas: Yeah, that's right and it's truly great to like that might help to gather a bit of extra boredom when things like that happen. This time release it on vinyl as well. To the question, well, this attention. How do you imagine a perfect we worked really close, especially on the finishing is not fully decided yet so I'd rather not tell anyone listening session for »To North«? and last touching parts which was terrific! Both we anything more really until we know for sure. All I and Andy left the studio least say proud which was know is that we need to do something due to the Jonas: That would be to bring you all to our nearby great. length of album which may cause a different track surroundings. We could start off not far from where listing. Still, nothing is carved in stone as we speak. we live and rehearse at the Rök Runestone. Then go Your vocals sound focused and truly fierce, Hope this release will make people crave a to the mountain close to that surrounded with yet they are well understandable. Is this a »Fi'mbulvintr« vinyl release as well. many strange myths, Omberg. The surroundings of result of a life time experience of singing in where we live are rich of historical monuments so it metal bands or did you take lessons as well? My first point of contact with your music would actually be really cool. The Rök stone would was the 1996 promo of Mithotyn that I be great as it contains the world’s longest rune Karl: We work hard on making the vocals fit with ordered from Richard Neu / Viking Force inscription many myths and so forth. The song the music as well as making it understandable with fanzine when the combination of blackened "Vämods Tale" is by the way taken from that stone. things such as pronunciations and structures. We with folk melodies was still Ending it all off with a hell of a drunken madness - 9 -

Mørkeskye #13 – a final gathering under black clouds… and a perfect listening session! which is kind of strange according to our band specific albums with remembrances in a name. Still that is our basics but we'll not limit similar way? »Up On The Mountain« sounds like a ourselves saying we could not write anything else programmatic title not only for your music, but the subject we now discuss. It is very cliché in Jonas: Oh, thanks! I can link many of old album to but also for a perception of the world which all ways but to us it is something more, it's a sort of occasions that happened in the past. You know you is chosen by quite some metal heads who heritage we feel we need to treasure and bring forth remember specific occasions when hearing the prefer to consciously choose whom they and doing it through these channels is just music. But I think this is more rare happening to socialize with and to whom they keep a perfect. That is motivation good enough and also, me nowadays actually. These things happened more distance and who look to we really like what we're doing. in say the Early / Mid Nineties to me when you kind draw their back towards the And if people see us as followers of of heard things for the first time. Like when you got hectic daily life. In how far other bands and such that is just hold of the first albums of say Satyricon, Bathory or are you familiar with such fine with us. We know what we're which band it might have been. That is something “outsider” kind of sentiments about and don't think in such that has made its mark and that brings back good and do you like to wander in terms. We're too old for that! old memories. So these things is not happening too nature, in the mountains? often any more, more specific songs if so. But when I must say that I'm really they do it is great of course. Jonas: Sure, nature is a great looking forward listening to escape in all ways and it is really the new Skogen album »Eld« Do you fear as well that such forms of nice to leave this, as you say, and of course the new Ereb »deeper connection« will get lost in the hectic daily life and blend in with Altor which should be out hyper modern media surroundings where nature. Just to stroll a forest or soon. How do you judge the all is about easy & fast consumption? walk a mountain for example is topical Swedish underground great for gathering ones thoughts and which »smaller« bands Jonas: Yeah, I think that this could be just one or to bring focus on something would you recommend? cause to why I do not get that feeling often any special that could be King of more. There is just too much of everything and it is Asgard for example. Don't say it's Jonas: Funny as you mention all happening so fast. It is good in many ways with a common thing but it happens. these two acts which would the new way of how media works but many things Interesting on such matter might certainly be the once I would tend to get lost in it and not get the attention it be that Karsten and Lars live on the country side mention in such question. They are both incredibly deserves. This is a pity as for example that there are and has almost no neighbours, close to nature and good bands and their earlier works are all amazing. bands that maybe are not really ready for releasing the King of Asgard rehearsal room is also on the I know Jocke from Skogen quite well and just heard albums get more attention than some that just don't country side. The actual lyric for "Up on the one song from the »Eld« album and it sounds so get the same media attention and thus get lost. Mountain" is in short about getting out of old promising. I do not think anyone is going to be More things could be said about it but it is simply traces, reaching for something higher and better. Be disappointed with this, that is for sure. Same goes something we have to get used to and face. it the Gods... you might not reach it but you could for Ereb Altor which seem to have a really good one surely get a better existence and a brighter future. coming as well with a slight different touch than Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer & before. Well, that is what I come up with, I'm hopefully see you on tour with a line-up of You're into metal music for more than two mostly into the old acts actually but sure there are strong bands! decades and you have a focus on topics like good things around now and then. But I do as you - Vikings, mythology, history ever since. In recommend Skogen and Ereb Altor and of course Thanks a bunch for supporting King of Asgard, you the mid Nineties you were among the the new King of Asgard album! are all our kings!!! Yeah hope for some great shows pioneers of folk-influenced black metal, ahead and that the album gets the attention I whereas nowadays newcomers to the scene I must admit that before Ragnarök I didn't believe it deserves. Bring us your offers! Cheers! may regard you as heirs to the (presumed) know »Fi'mbulvintr« and as it became clear throne of Amon Amarth – what keeps the to me that I would write a review of the gig I kingofasgard.com motivation strong to play this mythological asked a colleague to burn me the album, so metal with all its (lovely) clichés? that I was able to write a review with at least some substance. Since your gig was so Karl: It is basically just the interest and love of the strong and »Einharjar« kept on playing in old sagas. The history of our fantastic heritage etc. my head, I bought the album soon after and That is all needed. Even though King of Asgard ain't thus will every time listening remember the all about the Viking and the mythology and such surprising gig at Ragnarök. Do you link

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