This is my interview I did with Ravn of Frothardr, InnerSiege, Dödsmarsch, x-Antestor, x- A Hill to die upon. This is a really great interview very informative and alot of info I haven't read before. I'm very happy to have gotten this interview I haven't seen any recent interview's from Ravn or Frosthardr I was really nervous to ask for and interview I thought what the heck he can only say no. As you can see he didn't I hope you enjoy the interview! One of my favorite part's was when he gave alot of information on the history of Frosthardr really awesome!
1. Is there a band or album that got you into Black Metal
Ravn: 1. I started digging metal back in the late 80's and some hard rock. I became a big fan of Motorhead when a friend gave me the Overkill album on a cassette tape. Before that I listened to some Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, but my interest in harder rock started with Motorhead. Metallica gave out Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, and that got me into the thrash metal. When it comes to Black Metal, there was a local radio show playing Darkthrone, Mayhem and Burzum amongst others, and I totally got into the sound of Darkthrone, so I guess that answers your question. I would say that I got my pleasant surprise the first time I heard Horde, which was the first "Christian" Black Metal I ever heard. I know Horde calls it Un-black metal...but I don't Ha haha!
2. Dodsmarch is a new band of yours when can we expect new material from you guys and can you reveal the line up of the band?
Ravn: Dodsmarsch is a unknown chapter, no one knows when anything will happen. We have recorded quite a few new songs, and will work on new material as the time and possibilities allow us, but we have plans to continue until we have an album ready. As for line up...who knows...well I am a part of it as you already figured out ha haha!
3. Frosthardr is amazing band could you give us some history on the band? And do you have any plans to record anything new?
Ravn: Thank you, I really appreciate that. Frosthardr was an idea or if you will a calling I got in January of 1997. In March of the same year I had gathered some friends (amongst them Dr. E, which still is our guitar player) and started jamming some pretty folk based black metal. Dr. E did the vocals and I played bass back then but switched to guitar and vocals and Dr. E to guitar in 2000 . We had a hard time keeping a steady line up and by the time we got our present line up it was 2002 when Ozol (bass) and Savn (drums) joined us. We released "Necrodisaster2002" which was recorded in 2001 with Savn on drums, Dr. E on guitars, and I did vocals, bass and guitars.
We started playing shows around and after a while we headed outside Norway, like our first show outside Norway was in 2003 playing in London at Destruction fest.In 2004 we released "Makteslos". A 5 track EP, and we went on a small tour to Switzerland and the Czech Republic with our good friends of Drottnar. Following year we played with Slechtvalk on their "At the dawn of war tour". In 2006 we went on a small tour again in the Czech Republic and Switzerland but this time with our friends of Inevitable End. In 2007 we released the "Varg" EP. And by now you're probably bored to death with our history. We also went outside Europe, and played at the Cornerstone Festival that year. In the spring of 2008 I moved to the US, and the band is not actively playing anymore, except for whenever I go to Europe or the guys come to the US. We have a full-length album recorded, but no release date is set yet.
4. What’s your opinion on people calling your bands Unblack Metal? Do you categorize it just under Black Metal? I personally consider your music Black Metal because the music come’s first then the lyrics because it would be ridiculous in my opinion if you had a Power Metal band for example singing satanic lyrics and that got put under “Black Metal”.
Ravn: I have yet to hear a Uhheavy metal, or a Unthrash metal, or an absolutely not a tall rock'n roll band HA HA HA! I really don't care at all what people decide to call their music, but, when ever I play black metal ( this I say because I do play in more than just black metal bands, like for instance Innersiege, which is Power Metal), then I am playing black metal! So yes I totally agree with you on that!
5. You were a member for Antestor for a bit were you just a live musicians and why did you leave?
Ravn: I did play live with Antestor from 2002 and out 2004. Good times! Due to transportation issues (I lived quite a drive away from them) I had to leave the band. I did never record anything with them, and I was in London with Frosthardr during the time the bass was recorded. They also wanted to have their old bass player on that album, which I totally respect!
6. From what I have read at least Norway is supposed to be one of the happiest countries why do you think such grim music come’s from there?
Ravn: I do find happiness in grim music....and grimness in happy music...and the general opinion about a nation does not necessarily go for all of us. I honestly don't know what to answer on that question HAHAHA! We all have our ups and downs no matter what the general opinion is I guess. And if sadness and misery has to do with all of black metal, then I'm one depressed guy...*wiping the smile and laughter of my face in a desperate try to look grim* ha ha! Nah we're not a bunch of emo's is probably what I am trying to say.
7. Your Power Metal band Inner Siege is also really good. How did you form the band? Is there a possible U.S tour in the works?
Ravn: Thanks again! Innersiege was actually formed a while before I joined. I was asked if I wanted to help them out, just days after I left A Hill To Die Upon. I decided to help them out for live shows, but enjoyed it so much that when they asked me to be their permanent bass player I said yeah! We're going to Switzerland to play at the Elements of Rock this coming week, and that's going to be fun! We're not going on any tours yet, but are doing some shows here and there. We're keeping our Facebook page and Twitter up to date on our shows all the time! I know we will be playing in Chicago at the Ragnarokkr fest, and in Nebraska at Skull fest this year. Add us!
8. Last question when you have played live has there been time’s when secular bands won’t play with you because of your faith?
Ravn: That has not happened yet as far as I know. People has been pretty cool about it, and it's not like we shove the Bible down their throat so it's all good, we usually not calling ourselves a Christian band, but rather a metal band. The messages we have is from our perspective as Christians. Just like a mechanic is usually a mechanic and a painter is a painter Christian or not. We're musicians with a personal faith! HAHAHA!
Thank you very much for your time Ravn I wish you the best. Do you have any last words for the fans?
Ravn: Also take your time to check out my one man, no budget project WarHorse!Thank you, and God Bless!
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