Vreid Interview
by Mark Hensch
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Named after the Norwegian word for "Wrath," Vreid are a veritable institution of balls-to-wall rocking black metal. Formed from the ashes of progressive black/folk outfit Windir, the band also isn't afraid to experiment with unique forms of dark and evil expression. I chatted up Bassist Hvall about their newest (and, personally speaking at least, strongest) album "I, Krig."
Mark Hensch for Thrashpit: First things first. The new album is named I, Krig, which is Norwegian for "At War." What would you say your band is warring against?
Hvall: The title reflects the lyrics, which are based upon a poem collection written by Gunnar Reiss- Andersen back in 1946. He was a poet and fought against the Nazi occupation of Norway. These poems describe the atmosphere of living in an occupied Norway during WWII.
Thrashpit: The new album differs from older ones insofar as it is written only in Norwegian, while older CDs where in both English and Norwegian. Why did you decide to change the lyrics this time around?
Hvall: Simply because these poems were written in Norwegian, and would loose their spirit by being translated. Next time we might do all the lyrics in English or maybe all in Norwegian again, only time will tell.
Thrashpit: Much like your older band Windir, Vreid seems to be unafraid to explore more old-fashioned instruments like violins or other folk instruments in their music. What role do you think a people's traditions should play in black metal?
Hvall: For me tradition is important. It is about paying respect to our forefathers, and also we have a lot to learn from the past. I always like to explore new musical landscapes, and incorporating classical instruments is one approach. If this has something to do with Black metal, I don't know, but I don't look upon Vreid as a black metal band anyway.
Thrashpit: Some say a musician's hardest critic is his self. What would you say is the best song on I, Krig and why?
Hvall: I'd say it is a tie between "Jarnbyrd" and "Svart". These songs have the perfects balance of blackness, groove and atmosphere. They are also the songs that ended up the closest to its original idea when they were recorded.
Thrashpit: Both I, Krig and previous Vreid albums are rooted in military themes (the cover art, the lyrics, etc.). What role do you think war plays in human society?
Hvall: War will always be there. Man is greedy and in constant search for more, more and more. I think that there is an urge to suppress others rooted in many people, and also many people are driven by envy. These factors will lead to the need of controlling other people, and war is the strongest means to reach their goals. Basically it is a survival of the fittest game. The strongest will win, but it is of utter importance to not underestimate your foe. Never underestimate the power of the underdog!
Thrashpit: Musically, Vreid sounds very fresh, at least to me. I'd describe it as a primal black 'n roll kind of attack, like Enslaved meeting early Motorhead. What kind of bands influenced you guys growing up and made you sound the way you do?
Hvall: I'd say it looks something like this:
1970s: Alice Cooper, the Stooges, Black Sabbath, Kiss & Bowie.
1980s: Metallica, Motorhead, Slayer, Death, Sepultara
1990s: Darkthrone, Burzum, Immortal, Emperor.
Current decade: Blah!
Timeless: Prokofiev, Grieg, Wagner, Norwegian folklore & Johnny Cash.
Thrashpit: Some of my fellow writers don't like black metal as it sometimes takes itself very seriously. They do, however, enjoy your music, as it has a spirit of joy to it. How important is it to you making it sound like your music is both brutal and fun for you personally to play?
Hvall: I make music that sets me in a certain atmosphere. Be it brutal, dark, and light or whatever, it all depends on MY emotions when I am writing it. How my music is viewed or characterized by others is of no importance to me when I write it.
Thrashpit: I am a newer Windir fan thanks to Vreid, and in my opinion both Windir and Vreid are awesome bands. How do you feel Vreid is different from the band almost all of you once played in?
Hvall: Vreid is has a more classical rock sound than Windir. Windir were a mixture of black metal & Norwegian folklore, while Vreid is more rooted in the classical rock from the seventies and the eighties. Still both bands sound indisputably Norwegian. We light the same fire with different torches.
Thrashpit: You guys played at last year's epic Heathen Crusade Festival II. What memories do you have from that event and how do you feel it helped your overall exposure in the United States?
Hvall: Playing in the states was great. It was a good feeling doing our first show on a new continent. The response was good, and we sure hope to do more US shows over the next years.
Thrashpit: Last question! What do you think the future holds for Vreid as a band?
Hvall: For 2008 we will play festivals and work on our 4th album. Vreid will grow stronger for each show we do and each song we write. The march of the brigade has just only just begun!
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