1. Even before we start to speak about music Make a Change…, I´d like to demur to name of your project, which is in my opinion vere original (in comparison with all that infernal godhoods, which have in the name each second band) and it doesn´t hide sense of cynical humour. How thought you that name? The naming of the project was a fairly easy decision between Nattetale and I. When we discovered the suggestive powers of the music and lyrics combined, there really wasn’t any other name by which we could call it.
It had to represent the lyrical content in an „In your face“ manner, and that’s exactly what it does.
2. Where and when arose that idea to create this harrowing, depressive creation? Did you feel need to have out all that inside disgust, which is accumulating in different degree in all of us?
Make A Change... Kill Yourself would not exist if it wasn’t for the suicide letters I received in the summer of 2004. They really opened my mind to a whole new spectre of emotions, and I decided to create a musical landscape that could support the content of those letters. I never imagined myself doing this kind of stuff, but I was simply overwhelmed by the need to explore the darkest sides of my psyche, and create an emotional platform on which the unvailing of these letters could take place.
3. How was proceeding your creative suit? Did you have just fast existing vision, feeling? How much time took you writting and recording of your music material?
The initial vision just kept expanding, revealing other directions and paths to follow, so everything went quite fast. I composed the music over a period of 2 months, and as always, many things were altered when I entered the studio and began fitting the pieces together.
4. Arrangements on debut are very long, which is not only enough typical for this genre, but also much exacting than classic five-minutes songs. What advantages and disadvantages do you see in it? Surely it is better to expression all spectrum of emotions and moods…
I don’t see any disadvantages in the lenght of the songs. Each guitar-riff carries with it a diffent mood, that shows the listener a new way of interpreting the lyrics, so I just keep on building until the music does the words justice.
5. How are you satistied with this album, when you see on it with a year interval? Do you often listen to your music?
I am completely satisfied with the way this album turned out. The outcome could not have been any better in my opinion. I listen to my own creations very often indeed, as it inspires me to uphold the momentum and make it accelerate so I can develop the initial ideas into new compositions.
6. Recently there is really copious amount of the bands, which play depressive genre of black metal. What do you think about it? Do you have any favourites?
I must admit that I don’t know that many bands who play this genre, but among those I know of, Abyssic Hate and Shining are my favourites.
7. As well as in visual arts, quality music give its consumer some compact impression, thematic motive. How do you preferably express essence of Make a Change…Kill Yourself?
I try to have every element reflect the overall concept of the lyrics.
8. Perhaps I´m not alone, who affect myself by angelic´s vocals of lady Demonica, which shine music with clear melancholy light. Did you plan their usage since beginning, or it came „by working“? Are you going to use it also in the future?
I did plan to use female vocals and whispers from the beginning, and seeing how well it turned out, I will definitely also use it in the future. It delivers another dimension in which to be creative and render the listener with even more ways to interpret the songs.
9. In preceding question I start it, now I finish it…What about Make a Change…in the future? What can we expect?
I am recording the second album as I am writing these words.
It will contain 2 songs of great lenght and depression, and will be released in spring 2007 by Total Holocaust Records and Black Hate Productions.
10. All instrument in Make a Change…and also in Angantyr overmaster yourself, what is mature to applause. Which of instruments did you first could play on? Which do you like mostly? By writting a music frontiers open on you and each of instruments offers many possibilities to creation of music, though one must be the most expressive…which one?
Well thank you very much.
I started playing piano at the age of 6, so I hasn’t been an impossible task to learn to play other instruments, as I had a basic understanding of each instruments capabilities and contributions to the final product.
The piano is without doubt the most expressive instrument for me.
11. Your lyrics and music definitely aren´t positive things. What about you and gloomy moods? Do you often get through sorrow, depressions?
I must say that I have developed a sort of „emotional numbness“ to the kind of things that could cause sorrow and depressions to other people. I just don’t care so much about the world anymore I always seek to be in control of my mind’s aspects, and Make A Change... Kill Yourself has definitely helped me a bit further on the way.
12. Nihilism and hate to existence express itself very often also in literature? Do you have favourite creations, authors?
One of my favourite works is a Danish book called „Kadavermarch“ (March of cadavers) which is based on the „Dawn of the dead“ movie trilogy. I also enjoy many of Dean Koontz‘ works. I would like any book that twists the „normal“ view on earthly reality into something obscure and unforeseeable.
I mostly read fiction I guess...
13. Once again I would like to ask you on things about the name. Angantyr is name of an old Danish king. Do you have respect to history and culture of your country? Are you proud on Danish culture heritage?
I am in deep respect of the scandinavian history and folklore, and on an everlasting quest to increase my knowledge of the old ways. christianitys firm grip on the north the last 1000 years has led the pen writing the history books, and surely left many „unflattering“ things to oblivion.
14. In 1997 you established a band with resolve to create ambient music, a year later you transformed on the way, which suit you a which we can listen to now. Though, that this influences are in beginning of your creation apparent, did you put ambient efforts once for all on ice?
I have always channeled my emotions into ambient pieces of music. Even though I don’t use very much of it in Angantyr, it is far from laid on ice. I did some ambient pieces on the first Make A Change... Kill Yourself album, and I have also created ambient music to some short horror films I made in the past. A lot of times I start with an ambient song or melody, and then transform it into guitar-riffs, and make a whole blackmetal song out of what started as an ambient piece.
15. I can´t help it, but from your music, other way present honest black metal, I feel influences of folklore and classic music. Do you often attend to this music? Because…Angantyr belong surely to your pivotal music project, you show in it large creative potential. I wouldn´t be alone, whose amazed engaging of string instrument on „Sejr“. What led you to that measure?
More and more bands who play historical music using authentic instruments have surfaced the last few years, and that inspires me to try some new things.
At the recordings of „Sejr“ I initially wanted to use the violinist for the intro, but as we progressed, I asked him to play a long solo at the end of „En falden kriger“. It took a long time to get it right, but when I hear the result, I think that the hours were well spent.
As for the classical aspect, I used to attend classical concerts when I was younger, but my frame of interest has shifted more in favour of the authentic folkloric music.
16. How was said, Angantyr is black metal of classic style. Do you think, that this style can offer still anything new? Does in your opinion exist still any bases, which weren´t be abasement?
I am certain that there are still unexplored territory in black metal.
One just has to focus creativity and use ones imagination.
17. You have on account two studio albums, „Kampen Fortsaetter (2000) and „Sejr“ (2004), what main difference do you see between them? What can you tell us to that two creations (from your musician view)?
Well... The obvious difference between the two albums is the sound production.
I have gathered a lot of experience on that front.
„Kampen Fortsaetter“ was recorded on multiple locations and over a long period of time, and was more like an album put together of songs composed during a long timespan, where as „Sejr“ was recorded in one single session, and composed within 3 months.
18. Last year you released by Northern Silence prod. Compilation from your two demos on very interesting data medium like LP. Do you think, that this format has still its reason, in time of mp3s´ downloading? But it surely has its own characterful feeling…
Personally I prefer vinyl to any other medium. I think it has something special to it, some kind of aura of hard reality, in these digital times...
19. On the covers of your creations is very often picture of burning/demolition church and your lyrics are oriented also strong antichristianity. I think, it´s no need to still dish up crimes caused by this madness, so I ask you, what is your position to today´s Church?
My hatred towards the church and it’s followers has not decreased even though church attendance in Denmark are lower than ever. As long as there are ignorant followers of the cross, there will be proud warriors with strong nordic blood in their veins fighting to reveal the truth about their honorless bloody ascent to power.
20. What can your supporter expect to next years? Do you have just any new ideas, composed songs?
I am recording a new album as I write these words.
The story pics up where „Sejr“ left off and continues the story of Arngrims revenge.
It will be released in spring 2007 by Det Germanske Folket.
I’m also expecting to play some more live shows in 2007.
21. You work also in bands like „Zahrim“ and „Holmgang“, which you play on drums in. What experience is for you playing with others teammates? It´s surely different, than if you have all under control when you create with your own…
I enjoy both methods of creativity.
When you put 4 different personalities together in a band, it spawns something quite interesting, in comparison to 1 person that tend to leave his „mark“ on all his compositions.
Just to clear things up, I am just a session member in Zahrim. I have nothing to do with the compositions themselves. Aeljutor summons me when he needs help recording keyboards, or when he needs a live drummer.
22. Thank you very much for the interview and for whole Mortem I wish you good luck in the future. We have pleasure of new music from you!! Last words are yours…
Thank you very much for your support and interest.
2007 will be a good year for Angantyr, with a new album and more live shows.
Hail to the ways of old, and follow the call from your blood.
