1. Hi man, let´s try to recall a few things. Tell me, has Odal experienced some period, during which everything began to look better? For example, that you have found your own way, your own way of how everything should be done? Was there a moment when Odal became Odal? (Have you also experienced some kind of crisis?)

The moment when Odal became Odal was when Aske became ash and Odal rose to a firm band. From then on it went further upwards without any high or low points.

2. Before this interview I listened to your previous album to make myself sure. As a guitarist you are somehow unique for me; you give precedence for melodies. I don´t know if this is same in other bands, but every Odal´s song has it´s own distinct melodies, moments and twists but it still has it´s own pagan feeling. But I find strange that all your riffs are so naturally melodic, so it came to my mind if you are not clinging to melodic sounding too much?

I do not know if I am clinging to melodic sounding, but I do not think so. My songs do not develope after a certain planning, but I give an appearance to my feelings and moods, they come out of myself by their own.

3. When I reviewed “Wilde Kraft” it obtained just a positive responses. But I believe that responses from your friends and neighborhood were similar. I guess that you´ll agree with my opinion that this album is your best? Do you put some aspects as more important? Did you make something differently?

Yes, the responses were good, but I do not see „Wilde Kraft“ as our best work. From the musical side seen; one comes inevitably to the conclusion that “Zornes Heimat” is Odals recent high point, which may also be a logical and natural way things go. There is not any band developing backwards. On the other side there does not exists any album of Odal which is better than the others, so that is my point of view. Every album has another mood and atmosphere and so its a work which I see independent from the others, I do not compare them, because they were created in different times and situations. Surely everybody listening to the albums has its own favorite, one fitting in the personal taste. But, not looking on the musical aspect, they all have the same value for me.

4. But now it´s year 2008 and you may be proud of the new album, which should at least equal to its predecessor. (Now I´m just presuming, not judging). I wonder if the album is somehow specific, or bounded by something… By a story for a example.

You are presuming in the right direction, because „Zornes Heimat“ is a concept-album. After the narration of the album lyrics a new world is to be created, a barren and hostile world full of scorn and hate. The world results from 6 lyric texts and is to be completed by text number 7. The 6 lyrics trade with natural disasters bringing chaos and devastation, destructing and dragging everything down the abyss.


5. Again you have involved melodies about which I was talking earlier. But I feel that you added more brutality and heaviness. That comes together with fact, that songs are not so melancholic, but they have more metallic feel (if you know what I mean). And what´s important, sound has also improved. Do you agree with those statements, or Am I totally wrong?

Again it is a typical work of Odal, with no doubts it is unmistakably Odal. But there are also new developments, it is the first time for Odal having a professional studio sound, which makes all the sound impressions major and more brutal for example. Considering the atmopshere it is also more grim and cold. I think it also contains melancholic parts and by listening to it recently it will open itself for the auditor.

6. Cover art of “Zornes Heimat” is not photographed, but for the first time it has been drawn. What the front cover represents and who´s the author?

My girlfriend designed and drew the cover by my option. As far as one can see it looks quite good. It represents the sparse addicted world I talked about and also the sorrow, pain and hate.

7. Throughout the time I was thinking why are you not alone in Odal? Nothing against your playmates, but as far as I know you are also capable of playing drums and keyboards when needed. I am sure that you would make it out. So what is your opinion about now so popular one-man projects, which are usually not worth a shit?

Well, I also run the solo-project Wolfsschreiand if it is well done and it worths hear it there is nothing to say against. I dont think much of that kind of projects which apply a redundant drumcomputer, that is really kinky and has not much to do with music and Metal.

The reason why I do not run Odal by my own is, that Odal was a band with several members since the beginning. Also if the musicians changed and I write the music and the lyrics by my own I do not have any ambitions to run it alone. I also do not have the experience and technical maturity to play the drums like Grroll is doing it. First and foremost I am a guitarist and so I will limit myself to that what I play best.

8. Tell me, when you made a deal with Christhunt prod.? It is one of the most respected black metal labels, but in recent times there were many problems with such major labels. What about you? Is everything ok? Do you intend to stay at the same label for a next album?

We have had a good relation to Christhunt since I have played with Aske and this passes also for today, because the label is doing good work. So that is not going to change anyway.


9. If I would consider Odal as your main band (Am I right?), I would be interested what it means for you. Every musician sees something different in his own band but there is always SOMETHING. May it be family, possibility of letting off, or a way of deep expression. What about you?

Yes, Odal is my main band. What it means for me? I would say that it is my musical lifework, the project where I let flow the most of my personal perception.

10. Origin of the man has it´s own impact on the making of music. Are you all from the same town? Is there something interesting what influences your compositions? A place you are visiting alone or with friends? When and where your first relations to the paganism started? Everything may be connected.

No, we do not live all in the same town. We all live about 30 to 50 kilometers scattered in Thuringia. We meet one another here and there, but we have no special places. Wolfhetan does not visit us that much and he does not rehearse with us. He rehearses and plays the bass guitar only before the recording. I can not recall my first relation to the paganism, it must have been as I was rooting in Metal.

11. Well, Taaken, new album is truly quality stuff, in which I still have to dig more. But what makes me happy is the fact that you´re still devoted to the style you set up with Odal. And what is most important, the quality is still high! I wish you best for the future and if you feel like to, you may write something to our readers. Cheers!

First I want to thank you for the questions and I want to thank also the readers for their interest.

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Informace o článku: Přidáno: 22.09.2008 Přečteno: 49x Napsal: Fastred

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