NAGLFAR (SWE)

Greetings Jens! After four year came Naglfar back with the briliant "Ex Inferis" EP. What kind of responses did you get to the Ep? What was the reason of this long silence?

A lot of fuck-ups, delays and all kind of shit caused this huge delay that ended up in a period of four years between "Diabolical" and "Ex Inferis". A combination of some lazyness and pure bad fuckin' luck basicly, but also some label fuck-ups too. "Ex Inferis" was originally supposed to be released over a year earlier. But also, Naglfar have never been a "fast" or "productive" band when it comes to song writing. We do take our time when we're writing songs, we never want to rush things just to get an album out. It's always better to put out a killer album every five years, intead of putting out a just decent or dull album every two years, right?
The EP got good reactions I think, of course some people complained that it doesn't contain much new material, in which I agree... But overall the respons has been great!

Tell me please a few words about the "Ex inferis". Why did you re-recorded the songs of the "When Autumn Storms Come" picture-7"?

The "When Autumn Storms Come" 7" was limited to 1000 copies only. Since it got sold out, people has asked for it and so on, so we simply decided put that recording on the "Ex Inferis" EP too as bonus tracks. The songs are not re-recorded, just re-mastered, ok?

The EP includes the classic "Dawn Of Eternity" from MASSACRE. This is one of my favourite songs in the death metal style. Are you great MASSACRE fans?

Yeah, I came up with the idea to do "Dawn Of Eternity" as a cover. I've always been a huge fan of their "From Beyond" album!

I think "From Beyond" is a killer, classic death metal album, one of the greatest death metal albums ever. Do you agree with me? But "Promise" became very shitty.

I agree.

In your line-up happened a change, Marcus "Wargher" Norman is the member of NAGLFAR. How did he join the band? Why did leave the former guitarist the band?

The former guitarist Morgan left the band because of lack of interest, he simply didn't enjoy being in a band anymore. So Marcus joined the band almost immediately after Morgan's departure and the change was flawless. Marcus is an excellent guitarist and musician!

Besides NAGLFAR, does Wargher continue BEWITCHED and ANCIENT WISDOM? What's your opinion about him bands? I like BEWITCHED very much, but I don't know ANCIENT WISDOM.

I like Bewitched as hell! Ancient Wisdom is even better! Check out "...And The Physical Shape Of Light Bled", awesome stuff!

When did you begin to write the new songs? Does Wargher take part in the writings of the new songs? How is a Naglfar song composed?

When "Vargher" (not Wargher) joined the band, most material was already written, but he did contribute with some stuff for two of the songs I think and all the guitar solos as well, of course! But anyway, most of the material is written as band, together in the rehearsal place. We take our time when we're writing songs, we never want to rush things just to put an album out you know... The exceptions on "Sheol" anyhow are the songs "Black God Aftermath", that was written entirely by me. And "Unleash Hell" that's written by bass player Kristoffer!

Because I didn't listen to the new stuff, please tell me about the new album. What does it mean the title "Sheol"? You know, in our language is a word "Sheol", but it means "nowhere" ha-ha!

"Sheol" is a word in Hebrew and it means HELL! "Sheol" is a fuckin' masterpiece in my opinion, our finest work by far up to date, check it out now... or die!!!

In your opinion, what is the difference and the similarity between "Diabolical" and "Sheol"? How much did you develope? Are you satisfied with the sound of the new album?

"Sheol" is a follow up to "Diabolical", so there are similarities as well as some clear differences between the albums. With Naglfar we're trying to develop our sound further and as a band, but without loosing our original sound. We play the music we want to play, that's it! If people like it or not, I couldn't care less you know... But yeah, I'm very satisfied with "Sheol", it turned out pretty much exactly as the way I wanted.

Which song is your favourite? What is it all about the lyrics?

I like all the songs of course, but if I had to pick one I'd choose "Black God Aftermath" at this point. It's a good song I think. I believe it's better if you read the lyrics yourself and get your own opinion, they're pretty straight forward.

How would you determine the music of Naglfar? I'm asking only, because you are taken as the successor of Dissection. I share this opinion too.

I believe NAGLFAR is musicwise a combination between Death metal and Black metal. I don't see us as "successor of Dissection"... Magazines writes this all the fuckin' time and it's damn annoying since they're writing the exact same things with other bands too you know! So I guess we're all "Successors Of Dissection"??? Haha! I don't give a damn.

Had Dissection an effect on you? Do you like Dissection? Is a difference or similarity between the two bands? Do you have something information about Jon Nödtveidt? How does he do?

I think Dissection is/was a great band, but that's about it. Nowadays, I can't point out where I get my inspiration from. Back in the early days I was influenced by some other bands etc, but now I'm beyond that. I just write the music I want to play, that's it!

"Storm Of A Light's Bane" is a very important, briliant, classic stuff. Your comment?

I agree.

Johan Norman has now a new band called SOUL REAPER. Do you know them? What's your opinion about them?

Great band, especially the 7" EP.

Let we jump back a little bit in the past. When was NAGLFAR born? Who established the band? How many demos did you recorded? Were the demos successful?

The band was formed back in 1993 I think, formed by me and Kristoffer (bass). Our debut demo "Stellae Trajectio" was released in 1994 and was quite successful I believe, it gave a deal with Wrong Again Records. In 1995 we did a promo-recording ("Promo'95") before we entered Abyss Studio to record our debut CD "Vittra", which was released in the fall of 1995. In 1996 we recorded some covers and new stuff for compilations, an IRON MAIDEN tribute album among others...

At the beginning of the 90ies the swedish scene was very strong and I think so, the swedish bands have a leading role in the underground nowadays too. Do you agree with me? In your opinion, how was the underground scene at the beginnig of the nineties and how is nowadays?

Yes, I agree. I was involved in the underground scene in the early and mid nineties, but not anymore, so I can't compare the underground scene now and then... But I'm that the underground scene is still strong and still very important even today!

You come from Umea. What could you tell us about the city? As I as know, more bands came from Umea. This city is a metal paradise ha ha!

Umea is a not so big town in the north of sweden, about 100 000 people live here... We have a few metal bands here, but I don't consider the Metal scene in Umea special or good at all... The scene here was far better a couple of years ago.

In 1995 was "Vittra" released. After eight years, are you satisfied with "Vittra"? What would you say about the album?

Of course, I'm still satisfied and proud with the "Vittra" album, but when I listen to it today it feels old, very old... There are so much that I think could have been done better etc etc, but on the other hand that was the way we sounded back in 1995, it's eight fuckin' years ago! So, I can't complain and that's why I'm still very proud of it! But then, I can't really understand people who thinks that "Vittra" actually is better than "Sheol", but that's just a matter of taste I guess. Anyhow, "Vittra" is by many considered as a 'classic' album that did make a huge impact on many when it was released back in the days... So, yes. In many ways I do think that "Vittra" did open some gates for us as a band.

The album was released by Wrong Again Records? How did you get to them? Is this a small or a big label?

It's a small label. We are signed to NEW HAWEN RECORDS, which is the new name of the old label WAR MUSIC. WAR MUSIC was formed when WRONG AGAIN RECORDS split-up. One of the WRONG AGAIN REC guys started WAR MUSIC. We got signed to WRONG AGAIN RECORDS in 1994 when we did the "Stellae trajectio" demo tape, they liked it and offered us a record deal!

Since the first album you are by them? Are you satisfied with the label? How are you supported by the label?

Things can always be better, things can always become worse... you know.

Their name became New Hawen. Why did they change the name of the label? What's your opinion about the publications of the label? Does Century Media only the distribution arrange?

I have no idea why they changed their name. And yes, Century Media does the distribution for NEW HAWEN RECORDS.

In 1998 was released "Diabolical". In your opinion, was "Diabolical" more successful as "Vittra"? I think, you attributed to serious successes in the underground scene.

In sales I think both "Vittra" and "Diabolical" has sold about equally many copies. Both albums was successful from my point of view, although some people prefer "Vittra" and others prefer "Diabolical".

In the same year came the "When Autumn Storms Come" picture 7". Is this special publication obtainable yet? What kind of purposes did serve this Ep?

No, the "When Autumn Storms Come" EP is totally sold out. The EP was a totally underground thing, a release for the fans and a collectors item. We recorded the songs to try out a local studio, our label asked and wanted to release the recording as a 7" and we thought it was a good idea as well!

I know, you'll take part on the Party-San festival in Germany. Where will you play during the summer? Do you come to Hungary?

We have some other shows during the summer, some other festivals in Germany, for example Pressure Fest. We'll also go to USA for one gig at the Milwuakee Metal Fest followed up by three shows in Japan. We have no plans for Hungary yet, but time shall tell!

What are you plans for the future? Do you plan to re-release the first two Naglfar albums?

"Vittra" is already re-released and "Diabolical" will be re-released soon as well. Both albums are re-released by REGAIN RECORDS!

Jens, thanks for your answers, please close the interview.

Thanx for this interview! For more info, news and stuff, check out our website!

Contact:
www.naglfar.net

Interview: David Laszlo