To get ourselves ready for the upcoming release of Nidhöggr’s new tape Draugr here on Jawbreaker Records, we decided to interview the band’s guitar player and mastermind Hveðrungr about Nidhöggr’s origins, present and future (as weaved by the norns). Give it up for Hveðrungr, who some of you might already know from speed-thrashing-Exciter-style outfit Under Attack or from his past in Pagan Rites and Styggelse.

Can you tell the readers a little about the idea behind Nidhöggr? How did the band come into being?

I (Hveðrungr) started this band myself. I recorded one song and tried to recruit other members. This was in 2013 when I left Gothenburg and quit as bassplayer for Styggelse. I also quit my role in Pagan Rites for the same reasons being the number one reasons, distance. I could not travel this long several times a week. Later in 2014 I found myself in Nidhöggr with members in four different towns. Not a change for the better but we manage to go forward.

Why have you chosen the Icelandic/Norse theme?

The Norse theme is chosen as a perfect way to describe what going on in the world today. Ragnarök is upon us as all countries are busy showing of muscles. It does not need anything big to tip this mountain of shit over and make us all start killing each other. I also feel a connection to all of what some call “Norse mythology”. Like all religious stories it is all basically metaphores to describe other things. Iceland itself has nothing to do with me but the language is the closest we get to old Norse dialects today. But we only got half a lyric, a verse in old norse so none should get hung up on this.

Basically we are a metal band. And we do metal. Our personal beliefs may differ and it does not reflect why we do what we do.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Inspiration comes from a lot of stuff. When I write songs I draw influences from everything in my record collection, like Bathory, Nifelheim, Tormentor, Root, Immortal, Emperor, Mayhem, Marduk, Master’s Hammer, Accept, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Exciter, Manowar, W.A.S.P…. But most stuff turns out to be quite 90’s black metal.

You have a past in Pagan Rites, Styggelse and a few other bands. How has your writing style changed through the years and bands you have went through?

The change from Styggelse is that I do write. In Styggelse I wrote one bassline and Larsson changed half of it. Haha.

In Pagan Rites we wrote a quite thrashing EP. Nidhöggr is not comparable to this, even though it sometimes might remind you of this (track 8 of Ragnarök, “The nine”).

Recently you also joined The Ancients Rebirth. Anything you can tell us about that? How is the scene in Falkenberg in general?

Ah… The Ancients Rebirth. We are working on new stuff right now and it’s stuff like I never use to play… Ever. Thoth is a real schooled jazz guitarist and use language I do not. But we seem to understand each other and I practice a lot on my own. If I don’t, this can not work. We are making some progress though. But I can not tell you anything else of when a new release is due.. Not right now.

The metal scene in Falkenberg is small. Some bands and some tour a bit but most of them play a style that doesn’t exist in my own universe. Haha.

Any plans on hitting the stage with Nidhöggr?

We have to rehearse more. We live in three different cities so this takes a while. But this is our goal.

You also run the label Lake of Fire Productions. What’s your driving force that made you start the label? Any plans for the future?

Lake of Fire Productions was started because I was pissed that someone could make money of our records while you had to be a whining bitch to get your own cut. Lake of Fire Productions will only release my own projects in the future due to lack of time.

How would you describe Nidhöggr to someone who has not heard it before?

Hard to say. Second wave black metal. No suicidal whining bitching about how tough your life is bullshit. Our sound is still developing but expect harder and more power for future releases.

Any last words?

Anyone like this – great. Buy the records and order merchandise. If not… Fuck off!

 

Nidhöggr on Bandcamp

Nidhöggr on Facebook

Nidhöggr on Metal Archives

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Welcome back Jawbreakers! It is time for another interview, and this time I managed to get hold of Penki “Disembowelman” Samuelsson – usually known for playing old school death metal in both Entrails and Gravestone – to talk about his latest project Facerip. This young band (back then as a power trio) from Växjö, Sweden released their debut four-track demo here on Jawbreaker Records earlier this year. The music sounds like it may have been hidden away deep down underground sometime back in 1987, and now dug up again 30 years later, reeking of radioactivity and dirtier and angrier than anything you ever heard before. It’s speed, it’s thrash, and it’s completely out of control… Let’s get it on!

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Tell the readers how and why the band started.

Fucked if I know! I didn’t sign up for this. I wrote one song and asked Nukeromancer to put some nasty witchdemon vocals on it. We uploaded the track to Soundcloud and I thought that would be the end of it. Then Distroyer showed up. He really liked the song and he had some killer riffs laying around, so he basically forced us to put a band together. It all happened so fast that I barely remember recording my parts for the first EP. But hey, it’s one more reason to play fast music and drink beer, so I guess I can live with it!

 

Do you see Facerip as an active band or more as a fun side-project?

At the moment I would probably call it a side project, but we have yet to explore the possibilities. It may change completely. We do plan on playing shows and go to as many places as we possibly can, but so far there is no telling if it will be a few gigs a year or extensive touring. Only time will tell!

What’s going on in the Facerip camp right now? There has been some reinforcements to the lineup, right?

That’s right! We recruited two new members to the band. Dr. Fill on the drums and Bässripper on bass. We are finally a full-fledged band. There are also some new songs written, new riffs riffed and stupid ideas to turn into reality. We just need to find the time to put everything together. When the time is right, we’ll step back into the studio and record our first LP. Faster and dirtier than ever!

 

Where do you draw your inspiration from? Musically and otherwise.

To be honest, I don’t know. Of course I get inspired by the music I listen to, but mostly the inspiration comes out of thin air. All of a sudden I just have to write music or my brain will explode. I can’t explain it. It’s like I wake up with riffs in my head and I can’t go about my day until I get it out of my system.

This answer probably doesn’t make any sense. It’s hard to answer a question when you can’t wrap your head around your own head. And now I made it even more confusing. I hope you’re enjoying this clusterfuck of an interview!

 

T.F. from Voodus answered something similar when I interviewed him some weeks ago, so I think it makes sense after all. Now, on to the last question; are you still active in your other bands (Entrails, Gravestone and Void)? How does it work to play in so many bands? Why do many people (at least here in Sweden) choose to join multiple bands instead of concentrating on just one?

Entrails and Gravestone are alive and well! Void has been dead for a while. The reason why I play in many bands is not because of creative outlet. For me to say that would clearly be bullshit, since two of my bands basically play the exact same kind of music. For me it’s about people. It’s refreshing to go from one band to another and do the same thing, just with another group of guys.

Balancing three bands is a matter of prioritising, scheduling and respect. If any of those elements goes out of the equation, a band might fall apart. I try to give every band the time and attention it needs, and I almost never run into any trouble. Sometimes you might have to turn down a gig because you were already booked to play with another band, but that’s just something you have to live with. Luckily for me, that has only happened once or twice.

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Excellent! I for one really hope for a follow-up to “Radioactive Race”, as well as a chance to see Facerip live in the near future. Meanwhile, you will find the “Radioactive Race” cassette in the webshop. Also check out the following links for more info:

• Facerip on Bandcamp
• Facerip on Facebook (…or was it the other way around?)
• Entrails
• Gravestone