Interview:	SKÁLMÖLD
Title:	Rewarding openness

Active since 2009, the capable Icelanders are among the established genre bands with their Viking Folk Metal. The popular sextet is finally back with new songs - and delivers a surprisingly high-quality load!

The album's predecessor „Sorgir“ was released in 2018 - lead guitarist Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson first informs us about the five-year wait for a new full-length album:

„In 2019, the band, decided to take a break. Nothing serious, just a break, we were, and still are, very good friends, but we just needed time off and we wanted to spend more time with our families. We all have children and we wanted to travel the world with them. Initially the break was supposed to be one year. But the big C arrived and fucked the world so, the break became a two and a half year break. We used to release albums every two years so you see the effect that the big C (Covid) had on everything. But now we have a new album and we feel really, really good. Happiness is here and all is good.“

„Ýdalir“ bases on the Icelandic poem „Grímnismál“ - please bring it closer to the readers and let us know the meaning for you! 


„Although we always write new stories for our albums, we also use Icelandic folk tales and the sagas as the main source for inspiration. It is important to bring new stuff to people and still, at the same time, tell people about our heritage. Ullur and co. are so cool, Ratatoskur and the norns, come on. Too cool not to write about.“

What can even today's people still learn from the time-tested, ancient wisdom of the Nordic ancestors? At that time there were no psychiatrists … 


„Spending time in the nature is the best therapy. We should listen more to the mountains, the wind, the ocean, the trees. It gives you inner peace, I spend a lot of time in the nature and it helps me stay calm and happy. Everything gets balanced and in the right perspective when you relax and focus on the little things in nature, little things that are yet so big in context and rhythm of the world.“

The new material is pretty great, and that even on all levels - seems you've had a highly inspired songwriting? 


„Thank you. We had the best of times writing and recording the album. We worked really hard and spent a lot of time on the songs and the writing process was something we loved, respected and cherished. The recording of the album was also amazing time, the band and Garðar, our producer, loved every minute of it. Almost every minute, we wanted the album to be our best album so we were a bit over the top at times. In every aspect. But the end result is fantastic in my opinion. So, all the feelings and emotions are there on the album.“

All the overwhelming melodies … where do you guys still get the intuitive feeling and the profound ability to write down such immensely moving tone sequences and to refine this in connection with the powerful instrumented metal to such a heartful warrior-like, drag-along mixture? 


„We just write music. I have to write music, everyday. I have to play and listen to music every single day. And since I’m inspired by everything that moves me, melodies come quite easy to me. Music is everywhere around us. We just need to be ready to grab them and work on them, appreciate them and respect them. Play your instrument or sing all day and then melodies will come to you to work on and make them your own. Music is for everyone to enjoy and share you just gotta be ready and work for it, nothing comes to those who sit around and wait.“

I like and appreciate the main vocals and also their multiple co-arrangements - like an instrument of their own, which suits perfectly to each facet of the songs; was it designed that way or did it just happen that way? 


„On this album, we wanted Baldur and Gunnar to sing more, to be more of an ‚instrument‘ if you like, and that way, Björgvin would not be the only main singer. If you listen to our other albums, Gunnar and Baldur sing a little bit here and there and of course we all sing choruses etc. This time around, we wanted them, Gunnar and Baldur, to be a bigger part of everything. Jón Geir, our drummer, even sings a big part of one song. It works really well.“

The new songs sound more independent than ever, while also incorporating all sorts of classic, tried-and-true Rock patterns or structures - how did that evolve? 


„We often talk about writing songs for an album that is not a part of a theme. In this band, everybody writes songs, and we listen to the demos we write, together, and pick out the best songs. Then we talk about what the theme will be for the album, if any, at all. As you know, we always end up with a theme. But now, I think the songs we wrote were thought of as more of a standout song, a lead song, if that makes sense. We worked really hard on all the songs. That’s why we didn’t know how to choose a single, all the songs are important to us. That was the case before of course, but now, after the break, we are so focused and determent that it shows in the songs. We are here, 100 %!“

Btw, are there any bands that could have influenced you during the songwriting for the new longplayer? 


„We are inspired by everything that moves us. Of course we all wanna be Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden, our fathers, our gods, whatever you want to call it, they are the true masters. But hey, Slayer is in our blood as well. Gunnar Ben is Tom Waits biggest fan, our producer, Garðar, listens to Obituary and Napalm Death with the morning coffee and we all listen to Death almost every day. I also like to listen to Al di Meola and that shows in my playing, not because I’m as good as Meola but because I steal from him, a lot. That’s ok you know. It’s all about respect. All music that we like inspires us.“

Who of you blokes out of the band did the lion's share of the new song material? 


„I couldn’t say. We all write the songs. For instance, song number two, ‚Ýdalir‘, the main riff is written by our drummer Jón Geir. ‚Skuld‘ is based on a riff that Gunnar Ben brought to rehearsals. All the songs are arranged, loved, cherished, ripped apart, written, painted, glued, then shredded, by the band. Someone brings in an idea and everyone has a say. So, we all co-write the songs. Snæbjörn, our bassist, then writes the lyrics.“

How did your collaboration for the new work go? 


„Amazingly well. Honestly, it’s the best I’ve ever worked on. We had such a great time, we fought, we argued, always with respect for each other, and had a wonderful time writing and recording the album. We will do it the same way again. You can see it if you follow us on the social media, we share most of it there. It’s a lot of happiness and fun parties.“

How was the selection of the - really remarkably well flowing - songs for the new album made? And were some songs sorted out or did you rather polish a fixed tracklist longer? I tend to assume the second. 


„We had one song almost completely ready for recording that is not on the album simply because we thought the album and the flow of the album would be better without it. We then have about ten songs that are almost there that might be used on the next album or even the album after the next one. One riff on this album was written for our fourth album but did not get the full treatment until now. Every riff has it’s time and place.“

What is the o-n-e song with the most meaning for you on the new album and why? 


„That’s a tough one … I really love all the songs on the new album. My father is a guest on the album and sings on one song so that song has special meaning to me. ‚Verðandi‘, single no. 2 is also a personal fave. When I listen to it, my mind goes back to Leifshús where we spent a few days writing and rehearsing back in January. Do I have to mention just one song? Difficult it is.“

Anything you would like to add? 


„I hope you good people check out our new album because I really think you will enjoy it, anyone can find something on there they like - so, don’t be afraid to give it a spin on the turntable. We will be touring in October and next year we will also be touring and playing festivals to introduce you people to our music. Life is good if we focus on staying positive. Be nice, be humble and respectful to others but first and foremost; be safe. See you on the road.“

© Markus Eck, 02.08.2023

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