interview with Helheim
How was the band formed? By two guys wanting to make metal music
Can you tell about your band? We`re Helheim and we`ve recorded several albums and done several shows and play metal with norse lyrics
Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band?
V`gandr- Bass and vocals from Bergen
H`grimnir- guitars and vocals from Bergen
Hrymr- Drums from Bergen
Noralf- guitars from Molde
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? To record an album and to play live
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? No. I tell them to figure it out themselves
Where was your first gig? In Bergen
Where was the latest gig? At Metal Days in Slovenia
Who writes your songs?/Who writes the music who writes lyrics? V`gandr and H`grimnir writes the music and V`gandr the lyrics
What's good/bad with the band?/What genre do you feel you are? Nothing bad. Well, call us Norse Metal. I don`t care about being labeled anymore
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? We didn`t choose the style, the style chose us. Our songs are purely about norse mythology and the way of the runes
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? We write our own material
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they?
We made many albums:
Jormundgand
Av Norrøn Ætt
Blod og Ild
Yersinia Pestis
The journeys and the experiences of death
Kaoskult
Åsgards fall
Heidindomr ok motgangr
Do you have any clips on YouTube? A lot. Just search and you`ll find them
How old are you?/What got you started in music? We`re in our late 30`s. Always been into music since the age of 5
At what age did you start playing? At the age of 14
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? 16
What year was the band started? 1992
Best/worst gig you've played? Can`t remember either as we`ve played so many
What places will you be playing in in the imidate future? Nowhere. We have a break from liveplaying just now
Where have you played from then till now? All around Europe and more. To many to mention
Is it always the same songs live? Of course not. It changes with every record
Have you had any bigger tours from start to now? Yes, several. Too many to mention and I don`t remember them all
How big crowds do you usually play for? Everywhere from 30 to thousands
What are the plans for the rest of the year? To keep on recording the new album
Where do you usually play? In Europe
How do you get psyched up for a gig? Relaxing with a Vodka with Orange juice
What are your goals with your music? We`ve reached them years ago, so we just keep on doing what we like the most
When did you decide to go all in for the music? From day one
Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? From older bands
What are your sources of inspiration? Myself
What's the first step when making a new song? To pick up the guitar
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? Used to hate it, but now I don`t care anymore
What would be your dreams for the band? Already reached
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? The list is too long, but I like all kinds of different music as long as it gives me something. A feeling or whatever
What do you hold most dear? My life
What would be your greatest fears for the future? Have no fears really
Have you been part of any other projects? Lots
Have you been in any other bands? Yes
What do you work with outside of the band and the music? Right now I`m a student again
What would you do if there was no music? Been without
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? They don`t do anything funny. if so I haven`t understood the humour
How often do you rehearse? Basically once a week, but it can vary from time to time
Where do you rehearse? On weekdays
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? Dualitet og Ulver and Åsgards fall
What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? Have no idea as we`ve never tried that ourselves
Do you have any webpages? www.helheim.com
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? stop playing, hahaha
Describe your show, visually and musically Agressive yet epic. Intense yet mellow
How do you view the musicindurty of today? On a downward spiral
What advice would you like to give other bands? I have no advices at all
What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Being shitty musicians
What is best/worst with playing the clubs? Best: intimacy. Worst: the humidity
Tell us about upcomming gigs and why we should be at them? There are no upcoming gigs
How would you describe your sound in one sentence Honest
What was one of the most quarrelsome times for you in the band? Hmm, maybe around Blod og Ild
Whats your Pre-show ritual? Silence