V’gandr: Doing good since Brann (Bergen football team) are gonna crush Vålerenga (Oslo football team) today.

ES: I’ve been listening to “Kaoskult” pretty much non-stop since I got it; how do you feel about the album now that it’s released? Is there anything you would change if you had the chance?

V’gandr: We’re really satisfied with the outcome of the album. This is the best sounding album to date by far. Bjørnar (the producer) is getting better and better. I can’t say that there’s anything I would’ve done different as of now, but maybe in a year or so I can hear things that could’ve been different, but it’s always like that.

ES: When you gathered round to write the new album, what were your aims? Did you set out to be more experimental and make a different-sounding album, or did it just turn out that way as you rehearsed?

V’gandr: We were quite focused on the fact that we wanted a more epic album where we drew some influence from the second part of “The Journeys and the Experiences of Death”. We always try out different paces on the songs, and this time the slow tempo and mid-paced drumming worked the best.

ES: How about that writing, recording and production process; was it difficult or did you enjoy it? Your ‘Behind the Gates’ project opened up the studio experience a little for your fans- why did you decide to do this? Did you feel under more pressure with the cameras rolling?

V’gandr: It was really easy this time. Maybe the least stressful time in studio ever for my part even though we had some time restrictions when coming to the release and all. The camera didn’t bother me at all as it was only filmed like a few takes here and there. The Behind the Gates thing was just an idea that Hrymr had to let people closer into Helheim. Get a small notion what we’re up to. It’s only for the really dedicated and interested ones, but the feedbacks been great so far and I guess we’ll put out more stuff from time to time.

ES: The whole label of ‘Viking’ or ‘pagan’ metal is becoming more complex these days; how would you personally describe your sound, and in what ways is the Viking/pagan past most relevant to your lives and your music?

V’gandr: There was a review now for the new album where the reviewer said that he felt we played post-avant-garde black Viking metal, and I guess that’s a good description of our music. I’ve always had trouble label ourselves, as what we don’t have any boundaries musically. The lyrics are solely pagan and dealing with the Norse mythology so that sets some kind of factor to what we’re all about.

The Norse mythology is a very strong part of us and I feel very attached to it. Helheim will always honour the paragons of old.

ES: You brought some of that heritage to life for some kindergarten children recently! For those who did not hear about the album release, what was involved and why did you choose this unusual release celebration?

V’gandr: To bring Odin to the children before Jesus comes along and catch them, hehe. It was a strange idea that came into mind when we wanted to present ourselves in an unusual setting. We got a lot of press coverage on it and people have seemed to understand what we wanted.

ES: “Kaoskult” sees you choose Norwegian lyrics again; the press release for the album claims this gives ‘atmosphere’. What was behind your decision to have native lyrics, and what do you feel it adds to the album?

V’gandr: It was never intended that Helheim would go for only English lyrics, that was something that “The Journeys…” album required as it was a concept album. I was thinking of doing the previous album in Norwegian as well, but quickly found out that it was easier to express the story in the English language. I feel quite comfortable writing in Norwegian and it has a certain sound to it, especially when we sing in our own dialect. It sounds rawer in a way.

ES: Talking of lyrics, I believe you are responsible for their creation: what concepts do the lyrics on “Kaoskult” explore, and from where do you take your inspiration?

V’gandr: Let’s start with the inspiration. I read different Norse writings and dive deeper into themes that are not too well known. I always find the more obscure parts of the Norse mythology the most interesting as it gives me the personal feeling that I want to achieve. “Kaoskult” explores the chaos before the creation of time and earth, the earth as a living being with the tree of life as the nerve between the profane and us. You may see that there is a dual meaning running through a lot of the songs. Speaking about life and pain represented through the tree Yggdrasil and the same struggles that possesses man itself.

ES: You are attached to Dark Essence Records, and of course Bjørnar had a personal input on the latest album, contributing guest vocals as well as producing it. What makes this label particularly special? Did you choose to work with Bjørnar because you have been friends for a long time, or is the association more recent?

V’gandr: We are satisfied with Dark essence records as they have base in our hometown and are easy to work with. Bjørnar is a personal friend BUT first and foremost a good producer with a great voice.

ES: Helheim really have been dedicated to touring over the past few months, with very varied tour-mates. Have you had positive experiences, and do you view your most recent tours as successes?

V’gandr: We’re more focused on live playing and touring as never before. It seems like this is the only way to reach a bigger audience and it’s also mighty fun to play live. The recent tours been really great I think. Really a lot of nice fellow band mates and cool venues and all that.

ES: I don’t really have problems keeping up with what Helheim are doing because you make great use of online resources to keep your fans up-to-date. Are you a band who focuses more on the advantages of the internet and things like Myspace, or do you also worry about the effects of downloading and false information?

V’gandr: We’re more focused on exploiting this media now than ever before. One cannot sit back and complain about how things are changing, they just are and one has to follow things up. Of course downloading is a problem, but there’s nothing to be done, so it’s better to get the music for free from us than from some other media. Anyways, the metal scene is a really die-hard scene in many ways and those who want an album buy it anyway.

ES: Some people don’t realise that Helheim are a very established band, now with six full-length releases. How do you feel your style has progressed from the earlier releases? What do you think when you look back now on, for example, “Jormundgand”?

V’gandr: We’ve been through a lot that’s for sure. Every album is something of its own and I feel proud of them all and that we’ve been so steady as a line-up. Helheim have always been a band in constant motion and progression, we deny ourselves to stagnate with a certain sound and this makes the listener always unaware of what we’re up to next. Every album is a realm of its own, BUT you can always some way or another hear that it’s Helheim when listening to our albums.

ES: The steady line-up was something I wanted to ask you about; after so many years, what is your secret for a happy and productive band?

V’gandr: I don’t know, I guess pure luck. One reason may be that we started out at a really young age and we’ve all become close friends or brothers if you will. We see that Helheim is too important for us to quite. It’s kind of a marriage that you won’t allow to fail.

ES: What are your immediate plans for the future? Do you have a lot more live appearances planned or might you get started on some new material?!

V’gandr: We’ve already started on new material and we’re also doing some Norwegian shows in September, and then heading for the first time to Finland early next year. There’s also a plan for a second tour this year and further more trying to have a festival tour next summer.

ES: Thank you again for your time, and congratulations on the album. If you have any last messages for the world, go ahead!:

V’gandr: Check out “Kaoskult” if you’re into some pure pagan art. And remember kids; Heathendom is still resistance!

For more on the band check out www.helheim.com
www.darkessencerecords.no
www.myspace.com/helheimnorway
Kindergarten ‘gig’ video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuiuAldJeMI
Behind the Gates video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGHD6xlHfh4

Interviewed by Ellen Simpson

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