Metal Regards
Here is a new interview with the Swedish folk,Pagan black metal band Draugul. Draugul has recently released the third cd "Chronicles Untold" through Pesttanz Klangschmiede.Hope you all enjoy the interview and keep watching the web-zine for updates coming.
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
Interview with Vargblod vocals and all instruments for Draugul done by Patrick
1.Hello Vargblod! When did you first start listening to music? Who were some of the first bands and artists you listened to? Who are some of your current favorite artists and bands?
Hello and thanks first and foremost for this interview opportunity! I was introducted to Metal quite early actually, by my father and uncle. By the age of six and seven I was already listening to Black Sabbath, Ozzy, and some Iron Maiden!
2.When did you become interested in playing and writing music?
Like every Metal fan.. it is always a dream to have your own band! I started my first band when I was 13 years old… we used to play some kind of death metal… in my mothers living room haha!
3.What were the first instruments you learned to play? Are you self taught or did you take lessons when first beginning?
My dad introduced me to the six stringer when I was 7, and taught me some chords and stuff.. then I continued improving on my own. I never went to lessons or anything.. I discovered everything on my own. Later I started to be interested in other instruments too.. so I decided to start learning them as well!
4.Are there any instruments you have not learned to play that you would like to learn someday?
I always wanted to learn the Bagpipe… I have started actually but I never had time to actually focus on it as well as I wish!
5.Besides the instruments you also handle the vocals for Draugul when did you start singing? Do you do anything special to keep your voice healthy?
Well I was always involved in vocal parts in my previous bands.. so it grew with me as well I suppose!
Keeping my voice healthy… hehe.. no idea actually…
6.Who are some of your influences and favorite vocalists?
Main influences for Draugul are Bathory and Burzum. As vocalists are concerned.. I get the muse from Vintersorg (although he is far better than me hehe), Fernando Ribeiro from Moonspell, Dio of course has top be one of my favourite vocalists ever! A true metal vocalist as it should be!
7. Vargblod I believe you lived in Malta first what was the scene like in Malta? Who were some of your favorite bands from Malta?
Yes originally I am from Malta. I moved to Sweden almost 2 years ago now. The scene in Malta is pretty healthy and I must say there are a lot of good bands from the island! Some great bands from there are Martyrium (my previous band when I was still in Malta), Forsaken, Beheaded and Victims of Creation, to mention a few!
8.When did you get the idea to move to Sweden? What is your opinion of Sweden's metal scene? Favorite bands and artists?
I always wanted to live close to nature, and in Malta it is quite impossible! Here I found everything I was looking for! Of course the metal scene in Sweden is HUGE! And a lot of my favourite bands are in fact Swedish too!
For example: Bathory, Dissection, Dark Funeral, Thyrfing, Necrophobic, Vintersorg, Marduk, etc, etc, etc…..
9. Draugul has recently released their third masterpiece "Chronicles Untold" through "Pesttanz Klangschmiede how did you come in contact with this label?
Actually it was the label who contacted me. They found some songs I had uploaded on youtube and apparently found my material interesting enough! I was of course happy to accept their deal and I thank Martin at Pesttanz for believing in me and giving me a chance!
10.How long did it take you to write and record the music for this release?
At most it took a whole year I guess….
11.This is Draugul's third cd to date how do you feel the music has changed over the last few years?
Yes the style kinda changed throughout the years… that is inevitable I presume…one always seeks to evolve and learn new things. Even the fact I moved to Sweden affected my songwriting I think!
12.What are some topics/subjects you like to write and sing about?
Draugul always revolved around Scandinavian History, Folklore and Mythology, and of course Tolkien!
13.Vargblod have you ever thought of making any video's for any Draugul songs? If yes which songs would you like to make?
I actually started making one back in Malta for the song “Conquest of Jorvik”, then opportunity came for me to come and live here in Sweden when I found a job here and had to stop filming halfway through unfortunately.
I plan to make a professional one in the future here in Sweden though too…apart from the amateur ones I make myself for fun
14.Vargblod are you currently working with any other bands or solo projects?
In fact yes.. I am also the frontman and guitarist of Black Metal band KHAOSPATH. We have one album out – Synagoga Obscura and is also labelled with Pesttanz Klangschmiede. Currently we are doing some gigs and writing the new material for the second album.
15.Thank you Vargblod for taking the time to fill out this interview do you have any final words for the readers?
Thanks again for the opportunity to express my thoughts with you and thanks to everyone who supported Draugul since the birth of the band! Hail Metal!
Label Contact
https://www.facebook.com/Pesttanz-Klangschmiede
http://www.pesttan
Band Contact
https://www.facebook.com/draugul/?fref=ts
