h e l h e i m

v ' g a n d r

To start with, could you speak a little about Helheim in general terms? I have to admit I don't really know a lot about Helheim really, so would you be able to fill me in on a few details such as how long ago the band was formed, and what other recordings you released before you recorded your album Jormundgand? '[Note: in reply to this very predictable question, Vanargandr asked if I might simply reprint the band's biography, the text of which is as follows...] Out from a forgotten source came souls of pride and honour to regain the pagan truth... Helheim was formed in 1992 by Vanargandr and Hrimgrimnir. They sought for an equal minded soul and in 1993 Hrymr joined the band. Ideas were created, thoughts were shared and in November 1993 Helheim was ready to enter the studio. Nidhogg joined the band right before the recording of the debut demo simply entitled Helheim. The quest was not fulfilled, so in Autumn 1994 Helheim entered the studio with new ideas and thoughts. Nidhogg left the band at this point because of personal reasons, but this didn't break Helheim, in fact it made the band even stronger. The trio was as one, and hereafter there would be no further interferences. Helheim recorded a fifty-minute long demo, Nidr ok Nordr liggr Helvegr. With this demo they got a deal with the German label Solistitium. So now they are ready with their debut CD Jormundgand. To praise the elder gods and the pagan cult is Helheim's main point. Through their cold and grim music they reveal their most inner desires. This is not only music in the traditional way, but also takes you on a journey through the ages of Norse pride. With untraditional instruments such as trumpet and piano the music also creates a harmonic aspect mixed with pure brutality. The quest will never end...' Jormundgand featured a closing track called Galder, and you explain this as a song of magical purpose, which is in your words: 'performed with a resounding, screaming voice', and is believed to have its origins in the works of Odin. I'm familiar with the idea that the galder can be formed from the sounds associated with particular runes, and I wondered - are you expressing a specific runic incantation through the sounds of that song? In other words, were you trying to achieve a specific, definite magical effect? 'The idea of having screaming voices at the end of the CD was actually found before we came up with the idea of using it as a Galder. So there is no specific idea of creating a magical or ritual effect within the song, just a brutal and aggressive hymn to the originator, Odin, and also to express the voices can be really aggressive even without music, that voices in this way along can create a certain atmosphere.' An interesting thing about your album is that you supplied English translations of your lyrics alongside the versions in their original language. Although I realise that even the best translation will never express the whole meaning of words spoken in another language, personally I find it very rewarding to be able to consider the meanings of the songs more full in this way - instead of having to just guess what is being sung about! Did you provide these translations to make the recording more accessible, perhaps? Or was there some other reason? 'The reason for the translations is quite simple, just to let foreigners understand our lyrics. We are more well-known abroad than within Norway, so I want others to be able to understand my lyrics. We'll continue with this in the future, too.'   Next I wanted to ask a quick question about the 'concept' of Hel - when approaching this term, do you think of it only as a place? Or do you tend to think more of the goddess of the same name, who rules that realm? Perhaps the two ideas [the actual place, and the one who rules it] cannot be easily separated? 'Hearing the word Hel I naturally think of the goddess, and I also think this is natural for others too. The realm of the dead has many names such as Helheim, Nivlheim, Nåheim, Nivlhel and of course Hel.' On to other things...lately [as readers of the other interviews in this issue will have noticed!] I've been somewhat annoyed by people who go about claiming that 'real' or 'true' black metal is purely Satanic, and that pagan or other themes do not belong within it. Personally I am far from convinced this is correct for a number of reasons... Your own album for example, contains no Satanic references that I can find, yet I would not hesitate to call it black metal in some senses. What are your opinions of this area of debate? 'I've lost interest in this stupid 'debate'. Helheim play Norse metal, call it black metal if you want [of course our music is similar but it also falls away from the usual BM stuff], but pure black metal has to contain an evil or Satanic message, or else it's not pure.' However, would you describe Helheim as a specifically anti-christian band? My thought is that maybe you prefer to focus on pagan ideals instead, without giving attention to any other sort of religious beliefs at all - is this correct, or do you hold some other perspective? 'Anti-christian, or not, is not the main point of Helheim. We are pagans hailing the pagan past and truth. Christianity crushed the dreams of thousands of pagans, so they've crushed the present; we will fight them, we're against them and any other religion.' On the other hand, though, it also seems as if some people who are claiming pagan inspirations are actually only using these ideas to promote their own way of thinking - and often to spread ideas that really have nothing to do with pagan beliefs at all. In fact, in some cases the way certain people are using pagan ideals almost seems a real betrayal of those very beliefs. Can you think of any examples of bands who, in your opinion, have misused pagan themes? In the same way, are there any other particular bands who you feel to be especially worthy of admiration for their approach to such beliefs? 'The list is eternal. Bands hailing Satan and Odin in different songs on the same album or whatever are not betrayals, but I think they're missed the point, if you know what I mean. There are also bands [but only a few] who have really caught the true pagan feeling... us for example [haha!]' So, in what ways are your beliefs manifested in your lives? For example, do you and other band-members actually practice ceremonies or rites in honour of your gods? Or do you see paganism as more of a way of looking at things and interpreting the world, rather than anything else? 'Your last example is the right one. Paganism is about living your life in the most satisfying way for yourself without destroying your natural brotherhood with those standing near you...hail the Norse tribe! Also to live your life in such a way that you may know for yourself that when the death bells chime, you will achieve what you've deserved, something glorious.' Although I know this is a slightly cliched question, what do you think of bands from outside Scandinavia making use of Viking or Norse concepts? [I'm curious, because there are one or two bands here who seem to be taking that path, and they have gotten a bit of criticism from some for doing so...] 'From my point of view they can do what the hell they want, but I am a pagan by blood, and in heart and mind, this is not just another image. Others may achieve a good response from having a pagan image, or bad; but if they really think it over they might find out [if they're smart enough] that this is foolish, I call it prostitution.' I understand that Helheim have just completed a tour of Europe along with Behemoth and Christ Agony. How was that experience? And based on this tour, do you think you will continue to play live in the future?   'Yes, that's right, and it has been a positive and instructive experience. We will definitely do this again, and it has already been planned that we will do a tour in March/April 1997 featuring ourselves as headliners, for our second strike, Av Norrøn Ætt ['Of Norse Tribe'].' To continue from the question above - although I think this may be changing, gradually, black metal is still well-known for bands who dislike playing live, it seems. Why do you think there are so many people who seem unwilling to go before an audience? [And why is this not true of Helheim?] 'Yes, there are many of those bands and I respect that they won't enter the stage. Some reasons that there are so many is that the level of musicianship is pretty low, so the members aren't good enough to handle their instruments on stage. Another reason might be that they're afraid. That doesn't apply to everyone, but very many bands. Helheim was once also a bad live band, but now, after that tour, we've gained experience and we know how things are. So I think I can now say without bragging that we're a good live act.' Although I guess you are probably sick of being asked about this, is the confusion between yourselves and the other Helheim growing less? In other words, do most individuals now realise that these are different bands, or are you still having problems because of this? 'They can see the difference by now. We are more well-known, so that cannot ruin us in any way. Some people have bought the other Helheim's MCD, Fenris, thinking that it was us. Bad for us, good for them, but you can see from this example that we're more well-known.' Lastly, a traditional question - does it seem likely that Helheim will be recording again soon? If so, then is there anything in particular that you would like to reveal about your next work at this point? 'Yes, at the end of January '97 we'll enter Grieghallen studio again to record our second strike, Av Norrøn Ætt. This will be a fantastic CD, the perfect hymn to the pagan lands. Wait and see, nobody will be disappointed.' Well, thank you for taking the time to do this interview...do you have any words with which you wish to conclude? 'Thanks a lot for this interview, a great one. I'll also send a Norse hail to the few of our Australian fans [if there's any!] Buy our stuff, and remember: pagans will prevail...' The replies to these interview questions were written by Vanargandr, who performs vocals and bass for Helheim, and arrived in November 1996.