Viking-metal is very common through scandinavian shores, but not so much in Italy. When a bunch of old fans of Bathory decided to pay tribute to their 80's fave albums (\"Hammerheart\" and \"Twilight Of The Gods\"), Gjallarhorn was born. Now in 2005, their first album \"Nordheim\" sees the light of day on Dragonheart. Drummer Gungnir answered my questions in august, read now.

>Hi ! Can we begin this interview with a history of Gjallarhorn ? Where / when / why did you create this band ? Any particular message to spread through your music ?
Gjallarhorn is born by the mind of Fenrir and Vali in 2003. There was no intention of creating a band at the time, the whole thing came out spontaneously, a simple discussion turned into a project, which turned into reality. The passion for viking history and norse mythology was the main inspiration on a lyrical and conceptual level. Bathory, Falkenbach and the whole viking-metal scene on a strictly musical level.

>For me, “Nordheim” sounds like an hybrid between viking-era Bathory & a more heavy-metal influenced music. How would you like to describe your style ? What bands did influence your tastes in metal ?
I think you're quite right, except for the fact that we don't consider ourselves to be as heavily influenced by Bathory as many people are actually writing in certain reviews. There are certainly some similarities, but we thought much more of albums like “Frost”, “En Their Med Riki Fara”, “Once Sent From The Golden Hall” or “Urkraft” rather than “Blood On Ice”. Our background can clearly be heard in the notes of “Nordheim”, and you're right there when you mention some more classic metal in the general mood of the album, and that's why we consider Gjallarhorn to have quite a personal sound, although very conservative and sticking to the classical viking-metal production. To be honest, Bathory is probably our favourite band, bu

t as die-hard fans we can't really hear that much Bathory in “Nordheim” except for a few references.

>Where did you record your album ? Was it a difficult process to achieve ? Would you like to change some details with more time or more money ?
We're not keen on revealing particulars that are not strictly related to the music, such as the place where we recorded, or details about our private life. Nordheim is the perfect portrait of what we were in that moment, what we felt, what we created. I wouldn't change anything because it would be to me the same as editing a snapshot of a particular day of your life : it would alter your memories and the reality there represented. Nordheim is what we were in that moment in 2003, and such shall remain. It really doesn't matter whether there is or not room for improvement on a recording level, or the lyrics could be reviewed or a choir could be added… we wanted it like you hear it.

>How did these songs have been created / How do you compose generally inside the band ? Was it accomplished in a short period of time ? Or did you take your time & let these songs grow old ?
It's that simple : 5 days of full immersion on the creation of the album. We have some ideas for the next album, but I think we will try to create another album in the same way this was created, in a few days of total dedication.

>Lyrically speaking, what do your texts deal with ?
“The Day Odin Stood Still” is about the Olaf's the Saint conversion of Norway to Christianity. “200 Years Of Fury” is a celebration of the period in which the vikings invaded Europe and set it on fire. And “Ragnarok” is about the end of the world in the norse mythology, with a lot of verses directly taken from the Edda. Our lyrics are quite straight forward…

>I‘m gonna give you some band names, please give me a quick reaction :
Enslaved :

Their early production is just wonderful, they came up with the definition “viking metal”, didn't they?
Thyrfing : Surely one of the first bands to mix some folk atmospheres with a rough death-metal approach.
Falkenbach : Tthe best band of the pack that you listed here.
Amon Amarth : Great band, and a leader in the scene, “Once Sent From The Golden Hall” is already a classical masterpiece in its kind.
Graveland : I don't know them very well, but I'm sure I hear something. Probably they just didn't impress me…
Rhapsody : Rhapsody?? No no, let's talk about Kampfar. I love Kampfar, they're really one of my favourite viking metal bands.
Himinbjorg (french band signed on adipocere, previously on Red Stream. if you don't know forget this question) : A great band, even more “viking” than many genuinely scandinavian bands, although very underrated, I hope they will get what they deserve in the near future.


>Do you have plans for touring soon with Gjallarhorn ? How is a concert of Gjallarhorn ? Do you wear a special look or try to bring some strange atmospheres on stage ?
We live in three different countries : 2 of us live in Italy, one of us in Norway and one in Ireland, therefore it is not easy at all to meet and rehearse, not to mention to tour. But we don't exclude anything, we will play gigs if we can make it, and we'll think about our look at the right time. Surely I will never get separated from the huge horn that I always wore at my side in my past gigs.

>Something i'd like also to know : what does mean Gjallarhorn?
It literally means “resounding horn”, it is the horn of Heimdall, in which he'll blow to sound that the end of the universe has begun.

>Well, thanx for your time, last words are yours…
I enjoyed the interview a lot, thanks a lot for the opportunity. I'll now listen to Kampfar. For all of you, stay metal !

R>

Interview done by DJ In Extremis

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