Interview mit Destructhor von Nordjevel

The album is titled „Gnavhòl“ – what does it mean, what is the idea behind this title?
It’s a word I put together from different words, such as gnawing, hole, peeled of flesh. But it’s also the name that can be a place. Our own gateway to hell, so to speak.

For the cover you once again collaborated with „Khaos Dictator Design“, that is Stefan Todorović alias Atterigner. What guidelines did you give him, respectively what is the connection between the picture and the album?
On the album cover „Gnavhòl“ is portrayed as a hole into hell. We worked very closely all the way. We discuss all ideas, he gets all the music and lyrics also.We work very well together.

Thematically your lyrics seem to revolve around classic black metal themes like Satanism and anti-Christianity – is that true, or how would you describe your concept?
That is true. Also involves alot of norwegian tales and poetry. Like the song „Endritual“ and the song „Gnavhòl“ are outtakes from norwegian old poetry. There is alot of antireligious themes, hatred, and frustration over the world in the songs.

Is it more of a tradition when black metal bands deal with these topics today, or do you see a current, socio-cultural relevance here? So are the lyrics more art or message?
I can’t really speak what others think or do, or what they mean. For me, the whole of an album is what makes the whole. The music, the lyrics and the artwork must make a whole. So for me, the lyrics are just as important as the music.

Your album has a playing time of 54:54 minutes – that’s quite long for your style. Why do you still think it’s the right decision?
It was a long break during the pandemic, where we worked on all the music. It wasn’t really a plan how long the album would be. But the songs turned out to be the length they where. Without the bonus track it’s under 50 minutes, so it wasn’t actually more than a few minutes longer than „Necrogenesis“. I think the music is very varied and dynamic, so the album doesn’t feel long. Lots of things going on in all the songs.

The album also contains a song from the „Fenriir“ EP. You have reworked the song again, it is now also tuned lower. Didn’t you like the EP version, or why did you want to release it again in a different version?
The song was written for „Gnavhòl“, but when the pandemic hit, we decided to record the EP „Fenriir“. We had two tracks that didn’t fit the album, so we decided to include „Gnawing The Bones“ as a teaser for the album. We’re very happy with both versions. It was decided early on that we would tune down „Gnavhòl“.

The dominance of the drums in the overall sound is striking, which is completely understandable given Dominator’s incredible performance. Was that your intention to highlight his skills?
No, when the demos where finnished he received all guitar tracks, so he could start to work on what he wanted to do. We give him free reins on how he wants to approach the songs. He is so skilled as you say, that no matter how songs are written he always does an outstanding job.

You’ve also made several music videos for the album. Is this an art form that you consider a relevant part of the NORDJEVEL project, or rather a necessary evil, i.e. a promotional tool in the Youtube age?
I’ve always liked watching videos myself. It’s a way of expressing visually what the band wants to say. For me it also gives more intensity also to watch good videos with good music.It gives at least for me an extra dimension to both see and hear.

Mit dem Laden des Videos akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von YouTube.
Mehr erfahren

Video laden

YouTube immer entsperren

Do you watch music videos yourself and if so, how do you define a successful music video?
Yes, I watch videos of the bands I like. It gives a new perspective,intensity and understanding of what the band itself wants to portray.

The pandemic is widely ignored, but it’s not over yet – especially in concert pre-sales there is an absolute lull. Is it possible to plan concerts under these conditions as a band of your size, so will we see you on tour in the foreseeable future?
It’s been intense in the way that everyone wants to go on tour again, and there are so many tours and concerts. We will have a european next year at some point. But I don’t know, when. And there also the Latin America tour that will be schedueled for january now.

Thank you for your time, let’s finish with our traditional brainstorming. What is the first thing that comes to your mind about these terms?
Corpsepaint: Inner demon
Germany: Highways
Emperor: „In The Nightside Eclipse“
Putin: No
Winter in Norway: cold
NORDJEVEL in 10 years: same as now

Mit dem Laden des Videos akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von YouTube.
Mehr erfahren

Video laden

YouTube immer entsperren

Publiziert am 16. November 2022 von Moritz Grütz