NORDJEVEL NORDJEVEL

NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL OUTFIT NORDJEVEL HAS RELEASED THEIR THIRD FULL-LENGTH ALBUM GNAVHÒL IN 2022. THEY WILL BE TOURING EUROPE IN MARCH 2024 AND WILL PERFORM AT INFERNO FOR THE THIRD TIME, SO WE DISCUSSED THIS AND OTHER TOPICS WITH VOCALIST DOEDSADMIRAL.

NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL OUTFIT NORDJEVEL HAS RELEASED THEIR THIRD FULL-LENGTH ALBUM GNAVHÒL IN 2022. THEY WILL BE TOURING EUROPE IN MARCH 2024 AND WILL PERFORM AT INFERNO FOR THE THIRD TIME, SO WE DISCUSSED THIS AND OTHER TOPICS WITH VOCALIST DOEDSADMIRAL.

You've released your third album «Gnavhòl» in 2022, how did you come up with that title?

- It's actually somehow a made-up word. It can mean many things. Gnawing hole, hellhole, mountain hole. And it's also basically a twisted word from a poem called Gnavlehòl. It reflects Nordjevel's own hell.

The album was produced by the super talented Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman, was there any particular album produced by him that made you decide to contact him? What kind of sound were you looking for?

- There were so many albums that he produced that we really like the sound on. It was always something we wanted to do, and he was also very interested in doing this album with us. We were looking for a raw, yet clear sound. «Gnavhòl» is a very brutal album, with lots of things going on so it was also important to have a sound to make all details come forth, and not drown in the mix. It was also great to work with Fredrik, as he came up also with many ideas we hadn't thought about, so the collaboration was just as inspiring as we suspected. He was also very tough with us, how we played, and with small details that you often miss as a band, which made the energy on the album ravenous at times.

Would you work with him again in the future?

- For sure. At some point we would love to work with him again. When and where in time – time will tell.

What's the process you go through when writing lyrics? Do you ever come up with lyric ideas when you're on tour or do you always do it at home?

- Normally I always write the lyrics at home. In some periods I can write many songs. I have many lyrics I have written over the years. And often I always go back to them, and change things, and re-write a little. Most of the lyrics e.g., on the Nordjevel albums are normally many years older than the albums. When I set up an album, I go through every lyric I have with Nordjevel, and find the right lyrics for the songs. It's all about a feeling how I see the lyrics and the music fits together.

Some of your lyrics are in Norwegian and others in English. How do you determine which language to use?

- Most of the lyrics I write are 50/50 Norwegian and English. Norwegian is my mother tongue and I really like to express black metal in Norwegian. And with the English there are more complex topics to deal with that just doesn't fit in Norwegian. And it's all about the music. When we have demos everything. But all in all, killer experience. for a new album, I just can get a certain feeling on every track if it feels Norwegian or English. I can't really explain how that works.

Merch is essential for bands' income nowadays. What type of item is selling the most in your case? And as for the music, what's the physical format that sells the most?

- It varies. We have designs that are with colours, e.g., from albums that sell a lot when you release a new album or touring with an album. But in general, our black and white old school designs are the ones that are steadily selling all the time. Timeless designs so to speak. And for sure it's vinyl who sells. Most orders are of vinyl, and very few CD's. But I'm glad we have gone back in time to vinyls, as they are also my preferred format all the ways since the 90's.

Black metal has existed as a genre for over thirty years now. Which attributes, do you think, that a black metal band these days should have in order to gain identity and be unique?

Who directed the «Of Rats and Men» video and where was it filmed?

- «Of Rats And Men» was directed by the talented Marcin Halerz from Poland. We worked with him in 2015 when we made the music video for «Djevelen I Nord». He was then working with a company called Red Pig Productions. He after that went solo, and he is the one I wanted for this video. We actually recorded it at my farm in Askim. We built like a stage set up, in front of my barn. It was a cool experience, that also makes that video more special. We had to alert the police and the fire department, so they didn't get calls about a fire at the farm. But it was a really intense, cold and when we were filming it was raining on top of

- I think it comes as a whole. Music, artwork, everything. And for me black metal has to be confrontational, dangerous, and mysterious. Black metal should never feel safe. And personally, it needs to be anti-religious or satanic.

Many black metal musicians say they listen to or are influenced by old school South American bands like Sepultura, Sarcófago, among others. Is this also your case?

- To a certain degree, yes. Sarcófago and Sepultura for sure. I grew up with «Bestial Devastation» and «Morbid Visions» of Sepultura. And albums like «Schizophrenia» and «Beneath The Remains» influenced me a lot when I was younger. Sarcófago was step two when the BM wave started. I wouldn't say Nordjevel is influenced directly by these bands, but as I grew up with them, they have shaped at least me musically in some way.

What happened to the South American tour that was postponed?

- In the end, nothing was settled. No flight tickets or venues ready, so we pulled the plug three weeks before, because we had no information, or contact with the promoter. But rest assured, we have a South American tour that will take place next autumn, and probably with another black metal band from Norway. So, it will be a better, more serious organized tour. So, stay tuned.

You're going to embark on a European tour with Taake and Theotoxin in March. How are you preparing? How long do you rehearse before a tour like this?

- Throughout the years we have now almost played every Nordjevel song on every album, so we all know them by heart. Normally we rehearse 2-3 days before we leave on almost every track we play live. That is so we can mix up the setlist when on tour. Looking very much forward to this tour as I think it's a very strong package of black metal.

What do you do to keep your voice in shape on the road?

- Not anything special. Normally my voice actually gets better each day on tour. There is the small warm up before you go on stage.

What would you say has been the best concert of your career so far and why?

- I would have to name two. Brutal Assault in 2019. We had many problems and logistics that were not working before that gig. And we were all very frustrated before the show. And somehow that frustration really manifested when we went on stage. It was frenetic. The other one I have to mention is the Indie Recordings label night in 2021. First show after the pandemic. And we were hungry, and the show was just total energy from the crowd, everything.

You've performed at Inferno before. What are your best memories of the festival?

- Actually, my best memories from Inferno are still when I was in the audience. The atmosphere around Inferno Festival is just something else. In Oslo, it's like everything changes. But I'm quite sure after next year's edition my best memory will be playing live next year. Also, when we played Rockefeller in 2018. Was a great show, not our best, but that will change in 2024. Be warned!

What can we expect from your performance in 2024? You're going to play at Rockefeller, so I guess we can expect pyros …

- You can expect extreme black metal, flames, and hell. There will be some pyros … more I won't say. Better to witness it live!

What song can never be left out of your setlist?

- We always try to play the songs we want to play ourselves and to change it up quite often. But of course, you have songs like «Sunset Glow», «Djevelen I Nord» and «Within The Eyes». Those three are the ones I would say we often tend to include no matter what.

What are the plans after your performance at Inferno?

- After Inferno Festival we have some festivals during the summer. Then late summer we enter the studio to record our next album. Then South American tour in the autumn.

Nordjevel performs at Rockefeller stage Thursday 28th of March 19.30.