VLTIMAS VLTIMAS

You're all based in different parts of the world and are usually busy with your other projects. Do you set a period of time to focus only on Vltimas or you work on it while you're working on other projects as well?

- Well, speaking for myself first and foremost, there is always some degree of activity in all my bands simultaneously. I create a lot of music, a lot of riffs, and sometimes I can have like 6-8 really good individual ideas in a single day that are quite diverse in the sense of moods and tonality. Some are more suitable for Vltimas whilst others are way more ruthless and can be for my black metal band RUÏM. Even some more doom-laden or melancholic ideas that would fit Earth Electric, etc. So yeah, the portals are open and there's not a specific band I focus on my days off or in my everyday setting. It's a bit like throwing out a fishnet I’d assume, never really knowing what you´re going to get, then seeing the assortment when the day is over. However, if I am approaching studio time with one of the mentioned bands, the focus is solely on that band for at least 2-3 months before I start recording.

How do you manage to rehearse before a tour or when you're about to record a new album?

I guess you send recordings to each other, but when do you usually meet in person?

- For Vltimas it's usually me who comes up with

THE EXTREME METAL SUPERGROUP VLTIMAS, OF RUNE BLASPHEMER ERIKSEN (GUITAR), a structure of 1-2 or even 3 riffs for each song idea before we end up at David’s place for rehearsals. Once we´re there, we explore these ideas and tie them all together the old school way, which is essentially the only way. Like, rehearsing face to face, that kind of thing. Being in a band is about chemistry after all. So yeah, it starts off with me sending the initial ideas through the net, and if everyone hears the potential, we save it and pull it out once we are together. For rehearsals prior to a tour, etc, we´re usually just flying into our base which is in the Netherlands at the moment. We all meet up there and socialize and rehearse for 3-4 days before the tour kicks off.

DAVID VINCENT (VOCALS) AND FLO MOUNIER (DRUMS), RELEASED THEIR DEBUT ALBUM SOMETHING WICKED MARCHES IN IN 2019. NOW THEY ARE ABOUT TO RELEASE NEW MATERIAL AND WE'LL GET TO SOME OF IT WHEN PERFORM LIVE AT INFERNO FOR THE FIRST TIME! LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BAND AND ALBUM IN THIS INTERVIEW WE WITH ERIKSEN.

THE EXTREME METAL SUPERGROUP VLTIMAS, CONSISTING OF RUNE BLASPHEMER ERIKSEN (GUITAR), DAVID VINCENT (VOCALS) AND FLO MOUNIER (DRUMS), RELEASED THEIR DEBUT ALBUM SOMETHING WICKED MARCHES IN IN 2019. NOW THEY ARE ABOUT TO RELEASE NEW MATERIAL AND WE'LL GET TO HEAR SOME OF IT WHEN THEY PERFORM LIVE AT INFERNO FOR THE FIRST TIME! LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BAND AND THE NEW ALBUM IN THIS INTERVIEW WE DID WITH ERIKSEN.

The long-awaited second album is now finished. Not sure how much you can reveal at this point, but I saw pictures of you recording in Portugal, was the album recorded there in its entirety? Who was the producer this time?

- Yes, indeed. It´s been a while. And I guess we all can agree that time changes people in one way or another, so yeah, these «changes» also bled into the writing process for sure. I'd say from a musical point of view it's more direct, slightly more melodic and at times even a bit moodier than its predecessor. It's a sign of the times I guess, and perhaps a mirror view into how we felt during the creative sessions and also the recording session. But then again, it's always like that. It's all organic and we´re not faking anything, you know. We´re kind of riding the moment so this is what came out of us this time around. For the recording, we ended up in wonderful Portugal, as you mention. We did all the tracking in Arda studios in Porto, northern Portugal between May and June this year and yeah, it was a sizable task getting everything done. I actually ended up doing a few additional solos in a different studio after the sessions were done, as time actually ran out. But it turned out really great, so I am happy I managed to do that.

The album was produced by Jaime Gomez

Arellano, the same producer as last time.

How much time did you spend writing and recording the new material?

- The writing process commenced in December 2019 but came to a halt due to the pandemic which started immediately once our tour in Russia was done in February 2020. When we met up again after the pandemic a lot of the riffs had changed nature, or perhaps matured, so it literally felt like starting anew. But from there on we wrote quite quickly. The three of us have a great chemistry as well, so it flows easily once we are all in «the zone».

As I mentioned, we spent about a month in Porto, then I added some additional stuff here at home, so yeah, I'd say 5-6 weeks or so in total for the actual recording. Then of course the usual added time for mixing and mastering, getting everything the way it's supposed to be.

What came first this time? Lyrics or music?

- Music.

What differences are we going to find on this album compared to «Something Wicked Marches In»? I heard it's going to be wider in terms of tempos and influences …

- Yes, and as I briefly mentioned, there are some alterations in mood, some more melodic approaches in terms of guitar work and even vocal wise there are some unexpected turns. Some parts on this record have more of a heavy metal edge to it as well, believe it or not. It still has the unmistakable vibe of the band but you can hear the influences of old, I'd say. Personally, I am a huge Black Sabbath and Judas Priest fan, and always have been, so bringing out a bit of a different arsenal for this record was kind of exciting. This being said, there are still really brutal tracks on the record, it's just that it's way more diverse and slightly less progressive I'd say. More guitar solos as well, which always was my Achilles heel but something I did overcome this time around, so yeah, I am pleased with the outcome. Expect the unexpected.

You have recently recorded a music video for the new album as well. Bands usually say they don't enjoy the experience of making music videos. How is it in your case? And where was this video filmed?

- I really have no issues with recording a music video, it's a part of the game. But I guess it depends on the director as well, and the vibe and vision that derives from the effort. We worked with the Portuguese director Guilherme Henriques, who has been doing a lot of great work for Season Of Mist over the last few years. Very talented guy and I am certain he got the vibe we were looking for. The video was recorded in Drachten, the Netherlands in mid-September.

This new album is going to be released again by Season of Mist. What do you think are the main advantages of working with this label?

- It's an old, well relatively speaking, and respected label by now, having released a bunch of killer albums since its inception in the late nineties. I have actually been releasing music on this label since around the year 2000, so it's close to 25 years of releasing music under this label banner. The first one was “Grand Declaration of War” back in 2001 or so I believe, so yeah, it's been a while. And not only with Mayhem and Vltimas, but for most of my bands and projects over the years. I´ve always been treated respectfully and met with an open mind to whatever I wanted to convey and express, so yes, I have only positive things to say. I guess one of the strengths of the label is the will to take risks and chances on bands that are not a bland copy-paste of an original. They look for the individual voice IMO, and that's the best compliment I can give. In this age of watered-down mainstream metal, we need alternatives for the true lover of the art.

A lot of things have changed in the music

– RUNE “BLASPHEMER” ERIKSEN industry since you guys started. There's an insane amount of bands these days as it's easier than ever to put your music out there, but many of these bands sound generic or sometimes even inorganic. So, I wonder what's your take on this current paradigm of social media, streaming services and AI and what do you think is the main key to stay relevant these days?

- Tough question, but I believe I touched upon this in the previous answer, albeit vaguely. It's all about «the voice» in my opinion. Having a more conscious approach to the idea of art; Individualism, creativity, persistence, soul and persona, mindfulness, history and the luggage of a life lived. These are some things that are lacking in many new recordings IMO. The beautiful perfection in imperfection. The latter is something I've learned to overcome over the years, not to be so obsessive perfectionist about every little detail. It just dilutes the original and intentional expression. Let the human aspect shine through, you know. Either way, this is a complicated topic and personally I´ll try to dodge the most bullets possible when it comes to this new way of advancing. I practice a more «back to nature» approach personally, feeling that all these modern tools are blinding the real true purpose.

- What was the process of choosing the band name like? How did you come up with the name Vltimas?

- It was actually David who came up with it. We were all sitting in Texas after a jam at his place and we´re having a beer and talking about what the name should be. I remember I mentioned that I wanted it to be something that could illustrate that this was the «last great thing» to hap- pen, like «a final stand» or something like that. After a while David came back out with the name written in a bold font on his phone. I am not sure if he already had this name laying about for a while or we just happened to sync in this very moment, but yeah that's how it happened. But David´s version was spelled with a U, so I decided to add the V because of the roman link and also because it looks harder and more iconic. Besides, writing Vltimas as Ultimas in a Google search online, with ultimas being an actual word in Spanish, would have spawned a myriad of other suggestions, so yeah it was a tactical move as well. Essentially, I guess the final band name and its associations came about as a play between the both of us.

You guys have massive experience as musicians and in this business, but do you still get nervous when you go on stage at this point?

Do you have any rituals/warmups before going on stage?

- I guess it depends on which band I go on stage with. It's always a little bit different between them. But yeah, not really nervous, more of an excitement or a good nervousness

I'd say. Eager to do my best, kind of thing.

What would you say it's the most challenging Vltimas song to play live? And your favourite one? Why?

- The most challenging song could be “Praevalidus” I guess. It's quite fast and there are some tricky changes and movements in this song which always seems to be a bit hard to pull off, especially in the beginning of the set, not being completely warmed up etc. For the best song, I'd say either “Last Ones Alive Win Nothing”, “Monolilith” or “Diabolus Est Sanguis”, at least from the first album. I'd say that my absolute favourite Vltimas song pr now is on our soon-to-bereleased new album. Bodes well for the future.

Vltimas has performed in Norway only once before, but this will be the first time at Inferno, what can we expect?

- An energetic set, for sure. A mix of new and old songs and a killer ambiance and good showmanship. We have also scheduled 3-4 shows prior to the Inferno show so I believe we will be in top shape when we enter Rockefeller.

- You have personally played at Inferno before, what's the first memory that comes to mind when thinking about the experience?

- Yeah, I have played with most of my current and previous bands there actually, and most recently with Aura Noir and Gaahls Wyrd back in 2019. The first memory or the worst memory? Confetti bomb instead of smoke bombs as our pyrotechnician made a crucial error during the Mayhem-set in 2004. Awkward to say the least. Other than this, I have only good memories. I always feel welcome there so it's a good festival for me to play and be a part of.

Any final message to the Inferno audience?

- Thanks for the interest, see you all on the road.

Vltimas performs at Rockefeller stage Friday 29th of March 18.00.

MIDGARDSBLOT 2024 / 14. – 17. AUGUST!

Camp opens 12. August

Kalandra Ereb Altor Lumsk Fen Eldrim

– BLOT RITUAL by FOLKET BORTAFOR NORDAVINDEN –MORE BANDS TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Midgard – by the gravemounds in the park of Borre, where the mighty rulers of the Norwegian Vikings lived, feasted, and were laid to rest, we invite you to four days of metal, folk – and Viking music, seminars and museum, Viking village and markets, and battles on historic grounds! Join us for a true Norse blot ritual, bonfires, and festival camps at the beach. Welcome to the world of the Vikings and exceptional concerts in unique and historical surroundings!

TICKETS:

4 DAYS FESTIVAL PASS NOK 2999 (prices will rise in 2024, get yours now!)

MIDGARDSBLOT WEEKEND PASS (2 days) NOK 1999

CAMPING TICKET 6 days (12th – 18th) NOK 999

CAMPING TICKET 4 days (14th – 18th) NOK 666

TENT TICKET for all days and periods NOK 999

The festival area at Borre is located by the Oslo fjord, 1 hr southwest from Oslo, between the cities Horten and Tønsberg. For band announcements, tickets and info, visit us at Facebook and Instagram. @midgardsblot #midgardsblot

As usual we will gather at the official festival hotel Clarion Hotel The Hub for happenings, partying and a good night of sleep. The Inferno Music Conference will take place at the hotel in the daytime. The Hub boasts Oslo’s best location, right in the city centre, next to Oslo Central Station and the Airport Express Train – and only about a five to ten minutes’ walk to all the venues. No expensive taxi rides!

The special Inferno discount price is valid in the period March 24th to April 1st, 2024. These prices will increase from February 28th, 2024.

Standard Double Room

Our standard double rooms (19-22 sqm) have everything you might need during your stay and more! The rooms either have a queen size double bed (160cm) or two single beds (105cm), as well as carefully chosen, modern décor. Please note that it is not possible to request extra beds in these rooms.

1 person: 965,00 NOK

2 persons: 1185,00 NOK / 592.5 NOK a person

Standard Double Room With View

Our standard rooms with a view are located on the hotel's top floors (floors 9-15). The rooms (min. 19sqm) have one double bed (160cm), as well as a spacious bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and Rituals toiletries.

1 person: 1515,00 NOK

2 persons: 1735,00 NOK / 867.5 NOK a person

Superior Double Room

Our superior double rooms (24-29 sqm) are nice and spacious with lots of smart solutions! The fabulous interior design provides a wonderfully cosy atmosphere in these rooms. The rooms either have a queen size double bed (160cm) or two single beds (105cm), as well as carefully chosen, modern décor.

1 person: 1565,00 NOK

2 persons: 1785,00 NOK / 892,50 NOK a person

CLARION HOTEL THE HUB

CLARION HOTEL THE HUB