Asgard. Interview with Thulus

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi, this is Jay reporting from Bogota Colombia... Today I’m lucky enough to speak to Thulus from the fast-rising Swiss band Asgard... Hey man, thanks for taking the time to speak to our readers despite your busy schedule...

1) Tell us when/where/why Asgard was formed...

Thulus: Hail Jay! Thank you for your interest in Asgard. The band was founded in 2005 in Switzerland, more precisely Lucerne. Asgard is a tribute to the Scandinavian black metal scene of the 90s. Hence the name. We have the demos Var en gang, Screams from the Abyss, the EPs War at Last and Leviathan a split with Transzendenz and the album Leuchtenstadt.

2) Who is currently in the band?

Abaddon - Drums Thulus - Vocals

J - Guitars Lector-Bass Aravan – Guitars live Nero - composer

3) Your latest release, Leuchtenstadt, is a smashing release... fast, frenetic, dark and melodic in its moments... tell us when and where it was recorded, and walk us through the tracks, and tell our readers, where to buy them. I understand that it is available on CD and cassette?

Thulus: Thank you for your positive feedback! The album was recorded in our Hellvete Studio in Lucerne by our drummer Abaddon. Except for the drums. These were recorded at the Iguana Studios in Germany, where the mixing and mastering was also done by Christoph Brandes. We released the album as a CD version in cooperation with Wolfmond Productions (DE). As I know, you can only find the CD with the band itself. If you want, get in touch on Facebook at: hordesofasgard or Instagram: asgard_bm_official. The homepage is under construction but you can also write to us there: asgard-blackmetal.ch The tape will follow in August via Masters Of Kaos Production. We are very happy about that. The vinyl version will also be available soon via TeufelsZeug Records (DE).

4) What is the inspiration behind the lyrics? Tell us about the lyrics you compose...

Thulus: The city of lights (Lucerne) used to be disreputable in Switzerland. The inhabitants were bad Christians. Too much partying, booze, food and whores. As punishment, they were tortured on the water tower. The water tower is a symbol of the city of Lucerne. A really nice place you should visit. The other texts were decorated around the city of lights. It’s about war, death, myths and the dark side of life.

5) Tell us about the music... who writes the guitar and bass parts? Who plays the drums? The album has some fucking sick riffs...

Thulus: Most of the album was written by our founder Skygge. We are still in close contact with him. The latest tracks are from the whole band. Nero makes a big part. This will also be the case in the future.

6) I know you’ve been playing festivals this summer... tell us how they went...

Thulus: Yes, we were at the Forest Fest Open Air! That didn’t quite go as planned. Among other things, we didn’t have time for the corpse paint. haha But what is it?! We have shared the stage with the mighty Urgehal!!! The next festival is in September. The Meh Suff Open Air in Switzerland. We are there with bands like Dark Funeral, Necrophobic, Unleashed, Borknagar, Boloodbath and Abbath’s Bömbers. That will be cool.

7) Tell us about your musical influences... What did you listen to as a kid? What bands are you listening to now?

Thulus: I started with bands like Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Megadeth and more. After that came bands like Sepultura, Morbid Angel, Obituary, Deicide, Dismember and many more. What I still hear today. I came to Black Metal with old Samael and Moonspell. After that I quickly got to know Scandinavian Black Metal. I took it all in. I don’t think I need to mention any band names. We all know them. Like I said, I still listen to it to this day. My musical influences are definitely 90’s Black Metal. Helmuth von Belphegor influences my vocals. I like the game between Screams and Crowls. In this discipline, Helmuth is the master for me!

8) Recommend some good new bands from Switzerland.

Thulus: Of course I would like to recommend my other band Ghörnt which I have with J. Malphas, Causam, Aara, Han, Ungfell and Chotzä are a few more to try.

9) What are your expectations for the future? What are your long term goals as a band?

Thulus: We are already working on new tracks. A new album is definitely a goal. We hope to play some more gigs in the future and meet the people who support us.

10) What have been your best and worst experiences as a BM musician so far?

Thulus: Of course the best experiences are releases like albums and cool gigs with bands you like. The worst are gigs where things don’t go as you wish.

11) How do you think BM will develop over the next few years? Do you see it as a healthy scene at the moment?

Thulus: It’s not like there are a lot of good albums like there were in the 90’s anymore if you ask me. But there are always cool new bands. I don’t want to get involved in these true / not true discussions. I’m too old for that. In the black metal area, CDs, LPs, tapes and shirts are bought. That’s a healthy thing. This is how it should go on!

12) What advice would you give to young musicians reading this who might be trying to follow in your footsteps and go down the left hand path to Black Metal Darkness?

Thulus: I wouldn’t advise anyone to follow in my footsteps. hahaha! You never stop learning. Do what you think is right and also support other bands.

13) Would you like to add something for our readers?

Thulus: Thanks for the attention. Visit us on Facebook and Instagram if you want and listen to Leuchtenstadt.

A huge thank you Thulus... Hail to the Helvetic Hordes!!! Hail 666