SOURCE – LandawarijaR is the newest Helheim album. What was the mindset going into the songwriting and performance aspects of this recording?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – We approached the creative side for this album as with any Helheim album, really. Though we wanted to focus even more on each single riff being emphasized to its fullest potential thus having fewer riffs on each song.
SOURCE – It can be difficult to hold on to a sound you’ve become known for while also trying to explore new musical areas?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – It’s always difficult to write an album as it has to outdo the previous, and we worked for a long time on this one. It is definitely the hardest album to date to have written.
SOURCE – Why should your fans buy LandawarijaR?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – Why not? Hahaha.
SOURCE – The reaction to your new album, from the early reviews that have come out, seems to be positive. Do you guys pay much attention to reviews?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – It’s tempting to say no to this question, but reviews do matter to us. It’s always nice to get good reactions to something you’ve spent so much time creating, but it doesn’t change the way we write music though. We always want to stay true to ourselves and believing in what we’re doing.
SOURCE – Did you think at the time of your early 1990’s start that you would be one of the pioneers in the viking metal scene?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – No, didn’t even strike our minds back then at all.
SOURCE – Helheim has now been together for over 25 years and around 12 studio albums. What would you want your legacy to be based on your discography and live performances?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – I wouldn’t highlight anything before the other as I see it all as means to an end. It all have its moments of gratitude in our history. Of course there’s always some gigs we look back on with discontent, but they are easily forgotten.
SOURCE – Things have changed so much with the decline in sales, and now the emphasis on streaming instead of actually buying physical things. How do you even determine, from your end, if an album has been successful or not?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – We determine that from the facts of the actual album and if we’re satisfied with it or not. This judgement may arrive later in time though. Let’s say in about a year. Sales doesn’t concern me. And yes, also what people say about the album. As i said, good critics are always nice.
SOURCE – And even though it is the digital age, there’s been a resurgence of vinyl, especially in the metal world, and you guys are releasing this record on vinyl. Personally, are you a vinyl guy? Do you own a lot of records?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – I’m a full blown vinyl dude and have a collection of about 1,000 records I guess. A pretty modest collection but still growing.
SOURCE – How do you define success these days personally and for the band? What’s left on the bucket list for the group to accomplish?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – To be able to release albums, play concerts and have people actually enjoying your music is success for me personally. I think we’ve accomplished everything we want. Now we basically focus on releasing better and better albums. Oh, of course to play in countries we’ve never been to before is always something we enjoy.
SOURCE – Care to say something to your fans?
Vgandr (Bass and Vocals) – Well, i hope that you all will be pleased with our new album and that it might shed some mindpuzzling vibes. Other than that remember that Heathendom still is resistance!
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