SOURCEWEBZINE – “Baldur” is the band’s debut album. For somebody listening to the record for the first time, what can they expect?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – Heavy Metal, powerful and real. There is a ‘no bullshit and take no prisoners’ approach to this album. We wanted to have an album out we could be proud of.
This is us being honest about our past, out heritage and where we are now as individuals.
SOURCEWEBZINE – You’ve just released “Baldur”. How do you look back on the recording process?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – We had most of the songs written and fully organized when we entered the studio. One, maybe two songs were written in the studio. We had a lot of fun making the album. We moved a big rock onto the studio floor and set the guitar effects + spotlights around it for the solos and I recorded ALL the solos with one foot on the rock! We made sure everybody felt good and could do their job without feeling under pressure. We had a real good time but we also wanted to deliver so we did push each other, like, this could be better etc.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Do you have any goals that you want to achieve with this album or are you just aiming to play the album?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – We wanted an album we could be proud of. We didn’t make the album for somebody else and we never thought about who would possibly like the album. This album was made by us, for us. You like the album, great ! If you don’t like it, we don’t care!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Are you still listening to metal a lot and which albums or bands are you looking forward to?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – We listen to Metal, yes! I’m into Amon Amarth, Iron Maiden, Death, Kreator, Sepultura, Dio, Kiss – the list is endless. If we like something, it inspires us, a good song is a good song it being a Metal-song or not.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Do you still follow the metalscene and check out new bands or are you just doing your own thing?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – Some of us really like tracking down new bands, but we do our thing, our way.
SOURCEWEBZINE – If not in metal, which ways would you use to feel and experience the Viking spirit?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – By reading the old Icelandic sagas and eat old delicious food like rotten shark, burnt sheep heads and pickled rams testicals just to name a few gourmet things from my kitchen.
SOURCEWEBZINE – A lot of bands are more respected in other countries than their homeland. How is Skálmöld received in Iceland?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – To our surprise the album went to number 1 on the charts and stayed there for a few weeks. It’s been on the top 10 for the better part of the year.
SOURCEWEBZINE – If a metal fan comes to visit Iceland, what should they see and do?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – Visit Iceland in July and go to Neskaupsstaður and be a part of Eistnaflug which is a Metal-festival. Last year we had Napalm Death headlining, this year we had Tryptikon and ofcourse about 30 Icelandic Metal-bands as well. The sun never sets in the summer so it’s party 24/7!
SOURCEWEBZINE – What steps in your career are you most proud of?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – Releasing the album “Baldur” and walking out on that stage at Wacken 2011 playing with Skálmöld was pretty awesome!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Can you tell us something no one knows up till now?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – When we were recording the album, Ronnie James Dio, died (R.I.P.). I made a small tribute to him on one of the solos…
SOURCEWEBZINE – Thanks for taking the time to allow me to interview you. Do you have any final words for the people at home?
Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson (Guitar) – Thank you for being interested in Icelandic Metal and I’ll be looking forward to seeing some Metal-heads at the Heidenfest 2011 European tour! Skál!
