INTERVIEW: V. Einride – Whoredom Rife

Black metal has enjoyed a period of creative resurgence recently. From the stellar Icelandic scene, or the prominent rise of Polish collective BATUSHKA or even the surge in quality on our own shores, metal’s most extreme style is enjoying a purple patch, even perhaps eclipsing the infamous period of the early 90s. Despite this global boom, Norway remains iconic for the genre and none know this more than WHOREDOM RIFE. Since forming in 2014, the Norwegian duo have payed homage to the iconic movement of their countrymen with their blistering take on black metal, but, they are so much more than just another second wave-worship band. Now, with their sophomore effort NID – Hymner Av Hat, the band look to cement their place on the modern scene and we spoke with V. Einride, the creative pulse behind the band, to lift the lid on their new album as well as discussing how black metal has developed since its infamous second wave.

So, you are set to release your new album NID – Hymner Av Hat this week. What can people expect from this new album?

V: Seven hymns of hatred in the vein of WHOREDOM RIFE, for those familiar with us. We are building on what we already have, so no weird twist and turns. Just adding more fuel to the fire. The new album will be a bit longer with more variation, also the production is a bit more raw and organic. Once again mixed by Rune Stavnesli, the most patient creature in the universe. The artwork is, as usual, done by Jose Gabriel Alegria Sabogal and this time he has outdone himself, I can’t wait to see it on print.

The new album follows hot on the heels of last year’s Dommedagskvad. What was the decision behind wanting to release a new record so soon after?

V: The album was finished, and there’s no reason to hold back. I’ve had some real productive years lately, and It’s always good to follow up sooner rather than later. I want to point out that we didn’t stress the release though.

And with it being just a year between records, do you feel this is the best way to maintain momentum for the band?

V: Yes, definitely! I don’t see the point in delaying it just for the sake of delaying it. But you got to give the listeners some time to digest.

Can you describe the writing and recording process for NID – Hymner Av Hat?

V: I start with a riff and build from there, usually by elaborating on it. I try to follow my instinct as much as possible. If I get stuck, I try to match it with another riff or part, that I may have in the back of my hand. I try and fail until I feel that I have an idea for a song. Then I start recording the idea while listening and maybe adding more layers and instruments. When I have a structure that I’m content with, I’ll start recording a full production demo that I listen to while taking mental notes, and then make the necessary adjustments. This demo will eventually turn in to the actual release, after processing it to meet the standard I require. Note that It’s not as linear as presented here, I work on different songs at different stages all the time, so it’s a constant process.

For you V, you are the creative pulse behind WHOREDOM RIFE as you work on all the instrumentation in the band. How does working in this way benefit you as a musician and the band in general?

V: It benefits me in a way that makes me a better musician and it gives me full artistic freedom. It also means I can work whenever I’m inspired, since I have the studio at my home. This opens endless possibilities for other projects as well. It benefits the band in general, because we have a free, fully equipped rehearsal place/studio all to ourselves.

And with you being so involved with the creative process, do you find any difficulties trying to write new music?

V: Yes, sometimes I lack inspiration. I could try to write but only rubbish comes out, at least that’s how it feels. It could be just a matter of perception or mental state, but if it does’t feel right, I’ll do something else. Forcing it never works.

Live, you utilise session musicians and have worked with the likes of Wraath, Bruthor and Nosophoros. What do these session musicians bring to the fold of WHOREDOM RIFE and would you ever bring them into the creative process for writing new material?

V: We work as a band, apart from the studio process. So needless to say they are very important to the band. When travelling and performing we are one unit. Each member is equally important and treated thereafter. I encourage everyone to partake in the creative process, and they produced both riffs and lyrics for future material. They also give constructive criticism when necessary. Working alone is fine but it’s better to get some fresh impulses from time to time. I’m open to changes as long as it’s for the better.

The artwork for NID – Hymner Av Hat is rather striking. Can you explain what the artwork depicts?

V: Overall the design is put together by historic events and iconic symbols taken from local legends in and around our hometown Trondheim. The oldest known name of Trondheim is Nidaros, which is central to this album. In the Norse era, Nid is a negative word which basically means loss of honor or loss of status. So for example ‘Niding’ was a villain, a thief, a trickster. Nid could also mean ‘taunt’, as well as ‘hatred’. I feel we summed up a lot of exactly this in the artwork; the taunting, loss of honor, and of course the spiteful anti-religious approach to all these, to many, holy symbols. It all works very well with what we want to represent with the music. Long story short the front depicts the munk island which is an island in the fjord guarding the city entrance, with numerous legends surrounding it. One being vikings put heads on stakes there as warning to anyone who entered the city. We allowed ourselves artistic freedom all across the board as for example the island is these days known for its iconic features as shown in the cover, whereas in the Norse era it was a rock with some grass and seagull shit. Not too exciting. Furthermore we have the ravens eating the corpse of Olav the Holy, responsible for bringing Christianity to Norway, who fell at the historic battle of Stiklestad and posthumously became a saint. Again the tales are endless, even after his death. We recommend you dig deeper. On the back we have the ravens ascending with his mutilated corpse, Beyond the Skies of God. The amazing artwork by Jose Gabriel Alegría Sabogal always manage to tell parts of a story for itself, and this piece is a perfect example of just that. As you see I can go on and on but as usual we leave it up to the listener to do some research and own thinking, if you look closely you can spend hours reading up on every detail and it’s attached myths.

Lyrically, the themes surrounding your music is that of the Left-Hand Path and Pagan mythology. So, for this new record, can you explain what sort of concepts, themes and messages are explored across the record?

V: It’s mainly LHP and Norse mythology, but also Nietzche-inspired songs, like Hyllest. I’d say that LHP is the fundament on which everything is built, and we can explore from there. I don’t have a need to preach, nor do I have a specific message. WHOREDOM RIFE acts as a source for channelling our hatred and despair upon the wretched civilisation of the modern man.

The record itself is absolutely blistering and epic, aligning itself to what we’d expect from black metal. Given how the genre has developed, especially in the last decade, I’m interested to know what your thoughts are on the current state of black metal?

V: It seems that black metal is still growing, which would mean it’s still developing. Many of the bands we grew up listening to, grew into something else than what they initially represented. Leaving behind them both a legacy and unexplored territory for the future generations of bands to fill. This is what I see now. Younger bands carrying the torch and breaking new ground in the echoes of the pioneers that left the trail.

Given that you are from Norway, did you feel any obligation to pay homage to that True Norwegian Black Metal sound?

V: No I don’t feel obliged to anything, and that’s the whole idea. But I’m inspired by it, undoubtedly. If by “true Norwegian black metal sound” you mean enhancing the atmosphere of the music by getting the right sound, I can fully stand behind it. But if it means “Hey, we can sound like shit”, I will strongly disagree.

And with NID – Hymner Av Hat being your second full-length record, what do you hope to achieve with the record once it has been released?

V: I hope it will further establish the bands position in the underground, and hopefully get us more gigs. We’re definitely a live band, and we want to play more shows. Also, I wish to prove that we’re a hard working band, that means business, and not just a flash.

Following it’s release, I imagine the focus will turn to touring to support the release. Can you shed an insight into what touring plans are in the works for WHOREDOM RIFE?

V: Yes, we are getting offers as we speak and we will update our tour dates consecutively. So far it looks like this:

30.11.18 Army of the North Star, Bergen, Norway
08.12.18 Celebrare Noctem Fest, Austria.
12.01.19 Black Cult Doctrine Fest, Germany.
22.02.19 Blå with DJEVEL, Oslo, Norway
17.05.19 Reykjavik, Iceland.

NID – Hymner Av Hat is out now via Terratur Possessions.

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