Graabein

Interview - Graabein

By: Taaken
Interviewer: exraven

exraven:
Tell us about Graabein and your ideological views and thoughts.








Graabein was founded in 2000 by Robert, Taaken and Helge, if I'm not entirely wrong.


We founded the band out of love for metal, but we later developed our music into having something to say. Our ideology right now is to tell everyone one who believe they know or can predict shit, to fuck off.. Our thoughts? Fuck you!
Could you tell us about your musical influences?

Our or my musical influences takes us back to the 80's.
Twisted Sister, Iron Maiden, Sodom, Destruction and other German thrash bands.
We're equally influenced by "newer" black/thrash metal bands like Carpathian Forest, Aura Noir, Audiopain and other fucks with the right mind of metal.

How is it to front the type of music you represent, in a already well-fed black metal scene?

Doesn't make a fucking difference to me.
Most bands that exist today should've died and fucked themselves away many years ago. Some of them sound and appear alright, but in mind are worthless.
Predictable drivel from mindless assholes!

Have you got response from record companies, or do still struggle to get credits for your, undoubtedly great, music?

We haven't really been searching for it that much up to this point.
We will do an effort to make it happen after the demo we're recording at the moment, and perhaps others will think what you think about our music.

What could you say, is the reason for, that bands in the pit, have so big troubles getting cred and acknowledgement in the channels that pulls the right strings?
(Magazines, record companies, and in the end, music buyers).

That might be because of the bands that stay in the pit mostly remain politically incorrect. And because of this narrow minded "let's stop the world in tragedy" world that we live in are not ready to accept them(us) for what we are, and want to be.

I would say that you've made a shitload of changes, when it comes to bandmembers, and also within the band..... Have you settled with a competent linup now?

This line-up is probably the strongest we've had.
I'm not sure if it'll remain the same in the future, although I wouldn't mind.
Changes has to be made to make this hateful instrument work properly.

I heard that you co-supported Carpathian Forest on drums, for one gig.
How was it to participate and work with these eminent musicians?

Rumours, rumours, rumours.
I played session drums for Nattefrost on his first concert at Tribute, Sandnes.
I did not play for or with Carpathian Forst, just with Nattefrost and Vrangsinn from the mentioned band. But all in all, it was a great experience, and a small honour to play with people who actually has the right ideology when it comes to real black metal.

I was so lucky to experience Graabein live, a few week's ago.
Unfortunately (or not) you played at a youth club. Which means no alcohol.....
But I must admit, that the aprox. 30 peoples attended the concert, got what they came for.
Thanx for a fucking great concert.
What's your opinion?

First of, thank you for attending the show, and for your kind words.
The concert went fine, no argument there.
The sound was not optimal, but the audience did seem to enjoy themselves
(sexually or not), so it was a fun experience, nevertheless.

What does "Black Unholy Cowbell Music" stand for?

Hehe, I have this stupid idea that we might be the first or only black metal band to use a cowbell when playing drums. Therefore "black unholy COWBELL thrash", which was the right music description.

I resence a vague "touch" of CF, when i both hear your music played live, and by reading what you write on your homepage...
Could it be so, that we can draw parallels, between them and Graabein?

The music of Carpathian Forest has indeed inspired me, so one parallel can be drawn.
I would never compare myself or my music to the band itself,
all I can say that I believe is that we might've had the same inspirations when it came/comes to writing our music. After all, fuck you are two very important words.

You also play drums in another local BM band, Tyrant.
Can you tell us something about that Band?

Yes, I do. And no I can't…
Well, Tyrant is more Swedish inspired black metal band with more lyrics about Satan than Graabein. The music has more melody, and less thrash than Graabein.
I refuse to say another fucking word about it! ;)

What are the future activities of Graabein? More demo-work or live acts?

We're recording our fifth demo at the time.
A grim fucking piece of black/thrash work of hateful art.
A disaster piece of fuck you and feces!
No live acts have been planned, we'll focus on the demo at hand above all.

Open slot.... If you want to add something to this view.
Thanks and good luck with future struggle against the rotten society.

Hails to Taaken and Graabein

Thanks for interview, fuckface.
Check out www.graabein.tk for updates on what the fuck is going on.
Sign the guest book and please tell us how sexy we look in makeup,
and order a copy of "Black Unholy Thrash Metal" when it's done.
For now, fuckers. Bye!


Interview by Exraven

Ozzy Osbourne - No Rest for the Wicked

"No Rest For The Wicked" where released in 1988 on Epic Records and are in my opinion a classic heavy metal album. This release are influenced also by hard rock, but I prefer to call it heavy metal.

This album just crawls with great stuff, like "Miracle Man", "Tattooed Dancer" and "Breaking All The Rules".

But my two favourites are "Demon Alcohol", which tells us about Ozzy's relationship with alcohol, and "Bloodbath In Paradise", a nice little song about blood on your walls and the family of a certain Charlie, in other words about Charlie Manson and his little family of crazy hippies.

There aren't any songs on this album I don't like, but "Fire In The Sky" and "Devil's Daughter" are little weaker than the rest. No Rest For The Wicked are my favourite Ozzy-album.

Points: 5,5/6.

Dimmu Borgir - Stormblåst

"Stormblåst" This is the Cd Dimmu Borgir had major breaktrough with. After their first album; “For All Tid”, there was a time for changes in musical exploration. The Music here are more symphonic and melodic, something you hear already on the first track: “Alt Lys Har Svunnet hen” [All Light has Faded]. This is their best known song ever. If there is one song i would like to put up as my second favourite on the album, that must be the instrumental track “Sorgens Kammer”. Stormblåst is rather melancolic, and i would say a little folk-inspired. All lyrics in Norwegian.

Points: 5.5

Kreator - Endorama

"Endorama" where released in 1999 on Drakkar Records. Endorama has a basis in trash, but there are also death, stoner and classical in the music. "Future Ring" are the best song on Endorama, but also "Endorama", "Golden Age" and to a certain degree "Everlasting Flame" are strong contributions on Endorama. The problem for Endorama is that it's material have to mutch of a vary in between the best and the poorest, and therefore as an album doesn't quite make the cut.

Points: 3,5/6.

[R. Naaden]

Line-up:
Mille Petrozza - guitar & vocals
Jürgen Reil - drums
Christian Giesler - bass
Thomas Vetterli - guitar

Interview with Valfar [Windir]

Interviewer: exraven With: Valfar
Interview with Valfar 24.05 2002 1. Windir /You come from a “small” place, Sogndal in Norway. (6000 citizens) Have this affected you in any way, when you have written text and music? What about King Sverre and “The Battle at Fimreite”? The rural aspect of Windir has always been important. I grew up in a farmer’s area and soon idealized the simplicity of such a life. I’ve used history and supernatural believes from Sogndal in my lyrics, and some deals with stories from farms. I started out as an accordion-player and that interest has always been important for Windir. When it comes to the battle at Fimreite it is an important piece of Norwegian history that took place in little Sogndal. Although we were always outnumbered we would never give in the rulers. King Sverre won the battle in the fjord here against Magnus Erlingsson and punished the villagers by destroying the village with flames. 2. When you started Windir, it was kind of a one-man band. But now you have included your “former” session-musicians as a full band. How come? I guess I wanted to do something new. Having a band and playing live was actually a goal when I started Windir, but there were none interested back then. Since we are the same line-up live I feel its important to involve everyone in the entire process of a production so they can feel they are apart of it too. That again gives them motivation so they can perform 100%. I must also mention that I have included Hvàll as a co-writer, interesting with new ideas and new blood. 3. How would you categorize your music? Are there any parallels between you and Finntroll? Its folk inspired, but not folk music like Finntroll base their material on. I use older folk music as inspiration rather than polkas and such. I can’t see any parallel to Finntroll in that way. Perhaps we have the same spirit. 4. What do you think about bands getting “Too Commercial”? No offence to bands selling a lot of records. The scary thing about commercialism is that its people with money-interests that controls it all. Although a band that are selling a lot of albums have their artistic freedom, I would still imagine that it’s difficult to not think of the money-men. After all, they are the reason they can make their albums, and if an album doesn’t sell their next budget will be smaller. Its business nowadays and not art. Sad, but true. 5. Your gig at the Inferno-festival where a success. Tell me your opinion/meaning about the festival and your concert? The festival was a success in my opinion. Its marvellous that they can do something like this Norway. Many bands in one small area is great. I was thrilled with our own performance. I had the best time of my life on that stage. The audience took me by surprise; I didn’t expect them to be so wild. I take my hat of for them, without them we couldn’t do it. But I guess our philosophy works, we give everything and the audience will do so too. 6. Since most of the visitors comes from outside of Norway. Are there any plans for a Tour? We’ve had some cancelled tours already. One with Finntroll actually. It’s a rotten world out there. But we can’t lose hope. Hvàll is working on something now for October, so we’ll see what happens. 7.Have you been a “metal” fan for many years, and what music did you listen to when you where like; 15? Metal have always been in my liking. At the age of 15 I listened to Pestilence, At The Gates, various Black-Metal acts and Vivaldi. That was on my stereo at the age of fifteen. I must say that At The Gates: “With fear I kiss the burning darkness” is probably the best album I have. Thank's to Valfar for taking time answering the questions.