Normally the bands that deliver the best grim and cold Black Metal don’t hail from warm countries. Normally, because there is an exception tot every rule: in this matter, one of those exceptions is called Dødsferd. Bands like Rotting Christ, Varathron and others created a sound which is often referred to as typical ‘Greek Black Metal’, yet Dødsferd wishes to refrain from that, and takes its inspiration from the Scandinavian and US Black Metal. Recently I reviewed Dødsferd latest album ‘Fucking Your Creation’, which was rather impressive. Too bad there wasn’t a band site, otherwise I would have contacted the band before, yet a while ago Moribund Cult asked us if we were interested in doing interviews with their bands… well, how about Dødsferd?
Dødsferd is a one-man-project of Wrath, who during this interview shows himself as the typical one-man-project: working from his own determined vision, and busy with several projects besides just Dødsferd, and a man who wished to speak through his music. Wrath speaks…
Why does a musician from Greece pick a name that sounds Norwegian; isn’t the Greek mythology inspiring enough, like the Norwegians have their own deities?
The Greek philosophy is very inspiring, basically more inspiring than anyone else could think. But that has nothing to do with my band. Dødsferd was born with Wrath into a different world, into a world that only Wrath sets the rules, that only Wrath knows what is best for his ideal. It was the only name that could express my everlasting hate and sadness. So the name of my band Dødsferd, which means “journey of death”, was the only appropriate name to overshadow my vision. I am inspired by other things.
Why did you choose the name Dødsferd? I know it is a song title from Dimmu Borgir’s album ‘Stormblåst’, but I can’t really compare your music to Dimmu Borgir…
For the reasons I have just told you. It is out of my concern if it is a Dimmu Borgir song. ‘Journey of Death’, nothing else. This is Dødsferd. By the way, ‘For All Tid’ and ‘Stormblåst’ are two respectable Black Metal albums.
Dødsferd is a one-man-project: what is for you the key reason to do it all by yourself?
One important reason for me is lack of trust. Dødsferd is my personal haven. There is no one else, except for me, capable enough to enter it and serve it, without any second thoughts. Live in despair, breathe with pain.
How hard is it to criticize your own work?
It is very difficult to be pleased by something. I am still in the beginning of my quest. My music gives me strength. But yes, indeed, criticizing my own work is very hard, but I am used to it.
Something I always wanted to ask a one-man-band: how do you start recording such work, is there standard operation modus, like first the drums or guitars or so?
Recording the drums is the first thing to do. So I work with the session drummer, until he has fully understood the philosophy of my songs and their structure. He records his drum parts and then I continue with the rest alone, guitars, bass, and vocals.
On ‘Fucking Your Creation’ sound samples are used in between the song: from which movie (or movies) are they and why did you put them on the album?
Samples like the ones I used for ‘Fucking Your Creation’ completed my work. No further explanations about the samples. Their great atmosphere combined with my songs creates something completely different from the one that I used them.
What do you consider as the main development from the album ‘Desecrating The Spirit of Life’ to ‘Fucking Your Creation’?
A different drummer, who was able to understand the sickness of my music, total solitude that can be translated as clearer thoughts for my vision, the experience of death…
In closing ‘Wrath’ you have a kind of spoken word message with sound samples under it: a title which refers to your personal statement I guess: in short, what is the message about?
I can no longer look on and stand the debasement of humanity, the predominance of all the parasites who have learned to live at others expense. No pity for them and to anyone else who tolerates such behavior and point of view.
In the review of ‘Fucking Your Creation’ I try to locate Dødsferd as somewhere in between Craft, Darkthrone and Leviathan: which bands actually inspire you most and why? I suspect that also Satanic Warmaster is a band whose fans might like Dødsferd…
Total respect to Bathory, Burzum, mighty Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, great Akhenaten and Judas Iscariot, Nargaroth, Wrest and Leviathan, Malefic and Xasthur, Krieg…Eternal hails to Satanic Warmaster, Horna, Sargeist.
How does a Greek band end up on a US label?
From the beginning of my first demo,’Kruzifixxion of Human Disgust’, I was in contact with Odin and Moribund Records. I had sent it to him. After the release of my first full length album, ‘Desecrating the Spirit of Life’, I recorded the ‘Fucking Your Creation’ album. Again he was the first one to get in touch with. Odin was interested in it so Moribund released it. It was a great honor for me.
Do you have aspirations to perform your music live on stage?
Soon I am going to rehearse some of my songs with session musicians, members from my other projects in order to perform my music live on stage. I have thought about it.
What is next on Dødsferd’s to-do-list?
My second album from the Dødsferd trilogy is ready and it will be released on October 8th 2007 by Moribund Records. 70 minutes of pure hate and endless mourning, ‘Cursing Your Will to Live’. Also, I have started working on new songs for the demands of a split CD and a 7″ EP.
It is hard to find a Dødsferd site for info, if there is such a site: is that a deliberate move to avoid exposure or is there another reason for it?
No there isn’t such a site about Dødsferd. It’s my decision. I have never thought about it.
You also have another band called Kampf; of which I have read that a debut album is coming out soon: again, a Northern/Western European word. Are you sure that there is nothing fit in the Greek history or language to cover the concept?
Difficult, I will find something to cover the concept of my music.
Can you already tell us when it will be released and on which label?
The debut album of my other band Kampf, ‘Nothing but Wrath’, will be released by Regimental Records in the end of September of 2007. Also, BlackMetal.com will release, towards the end of 2007, the debut album of my other project, Grab, ‘Plague…’.
Anything I have forgotten to ask yet that you want our readers to inform of?
Nothing at all.
