SVARDENVYRD - Moravian Heathen Metal band

Interview for VAMPIRE MAGAZINE, March 2006. Questions by Neithan...

   Recently I received two very good albums from out of the blue; geographically spoken I refer to the Czech Republic. Before, I heard more of grindcore bands playing in that area, so my surprise was rather welcome when I received the albums from Heiden and Svardenvyrd, bith released on Naga Productions. Svardenvyrd plays an epic form of black metal which is often labeled as Viking music, yet this band doesn’t come from Scandinavia. On the other hand, who cares, when their album is so highly advisable to those who love Bathory and its hordes. Time to introduce the band to our readers, and both Einskaldir and Typhon answer the questions.

   1. First of all: the book series called 'The Dragonbone Chair' (by Tad Williams) must have made quite an impression on the band. The band's name comes from this book, and Einskaldir is a warrior from this saga (fighting on the 'good side'). What is the inspiration that you take from this book?
   Einskaldir: Yes I like this book very much, however it isn´t the subject of our inspiration. We just use these title for band name, which we were founding, because it sounds very good and it is not typical english name for the band. Also I use the nick of this warrior because I like him and because I was searching for some nickname.

   2. The album sounds very good for a project that did not exist before 2002; how much work have you put into this album?
   Typhon: In fact, Svardenvyrd is NOT a project, it´s regular band even if we are now two members only. But now we´re trying to build live line-up, so in next few months will Svardenvyrd be a "band" in usually sense of this word. Thank you for your opinion of "Obyčej slunovratu" sound. We had some sound conception before we went to studio and in big part we realised it as we wished. Maybe because this wasn´t our first visit of studio, so we just knew something about studio recording process and what we can and cannot in studio do. And generally.. Music and lyrics for "Obyčej slunovratu" arised during approximately one year. From June 2004 to March 2005, when we went to studio. Then we returned to studio for several times to finish album in harmony to our visions. Final cut was made at the end of June 2005. I think it´s completely needless to say that we gave to our album everything what we could… Show me musician, who do not.

   3. 33 minutes; 4 songs. Hell, people who look at the length of the album might expect a doom release. Why does Svardenvyrd need to write songs that have on average such a long time? (opening 'Jarní probuzení' is with a bit more than 5 minutes almost a short song for Svardenvyrd)
   Typhon: Hard to answer. Long songs is one of the recognize signs of Svardenvyrd at all. Long playing time gives us possibility to "play" with construction of song, to build some atmosphere, gradation etc. And at last but not least, as a listener I like long songs more than short ones. When I hear album which has 40 minutes and 15 tracks, here is only little chance that I shall remember well more than two or three songs. Many songs equals many perceptions during hearing and it equals less concentration in hearing generally.

   4. What does the album title "Obyčej Slunovratu" mean or stand for?
   Einskaldir: Title "Obyčej slunovratu" means "custom and tradition of solstice". We wanted to put to our title some magical influence. Word "Obyčej" is in Czech language unusual and archaic, so in Czech it sounds good.

   5. What is the basic lyrical concept behind Svardenvyrd? Nature, local legends, or something else? I must confess, my Czech is rather poor…
   Einskaldir: Our album "Obyčej slunovratu" has a lyrical and musical conception about four seasons of the year. First song ("Jarní probuzení" - in English "Springs awakening") is about the awakening of nature in spring, about return of birds about sunshine which wake up all land. Second song "Letní žár" ("Summer heat") is about the power of sun and storm in Summer. Third song "Žalozpěv podzimu" ("Autumn elegy") is about the Autumn´s nature and colors of this season and about depression a gloomines. Last song "Mrazivý polibek paní Zimy" ("Frozen caress of lady Winter") is about fascination by Winter nature and its cruelty and about death in Winter´s embrace. Last minutes of this song are connected with first minute of first song. It means that circle of seasons is neverending. So lets celebrate the Tradition of Solstice!

   6. In my interview I state that had Svardenvyrd not come from the Czech republic (or better said, the Moravian lands) but from Scandinavia, the music would easily be called epic Viking metal. What is your view on that?
   Typhon: Could be. We play music as we feel it. And of course in creation of music we are influenced by our favourite hordes (every musician is). Uniting of this two factors can make fact, that some people could hear in our music epic Viking metal. It wasn´t our intention, but every listener is strict individuality, so every man could hear in our music something different, makes other associations etc.

   7. Svardenyrd calls itself a 'Moravian Heathen Metal band'. What is the typically Moravian aspect in its music?
   Typhon: WE are the Moravian aspect of our music. WE both are Moravians, we arised and live in Moravia land, so even our music is Moravian, our music is reflexion of us. We don´t use any Moravian typical folklore musical motives, it´s about feeling.. Moravian feeling.

   8. From your label boss Michal I understood that most Czech fans prefer the 'true' black unholy hordes. That does not make it easy for Svardenvyrd to achieve something in the homeland. Is an interest from abroad perhaps essential for the band's motivation to keep on going?
   Einskaldir: Yes, its true - unfortunately. Metalheads in our country prefer "old" unholy black metal bands and all new bands are bad in their opinion. It is funny! However there are people who are supporting us and who likes our music so I hope that situation will be better for the future. We are very grateful for every positive responses from abroad. It is great to see that there is someone who likes your work.

   9. Getting further on the preference of the average Czech metal fan: what is your drive to make music like Svardenvyrd does?
   Einskaldir: Our drive is enjoyment and desire to make good music also we want to give to people good work and satisfy their music thirst. It is part of our life among others.

   10. There is a strong link with label and country mates Heiden. It seems almost as if it is one close group of friends supporting each other in every possible way. Is that thought correct?
   Typhon: Yes, strictly correct. We live in the same city, we began in one band and fission to two bands did not damaged our strong friendship. Besides here in Czech republic is not much many persons who are active in Black metal scene and majority of us know each other personally at all, we meets on various actions, like concerts etc. In fact, bands Svardenvyrd, Heiden and Hyperborean Desire (where I play guitar) is base to some kind of friendship and brotherhood circle, which practically means what you wrote up higher: close group of friends supporting each other in every possible way.

   11. How hard is it for a band from the Czech republic to get a decent exposure?
   Typhon: I don´t know well situation in other states, so I can´t compare. Maybe it´s little bit harder to start a band because of our political-economic situation here in Czech republic. Musical instruments and equipment are very expensive, so that´s very hard to found a band when you are about 17 years old student without perpetual earnings. But when man really wants, everything is possible, maybe we can speak about some kind of "natural" sieve, which detach people who mean music really "seriously" (if I can say it in this way) and that ones, who only think that making music noise is fun.
   Next steps are only on talent, perseverance and work. On the other hand, fact that here in our country exists relatively few bands gives to every new band bigger chance to engage Czech audience.

   12. The site is all in Czech; are you thinking about creating an English part as well, for the fans abroad who take an interest in the band and its background, yet who do not master the Czech language?
   Typhon: Ash to my head… Of course you´re right in claim, that it would be friendly to our foreign fans to make English mutation of our web. I know it and belive me, I´m going to pay this engagement in next few weeks. If I only have so much time as work I have, haha..

   13. What more can we expect from Svardenvyrd the coming months?
   Einskaldir: In next months will be Svardenvyrd searching band members and will be working on new album. And we are preparing some T - shirts for fans (and for us).

   14. What more do you wish to mention about Svardenvyrd that has not been asked in this interview?
   Einskaldir: I think that your questions were exhaustiveJ We want to thank you and to all fromVampire zine for your interest and good work. Also we want thanks to all who supported us. Keep you favor!
   Typhon: Thank you for your support and interview. I wish long days to your zine. Sláva!