|
Falkenbach - Towards The Hall Of Bronze Shields
Wednesday, 25 January 2006
Interviewed By Stefanos Zachariadis
FALKENBACH, are one of the most potent forces of the underground Viking metal scene. The child of a multi-instrumantalist going by the name of Vratyas Vakyas, FALKENBACH have released a limited number of very high quality albums. Without further delay, here's what he had to say to Metal Invader...
M.I: I'd like to start this interview by thanking you for all the musical experiences that you've given us. What made you, Vratyas, to start creating music? Could you give us a brief history of FALKENBACH?
Falkenbach started with the tape "Havamal" in ī89. Throughout the years several more tapes were done, all of them limited to 9 copies only, except for "Laeknishendr", which was limited to 33 copies, and the "Promo ī95" tape, that was available for a couple of months and sold maybe 100-200 copies. Beside that the 4 official albums "En Their Medh Riki Fara...", "Magni Blandinn Ok Megintiri", "Ok Nefna Tysvar Ty" and the new one "Heralding - The Fireblade" were released throughout the years.M.I: What is the meaning of FALKENBACH? Both as a word, but also to you, personally?
The word itself can be translated to Falcon and brook. About the meaning of the word I do not use to talk too much, as itīs something personal to me. But itīs neither a place nor the name of the person I know personally etc. To me Falkenbach is a part of my life, a part of myself.M.I: "Heralding: The Fireblade" is quite a different album from "Ok nafna tysvar ty". Not only does it feature the return of black metal vocals, it includes re-recordings of old FALKENBACH songs. How do you see the progress of the music of FALKENBACH, and how did you reach the sound of "Heralding"?
Well, as a matter of fact "Fireblade" was meant to be released more than 10 years ago as the original debut album of Falkenbach. Due to several problems with the studio I had to stop the recordings back then. Thatīs probably the reason for why this album is that comparable to the first Falkenbach album, with rough elements, fast parts etc. The rerecorded songs I added to this album simply because they have been a part of the original album, they simply belong to the "Fireblade".M.I: Is there any release that you're particularly proud of? Any one that you would change substantially if you'd done it today?
No, all the album are worth the same to me, same goes for the tapes. There is no single song even Iīd prefer to another one. The recordings are also nothing Iīd like to change. Of course there are always things that could have been better, and if Iīd record an album like "En Their Medh Riki Fara..." today again, quite some aspects would change about the sound mainly. But keeping in mind when theyīve been recorded, I am ok with the result.M.I: Could you list us some of your important musical influences? What kind of music are you listening to in your own time? Any recent release that you would recommend?
I am listening to classical music like Wagner, Grieg, Groothe etc. mainly, and if it comes to metal I prefer demos and self produced albums. I do not think thereīs any musical influence that can be found in Falkenbach.M.I: I remember being introduced to FALKENBACH and being told that it's a one man band. Over the years, you've collaborated with a number of musicians for your releases, but you have not toured. Why is that? Have you ever thought of touring?
On the last two album Boltthorn, Hagalaz and Tyrann helped Falkenbach out at the studio as guest musicians. Maybe 1-2 small gigs will take place sooner or later, but there are no further plans now. Maybe more gigs will follow after that, maybe even a tour or festivals, but to be honest itīs not likely. Itīs simply not my cup of tea at the moment.M.I: You're a multi-instrumentalist. Given that, what's the process like for you, when you're creating a track? Do you start with the vocals, the guitars, the keyboards, etc? And a more technical question, which platform and software do you use to sequence and record the music?
In the beginning there is always the pure idea. No instrument is needed to find such a melody, itīs just in my mind. Sometimes I start working on this with the keys, sometimes with the guitar, depending on what kind of melody it is, a leading one for flutes or a background one for guitars f. ex. At home I still work with my old analogous 8 track recorder. Studio details you can find at www.Tidalwave.de.M.I: We usually reserve the end of the interview for our guest. Any last words?
Thanx for your support!
Check www.Falkenbach.de for infos about the limited "An Homage to Falkenbach" albums as well as any other further details. | | 
|
|
