Urfeind is an up-and-coming German black metal band of which we have already talked about their first album Swartaz Dagana. I have now talked to Skadwaz, vocalist and guitarist of the band, about the new album that in the meanwhile has already been released, and his thoughts and visions around occultism. Here you are!
1. Hello Skadwaz, nice to hear from you again, how are things?
Hey, everything fine here!
2. We were first in contact a couple of years ago after the release of your first album Swartaz Dagana that was praised on UBM. Still, not much is known about the band, is that because you want to keep music separated from the persons behind it?
Yes indeed! Urfeind will never reveal the persons behind it. It is a part of the whole concept.
There is and will be no fixed lineup or membership for the band. That is e.g. one reason for this decision.
3. I feel like your sound on Swartaz Dagana is influenced by the Finnish black metal sound, for example bands like Sargeist and Behexen. Is that so or do you have other influences?
On Swartaz Dagana I wanted to create a dark, raw and brutal sound with deep vocals. It wasn’t really my intention to make it sound Finnish, but I see that as a compliment. I really like their style.
4. After the first album, what kind of new developments have taken place in your compositional process and sound?
Quite a lot! The bass guitar is now more outstanding and varied, I used different vocal techniques and the presence of the lead guitar is stronger. I also have a guest musician this time who did the vocals for the first song. All in all, the sound is also much better. We really spend much time with the mixing and mastering process.
5. Your new album Þurisabloþa is going to be released soon. What can you anticipate to our audience about it?
Þurisabloþa is strongly dedicated to the dissolving forces of the Germanic pantheon. This album is the militant, hard and deep religious answer of Thursian black metal.
The album contains 8 new songs and is about 43 minutes long and will be released on the 21th February 2020.
6. Will it be supported by merchandise as well?
Yes, of course! The label already planned it. I can´t guarantee that there will be merch right after the release of the album, but surely this year.
7. The title of your new forthcoming album makes me instinctively think about Thursatru and anti-cosmic Satanism. This is an old theme in black metal, what is your personal angle on it? Maybe you can also explain the title for those who are not acquainted with this field.
Let´s start with the last question.
The translation of Þurisabloþa is “Thursian Blood”. The Blood is a metaphor for the Thursian essence or spark that dwells in every one of us. Thursian Blood stands for the manifestation and conscious feeling of that. The complete possession with that essence in the whole body.
I don't follow the Thursatru tradition but stand quite close to the teachings of Abgrundjaskalkaz and my own practices.
8. What is your philosophy about occultism and anti-cosmic Satanism?
To be honest, most of these modern occultists in the black metal scene and around are charlatans. They don’t really have a spiritual target or don’t even able to see it. They are skinny, weak, were maybe bullied in their school times and are often antisocial.
Urfeind and the members around stand for physical and spiritual strength. Being “anticosmic” doesn’t mean to be an outsider for us or wearing dark robes in our free time. We all live a successful and easy live in this illusionary world with Loki as our spiritual mentor. Mundane orders and laws don’t matter for us when they stop us from spiritual and physical success. We´re working straight practical with the Thursian path without getting in touch with non-Indo-European traditions.
9. Watain and the books by Ekortu are the most famous sources about Chaos Gnosticism within black metal. What other sources for this knowledge do you use?
Especially for the Thursian tradition the most important sources for me are the old lore’s like both Eddas and the sagas. For further knowledge like practical things and deeper understanding I use a lot of internal sources that are not necessarily written down. In addition to that, books about the runes and folk magic are also helpful. But I also read books from other cultures and traditions to complement a lot of knowledge. Books about slavic & celtic paganism, tantric magic, meditation etc.
10. What you think about the retirement of Ekortu from music to only concentrate on writing?
I can´t really answer that question because I never was a big fan of his music or books, but I think he decided wisely.
11. I don’t know anything about your live activity. What does it look like now and in the future?
Urfeind has never played a live show yet. But there are some plans to bring it to the stage someday. But I can't promise anything.
12. What more would you like to tell our readers?
Don´t follow our tradition if you are mentally weak. It will destroy you! Otherwise, it will make you even stronger!
13. Thank you for the time, hope to talk to you again!
Thank you for the interview and the interest in Urfeind!
Interview by Herjann
[email protected]
1. Hello Skadwaz, nice to hear from you again, how are things?
Hey, everything fine here!
2. We were first in contact a couple of years ago after the release of your first album Swartaz Dagana that was praised on UBM. Still, not much is known about the band, is that because you want to keep music separated from the persons behind it?
Yes indeed! Urfeind will never reveal the persons behind it. It is a part of the whole concept.
There is and will be no fixed lineup or membership for the band. That is e.g. one reason for this decision.
3. I feel like your sound on Swartaz Dagana is influenced by the Finnish black metal sound, for example bands like Sargeist and Behexen. Is that so or do you have other influences?
On Swartaz Dagana I wanted to create a dark, raw and brutal sound with deep vocals. It wasn’t really my intention to make it sound Finnish, but I see that as a compliment. I really like their style.
4. After the first album, what kind of new developments have taken place in your compositional process and sound?
Quite a lot! The bass guitar is now more outstanding and varied, I used different vocal techniques and the presence of the lead guitar is stronger. I also have a guest musician this time who did the vocals for the first song. All in all, the sound is also much better. We really spend much time with the mixing and mastering process.
5. Your new album Þurisabloþa is going to be released soon. What can you anticipate to our audience about it?
Þurisabloþa is strongly dedicated to the dissolving forces of the Germanic pantheon. This album is the militant, hard and deep religious answer of Thursian black metal.
The album contains 8 new songs and is about 43 minutes long and will be released on the 21th February 2020.
6. Will it be supported by merchandise as well?
Yes, of course! The label already planned it. I can´t guarantee that there will be merch right after the release of the album, but surely this year.
7. The title of your new forthcoming album makes me instinctively think about Thursatru and anti-cosmic Satanism. This is an old theme in black metal, what is your personal angle on it? Maybe you can also explain the title for those who are not acquainted with this field.
Let´s start with the last question.
The translation of Þurisabloþa is “Thursian Blood”. The Blood is a metaphor for the Thursian essence or spark that dwells in every one of us. Thursian Blood stands for the manifestation and conscious feeling of that. The complete possession with that essence in the whole body.
I don't follow the Thursatru tradition but stand quite close to the teachings of Abgrundjaskalkaz and my own practices.
8. What is your philosophy about occultism and anti-cosmic Satanism?
To be honest, most of these modern occultists in the black metal scene and around are charlatans. They don’t really have a spiritual target or don’t even able to see it. They are skinny, weak, were maybe bullied in their school times and are often antisocial.
Urfeind and the members around stand for physical and spiritual strength. Being “anticosmic” doesn’t mean to be an outsider for us or wearing dark robes in our free time. We all live a successful and easy live in this illusionary world with Loki as our spiritual mentor. Mundane orders and laws don’t matter for us when they stop us from spiritual and physical success. We´re working straight practical with the Thursian path without getting in touch with non-Indo-European traditions.
9. Watain and the books by Ekortu are the most famous sources about Chaos Gnosticism within black metal. What other sources for this knowledge do you use?
Especially for the Thursian tradition the most important sources for me are the old lore’s like both Eddas and the sagas. For further knowledge like practical things and deeper understanding I use a lot of internal sources that are not necessarily written down. In addition to that, books about the runes and folk magic are also helpful. But I also read books from other cultures and traditions to complement a lot of knowledge. Books about slavic & celtic paganism, tantric magic, meditation etc.
10. What you think about the retirement of Ekortu from music to only concentrate on writing?
I can´t really answer that question because I never was a big fan of his music or books, but I think he decided wisely.
11. I don’t know anything about your live activity. What does it look like now and in the future?
Urfeind has never played a live show yet. But there are some plans to bring it to the stage someday. But I can't promise anything.
12. What more would you like to tell our readers?
Don´t follow our tradition if you are mentally weak. It will destroy you! Otherwise, it will make you even stronger!
13. Thank you for the time, hope to talk to you again!
Thank you for the interview and the interest in Urfeind!
Interview by Herjann
[email protected]