The VALKNACHT revelations

If you follow us, you may know VALKNACHT will release a new album soon. The record is entitled "Le Sacrifice d'Ymir".  You can see the artwork right here made by the talented Kris Verwimp.

Thorleif, from the band, revealed me in this interview, many things about the coming album, and even more. : )

01. Hi Thorleif! You and VALKNACHT have shared the stage with some bands in Canada.
Can you list some of them ?
We played with some European bands like Moonsorrow, Einerjher, Arkona, Kalma & Fintroll. We also played with some Canadian bands like Les Bâtards du Nord, Nordheim, Talamyus, Scythia, Panzerfaust, Morgue, etc.

02. What live event appeared as one of your best experiences ?

Some of our best shows include playing locally in Quebec in front of our crowd, friends and supporters. Our last show was in Quebec city and we had a great time. Playing in front of those who have supported us from the beginning will always be a great experience. When you hear your fans screaming the lyrics, headbanging and beating themselves in a mushpit, it really gives you that feeling of contentment and you just have to give it all you’ve got on the stage as a payback. It will always be a very fulfilling sensation and that’s what has got us doing this in the first place.

There's another live event who come to my mind. We did a tribute to Bathory during a local festival called Black Metal Origin (for more information, please visit this page: http://blackmetalorigines.com/ ). It was an important date for me, insofar as Quorthon's creations influences me a lot. Once on stage, we had a series of technical problems. We must also say that we were not after all quite ready. People had hardly noticed anything, but we were particularly angry once our set was completed. In the backstage, we're sitting with a beer in our hand and we said to each other : nevermore. The error is certainly human, but we need to push us higher. This is a key event for me as a musician.

03. VALKNACHT will release the third album of the band founded in 2005. Can you explain us how came the ideas for the songs of the future record you entitled "Le Sacrifice d'Ymir" ?

Damn, that's an hard one! Each song has its own genesis. Usually, it begin with a simple riff, a short melody that I write down a.s.a.p. Then, I let inspiration come. A lot of things may influenced me in during what I can called the "brainstorming phase" : an everyday scene, a movie's sequence, a feeling, another song... If I take "De murmure et de givre", first was the whistle riff in the beginning who came to my mind. For the eponymous song, the story of Ymir was something I wanted to work on since many years. All begin with the orchestral part located in the middle of the song.

04. You revealed the artwork for the album designed by Kris Verwimp. Can you reveal the tracklist to our followers now? :)

I shall reveal it, and even more! Our album’s first two titles are intrinsically linked. They are both about the battle of Maldon, which took place in 10th century Anglo-Saxon England. On August 10th 991, Viking invaders disembarked near Maldon, where they fought a Saxon army led by Byrtnoth, ealdorman of Essex. After a long, sour, and harsh battle, the Northern warriors defeated their Saxon opponents. Because they were victorious, the Vikings imposed a large and heavy tribute to the king of England, Æthelred II.

The first song of the album commemorates the Vikings’ arrival to England, boarding their langskips. The title of this musical piece, “Normanorrum ira” which translates to “the Northmen’s fury”, is a direct reference to a very famous Christian verse: “A furore Normannorum libera nos, Domine (From the fury of the Northmen, deliver us, O Lord)”. Once this introductive piece is concluded, the second song, called “La bataille de Maldon”, begins. I assure you that this nine and a half minute musical piece is quite epic. It is one of my favorite.

Then follows the third arrangement, titled “Chants de guerre”. As its name indicates, this song should have been the title song of the previous album. However, I was not, at the time, satisfied with its first version. Since then, I have worked very hard to improve it. I’ve only just recently submitted a definitive version to the rest of the band. “Chants de Guerre” tells the tale of the battle of Stiklestad, which took place in Norway on July 29th 1030. This battle opposed Olaf Haraldson and his Christian troops to a peasant army led by aristocrats that were not yet converted to the Christian faith. Haraldson wanted to defeat this army so that he could declare himself king of all Norway and impose Christianity as the only religion of his lands. However, he was killed during the fight. 

With the fourth piece, titled “Sur les ruines de Rome”, we leave Medieval times to gather ourselves deep into Antiquity. Back in England – which was called “Britain” in roman times”, the song tells the story of the Celtic uprising led by Boadicée (a.k.a. Boudicca), queen of the Iceni tribe, against the roman army. For this piece, our former flutist, Vervandi, embodies the Celtic warrior-queen and releases her anger as soon as the first cry comes (you will understand what I mean by that as soon as you listen to the album).

The fifth piece, called “Le sacrifice d’Ymir”, tells the tale of what seems to me to be the most important event in all of Scandinavian mythology. We are before the dawn of times. Odin, Vili and Vé, son of Bor the Giant, decided to assassinate Ymir so that they can use its body to create a new world. By itself, this kill will benefit all of humanity. That is why it has to be seen as a sacrifice. 

The sixth song, titled “De murmure et de givre”, drives us into the deepness of Helheim. Hel, Loki’s daughter, mistress of the underworld, grew weary of her situation and decided to call upon her undead armies to invade Midgard, then Asgard. This piece is without a shadow of a doubt my second favorite. 

The seventh piece, called “Que le sang constelle mes mains”, explores the myth of the draugr, a very interesting creature of the Scandinavian mythology. The draugr was considered undead, because he walked, talked and ate like he was when he was living, despite the fact that he was dead and that his skin displayed a particularly dark color. A draught could be created when someone died leaving behind him an unfinished work, or an unsatisfied thirst for revenge. It could also be created when someone sought a fair trial. This song tells the story of a rich landowner coldly assassinated by his greedy brothers. On his deathbed, the landowner begs Loki to help him walk back to the world of the living so that he could not only quench his thirst for revenge, but also so that he could be an agent of dissolution, which will grant him the possibility to scatter death on all of his land, which had now become his brothers’. 

The album concludes with the fastest, most violent and most brutal piece that our band has ever produced: “Le carmin des anges”. This song literally describes an assault on Christianity and its churches and monasteries. These buildings were very important, because their occupants laid the foundations of the entire structure of the medieval society. Once the destruction of the Earthly City was completed, the invaders turned their attention towards the City of God. The protagonists are not clearly identified in the lyrics. That is why I shall provide some specifications. They are members of the Wild Hunt. They were einherjars and valkyries. Led by the Allfather, they ride in the sky and inspire fear wherever they go. The Wild Hunt is a very important legend for VALKNACHT. In fact, the name of the group (which, I shall remind you, is a combination of two ancient Scandinavian words, meaning “Night of the slayed”) is a direct reference to this particular part of this northern legend, since the valkyries and einherjars rode at night, and since their journey was one of murders and killing.

05. Where was it recorded ?

All recorded in Quebec city, with our great friend Franky Blastbeat at his home studio. A great experience, as usual. Franky is meticulous, passionate and very professional. He showed great patience toward us (we are particularly perfectionists). The mastering was made by Nick Tremblay. He's a true artist.

06. Can we know the name of your producer ?

VALKNACHT produced the album in collaboration Franky Blastbeat with the help of other friends who helped us along the way.

07. During April 2013, you entered the studios to record the new album. Have you met some issues while the recordings ?

Not really. Everything went well. No wait, there was one little thing : there was never enough beers.

08. What is the next step for "Le Sacrifice d'Ymir" now? Mastering ?

Already been done. Coming out in March 2014 ! Go and listen to "Le Sacrifice d’Ymir" on Youtube one of our single release from our next album. We’re also thinking of releasing a last song for our fans to listen before it hits the shelves! And, of course, we're getting ready to storm France with our brothers from Chasse-Galerie!

09. Will some guests appear on the new record ?

Choirs on Normannorum "ira" and "Bataille de Maldon" were done by three past members of the band, that is : Iain McRay, Waraxe & Benfok (both from the Folk Metal band NORDHEIM). Oh, and Franky Blastbeat sang also on these two songs.

10. Lately, you have revealed one great new for your band. VALKNACHT is now signed at PRC Music label (Blackguard, Talamyus) which wll release "Le Sacrifice d'Ymir" in March 2014, and will re-release the first cd of the band too but I wonder, are the bookings also part of the deal ?

In regards of touring, VALKNACHT would like to qualify the relation with PRC Music more in

terms of partnership with the band so we will retain our independence regarding bookings

of live events, although we will most certainly book some shows with PRC in the future. If they can help us, they’ll do it. 

11. What are your next shows ?

First, we’ll have our release gig March 15th in Québec city with Heares and Ordoxe. Then we head on we'll go in France for a two weeks tour. We have some plans for Spring and Fall 2014 but can’t give you details right now.

12. What country would you like to play but haven’t got the opportunity yet ?

If you had asked me the same question last year, I’ll surely answer any European country.

13. What are the next plans for the band now ?

An album, an European tour, a re-issue of our first album and, of course, a lot of beers, scotch and mead. Nice, isn't it?

14. Anything else to reveal us ? : )

Even if our album haven't been released, I'll soon submit new stuff to the band. As long as I am inspired, VALKNACHT must keep moving. 

To be continued.