VINTERBLOT tells the realms of the untold

I interviewed Vandrer and Phanaeus from the Italian band VINTERBLOT. 

01. Hi, folks! You founded VINTERBLOT back in 2008. What was the musically and lyrically ideas in that time? How things happened exactly ?

Vandrer : Hey there! Well, VINTERBLOT has started as a group of very young buddies 'hitting' togheter their instruments in the same room. Our common influence was 'metal' itself since we have always had pretty different musical backgrounds, but in the end Swedish Death Metal sounded the coolest to our taste! I guess my obsession with Scandinavia and Norse Mythology was crucial to that, it has oriented our energy towards North, like a proper compass does! I was intended to write lyrics and concepts back in 2008, there you can definately feel how "Viking Age" has been inspiring to us! 

02. Looking at your tracks titles, “Naglfar”, “As Sleipnir Rides”, or again “Throne of Snakes” from the new record, it reminds Norse mythology. What means that mythology to you ?

Vandrer : Mythology is something that has always been essential in my life!

Classic mythology has fulfilled my need for mighty epicness when I was just a little kid, my passion for norse sagas started just after that. In ancient times the oral tradition represented the moral education in the community, a monumental school of life thought by the elders. I guess today it's just the same: it resonates with our deepest human feelings, it reminds us what really matters, it keeps our imagination alive!

03. However, I feel VINTERBLOT like something more than just speaking things related with mythology; like one band who wants to deliver one strong message to the world, isn’t it ?

Vandrer : Our music has become a place where our spirits can rest, a sort of temple where we can express freely and process the joy and the grief coming from our own lives! We don't have any 'Agenda', so we don't preach or lecture anything. Our aim is to spread our energy around, we want our thoughts and feeling to be amplified and reach the ones who share our heart.

04. Can you explain us why your new record out now is entitled "Realms of the Untold" ?

Phanaeus : The meaning of the album title "Realms of the Untold" (and the whole concept) can be summarized in a quote by the French occultist Éliphas Lévi: "Everything is possible to him who wills only what is true! Rest in Nature, study, know, then dare; dare to will, dare to act and be silent!"

05. So, you have released this new album lately. "Realms of the Untold" is a record divided into three chapters. Why ?

Phanaeus : The album is divided into three chapters for many reasons! First of all a sort of magical purpose, the mystic meaning of the number "three" and because every chapter is related to alchemical and emblematic elements: Antimony, Realgar and Onyx. They have their own features, their own energies (not just colours or shapes) and were utilized for specific reasons, rituals, remedies in Alchemy and Magic. In few words, those minerals were perfect to symbolically represent the ternary division of Spiritus, Anima and Corpus and the music we were writing at that time. 

06. I think the pre-sales have been a success. What are the main countries related with that nice success ?

Vandrer : Pre-sales have been GREAT, It was unexpected to be honest!! The limited edition of "Realms of the Untold" has sold out just before the release, we had a huge support from Italy, USA, Canada and UK above all! The interest towards our band is slowly building up, we actually got a lot of help from our label Nemeton Records and all the Webzines that keep an eye on us (Sword Chant included!), we are just enthusiast and grateful for it! 

07. Back in 2014 was released “Triumph Recalls My Name” single and video. Can you describe that video, this song  and ideas behind the whole ?

Phanaeus : Lyrics and video are strictly related, of course! "Triumph recalls My Name" deals with the idea of Rebirth through the sacrifice and through walking your own Path. As you can see the main character has walked for a long time before facing his Fate (represented by the three sibyls). He had to go into a deep, narrow and creepy place, overstepping his fears; when all seems lost...Ok, ok, STOP! I don't want to spoil the whole video, so you can check it out on the Official Vinterblot Youtube channel, ahahah!

The video was shot in our Woods and was self produced in every aspect, but I want to say big thanks to Alessandro Minenna (director) and the "Fatti d'Arte" theatrical company (actor/actresses/costumes/lights) for their enormous job, help and passion! 

08. Earlier, we have spoken about mythology… Are the number of the tracks (nine) related with it as for example the nine worlds ?

Phanaeus : You made an interesting remark, Krissy, but I have to make it clear: this album has nothing to do with mythology! "Realms of the Untold" is about Magic, Alchemy and Esoterism, so the concept is divided in nine tracks because the number "nine" means "Completion" on a symbolic level. It's another key detail to interpret the whole Opus for the audience!   

09. What deal with the eight other tracks from the new album ?

Phanaeus : I'll try to describe the songs in few clear words: 

"Evoked by Light" : The dichotomy and the unending dialectic of Light and Dark, Good and Evil

"Frostbitten" : The Strength of the Will , the Veracity of Perception and how possible is their coexistence, allowing the man to reach "Eternity"

"Unveiling the Night's Curtain" : The inner voice to "never surrender", to following the senses and dare...dare to walk on your own Path 

"The Summoning" : The Armony of Earth, the comforting embrace of the Nature, its Creatures and its Expressions

"Vagrant Spirits in a Misty Rainfall" : A metaphorical coming of the memories, their significance and the price of Wisdom

"...of Woods and Omen" : The Poetry of Silence and the Knowledge through Consciousness 

"Stone Carved Silence" : The purity of the silent "Exemplum Vitae" against the moltitude of egomaniacs, 'wide mouths', blatant idolaters, flatterers/flatterers' seekers, etc...

"Throne of Snakes" : A horrid representation of the vainglory and its consequences.

10. Do you plan to play at some events and to be on tour soon ? 

Vandrer : We have some gigs planned here in Italy during next months, the main events are Italic Pagan Metal fest and the Apulia Metal fest (with Novembre, back on stage after many years!).

As a live band, we look forward to tour around Europe (mostly). Anyway, we have busy lives and our band is just too small to do any headline tour outside Italy at the moment. Inform your local promoters if you are interested in seeing Vinterblot performing live, we are ready to explore! 

11. What are the main influences of the band ?

Vandrer : Our influences have changed a lot during the years. Early 90's death/black metal bands from Sweden and Norway are definately our favourite! This was the main reason we wanted Dan Swanö to mix our new Album "Realms of the Untold"; his skills and taste has critically contributed to the Scandinavian 90's Cult bands we have grown up with! Back in the day Music sounded so natural and rich, enchanting somehow!

Anyway we like to listen to a lot of stuff, from 70's – 80's heavy to 10's ambient! Anything that has an inner energy is actively influencing our sound, even the people we meet and our own everyday's life.

Thanks for the interview, VINTERBLOT!