EMQ’s with GALVORNHATHOL
EMQ’s with GALVORNHATHOL
Hello everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with German Metal project, Galvornhathol. Huge thanks to main man, Chris, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Greetings! My name is Chris, I play / do everything in Galvornhathol. While initially started in summer 2003, I didn’t release anything publicly until 2020, when I finished up the first album (”I”). I started recording in 2015 but due to commitment to all kinds of crap I didn’t have the time until late 2019 / early 2020 to come to a close. When Galvornhathol started out, I changed styles from a more Doom-laden sound, to something way more Melodic and used the Doom parts for another band of mine (RodtGod). Anyway, it was a long road, with lots of different demos, technical difficulties (goodbye, hard-drive :D) and a lot of life happening in the way. It’s all in there somehow. At least in the second album, “II”!
How did you come up with your band name?
It’s made up from two words in Sindarin (Galvorn = dark / black metal, the material of a certain kind in the Elvish universe + Hathol = an axe) and I thought it contrasts the nature focused lyrics from the first album. Besides it is a mouthful and I like that!
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
From the sunny, hilly South of Germany! I wouldn’t consider myself a part of the larger scene and I am more active in the underground which is very experimental and a bit strange at times. But I’m always up for something new and not concerned at all about belonging to any “scene”. It is its own eco-system and one that feels so much more alive and welcoming than the mainstream ever did.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
The album is called “II”, because it is the second album (pretty smart, I know) and the most recent music video is for the first track of that album. It is called ‘Eudaimonia’, a track inspired by Aristoteles’s term of the same name.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Life and nature. As stale as it sounds. Musically I can’t really tell, as I listen to all kinds of music. Classical Music / Soundtracks, Jazz, Blues, Ambient, all kinds of Rock and Metal and all things I come across that seem interesting. Be it just the wind and the birds.
What first got you into music?
The radio! But if we are talking Metal, then it was playing guitar. I listen to a lot of Europe and Bon Jovi (sorry) which got me into playing guitar. I then went from Rock to Metallica and Alternative Metal. I think that’s nothing special, LOL.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I wouldn wanna’ wish that to any musician! Still got a lot to learn.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
With Galvornhathol? None. I don’t think people would enjoy it the same as they do on headphones, their stereo or on their own in general. I have another band (consisting of real people beside me) that I would love to play live again someday. Pissbucket! A Sludge / Stoner band. Playing on festivals like Void or any Doom, Sludge, Psych festival would be great! But for my solo projects… I’d rather not. At least not as long as it sounds like it is done by one guy, ha ha!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Luckily I receive no gifts and it will stay that way that I can guarantee.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Don’t worry, be crappy. That’s one of the mottos by my other band, RodtGod.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Jimi Hendrix!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy the process of writing and recording. The creative side. There is really nothing that I hate. If there was something, I wouldn’t do it anyway.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Whatever is wrong with it, no one would be able to change it. That’s the thing about an industry. Besides, music is highly subjective. One man’s shit is the other one’s gold.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Don’t have just one all-time favourite. But to pick just one of the many; In Flames – “Jester Race”!
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?
I am a vinyl person. The process, the turntables, the material. It’s an experience. Just what music should be.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Probably the first gig I played with Pissbucket. My longest running band besides Galvornhathol. It was a mess, it was silly and it was fun. A live show doesn’t need anything else.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Either something in the environmental sector, or anything astronomy-related. Unfortunately (or, for the rest of the word, fortunately) I am too dumb to be an astronaut.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Me, and the microbes in my flat. Just so I don’t have to share anything. I’m vegan, means it’s diner for one!
What’s next for the band?
The next album! Already at it.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Let the people choose! Here we have….:
https://galvornhathol.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/Galvornhathol
https://www.instagram.com/galvornhathol/
https://soundcloud.com/user-891920165
Youtube:
Fort he music itself, here are all those capitalist-links (except for Bandcamp of course☺:
Bandcamp: https://galvornhathol.bandcamp.com/
iTunes: https://apple.co/3A5RrdM
Amazon: https://amzn.to/36M867y
Google Play:
Deezer:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A532tz
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Being liberal, that’s easy for me to answer: It’s a “Biscuiake”!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for YOUR time and y’all have a great day and a GREAT life!
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