EMQ’s With Helgrindur
EMQ’s With Helgrindur
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with German Pagan Metal band, Helgrindur. Huge thanks to their drummer, Alex, 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?
Hi my name is Alex (Alessandro ) and I play drums. Sorry for my bad english!
First I had the idea to start a Pagan Metal Band in which we tell stories from fantasy, mythology and also personal stories. At first we had some Folkish influences with “traditional” instruments like Bagpipes, Violin, schalmay. In that year Flemming, our Lead guitarist and my Twin Brother Gia (Rhythm guitar) decided to join the Band. Lastly we figured out that we don’t want to have the Folkish instruments in the band :).
In 2011 we released our first demo songs and in 2013 we released also Demo songs (self recorded). As time went by and after several gigs around the Underground metal scene in Germany ,Austria and Switzerland – and some vocalists later, we found our Singer Rene (but every friend around his town calls him “Beast “,so we do as well until now!.
In 2017 we decided to release our Homemade Album “Von Einst” .
How did you come up with your band name?
As I started the band I was reading many Books about Mythology and fantasy. Then I found the name “Helgrindur ” which in mythology is the entrance of the Dark Kingdom from “Hel the Goddess of the Underworld and Death“ so I thought ‘Yes that’s it!’
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Our band is based in Germany in the North Rhine Westphalia Solingen “the land of the sharpest Swords and Knifes”. In the past we had a big Metal and Rock scene, but sadly, there isn’t much here anymore. The high rents for a venue here make it nearly impossible to Organise Metal Events – that’s why we have just a few ones in our city.
What is your latest release?
We will release our new Album “Helgrindur “ on 20.10.23. We also released our Single “Golem “ and “Fernweh” this year.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Just to call some bands: Wolfchant, Obscurity, Black Messiah. We in our band came all from other metal subgenres like Black metal,Folk metal,Death metal, Melodeath… and so on 😊
What first got you into music?
My Instrument as a child (10 years old me ) I wanted to play something different from the Jazz that I was practising, so my father came up with some songs from AC/DC. So I would say AC/DC.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
For now and us as a band, our biggest wish is to make Songs with Wolfchant or Obscurity (before me and my Brother joined Obscurity). Now for our new Album we made two Songs with guest singers Lokhi of Wolfchant “Zur Ewigkeit” and Agalaz of Obscurity “Bergisch Land“.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I would like to play at the Hellfest in France. Because of the lineup. In my opinion they have a bigger collection of Bands from subgenres.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Hmm I think all the gifts we have got are very good to use :). Just to name something: we’ve got 2 handmade Viking shields for the stage (thank you Chris!). But again, all the gifts we get are awesome!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Go to small Events in your City and support Underground Bands like us, and Make Metal great again! Ha ha ha!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
For me as a drummer… I think it would be Joey Jordison. I don’t even know if he’s a “Rockstar“, but he influenced me a lot as a kid.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
It means a lot to me to play drums live and when the audience are listening to our music and sing or shout our lyrics along… that’s amazing! What I hate: traffic and to check the time and see if I’m late. And of course the heavy lifting of instruments or components.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The clicks and likes mentality of the organizers.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
There are so many… also from other Genres… just to name some :
Slipknot – Vol. 3
The Misfits – American Psycho
Amon Amarth – With Odin On Our Side
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I’m a modern guy… so CD’s and Downloads, I don’t like Vinyl or Cassettes.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
There are many! Honestly I’ve got just one in my mind which was bad… not because of the venue or the audience… just because the venue didn’t know that we and other 3 Bands had to play there! And the promoter wasn’t in town anymore! So we had to cancel the concert at the last minute before the doors were open.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I would like to learn how to draw.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Dieter Bohlen, Jay Weinberg, Alessandro Venturella (Vman Slipknot), Adam Michał Darski Nergal (Behemoth), Maurizio Iacono (Ex Deo, Kataklysm).
What’s next for the band?
Play more shows!
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://www.facebook.com/Helgrindur/
https://www.instagram.com/helgrindur/
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
My google translator says: I like Pizza! 😉 Ha ha ha!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Listen to our new album. Go to Concerts. Buy some Merch from the Bands. Support your Local scene. Thank you for your time. Stay Metal!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
