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Paal Daehlen is an important
personality in the christian metal movement; beyond to be drummer of
the norwegians Frosthardr and ex Vaakevandring, he is
the owner of the well-known christian webstore Nordic Mission. We
will talk therefore with him about his band, of his old musical
experiences, but we will use his authoritative opinion to talk about
the white scene too.
Paal,
why don't you tell us something about Frosthardr project? How was
it born? After the awesome "Makteslos" are you working to the first
full-length or is your business commitment slowing down its achievement?
How long could you devote yourself to the group? And what about its
sound?
 Will
it be still oriented towards melodic black with doom passages or will be
there many deep evolutions? It's your turn!
Frosthardr is a 4 member black metal from Norway. The band has existed
for several years now and was founded by the 2 guitarists Ravn and
Stefan in 1997. The early beginning of the band was dominated by several
member changes and lack of rehearsal places, so nothing really happened
until the years 2001 and 2002 when Oddmund joined in on bass guitar and
I stepped in to practice with the band on drums. At that time I was busy
with other projects so I kept a low profile in the band. But did also
contribute on the debut demo-CD Nekrodisaster 2002, even though this is
not listed in the books...This year will be a busy one for the band. The
songwriting process have been taken to a new level, and if everything go
as planned, we will enter the studio sometime during early Summer. If it
will be a fullength recording or just a demo recording for new songs it
soon to tell obviously. The newer songs are still black metal influences
by our metal roots. Either it be doom metal or thrash, even dirty rock'n
roll and classic heavy metal. Some of the new songs have been tested out
live and we are looking forward to recording them as well! We also have
a couple of concerts in the spring planned and unfortunately have (for
the first time in history!) been forced to say no to a couple of gigs as
well because of studio rehearsal and other personal issues. This is
really too bad, because we love to play live, but it was time to do some
prioritees.
We are all busy with fulltime jobs and other stuff, so the band suffers
a bit for this. Also the fact that I live 2 hours away from the rest of
the band makes the progress in everything slower. To be in a band and
sacrifice all the blood, sweat and tears can only be done if you really
enjoy the fruits of the work. The day when I wake up and realize there
is nothing more to gain or that God would want me to make other
prioritees in life, the band for me will be history.
"Makteslos"
coverart reminds unequivocally "Hellig Usvart" by Horde. What do
youthink about this legendary album, first example of the Christian
black metal trend?
It
wasn't
 really
our intention to make a Horde-like front cover. It basically just ended
up like it, but we think it suits the title of the album very well.
Horde is indeed a legendary album, even though laughed upon from most of
the metal scene; Christian or secular. I still remember being 18 years
and hearing Invert The Inverted Cross from a Nuclear Blast sampler. It
made a big impact on me personally that was very powerful. In Norway,
Antestor had already begun playing black metal or been musically
influenced by black metal for some time, but since it wasn't released,
not many people had heard it or knew about this.
With regard to christian black metal, Pilgrim (Crimson Moonlight)
told us he considered black music as a knife that in the hand of a
murder can kill life, but a knife in the hands of a doctor can save
life. The knife isn't evil in itself, it depends on how you use it. In
my opinion "black" can be considered as a great vehicule that talks
about passion in an extremistic way: christian faith is "Passion", black
music is a strong way to perfectly express the deep sorrow linked to the
Christian scene, both storic and daily. It allows to unload, screaming,
the spiritual battle's anguish.
Which
is your philosophical approach towards Christian black metal?
Well, what can I say? Pilgrim is a wise man for sure and his passion for
black metal and Jesus is highly respected. The Christian music scene or
the
Church
 have
always been sceptical to new forms of music and especially
the rock scene have always been a few years "later" than the secular.
Which is too bad really because we do believe that God is the creator of
music and we should lead on instead of following the trends. Just a few
years ago, using a drum kit in some churches made some reactions here.
Black metal for me personally is a very passionate and emotional form of
music. I don't find it so extreme actually, but rather beautiful. A rose
if you like, but still with thorns to make you bleed.
So
far black metal has always been used by satanic and misanthropical
bands, till now it has expressed hatred. Everyone knows this kind of
black metal has risen in the norwegian inner circle. You came from
Norwegia, this rouses my curiosity: have you ever been annoyed or
offended by this kind of bands? It's well known that Antestor or
Horde received serious threats many years ago; concerning that,
how is the situation nowadays?
Well, this is the kind of question I have been answering in every single
interview so far, I guess...J
But I understand why you ask it. The so-called "inner circle" of black
metal in Norway is created by the media. There has never been a serious
group or organisation of people in the scene that has been threatening
the Christian bands or the church in general over here, even though many
people think so.In the early 90's there was some threats and activities
from single individuals very often outside the musical scene, that
wanted to prove something and to get respect from the scene. That was
true, but very often they did not get this, were looked upon as stupid
from their idols so they gave up.
Nowadays the scene of both musicians and fans have been growing up, so
to say. Most people don't care less if there are Christian bands or not,
and those who still hate us just show us their backs and are not
interested in confrontations.
In
your opinion how many black bands are really satanic?
If by satanic you mean bands with people that are actually sacrificing
babyes and drinking blood on rehearsals, I don't think there are very
many. Maybe none. Atleast over here.
But if you mean bands that are influenced by satan in one way or
another, well, pick your choice really. In the end if you play with fire
you WILL get burned.
Musically speaking you were born in a fantastic group
 that
in an inexplicable way split up after only an Ep. Why this sudden end?
Which are your memories of Vaake-vandring experience?
For me this is a closed chapter, so I will not go into the details as
why the band split up, other than it was of personal reasons and the
fact that we grew alot apart. This is now more than 4 years ago. I have
only positive memories from this chapter of my life. It was great, and
we had alot of fun. We didn't really go as fas as we wanted, especially
since we never got to release our first album, but still it was fun
doing the gigs and getting the feedback as we did. I wish to think of
this band as a tool of God. God created the band and we were lucky to be
chosen to be parts of it, God used us I think and then when it was time
for it; God ended it as well.
And
your relationship with the other ex Vaakevandring guys? Morten
Sigmund Magerøy e Ronny Hansen are members of Antestor. What do
you think about "Det Tapte Liv" and "The Forsaken"? They don't have an
official site so we don't really know what they're doing now. It's a
pity. Do you know by chance any news about them?
I SMS and talk to the guys every now and then, but not really often.
However we are still good friends, but kind of busy doing our own things
at the moment I guess you can say. I really love The Forsaken. I think
this is most underrated metal album in the world and I just wish it
could have been licesensed to a bigger secular label. I think the album
would stand a much bigger chance secular than on the Christian marked.
We (NordicFest) had the pleasure of having Antestor on the bill in
October 2004, and this was so far the last Antestor concert. The band is
now more of a project than a full membered band, but I hope they would
pull it together once more for some more activitity. Both live and
giving us more quality records. By the way, I was also a member in the
band for 6 months after Vaakevandring split. I did one show for them,
but then left because I was not good enough and couldn't dedicate enough
to the band.
What
do you think about the presence of Hellhammer (ex Mayhem) as
guest in their new album? Euronymous hated Crush Evil, that is
the band that would have changed its name in Antestor.
It is just those things you won't believe until you see it! I think it
is fantastic and it shows the professionality of Hellhammer as well.
Mayhem's label actually denied Hellhammer to do it, but he told them to
f**k off or Mayhem would just sign on another label. He did whatever he
wanted to do!
Which
are your favourites as ever unblack albums?
Being a huge Antestor fan, I could just give you the cataloge for them I
guess. The Return Of The Black Death was important for my choice of
falling into this kind of music. Another fantastic band is Lengsel. I
have loved them since I first heard their demotape in 1996. Hopefully
this demo will be re-released soon! Reminds a bit of ULVER's first album
musically.
On a sidenote, I really hate the therm unblack. I would never call
Deliverance an un-thrash metal band. For me, black metal is a musicstyle,
used to please God or Satan.
And
the recently revelation christian bands?
There are not
 so
many new
christian black metal bands that stands out, and that is really sad, but
some bands in different metal styles to be mentioned would be DROTTNAR,
(the new album on Endtime will bring the metal scene to a new level!),
INEVITABLE END (awesome Swedish prog death metal), RENASCENT and
DIVINEFIRE (death metal and symphonic power metal) and the 2 Norwegian
bands ASPIRATION (death metal) and IMPLACABLE (doom metal that will
hopefully return to the scene this year).
There are also lots of bands coming from Finland this year. MEGIDDON is
great prog death metal and BLOODED is some great grindcore.
Frosthardr will be this year at the Elements of Rock (we shall
come as well!), your opinion about the present line-up? It seems to me
it's still a little bit inferior to those in the last years.
That's great, looking forward to seeing you and hope to see as many of
the readers as possible there!!
EoR is already a great festival and this year's line-up is the greatest
I have seen from a European festival in a very long time with acts such
as Rob Rock, ex-Vengeance Rising and the exclusive Holy Blood from
Ukraine. Lots of the other bands are great as well.
But okay, last year lineup with Barren Cross and Tourniquet was also
great.
You are the owner of the christian webstore Nordic Mission and (correct
me if I'm wrong) of the christian label Momentum Scandinavia: what do
you think about the christian metal movement?
That is correct. Most preciesly Momentum Scandinavia is owned and runned
by Samuel Durling from Endtime Prod in Sweden together with me from
Nordic Mission. I am excited to be a part of the scene, and to watch the
scene growing and hopefully getting more and more professional as well.
One thing I really like these days are bands that gets more and more
known in the secular crowds. Getting bands on tour with secular bands
and some bands like Narnia and others getting to play at the bigger
secular metal festivals.
But there are still things to do and to get involved into. Take a part
of the scene, get involved and make a difference!
I would like to see more bands touring all over Europe especially.
They
are all christian groups born within this movement: they sign for
christian label, sell on christian webstore, play in christian
festivals, take part in christian forums, they're reviewed by christian
label, etc. But strangely many of them don't want to link their name to
this movement. That's really strange, don't
 you
think? There are hundreds of bands formed by christian guys that deal
with christian subjects. Only few bands love christian or white or
unblack classification: what's the reason in your opinion?
Let's face the facts. The so called Christian metal scene is extremely
small! It is so small the most metalheads haven't heard about it. There
are almost as many bands as there are fans. That's really sad and I
understand very well that some bands don't want to get trapped inside
the Christian circle only. Sometimes I also have to stop up and think if
we're doing the right thing. I can only answer for myself and for Nordic
Mission, and for us we will not stop promoting bands with a message.
We as Christians very often set standards to how to do this and that to
be a Christian, and then if someone thinks different and has some other
views they are "wrong" because they don't do it "our way". I respect the
bands that don't feel they fit in our circle and would rather be among
bands and people from the world. Because I believe that the biggest
impact we can show on others, is not with the words we preach but from
the lives we live and the love we share.
What
will be the future of christian metal? Will it always remain an
underground phenomenon as it has been up to now? Have you noticed a
recently growth of that movement and its market?
I think it will always be somewhat underground. I still think, hope and
pray there will be more and more quality and professionalism as well and
that bands and people who work with different things keep the focus
right.
I also believe it is EXTREMELY important that we support eachother in
spite of different views and taste. I always see the Christian METAL
scene as united. If you play heavy metal, black metal or even hardcore,
we do it for the same cause. If we stand together, it is easier to make
the huge things happen!
Is it
an heroic deed peaking about Christ in ah hostile setting such metal, or
is it a simple obedience to the Master words to preach the Gospel at
people of all time?
Just give your life to Jesus. Let him take control and pray for wisdom
and guidance.
The best witnesses we can give to the world is to show how we live our
own lifes. Don't worry so much to what you are saying on not, there are
better ways to present Christ. Live the day as it is your last. One day
WILL be your last!
What
do you want to say to WhiteMetal readers?
Thanks for supporting Nordic Mission for 8 years! Stay focused and
support the scene! Be Blessed!
Pål
www.nordicmission.no
www.nordicfest.no
www.momentumscandinavia.com
Valerio Mei
(with collaboration
of Ilaria Ricci)
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