1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
Unfortunately, we finished the album just before the pandemic so there hasn’t been much in the way of live shows and such, but we have since been practicing with a new line up and working on some new stuff.
2.You have a new album coming out in July, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
We definitely took more time to write it than any of the previous material, so it’s a bit more focused and sinister.
3.The band has been around since 2010 but so far you have only released an ep, split and a full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the gaps in between releases?
Technically, nothing really happened with Mannveira until 2013-2014 when I started working on the ‘Von er Eitur’ EP and then in 2015 we had a full line up to play live and record the split shortly after. After that, we dragged our feet quite a bit to start recording something else, as well as focusing on live shows and members also working on numerous other projects. So it’s safe to say that we haven’t really been rushing into anything for the last 3-4 years.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer release and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
The lyrics and theme of ‘Vítahringur’ is sort of centered around the idea of digging yourself into a hole with no possible way of returning, i.e. accepting defeat of your own making. As for songwriting, I’d say we’ve slowly but surely learned to collaborate a lot better, rather than just me writing riffs and the other members just learning them note for note.
5.the band is also from Iceland a country that has put out a good amount of black metal over the past 10 years, musically how do you feel you stand out among other Icelandic bands?
Hard to say, really. I’d like to say that we’re a bit more unpolished and miserable than a lot of local bands, but I might be a bit too close to it to see the real differences. Ultimately, that’s for listeners to decide.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Mannveira'?
Mannveira roughly translates to ‘Human virus’ (definitely fitting for the current times!). It’s been a long time since I thought of it, but the original idea stems from some pretty misanthropic ideas that I felt would fit the music well.
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The album cover was made by our good friend Þ. Indriði (https://www.facebook.com/Indisulta.art).
The idea was just to have something figurative feeding a swirling chaos, which ties into a lot of the lyrics.
8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We’ve definitely had some good ones, but the one that comes to mind was a show we played in Freiburg in 2019. Just one of those shows where everything goes the way it’s supposed to and there’s almost a tangible atmosphere. We’ve always tried to capture the sort of raw, intense energy of the music at shows and really put some effort into it.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
As it is with any Icelandic band, all the members are involved in various other bands. The ones that have released something recently (in the last couple of years, that is) are Núll, World Narcosis, Andavald and Örmagna.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
I think we’ll definitely try and keep finding our balance between melancholy and aggression but ultimately, we’ll strive to keep making dirty, heavy and uncompromising black metal.
11.What are you listening to nowadays?
Devil Master, Slowthai, Nyredolk, Spectral Wound, Maenad Veyl and Tragedy, to name a few.
It’s been all over the place, really, but those come to mind.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Yes, burn down your local police precinct and build a guillotine outside your local parliament, just to keep those bastards on their toes.
Also, we’re excited to get the ball rolling again as soon as this Covid bullshit starts to fade out a bit so we can get back to playing live and continue working on new music to follow up our album, hopefully sooner than later.
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