Draugr Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?


We are a black metal duo from Finland. I had an idea about starting a band for a while and in the Winter of 2016 we finally got together and played our first rehearsals. We had known each other for a while and we shared a common interest in black metal. We play black metal the traditional way, the way it’s supposed to be.


2,So far you have released 2 demo's, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?


Our first demo ‘Forgotten Realms’ was crafted very hastily. The final recordings were done on the first few tries and we didn’t have a microphone at the time so we had to use Tony’s phone to record. When writing ‘Dimensions of Hades’ we took a little more time with the songs and had access to a microphone this time. The mixing and mastering was done by the great VK through Iron Bonehead Productions, which of course helped a lot. Musically both demos are very simple and to the point and we like to keep it that way.


3.On both of the recordings, your lyrics covered a lot of Satanic, Occult and Anti Christian themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the black arts and left hand path philosophies?


I worship the dark energy all around us that some call Satan. I firmly believe that to gain true strength and knowledge a man must become one with this dark energy. I despise all abrahamic religions for the lies they spread. True mental and physical strength is not achievable through organized religion, but through the willpower of an individual. We stand against God and His feeble followers.


4.I know that the band was named after an undead creature in Norse Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?


Draugr as a band name is a hail to all those who preserve the true northern heritage. We recognize the importance of our true ancestor’s culture and we are prepared to fight against those who try to take it away from us.


5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band are you open to expanding your line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?


We have been toying with the idea of recruiting a bass player or another guitarist. This is not relevant to us at the moment but we might expand our ranks in the future.


6.The new demo was also released on cassette through 'Iron Bonehead Productions', how did you get in contact with this label?


We contacted a lot of labels through email in hopes of finding one to release our demo and as you can expect we mostly just got completely ignored. Iron Bonehead was the first label to answer back and ask for promos and they were convinced enough in the material to release it on their label. They were great people to work with and I hope we can continue our partnership in the future.


7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?


Despite being released on a relatively large label we haven’t yet gotten much attention. The feedback we have gotten has been very positive though.


8.Are any of the band members currently or have been involved with any other bands or musical projects?


Our guitarist Tony has been dabbling in neofolk alongside Draugr but he’s yet to release anything as far as I know. Draugr is our main focus for now.


9.Your music is very heavily rooted in the 90's style. what are your thoughts on the modern style of black metal?


I think a lot of today’s black metal music is still influenced by old bands. We appreciate all the bands who keep it true. There’s nothing wrong in inventing new stuff but you can’t make good black metal without listening to the old greats first.


10.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?


We are constantly writing new material. Right now we are planning on releasing another demo, but if we get access to proper recording equipment who knows what might come out. We are still musically going in the same direction as with the first two demos. We have learned a lot while making these two demos and I like to believe that the third release will be even better.


11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?


We are very directly influenced by the classic Norwegian bands, especially Darkthrone and Burzum. We also listen to a lot of the proto-black metal that is bands like Bathory, Hellhammer, Tormentor, etc… Our motherland has been producing a lot of great black metal as well and we can not deny their influence. Eternal hails to the likes of Satanic Warmaster and Goatmoon. There is also a lot of new bands popping up especially in the Finnish black metal scene creating a lot of great, evil music. I follow the Finnish black metal scene very closely and try to give everything I can the support they deserve.


12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?


Hail Satan and fuck the Christ! Keep spreading Finnish black metal propaganda!

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