Blodulv Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band members since the split in 2005?

N: We kind of lost contact after we split up back in 2005. Some moved far from the city to seek solitude in the deep north. Others went to prison for a long period of time. And some live the simple family life. I think I am the only one still involved in the music scene at all. 

2.Later In July, Ophidian Sun are re-issuing your first 3 full lengths, can you tell us a little bit more about the decision behind re-issuing the older albums and how do these newer versions differ from the original releases?

N: Ryan of OS contacted and pitched his idea and offered us a deal to do a re-release of the albums. We had worked with him years ago when he was running the label Knightmare recordings, and he re-released Blodulv II on CD and III on LP. So, I knew he was a guy to be trusted, he really is committed to the scene and the Black metal underground. The re-mastering of the albums really lifts the tracks to a new dimension. You can actually hear what’s going on. You must remember, we did the “mastering” ourselves back in the day. And that was like a feature on the CD burner we used to just boost the sound…not studio stuff. So, yeah! Sound is much better without loosing the dirt and grit of the original music. And the new overall execution of the packaging is like a thousand times better than the original. 

A better product all in all and I would prefer these over the original 100%

3.In 2003 you had a musical style that while heavily rooted in the second wave was also very different for its time, do you feel you where a huge influence on the 3rd wave bands that popped up after the split?

N: I don’t know if we were an influence or not. Would be cool if we were. But I have still not heard anything that sounds like us. That mix of Black metal and mid-tempo “ghetto punk fuck you” riffing and attitude is something I never heard again after we split up. Maybe I haven’t listened hard enough, it might be someone out there that mimics the style. Fingers crossed!  

4.Over the years black metal has changed into something completely different from the classic days, do you feel your music would be more controversial if it was released in 2023 instead of 2003?

N: Yeah, its no longer what it was in the day. I get that. Everything evolves with the sands of time, adjusts to the new world etc. When we started out, we just wanted to piss people of as much as possible, be as fuck you as possible. And in 2003 you could get away with it, people had thicker skin and was not as easily offended, so you had to dig deeper to stick it to them. So, I guess some of our tracks would be a bit too much for the scene in this day of age. Then again, if one reads the lyrics close enough its mostly about drinking, doing drugs and worshipping the devil. Blodulv was like a Motorhead on heroin that took an overdose, got buried in a ditch somewhere. Got dug up a few rancid years later and played Black Metal. We just didn’t care! 

5.Drugs also played a role in your music back in the days, what kinds of drugs where you using and what where their contributions to the music?

N: Not me so much. I was just a drinker. But for some of us it was a mix of substance use. And this became a focus point in the lyrics. Art imitating life and so on. 

6.You also had some satanic, occult and anti religion lyrics on your earlier releases, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?

N: I was interested in the occult when growing up, like all Black Metal kids I believe. So, it was a natural thing to use that as inspiration as well. And the ant-religious theme….who the fuck thinks religion is a good thing? Other than religious people that is ha ha ha. 

7.What where some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band explored over the years with the music?

N: I didn’t write too many of the lyrics. So I might not have 100% insight in what he got the inspiration from and the motivation for some of the lyrics. But it could range from self-destruction, death, anti-religion, hate, war and decadence. I think we had lyrics about anything and everything. 

8.In the 2000's very little was known about the band members with little to no pictures being released to the public, do you feel keeping a lower profile had more of a powerful impact on the musical style that you where bringing out on the releases?

N: We had no interest in being in the spotlight, so that came naturally. But sure, I think in general if you see pictures, read interviews and or meet the people that play in your favorite bands you generally get disappointed. Its just people and people in general are a disappointment. So better just to listen to the music and keep as far way from the people that play it as possible. Us included. That way the music can speak for itself. 

9.You also released a great amount of splits back in the days, can you tell us a little bit more about the bands or musical projects that you had shared these recordings with?

N: Not that much actually. We never did have too much to do with others….it was often bands or labels that got in touch with us wanting to do splits. And we read up and listened to their stuff and if we liked it, we did the split. Not much contact with them before or after. 

10.How would you compare working with 'Ophidian Sun' to other labels that you where a part of in the past?

N: OS really wants to produce the best product possible, not just put out the albums and cut corners to save money. And you feel it’s a passion for him, not just a business. That I would say is the main difference. 

11.How was the reaction to your music by fans of black metal when the 3 releases came out?

N: Overall good, I think. Not too many  death threats yet, that must count for something? 

12.What where some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on the music of 'Blodulv'?

N: Old Darkthrone, Motorhead and Black Sabbath was the main musical influences when we started out. The others may have a different opinion about this though. But for me, I would say that those bands where a huge influence on our sound. 

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

N: Thanks for taking the time to read my drunken rants! 

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