Völva Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album? 

The album was recorded in three sessions between December 2023 and March 2024. Since then we have mainly focused on the shows we had booked (Muskelrock festival, Fredagsmangel, Kalmar Metal Theatre festival, Bulgusal Festival and 2nd edition of anti fascist black metal gathering) and also rehearsing the new material. The result of this year's work will be heard on stage at the release show. 

2.In November you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past? 

A lot of people describe the EP "Promises unfold as lies" (2020) as sort of black metal/crust, due mostly to the production and the fact that one song contains some d-beat. Our first full-length album on the other hand is a decisive step away from any traces of punk, musically speaking. Völva is a black metal band and "Desires Profane" is a black metal album. 

3.This is also your first release in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame? 

Aside from surviving the pandemic as a live band, the main thing would be some changes to the line-up. Guitarist Åsa, who plays on the first demo as well as the EP had to step down from Völva and Vittra joined in 2022 to fill the spot. Since then we have been doing regular shows around Sweden, Denmark and Germany and also writing the new album. After writing a couple of songs with Vittra we also realized the band would benefit from having two guitars. And now, just in time for the album release, the line up is completed by Ruin joining on guitars as well. 

4.Some of your lyrics cover satanic topics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts? 

Satan is the adversary and the accuser, the revolt against the status quo and the mainstream culture. Light or darkness is irrelevant, it is always both, fire and shadow. Satan is our lust and our desires, our autonomy and our struggle. We reject categorically the christianized morality of the so-called democratic and liberal west, and we embrace sin as a way of life. We are dirty, delirious and down to fuck. This is Satan. 

5.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music? 

Other themes we explore in the lyrics of the new album include death and transcending death, grief and vengeance, as well as lust and desire through the lens of satanic feminism. 

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Völva? 

In pre-Christian times, the völva was a highly respected woman, considered a powerful spiritual fortune teller in Norse mythology. In these times women were not oppressed in the way christianity forced us to become. Expressing your lust was a given, as was seeking answers in what nature provided you with and to turn to the spirits within you for guidance. We let our name bear witness to the tragic actual witch hunt that came with the hypocrisy of christianity.

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

Hedonistica: Well, the artwork portrays me inserting an inverted crucifix into my vagina seen in a view from behind. The original photograph was taken by my witch friend Jannica (”when the blackbirds sing”), in a ritual curated by the two of us. We were in nature, we gave blood and other fluids as a sacrifice to the soil. Since the album is named ”desires profane” and touches subjects of lusting for satan and one's connection to satanism in a spiritual sense both the artwork and the ritual behind it made sense to us. 

8.Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea? 

Völva is definitely a live band and will continue to be so. We have always played our music live, and with the album release we aim to do it only more. Stay tuned at our IG for info about upcoming shows, or to check our gig poster collection of past shows. And please get in touch if you have a fitting show for us. 

9.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal? 

We have no real idea about any reaction to our music from other places than the feedback we get from our gigs and our interactions through social media. Hopefully with the album released the name Völva will make its way around the globe. We look forward to getting our music honestly reviewed. 

10.Are any of the band members involved with any other bands or musical projects these days? 

Yes, several. Here is a list of stuff we are involved with apart from Völva, and you should check out all of it: 

Genöme (d-beat/mangel) IG @genomepunx 

Suture (power violence/noise) IG @suture.pv 

Illmara (black metal) IG @illmara.bm 

Rotten Teeth (death metal) 

Ellen Ripley (very homosexual anarchist dream rock) IG @ellenripleygbg 

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future? 

We hope to play a lot more live, as well as start planning for the next LP. We do not have any set musical direction - the music is what we make it to be by combining ourselves into Völva. We have no ambition nor will to go away from our current soundscape. 

12.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? 

Vittra: My influences for this album consists of mainly raw 2nd wave black metal, old school heavy metal and whatever else that matches the dark, chaotic intensity that is the sound of

Völva. Listening-wise I've lately been revisiting the 00's-10's era of Mayhem, and also a lot of old 50's pop like the Platters and the Ink Spots. A very good pairing, to be sure.

Hedonistica: I listen a lot to mainly black metal from 90s and 00s (especially love bands from Finland) and also 80s heavy metal like W.A.S.P and Warlock. Apart from that Venom is always a source of inspiration. Other stuffi’ve listened a lot to lately is The yellowgoat sessions by Joel Grind, Slaughtersun by Dawn and Into the wild by Voodus.

Instagram