Photo Credit: Anders Johnsen
SOURCE – Firstly, I’d like to you explain the text in press release: “1 rehearsal space eviction, 1 rehearsal space flooding, 1 booking deal evaporated into the covid mist, an unknown number of cancelled gigs all over Europe, 2 covid related layoffs, 3 breakups, 5 mental breakdowns, 5 hospitalisations, 1 near-death experience”.
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – This is a summary of some of the shit we’ve experienced since the release of our previous album. It was released just a few days before the first covid lockdown, which kickstarted a series of events that ended up completely taking the wind out of our sails. It was one disaster after another for a good while. All this to say that releasing “Never Enough” at this point feels extremely cathartic.
SOURCE – What are you most proud of with Never Enough, as your second release?
Bjørnar Kristiansen (Vocals) – Firstly, that it even got made. As mentioned earlier, the time between “Gospel of the Vile” and “Never Enough” was really tough on us personally and as a band. So that we stuck together and made what I consider the best representation of the band we currently are, is the first thing that makes me proud. Secondly, the progression of the material. It’s more varied, more personal and feels raw. In the best way.
SOURCE – Could you talk about the inspirations for writing Never Enough, coming off of 2020’s Gospel of the Vile? How did you see the writing coming between albums?
Bjørnar Kristiansen (Vocals) – In terms of the lyrics, which I wrote alone with some input from the rest of the band, it slowly became a journal. One can actually see my lyrics lose more and more of the metaphorical storytelling I did on GOTV, throughout the album. By the end it’s my exact thoughts made into words. Pure emotion and catharsis.
Rikke Karlsen (Guitars) – In terms of the rest of the instruments the writing was a process that started during the lockdown days. So, that situation combined with other personal experiences created a higher level of frustration in our jams, than GOTV. Also, how we as a band evolved both personally and musically together when we lost our comfortable rehearsal space. Then going through rough times on a personal level while moving into a smaller space, a dark basement with flooding, power issues, rats and bad oxygen, expressing yourself. That in itself created a very different writing atmosphere.
SOURCE – Let us zoom in to some of the songs. For instance Repentance of a Bastard struck me, because it has such a grand momentum. Can you tell a little bit more about that song?
Bjørnar Kristiansen (Vocals) – Repentance of a Bastard was first conceived during a jam session we had, the same day I learned about my brothers failed suicide attempt. The embryo of the lyrics just came out of me. A lot of alcohol, tears and outraged sadness. As the song evolved later, I saw a turn from that, into it becoming a conversation with myself. My own suicidal tendencies and battles with depression. How one hates that side, but also wants to help it. And if you’re curious, my brother is doing much better.
As for the rest of the songs, they’re also moments from a time of the biggest downward spiral in my life. A slow descent into despair, with a slight glimpse of hope.
SOURCE – What are the plans with video clips?
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – We’ve been experimenting a bit, but have no concrete plans for videos at the moment. A video or two may or may not pop up somewhere down the road.
SOURCE – How important do you believe instant communication technology and social media platforms have been to the growth of your fanbase on a global scale? Do you enjoy the fan interaction through these mediums beyond building the brand of the band through live shows/touring?
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – Social media is pretty much instrumental to keep in touch with the scene these days. We might not outwardly seem to be among the most active bands on those platforms, but find it’s important to keep our profiles up to speed and be as responsive as we can wherever we have a presence. We enjoy all forms of interacting with fans and the community in general, be it on screens or in real life.
SOURCE – What is a pivotal or critical moment that helped shape your musical career?
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – The release of “Gospel of the Vile” back in 2020 gave us a glimpse into what we could possibly achieve with this project, despite all the unforeseen circumstances. The response we got from it gave us a lot of confidence to keep doing our own thing and work towards bigger goals than we thought we realistically could. It landed us gigs at some very cool festivals, among other things. Even though many of those opportunities got canceled by the virus in the end, we were able to go through with others, and those have been some of the best experiences we’ve had as a band so far.
SOURCE – What plans do you have for the rest of the year, with Dwaal or anything else you are working on?
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – Right now we’re focusing on getting ready for our release gig here in Oslo in October. Beyond that, we hope to be able to book many more concerts in the coming months and years.
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