BYFROST
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 17th October 2011.
Norwegian metal act Byfrost released their latest album "Of Death" a couple of months back. We finally managed to catch up with 'em recently to pose a few teasers.
Drummer "Mads" Alkolust answers the questions
Hi Mads, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Mads: Sir Jon; pleased to meet you, and thank you for having us here at Rock Realms! All is pretty damn fine at the moment!
How did Byfrost form, and what’s the history of the various members?
Mads: Byfrost formed back in 2007 with HeavyHarms and R.I.P.meister getting together to jam out some ideas with some friends; but to my understanding, it wasn't supposed to be that serious at the time. However, it seemed to evolve quite fast into something more solid and they were rapidly making a name for themselves within the local scene in Bergen.
In 2008, the original line-up (back then, a four piece, with R.I.P.meister on rhythm guitar) got into a studio and recorded the EP "Byfrostmetal". Not long after this the two founding members decided to march forward and create a band that would have serious ambitions and changes needed to be done. Almost straight after, I joined forces with Byfrost, and R.I.P.meister took over the bass duties; Byfrost became the three piece you know today.
Did you know what sound the band should have straight away, or have you let it develop organically?
Mads: I don't think there has ever been any question about it... Byfrost is all about intensity and aggression, balanced with dark melodies and rock groove! It's about making music that makes your head spin as you put your horns to the sky!
How would you describe your sound to somebody who hadn’t heard you before?
Mads: Bombastic percussion complemented by razor sharp riffs. The sound of war! However, the melodies keep turning up and pulling you back in for more... It's not something new, it's not old, it's just pretty fucking good music!
Who would you list as the bands early influences?
Mads: I'm pretty sure we all agree that old Testament influenced the thrash parts and early Byfrost days in general. But after I came in, I would say, in terms of personal influences, HeavyHarms is the typical Iron Maiden patriot who never receives much understanding while ranting on about the magnificence of that band, whilst R.I.P.meister comes from the Black Metal league...; the old-school kind... Needless to say he lives on a cemetery (or at least very close by)! I'm a Slayer fan at heart, and Dave Lombardo is my undisputed king of drums, so I guess that influences the music a tad bit also?
New album “Of Death” came out a couple of months back. How is it performing in terms of reviews and airplay so far?
Mads: Sometimes you just hit the spot... "Of Death" is received with praise. Suddenly you're in this and that mag, with interviews, great reviews, "Album Cover Of The Month", "Top 5 - 2011 albums" and stuff like that; and radio has been very nice to us as well. We get played in countries all over Europe and the States. But, to be honest, it's more fun to experience your fan base growing. I don't really care about 7/10 reviews or 98/100 reviews or total butchery. It's all about creating an atmosphere with the music and to share it with the people who understand what you're trying to express!
How do you think it compares to debut album “Black Earth” in terms of style and quality?
Mads: It's a very different album production wise. With "Black Earth", everything was exciting and new. We hadn't been together that long, and three or four songs from the previous EP were re-recorded on my request just to try and hold on to the sound and feel of the energy that was Byfrost at the time. It was also a more straight forward, not so technical album, and the soundscape is far more lo-fi than "Of Death".
With "Of Death" we decided to write more powerful songs, and we felt more like a united group this time around as well. Not only the band, but we also went for the same studio, with much higher ambitions on all platforms. I was deadly focused on making the drums sound as aggressive as possible, yet keep it stylish and natural. And I think we sound more dynamic on this record. Even with shitloads of extra guitars and even some keys here and there, it still comes across as a three piece playing. No bullshit!
Where do you look for your lyrical and musical inspirations?
Mads: All lyrics are written as honestly as possible. Extracted from personal lives or stuff that makes an impact on us through media. However we try to keep it simple and add fiction - we don't preach anything. I don't look to the sky or go hiking on the mountains to get inspired. We simply love jamming out fresh ideas, and as long as we hit the nerve of where we collectively want to go, we'll keep on doing it I guess? The music is the true narrator of what we have to say.
How do you go about writing songs? Talk us through the construction of a typical track...
Mads: Impossible! We have written songs in less than seven minutes, and some may take months! There are no prescriptions on how to write a Byfrost track. Sometimes, HeavyHarms presents an idea of a riff, and we see what fits better with it together. We also write "live", talking each other through an idea of the arrangement of a song, ending up with something completely different than what you tried for. And the typical Byfrost track? I don't think any of the songs from "Of Death" is typical to any of the other, so I can't answer that really...
What are your favourite moments on the new album?
Mads: Ah...the opening track! When you start wondering if it is an instrumental intro track, and suddenly HeavyHarms' voice sneaks upon you and starts hammering on! He also has some extremely cool melodic screams on that track. I also love the anticipation that has been build up by "Sorgh" when the extremely satisfactory final track "All Gods Are Gone" bursts out of the speakers! One cannot go through the album though, without banging your head to "Buried Alive". I love that track from beginning to end. Might be my absolute highlight!
Tell us about your current touring plans...and what one of your shows is like.
Mads: Currently, I'm packing before heading out on the road with Byfrost as direct support to Taake on a European tour. We’re visiting Denmark, UK, France, Germany and Holland amongst other countries. Really looking forward to it!
A Byfrost show is a celebration of metal music! There are only three of us; no backing tracks or special effects; just a wall of sound, stomping feet and horns to the sky! Hopefully some of the audience know a chorus or two? I always get off on people singing (screaming) along...hehe!
What have been the highlights of your musical life so far?
Mads: Personally? Or, as a band? I think I can speak for all of us when saying it was pretty amazing to play Bloodstock Open Air this summer, considering Byfrost is still a rather fresh band in the scene. The turn out was huge and the response from the Brits so far is overwhelming! Looking forward to doing London next week! We also did Party.San Open Air in Germany which was great, but I was a little disappointed that the main stage was shut down due to weather conditions which caused the roof to come off! Personally, I must say that releasing three albums this year, with three different bands, on three different labels - all pulling in great feedback from fans and press - is probably the coolest thing I've ever done!
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Mads: Finishing my beer, finishing packing, then finishing another beer.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Mads: Thank you for checking in on Byfrost Jon, and thanks to the readers who got this far! Hope to see you all out there on the road pretty soon!
Thanks again to Mads for his time. You can check out the Rock Realms review of Byfrost's latest album "Of Death" by clicking here.
Label: AFM Records
Artist's website(s): MySpace | Facebook
