By Bradley Smith
Wow! I was so impressed with your first album and it was surprising how it had slipped under the radar for me. I don’t normally do this since I have a pretty good understanding about most bands I interview, but can you give the readers a little bit of history about the band and the concept behind your music?
I’m very glad that you liked our album! V:28 started up in early 2002, with Eddie Risdal and myself, Kristoffer Oustad, being the only members. We had both played together in a band called V:O:I:D, but due to a car accident the vocalist of that band was involved in he had to quit. Eddie and myself wanted to continue playing together, so we decided to start up V:28. We could of course have used the same band name, but when we checked up on how many bands that were called Void, we decided to change it not to be mistaken for any other bands under the same name. The music also headed for a more mechanical and industrial direction, so we felt V:28 was a suitable name. Not long after we started up we released the demo called ”Time Is Empty”, which contains tracks that later were to be featured on the “NonAnthropogenic” album. After that demo was released we tried out the combination with a drummer and drum machine, but it didn’t work out very well, so we decided to continue as a duo. This year we also played our first gig as V:28, as support act for Enslaved. In 2003 we recorded our debut album, “NonAnthropogenic”, in Subsonic Society Studios with LRZ from Red Harvest as producer. At that time we originally had a contract with another label, but since they fucked up big time, we decided to sign for Vendlus Records, which seemed very serious, and they really are! We were also booked to play at the “Hole In The Sky” metal festival in Norway that year, with other bands like Samael, Enslaved, Satyricon, Gorgoroth, Arcturus etc… So before this gig we tried out a bassist called Atle Johansen. This worked out very well, so we later decided to recruit him as a fulltime member of the band, so the current line up of V:28 is Eddie Risdal (vocals and rhythm guitar), Atle Johansen (bass) and Kristoffer Oustad (lead guitar and programming).
I understand you are in the process of developing your new album. At what stage are you in its development? Any working titles yet? Can you give us a little insight as to what we might expect?
Yes, we are currently working on finishing the tracks for the follow up album to “NonAnthropogenic”. At this moment we are almost finished with all the material, but some arrangements etc remains to be done. This process might take some time, as we really want the album to be as good as possible. Some lyrics also need to be finished, but I can reveal some track titles, which are “As The Sky Opens”, “Infected By Life”, “The Purifying Flames”, “Unleash The Energy” and “A Prophecy Written In Uranium”. On the coming album we have tried to do what feels natural, and we have tried to stretch things a bit further and beyond the “NonAnthropogenic” album. There will be some surprises as well! The industrial elements are more obvious this time, and we try to incorporate elements that we feel strengthen our musical vision. All of us listens to a wide range of music, I think that will be reflected in V:28. The production process also has a big effect on how the final result will be, so this might be an early stage to say anything concretely.
Can you describe your creative process when it comes to musical construction? With this new album will there be any guests adding to the creative process like on NonAnthropogenic?
I make all of the music, and the whole band arranges it together. Most of the music is created on a guitar, but I also use the computer frequently to incorporate the more mechanical and industrial elements. A riff often goes through radical changes before I’m completely satisfied with it, and the computer effects often play an important role here. Parts of some songs are also made only with computers, and later guitars have been added on. First half of the track “To Be Tuned” was made on computer… I’m not sure if we’re going to have some guest appearances on the upcoming album, but Grutles contribution to the “NonAnthropogenic” album was great, so only have good experiences with guest musicians. A guest musician would also add another element into the album, which often makes a remarkable difference on the result. We’ll see….
You guys sampled the movie “Pi” on the track “Perspective”. Do you feel that the use of this movie provides any insight to the concept of V:28? How do you feel about this movie? (it is one of my faves)
The “Pi” movie is really a unique film. It is one of my all time favorite films, and I really like everything about that film, the theme, music, filming etc… Pure art! Though the “Pi” movie doesn’t deal with the destruction of Earth, it fits very well into the concept of V:28. The film deals with a person seeking the ultimate knowledge to understand the universe as a whole. This phenomenon is very “human” and this conquest for knowledge has also provided inventions to destroy the planet. Just look at what understanding of physics has made us capable of doing. In the film one is also given the impression that all knowledge isn’t suitable for everyone, and for instance by giving the recipe of a nuclear bomb to a crazy scientist / terrorist, Armageddon is a fact….
You used a drum machine on NonAnthropogenic. Will you continue to use a drum machine in the future or will you get a real drummer? I am just glad that you made it more organic sounding than other bands like Mysticum do.
The drum machine fits both the music and concept well. The drum machine gives a mechanical sound a real drummer never could, unless everything was triggered, but then the point of having a drummer kind of disappears. Everyone in the band is comfortable with using a drum machine, so I think we’ll continue using it. Still, we want the drums to sound powerful, which I think we have managed to do on “NonAnthropogenic“.
It seems to me that Vendlus Records is obtaining quite the roster of high quality acts. How did you develop a relationship with Vendlus? Will the new album be on Vendlus?
When we had finished the recording of the “NonAnthropogenic” album we were looking for a label to release it on. A friend of mine runs Duplicate Records, and I asked him if he knew of anyone that could be interested in releasing the album. His release schedule was full, but he contacted Joseph at Vendlus Records, that is a good friend of his. The album was sent to him, and not long after he contacted us. After we had been in contact for a while we got the impression that he was serious, so we decided to sign with Vendlus Records. We are very satisfied with the work Vendlus Records has done for us, and I feel we have become more friends than having a standard “band/label” relationship. The coming album will also be released on Vendlus Records. Joseph sets no limits to what kind of music he releases, as long as it is good music, and that is a very important to us. This gives us the possibility to develop in whatever direction we want.
Musically I feel that you are the technologically inspired sibling of Enslaved. Do you feel any kinship with Enslaved and is that why you used Grutle on as a guest on the songs “Purity” and “Dead Shining Star?”
In another review of the album it was mentioned that “V:28 is something like Enslaved in space”. Enslaved is truly a great band, so when people draw parallels between us and them I choose to take it as a compliment. I cannot see any musical kinship between V:28 and Enslaved, other that both bands have to some degree a psychedelic approach and both bands make trends instead of following them… I’ve been a fan of them for many years, and I’ve got to know them several years ago. This relationship might have influenced me indirectly, but there are also many other factors that have made an impact on me, and thereof V:28.
When it comes to Grutle's guest appearance on these two tracks, it was actually Grutle who showed interest in doing it. He said that if we needed some help or anything when we recorded the album we shouldn’t hesitate to contact him. I think some of the reasons why he wanted to do it, is because the musical expression of V:28 and Enslaved is quite different. They are more into the viking/mysticism/underworld thing, while V:28 is more futuristic and the concept is much more “end-of-the-world”.
I read somewhere that there is going to be a trilogy of the earth’s destruction that starts on NonAnthropogenic and spans the next two albums. Is this true? What inspired this direction and theme?
Yes, “NonAnthropogenic” is the first album in a trilogy about the destruction and transformation of the Earth. The trilogy will contain 28 tracks, and on the first album track 1 to 10 is featured, and on the second track 11 to 19 and finally track 20 to 28 on the third album. I guess this concept was a result of brainstorming, something we often do while we’re rehearsing. We just felt that this lyrical theme would fit the music perfectly, and we all have some fascination about doomsday prophecies etc…
I don’t normally ask about Aesthetic Accoutrements but what is up with your pendant? What is the story behind it? And why do you guys wear that Camouflage face paint?
When we started the band we wanted to have a special appearance. What made us start using the camouflage face paint, was that I had some left from my stay in the army. The costume and camouflage face paint gives a kind of “futuristic soldier” look, and we try to incorporate a visual dimension to the concept by doing this. It has become some of our trademark, and as far as I know it is pretty unique for the scene.
Your website contains an extensive catalogue of information about V:28. I think it is one of the most comprehensive websites that an underground band has had. How do you feel about the internet and its use as a medium to inform the world about V:28?
Thanks! Our website is suppose to be ultimate source of information about V:28, and we try update it as soon as things happen. I think the internet is a very useful tool for bands to promote themselves. Now that there are so many bands in the scene I think an informative website with mp3 samples, pictures etc… is necessary if one wants to be noticed. If we were to promote us by just sending out flyers it would have cost us a whole lot of money, and we wouldn’t have reached half of the persons we do now.
I always like to know about some of the underlying philosophies that motivates an artist to produce his creations. What are some of your life philosophies and what themes interest you?
I think philosophy is a very interesting subject. Still I don’t think one should waste ones life just go around thinking and seeking the meaning of life. Life is short and it slips through ones hands, and that’s why it is important that each person tries to make something meaningful out of ones life. It is hopeless to stick to a constructed religious movement and to oppose ones inner feelings and natural instincts, to prepare for the after life, which might not even exist. For all I know the human race is just another experiment conducted by some higher powers. Who knows? Or maybe life is like a battery, when we’re born the battery is fully charged, and as we get older the battery discharges. Death occurs as the battery is totally discharged, and then one can start to ask if it is possible to recharge the battery or not? I also have a great fascination for the yin yang theory, and the theory about “good” cannot exist without presence of “evil”. Again one can draw parallels to the battery. Without a positive and a negative pole one cannot get any electricity. I like to challenge existing theories and try to think and philosophize beyond them. This doesn’t necessarily give any results, but I find it very interesting. Some of these philosophies and “mind trips” are also influencing the creative process when writing music and especially when writing lyrics.
With the whole interest in the concept of Yin and Yang, what do you think of eastern philosophies like Buddhism? I think I see a parallel also between your love of Matrix and the whole human battery analogy.
I have to admit that I don’t know very much about Buddhism. I’ve been to China once, and it seemed like they were a very peaceful people. There are many philosophies I’d like to study further, but on the other hand I like to make up my own mind without any outer influence. Ad as things are right now I don’t have time and effort to sit down and study these things. As for the Matrix movie, it seems to be influenced by a whole lot of established philosophies, and the human battery analogy seems pretty rational to me.
LRZ’s production did a good job of making the album both organic and sterile/dead at the same time. How do you feel about his work? Will you use him on the new album?
LRZ is really a great producer, both when it comes to knowledge and to work with. Due to his work in and with Red Harvest he has a good understanding of what will work and not in a production. It was also very easy to communicate with him, which was very important for us when we described how we wanted things to sound etc. We have already talked to LRZ about the next album, and it seems like he will help us out on that one as well. LRZ understands where we are headed and knows what type of sound we want, which is essential for a producer.
I guess it was a little premature to say there was a kinship between you guys and Enslaved. I think Red Harvest and you guys are the actual brothers separated at birth. Heh heh.
Haha! We have been linked to Red Harvest some times, and I can understand why. Both bands have a very mechanical and industrial sound, and in the Norwegian extreme metal scene there isn’t many bands like that. Still there are many aspects that separate our music. V:28 has much more symphonic elements, and maybe a bit more death metallish sound. Is seems like when there is a Norwegian extreme metal act who doesn’t play black metal it is a “sensation” (to some degree). Also the fact that LRZ was involved with the production makes it easier to link us to Red Harvest.
Though I consider your album to be death metal it occurs to me that there would be a lot of crossover appeal to fans of black metal and even with some avantegardists? Do you think this is true?
It is not always easy to describe a band by genres, but to some point I think this is necessary. If we have some references on what type music we play it is much easier to promote it and find the scene for it. We have categorized V:28 as psychedelic industrial death metal. There are also some black metal references in our music, and as you say I think the album is also suited for a wide range of metal fans, among others the avantgardeists.
Where do you draw musical inspirations from? Do you only use Metal music or are there other styles that have a strong impact on you whether it be emotionally or technically?
I have been listening to metal for about 15 years. The fact that I play metal today is the best proof that this have had a great impact on me. I really like the energy of metal music, and this feeling is more than doubled when playing it! I have also been interested in more alternative types of music, such as dark ambient, goth, industrial and some techno. I think one can see how these genres also has influenced the sound of V:28. Someone told me that if we removed the metal elements in our music, it would sound like some dark ambient/industrial act. To incorporate several styles into one, and make it sound great is really a goal! Not necessarily to make it as original as possible, but to make good music!
I think that despite being metal there are a lot of similarities between the feeling and mood of V:28 and industrial and some techno. What styles of techno do you like? For me it's mostly trance. What are some of your favorite industrial bands?
I listen to some techno, but then it is mostly underground techno, minimalistic techno and some trance. I find may similarities between metal, especially black metal, and trance. Just listen to the “Transilvanian Hunger” album by Darkthrone. Nowadays I mostly listen to industrial and dark ambient. Some of my favorite groups are Deutsch Nepal, Inanna, Brighter Death Now, Raison d’Etre, MZ.412, Megaptera, Beyond Sensory Experience etc… It seems like the Swedes are best when it comes to industrial and dark ambient. However my all time favorite band is definitely Swans, they are just great. Their last album “Soundtracks For The Blind” is the definition of darkness and depression, and it combines so many elements! A must!
How does the world outside of music affect you? Do you follow politics or religion or any of the numerous events occurring in the world at large?
I guess one can say that the society and world one lives in, to some degree, forms ones personality. There are of course many other factors that make a huge impact on how each person turns out to be. I’m sure I bring whatever happens outside my little studio into it, and make music out of some it. But one cannot say what kind of society one lives in just because of the music one makes, cause then I guess I would have lived in total misery, haha! I do not follow any kind of religion, and religion doesn’t interest me much. I just think it is scary to see how much it means to millions of people world wide. People kill and get killed willingly just to promote their religious beliefs. Insanity, if you ask me!
As for politics I guess that concerns everyone, but neither in this department my engagement is very obvious in the lyrical themes of V:28. We have decided to keep V:28 a non-political band, and we don’t want to force our opinions upon other people. We just want to make people think, and make up their own minds…
Does technology interest you? What about outer space? I know there are lyrical references to both on NonAnthropogenic.
Technology is among those things that make humanity unique. I’m interested in some parts of technology and the ideas around it. My biggest interest on this subject is what cause the technology will serve. In the world today enormous amounts of money are used on war and weapons research, which reflects the selfish and to some degree destructive nature of man. I think artificial intelligence is very a interesting subject, and thinking of what could go wrong automatically makes me think of the “Terminator” films. Especially the track “The Fall of Science” questions the methods and cause of science and technology. I also have some fascination for outer space. The universe holds so infinitely many secrets, and what remains undiscovered is always interesting and mysterious. In V:28 I like to use outer space as a picture of “the unknown”, and this varies from person to person. When I was about ten years old there was an old series on TV called “Lost in Space”, and that really opened my eyes for science fiction. I’m still fascinated by some science fiction films, but what seems to be a problem today is the lack of good stories, and to cover it up, many films are overwhelmed with animated effects etc. I really enjoyed “Dark City” and the first “Matrix” movie, and the concepts of these movies are just great.
I find the concept of a lot of Sci-Fi movies to be very intriguing. What are some of the best and most influential movies that you have seen?
If one can categorize “Pi” as a sci-fi movie, which I choose to do, that would be one of the most influential movies to me. Both lyrically and when it comes to write music. “Dark City” has also made a huge impact on me, and the track “To Be Tuned” is influenced by that movie as well. Some other movies that I really like: “Dr. Strangelove”, “Mulholland Drive”, “Twin Peaks” (both the series and the film), “I Kina Spiser De Hunder” (Danish comedy, really cool), “Svidd Neger” (Norwegian comedy), “Needful Things” and “A Requien For A Dream”. In general I really like the works of David Lynch, not only because of all the beautiful women in his films, but he really is a great director!
It just occurred to me that You as an artist are all about musical creation and construction. Do you feel that this in anyway conflicts with your advancement of the themes of universal deconstruction or is this just one of life’s little ironies?
Haha! Never thought of that, but maybe we should start to deconstruct other artists’ creations?
I guess the concept of you guys playing live would be interesting. With a drum machine is it hard to perform live? How have your live experiences been?
The drum machine works well when we perform live. The phenomenon of using a drum machine in metal is relatively new, compared to other types of music, but the all over response from the audience is great! The “Hole On The Sky” gig was amazing, and those we talked to really enjoyed the show! There are of course some who can’t stand the use of drum machines, and I think one has to have an open mind to everything. I really don’t care if a band uses a drum machine or not, as long as it sounds good, cause that’s what it’s all about! And due to the mechanical and industrial approach of our sound the drum machine strengthens this when we play live.
We are currently planning on incorporating some kind of multimedia show to our concerts, to add a visual dimension to the experience. This will probably take some time, as we want it done properly.
Do you have any last impressions to impart on your audience? Anything you want to leave us with?
Thanks for your interest in V:28 Bradley! I hope as many as possible will take the time to check out V:28! You won’t be disappointed! On our website (http://www.v28.com) there are mp3 files available, and comprehensive information about the band and the concept of V:28. Here we’ll also post news on the progression on the making of the next album to keep you all updated. I’d also like to say that we’ll probably going to do some more gigs in the near future, but unfortunately this will probably just be in Norway. We hope we get the opportunity to come abroad and play as soon as possible! Hail the underground!