Interview with Nettlecarrier 2007

By Bradley Smith

How did Nettlecarrier come into existence?  Why did you decide to do another black metal band?  Weren’t your own bands enough already?

Ciekals: It started when I moved to Oslo.  The rest of Ljå are based in Stavanger, and I needed another black metal band to play in Oslo as well.  Also I and Mannevond had been talking a long time to do something together.

Mannevond: Black Metal is what felt natural to us, but it has been quite clear all the way that this was not supposed to be another KOLDBRANN or LJÅ.  We cannot hide certain influences but it really is another style of Black Metal.  I feel we are getting closer to an own sound and I am confident it will grow stronger in the future.

I recently received your Promo 2007 release.  Can you tell me about it?  What are you doing with it?  Just promotional activities or is it for sale?  Any label interest yet?

Ciekals: It was recorded primarily to be used on a split 10" with Slavia.  Jonas asked us if we wanted to participate on it, but for some reasons it never were released.  Then we decided that we might as well could send it to labels and get a deal.  We got lots of response and the reviews were good.  It was never intended for sale, I'm more into DIY and on the Venom gig in Oslo me and Mannevond handed it out to friends and strangers just in order to spread the disease.

Nettlecarrier is a strange moniker.  How did you decide upon it?  What does it represent?  Do you have someone designing a logo for you?

Ciekals: It was actually Voldswagen who plays drums on the promo that came up with that name.  It represents something strange, eerie and sinister I think.  The music is somewhat different to our other bands Ljå, Koldbrann and Urgehal, and the name reflects it I think.

You Mannevond not only have Nettlecarrier and your main band Koldbrann but you also share a role in Urgehal.  What do you do in Urgehal and is it a permanent position or is it only in the live environment?

Mannevond: Yes, I have been handling the bestial bulldozer bass in URGEHAL for about a year now.  The position is permanent and we are just about to record the next full length album, the follow up to the devastating "Goatcraft Torment" from 2006.

Earlier in the year you did a European tour with both Urgehal and Koldbrann. How did that tour go?  I heard there was some sort of problems at one of the shows with Nazis or something like that.  Can you elaborate on the incident?  Do you like touring?  How do you feel about meeting up with fans when you are not performing?

Mannevond: Yes, there was a tour with TAAKE/URGEHAL/KOLDBRANN in March 2007.  The problem you are referring to was not with nazis, but Hoest’s (TAAKE) “swastika-incident” in Essen (Germany), as it has been known as on the Internet.  I don't think there is any need for more details really.  Hoest made an apology to us and said he hoped this wouldn’t get us in any trouble, but it was quite clear we had nothing to do with this anyway, so there was no problem for us.  There were a few turbulent days afterwards (well, the whole tour was turbulent really, can’t expect anything else with three Norwegian bands on tour, he he, UGH!), with empty threats about cancellation and so on, but money talks you know.   The only thing that happened was that the two last dates, two festivals in Germany, were cancelled for TAAKE.  The rest went on as planned and it was a great success.  I enjoy touring and playing concerts yes, as long as we are working with decent bands and organizers.  And I don't mind meeting the audience as long as they have something useful to say.  I have met a lot of interesting people around in Europe, even a certain fellow by the name of Brad, in London.  As for NETTLECARRIER though, we have no plans of playing live yet.

I have heard a rumour that you will be involved with the artist Kim Solve's thrash band, Delirium Bound.  What will you do with that project?

Mannevond: Hopefully I will do some of the vocals for his upcoming debut album.  The music has basically been ready for years, some of it even dates back to the mid nineties, but things are moving on very slowly, unfortunately.  We first started talking about my involvement almost two years ago, but only the drums and some guitars are finished so far.  It really is a shame, because this is probably some of the best new material I have ever heard (!).  Disharmonic, ugly and in your face.  Like a threesome with VIRUS, CELTIC FROST and AUTOPSY.  I just hope it will be finished one day.

So much attention has been focused on recent upsurges in black metal scenes in places like France, America and Germany.  Do you think Norway still has the edge when it comes to producing black metal with impact?  If so what bands still bring that sense of magic?

Ciekals: Yes Norway is still the crib of black metal that sounds like it is supposed to do.  I have noticed that the rest of the world have come closer to the formula, but still we reign, and I think that will be the case for a long long time.  Bands that keep the flame alive is of course the old ones like Gehenna, Gorgoroth, Urgehal and Sarkom, Ljå, Orcustus, Nettlecarrier, Skuggeheim, Hat, Throne of Katarsis, Blodstrid.

Mannevond: Norway definitely still has strong names and convincing releases, like a few of the above mentioned and some others, but I am getting tired of all talk about what countries are “the best.”  This seems to be a very hot topic for the kids on the Internet though.  Anyway, among newer Black Metal releases I would like to mention especially CRAFT and BERGRAVEN from Sweden, GRAND BELIAL’S KEY and LEVIATHAN from USA, GLORIOR BELLI from Italy and TANGORODRIM from Israel/Russia.  These are bands that truly give me the right feeling of Black Metal today.

I know you Mannevond recently had a Fishing trip you went on in Norway.  How was it?  What was the scenery like and what did you catch?  Do you eat the fish you catch or just turn them loose again?  Why is fishing such a big sport for you Norwegians?

Mannevond: Yes, I and my father had a trip to the north of Norway this summer, to the county of Nordland, where I used to live.  Norway is well known for its nature, but the scenery in the north is truly unique.  Especially the coast, with small desolate islands and roaring mountains.  Not to mention the midnight sun.  Fishing was the way to survive for many Norwegians in the old days, especially in the north, so this is in our blood.  Today it is of course more for the recreation and the sport, to experience the nature and just being by yourself without having to see a single person all day.  But of course; we eat the fish too.

You guys have Dirge Rep doing the lyrics for the songs on the promo.  How did you get him involved and why did you decide to use him as a lyricist rather than yourself?  What do you think he brings lyrically to Nettlecarrier?

Ciekals: Dirge Rep has been a good friend of mine since 1992, and I have always liked his work.  He has a very eerie and intelligent twist to his lyrics.  I asked him long ago if he had some lyrics I could use, and even if he just finished all the lyrics for the upcoming Orcustus album “Transdimencional Holocaust” he still had more.  He is very honest and sure about what he does and you can clearly see that in the lyrics.  He will also do the drums for the NettleCarrier album.

Do you have any upcoming plans for Nettlecarrier?  What other projects are you working on?

Ciekals: We will sign with No Colours Records for one full-length album.  The promo will be released on a 7” on Aftermath Music, entitled “To strangle the hero of heaven.”  Other than that I have a new Ljå album to compose.

Last Words…

Thanx for support, Brad.  Await a killer eerie pitch black album from NettleCarrier!

www.myspace.com/nettlecarrierofdoom

Ciekals & Mannevond, December 2007