Interview with Nordavinden by Grimness

Grimness: Shortly, can you tell us the story of Bloodaxe?
Nordavinden: Bloodaxe is about folk and family.   A representation of my Norse Ancestors in their true being; violence and aggression.

G: Why a Viking concept?  Although it sounds very similar, I always wondered what push bands to play Viking BM instead of pure black.
N: Bloodaxe is more then a "viking concept".  It is a tribute to ancestry through violence and blood.  Most Viking metal in itself is very weak and not representative of our Norse Ancestors, whose blood still runs in our veins.  Black Metal in its true form is only made by a chosen few.  Yet every band now claims to be Black Metal even though they are not.  The result is obvious: to combine our great mythology with the violence in our blood, to pay tribute to our forefathers with a soundtrack of the purest form of music, Black Metal.

G: What can we expect from your next release, Bloodthrone?
N: Bloodthrone will be even faster, more violent and more destructive then In Battle.  You will be able to not only feel the sheer brutality but hear it as well, a clearer sound, but never polished.  It will be released independently as was In Battle on Rokkonesløkk Records.  It will be completed and released some time in the winter.

G: In Battle was an extreme skraelings butchery with some very well played instrumental interludes.  Will you still use folk interludes on you new CD?
N: Yes a few have been written already, Mjød and Treskjærer as well as one called Trollheimen but they will still be acoustic and or electric guitar pieces.

G: You are only two in Bloodaxe.  Do you plan to extend the band's line-up someday?  Or engage session musicians to play live?
N: No, the line-up will remain the same.  As for playing live, there are no venues in the area for us to play, as we have become the most hated band around.  I will not waste my time playing in front of people who think Cradle of Filth and Rotting Christ are TRUE BLACK METAL.  However if a suitable bassist is found, live shows will be done, but they will be done where people appreciate extreme music.

G: You look very proud of your heritage from the Lien family.  Can you tell us more about it?
N: It is an important thing to have pride in your folk and your family.  My Lien blood is from the Sør-Trondelag area in middle Norway.  This area is very rich in Viking history and tradition.  It is a magical area and an indescribable feeling to walk where your forefathers have trodden for hundreds of years.  In our family there are musicians, singers and a great woodcarver who is one of the best in all of Norway, John Lien.  He lives in Berkåk and while I was there in September, he gave me the last Viking drinking horn that he will ever make.  An immaculate piece of work from Arctic Birch, it is hard to believe that a human hand could carve such intricate designs.  The piece Treskjæreren is dedicated to him.

G: Why Viking bands don't corpsepaint or at least paint stuff like barbar warriors in their faces?  It would rules and give a stronger "war feeling".
N: When my forefathers went into battle the only thing they had on their faces was a look of hate, greed and a very wide grin.  The mask of hate is the strongest of all facial decorations!!

G: Which bands have musically influenced Bloodaxe?
N: I have no influences only inspirations.  Inspiration to me is a greater force than influence.  Yngvie Malmsteen inspires me with his dedication and perseverance, Sondre Bratland and Annbjørg Lien for being true to their Norwegian folk roots, and Dave Carlo from Razor for being the greatest of all Canadian musicians.

G: What do you think about the Canadian BM scene?
N: I wasn't aware that there was one.  I know of a few choice bands coming out of Quebec but the rest of the country...  Black Metal is more then corpse-paint, it is more than just a form of music, it is a feeling and if they need to be told what this feeling is, then they should get what they deserve: a bullet in the back of the head!

G: After Bloodthrone, any other project for the near future?
N: They're will probably be a video or two to go along with the Hall Of Bilskirnir video from In Battle, to be distributed in the underground again.  Take sometime to thaw out from the brutal 7 months of Canadian winter, head back to Norway in the summer, then back to Canada and write another piece of destruction.

G: Finally, a word for your fans and warbrothers?
N: Never forget your heritage, your culture, where your forefathers have come from, never forget the "old world", and ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR BLOOD!!

G.:Hail Nordavinden! Hail Bloodaxe!