Hailing from Bergen, Norway, Enslaved is one of those bands you can't help but be consumed by when you listen to their music. I was very fortunate to be able to see them live when they made a quick stop in my hometown of Louisville, KY. Their exceptional performance drove the need to interview them. I was able to talk with Ivar Bjørnson, their guitarist and keyboard player and get the lowdown on what’s next for Enslaved.
Hi, Ivar. Thank you for agreeing to interview with me. So let's get right to it. Which bands have the biggest impact on your music?
Ivar: Myself, the main songwriter, am mostly influenced by hard metal and experimental/ progressive music in general; from black metal via post-rock to progressive rock via noise/ contemporary touching upon a little bit of the darker aspects of jazz via 70s mammoth rock into hard rock and back into extreme metal. As long as it makes me feel, I'm into it.
Definitely an eclectic range of music. What are your biggest metal influences?
Ivar: Bathory, Dark Throne, Mayhem (De Mysteriis) and Motorhead should cover a lot of ground.
Metal born and bred. What's next on Enslaved's agenda?
Ivar: right now I am sitting in the studio where we have started the recording of our new album. We are only in the first few days of the process of making the album, but already an eerily strong feeling is coming from the material. Full schedule including release dates will follow.
I'll be sure to check out the new album when it comes out. Any plans to return to the U.S.?
Ivar: yes, absolutely, not immediately but yes! These plans will be announced along with the above mentioned schedules.
Well, I certainly hope you'll make it back here in the near future. You've toured all over the world. Which country rocked the most?
Ivar: Oh, it is hard to point out any single favorite, they all have their charms and weird things that we appreciate. India was the most exotic and we were very surprised by the response when headlining the Great Indian Rock Festival in New Delhi in front of a sold out 8000-capasity venue (with 2000 more people outside the gates without tickets). We always love playing in Canada, with whom we have a special relationship. The French crowd are relentless, loyal and dedicated. We enjoy touring the States more and more also - it is about to turn into something of a favorite too.
Internationally charmed, that's great. What is the best part about playing live?
Ivar: the energy; the loudness and physicality the music takes on - and the instant response you get from the crowd when you see and hear their reactions immediately.
So you love that instant gratification you get from playing live. How about life on the road? Is it fun and games or hard work?
Ivar: definitely hard work, but as we go along we learn a few thing and some things are easier. Also with the road production growing some things are delegated to our overly competent crew. It is luckily some distance back to the days in 95 when we toured the US for 4 weeks during the heat wave, sleeping in the back of 3-seater vans with no air conditioning.
That's no fun. It can get hot here! Where can one purchase Enslaved merchandise?
Ivar: www.plastichead.com
I'm already on your friends list! Any special words for the readers of Metal Monthly?
Ivar: Thanks for following the band and all the support over the years, check out our new album during 2008 and see you on the road.
Awesome! Good luck with any future endeavors and thank you for your time.
Ivar: thanks! See you around!
