1.A few months back you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
In my opinion LUNA AETERNA is heavier and more linked to death metal than our debut SERAPHIM.
We chose a deeper tuning for the songs and also wrote some elements which are not typical for Black Metal at all, without losing our style known from the first Album.
2.This is also your first release in 6 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
Nordmann and me are doing a lot of music together. Between the two Nýr Gata albums we released the “CIEL NOIR” EP of our Band Immorior, the debut Album of Stardust and YARR & I released the first EP of my solo project MIRAI.
Also we were part of the recordings of the Blazing Dawn Debut “In the Light of a Nocturnal Moon”
3.Both of the band members are also involved with other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Nýr Gata' that you are not able to do with your other groups?
The more technical riffing and aggression is a big aspect of the music we put into Nýr Gata.
Even though components of this takes part of the songwriting in our other bands, Nýr Gata will always stands unique. Less raw than MIRAI, less atmospheric than IMMORIOR, less epic than NELADNHIR but as powerful as they all combined.
Even as every of our bands is settled in a certain subgenre, we feel free to explore all borders of it
4.Your lyrics cover the 'Seraphim', can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
The story and setting is influenced by the divine comedy and thoughts about the perception of the angels.
Usually we know and see them just as messenger of god. My intention was to give them more depth and individuality. My interest was to tell a story about a Seraphim, who is rethinking his own position in heaven.
Who compares himself and men and envied the love of god to them.
65What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Nýr Gata'?
The meaning is “a new path”. The music and story was written actually for a Band I was playing then. But it was kind of declined because the music didn’t fit the usual sound of that band. I didn’t want to rewrite the album or change it in any way. That’s why I decided to start something new. To walk on a new path with it. I like the “Nordic” languages and especially Icelandic. So it was a match, even if I know that Nýr Gata isn’t the best translation for “New Path” I like the sounding of the words just too much.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The Artwork represents the journey of the Seraphim trough the two Albums. As the phases of the moon, getting bigger and stronger with the journey through the levels of hell and finally becoming death in the purest form. But like the moon loses power and fullness, the Seraphim ends up frail by recognizing this hell of emptiness he created. And so, by finding a way to correct his failure, he remains in the world paler than before.
7.The band started out as a solo project, what was the decision behind expanding into a duo?
I asked Nordmann to help me out with the recordings. We started a small studio a year before, to be able to record when and as much we want without spending thousands of Euro.
Nordmann took on the role as our sound engineer and also the Studio is located in his house.
Within the recording sessions, he got really hooked on the music and asked to join. Of course I said yes!
8.The new album was released on 'Nahetal Klangschmiede', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
The “Nahetal Klangschmiede “ is both, Label and Studio. Since we have a lot of bands together, we thought it would be make sense to found a label that would serve as a kind of “roof” for all our bands.
Since then we released some of our music and also were able to release two albums of Japanese bands.
The label gives us the freedom to do whatever we want, even it is very unknown.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of melodic black and death metal?
We don’t get that much reaction usually but so far the album was very positively received.
At this point I want to thank everybody who send us feedback and nice words!
10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
At the moment we are working on the next IMMORIOR release. We have to do the final cut on the song writing and Artwork but I think we won’t start recording before autmn / winter because Nordmann is very involved with his work.
Meanwhile I will start the re-recording of an upcoming MIRAI EP and also we still working on new Nýr Gata songs
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
As always we do what we like. But I don’t see Nýr Gata leaving the Death / Black Metal genre so far or something like this. But of course we will try some new things within the Nýr Gata universe. Stay tuned!
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
There is too much to list. Nordmann and me are still into all kind of metal and theres still so many to discover.
Recently I am a lot into Japanese bands also outside the borders of metal ( thanks to my wife ) and Nordmann found his love again to some good old American rock and blues.
So this could get a nice mixture in the future.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for this interview and thanks to all supporter of our music!
As we are living in really fucked up times, I hope you all stay safe and strong, wherever you are from!
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