1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?
Hello, and thanks for your interest in Hogstul! This solo project is based on musical ideas harvested over a period of time that did not fit in my other bands such as Profane Burial and Omnia Moritur. The tracks have been re-arranged and developed as my experience with midi orchestration got better by the years. I was very proud and satisfied with the tracks and thought it would be a shame if they were unused. My first idea was to release the tracks as an orchestral journey, but then I started to play with the idea: “what about a metal project…”
I programmed drums and then it was done, I thought it sounded great and had to write guitars and bass tracks as well. Then I was wondering about hiring a session vocalist due to that I had never done any vocals before. But on the other hand; it would not be a solo project/band any more, so I bought a microphone and gave it a shot. I was quite happy with my test vocals so then Hogstul was complete!
2.Recently you have released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
As I mentioned above, it was intended to be a pure orchestral project – hence a lot of orchestrations. I am quite fond of classical music and also film scores so you might find some inspiration from such music. When it came to the metal part for me it was important to go back to my roots. I started to listen to Black Metal in 1987/88 and love the 90-scene. Hogstul is very inspired by the second wave and even though the production is modern, it does sound quite like the olden days I think. It was also crucial that the orchestra was not too much in the front and dominating, with rather a cold production and sharp guitar sound with both extreme and growl vocals.
3.You are also involved in few other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Hogstul' that you are not able to do with your other groups?
When I am alone with Hogstul there is total control – no compromise!
Hogstul differ quite a bit due to tempo, length of the tracks, the sound and also that I am able to do exactly what I want with every single little detail on all the instruments. It is actually very good to have a project all by my self since I am quite involved in the other bands and tends to have meanings about everything from compositions, arrangements, lyrics, cover art, mix etc you name it. When in a band you must be able to compromise, other wise there will be challenges. So far all my bands involved in has functioned quite well – but it is unbelievable relieving to have one band where I can do as I want 100%. The only external “help” I have acquired is with mix/master and layout on the physical products, otherwise I have done everything by my self.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the musical project?
The first track is called"The Beast"(18:27 minutes) who will unravel from among its many variations and reveal that all the darkness that inhabits the interior of our being, sooner or later will be set free and "The Beast" will take control. The invocation of Mephistopheles towards the end accentuates the trance and the catharsis will inevitably come. For me it is a very personal, yet tormenting track, which started out as only 5 minutes, but as I worked with this song new ideas arose and it developed naturally by the day. Key words are inner demons, external dissonance and pestering, solitude and mental capacity vs madness and agony. Quotation: “My demon is silence”.“
Tomb” continues (14:57 minutes) and its opening I have been told could well be the soundtrack of a Dantesque Opus, of dark and macabre tales. Tomb is considered by me to be “True-Hogstul-Horror-Metal”; it’s full of chaos, fright and fear. The lyrics could easily be interpreted in many ways, but for me its basically that time is the enemy. What do you experience during your time being, is it all real or just an illusion? Sanity versus insanity! Quotation: “Time is a Tomb”.
The album concludes with the track"A Nightmare at 40 Fathoms"(12:27 minutes), which also was released as a full single one year ago! This is more or less a horror story where you are being dragged mentally further and further down in a horrible dreamlike state; when its hard to tell fiction from reality and what secrets dwells inside your brain. Quotation: “A journey facing the fathomless”.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Hogstul'?
Hogstul is a location in a small mountain village called Tuddal. Tuddal is located in Telemark, not too far from Notodden for those of you who are familiar with that place (where Emperor origins from). It happens to be so that I have my cabin at Hogstul, so when deciding the band name it was real simple! I love that place, and have been tremendous inspired by the wilderness there - so it had to be Hogstul!
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The cover artwork is masterly done by Wendy Saber Core. It really illustrates all the tracks very well, since they are focusing on what’s going on inside the mind. For me it represents purgatory, cacophony, conflicts, chaos, madness, a glimpse of hell, inner demons and of course horror – to sum it up; what the album is really all about
7.With this project you record everything by yourself but also have experience playing in bands with other musicians, how would you compare the two?
The biggest difference, to not answer your question directly, is that in Hogstul I do not have to wait for people for things to happen. That is also one aspect that formed Hogstul, I was tired of waiting for other band members to contribute or do their part for continuance, and joked that I was playing Wait-Metal, ha ha. Of course when playing in a band input from other members might be very interesting, and something occurs that I would never think of doing my self. And to be frank; without the experience from the other bands I do not think Hogstul would have happened. I have learned a lot from the other bands/members which I have found very useful for my own project. It’s hard to compare, I don’t think its fair to compare them, rather explain the differences and synergies justifies my answer without being to biased.
8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Hogstul have just been signed to Screaming Skull Records! Its very cool, and the album will soon be released on tape. The layout is amazing and will reveal something regarding “A Nightmare at 40 Fathoms”; it is actually three different tracks sawn together as one longer track. This will be disclosed in the limited tape release where the lyrics are included with Part I, II and III. I am really looking forward to cooperate with these great guys!
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of symphonic black metal?
The feedback has been “on the far side” of my wildest dreams - overwhelming to be modest! I am just humble and grateful for all the promising words, feedbacks, support and reviews I have got so far, which all have been exclusively positive. What’s really crazy is that I printed 100 digipaks (Independent release), and now one week after release I have only six copies left for sales…
10.What is going on with some of the other bands these days that you are a part of?
We are finishing the second album with Profane Burial these days. There are some vocals left and modifications with guitars and bass, but all tracks are more or less finished. There has been a huge change in the line up and also the musical expression in my ears; the pre-prods are just beyond… We are also currently looking for a new label!
With Omnia Moritur we are working towards and approve final mix before mastering. A different album for sure, with a strong line up! Release hopefully Autumn 2021, by a really great label.
I have also finished my contribution (orchestra) for a band called Khôra. Their first album was just supreme, and when I got the chance to join this band I simply could not refuse. On one of the tracks we even have a guest appearance by Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen; ex-Mayhem! This is also the first release I am part of where I have made a pure orchestral intro. Definitely a release I am really eager for.
11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
It’s very hard to predict, but as long as I enjoy writing and record music, I will (hopefully) continue to produce music and release albums for many years. I am really grateful to be able to worship my passion and have raised my hobby to a new level. To be completely honest, I actually did the Hogstul album for my own sake and passion, but after showing one track and received enormous feedback I understood it had to be released. So good response is a good fuel and boost for continuing creating, he he.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on the music of 'Hogstul' and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Some of my favourite bands are actually Burzum, Darkthrone, Satyricon, Kvist, Faustcoven, Mayhem and Slagmaur where I find none references to Hogstul. I have of course my share of listening to bands like Limbonic Art, Emperor, Septic Flesh, Dimmu Borgir and Carach Angren where more inspiration and links might be natural to compare. I started to listen to metal music when I was quite young around 1980 with bands like Kiss, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and other NWOBHM. In 1987/88 I discovered harder music (Thrash/Death and Black-Metal) and has followed that scene ever since. In addition to metal I really enjoy classical music and also movie themes and compositions from games.
Now days, apart from the mentioned bands above, I listen to among others Ateiggär, Enthral, Sjodogg, Abigor, Paysage D’Hiver, Cultus Profano, Ild, Vredensdal and not to forget the best release/band from 2020: Vitam Aeternam!
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
I have actually just started the work on a new Hogstul track, and have several more ideas that must be explored… A strictly limited wooden box (10 copies) of the debut album is also in the making, and soon also the tape release by Screaming Skull Records will be released!
Thanks a lot for great questions and your interest in Hogstul – support the underground!
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