Enthral faith in the ’big bang’
It was the summer of 1995 that Kjetil Hektoen and Gunnhild Bratset, sharing a mutual taste in music and fascination for atmospheres shadowing the ancient times, began to talk of forming a band. Having played in various local acts before, they now sought another form of expression more true to what they wished to accomplish. A couple of rewarding rehearsals took place in the hometown of Sunndalsøra, and so the fundament was layed.
But nothing of any serious matter happened until october/november 1995, as the band moved to Oslo and again found a possibility for rehearsing. Later another member joined: Gunnleik ’Ask’ Fjellseth on bass, but unfortunately this was only for a brief period.
In March 1996 the band, having now found their name (the band existed under a different one earlier), prepared to record a four-track demo. A very good friend of the band, Thomas Kjørnes, handled the bass' duties for the recording. The demo, simply named ’Demo 1996’ was printed in an extremely limited number and distributed mostly among friends. Later that same year, two new members joined: Magnus Krogsveen (guitar) and Martin Løchsen (keyboards), but as summer closed in they both had to leave due to personal duties elsewhere. The two now have their own band going, though their bandname is unknown.
The line-up was now again consisting of Kjetil Hektoen and Gunnhild Bratset. They rehearsed heavily during the summer, as in August 1996 recorded a track in Hov Studio at Sunndalsøra, mainly because they wanted to hear one of the compositions in a full- scale studio sound. Pleased with the result, they later contacted Hot Records who featured Enthral studio track ’Awaiting the Rise of the Forestgod’ on the Hot Records compilation CD ’The Rape of the Holy Trinity’, among such bands as Dimmu Borgir, Covenant, Dødheimsgard, Old Man's Child etc. The CD was released in 1997. A record deal was offered from Hot Records, and Enthral then began to prepare for recording an album, having aquired a permanent member on bass, Martin Rafoss, who played a great part in composing the new music.
The album called ’Prophecies of the Dying’ was recorded at Stovner R.F studio in May 1997 (in 4 days!), and contains such tracks as ’Salig er den som Lir’, and ’Prophecies of the Dying....’(parts I and II). Soprano vocals was handled by Ingrid Skretting (session member for ’Prophecies of the Dying part II’). It was acclaimed with great critical reviews.
In the following months the band grew significantly, obtaining a second guitarist in Espen Simonsen (former member of the Death-Metal act ’The Flesh’, with which Kjetil had pounded the skins for a brief period, before they decided to call it a day.) Then the ex. Dimmu Borgir keyboardist Stian Aarstad joined, and now contributes with his superb abilities. With these two Enthral went into Frogner Lyd Studios to record their follow-up to ’Prophecies of the Dying’.
The album ’The Mirrors Opposite End’, containing tracks as the bombastic ’When the Sky Touched the Earth’, the melancholic ’In Passion Swept’ (again Ingrid on soprano vocals) and the atmospheric ’Salvation Mother’, was released in 1998. As well as having almost 74 minutes of playing time, it also features an awesome cover and booklet.
The focus is still atmosphere, but other subtle aspects have found their way into the music of Enthral. The sound is more diverse, and each composition more distinct. Elements such as Black Metal, Heavy Metal, folk music, a special atmosphere and Doom Metal make the music that is unmistakeable Enthral. The lyrics, that cannot be overlooked as they are in a class of themselves, aren't to typical of the Black Metal genre, as you will find out. In 2002 Enthral signed with the Dutch label Displeased records to release their third album in June 2003.
Let the music carry through dreamscapes you've never envisioned before. Experience the atmosphere of Enthral.
interview with Kjetil on 01-12-2003
Please give us a short introduction of yourself?
Greetings! I’m Kjetil Hektoen, vocalist and drummer, of the norwegian death-, black metal band Enthral. I’ve been a member of the band since its foundation in 1995, and so far we’ve released three albums, “Subterranean Movement” being out latest effort. I’m also the drummer for Crest of Darkness.
So why do you sing? Easy to combine with the fast drumming?
When we formed the band we planned to have a vocalist/frontman, but as we didn’t find anyone with the necessary skills, or determined dedication, I myself decided to give it a try. And that went just fine. I also experienced that it was a role I felt comfortable in, so that was it really. It’s not easy at first trying to combine the two, as the rhytms and vocal lines seldom follow the same pattern. To do both means you have to focus a lot to make both vocals and drums come out powerfully, but practice makes perfect. Anyway, I doubt we will ever perform without a frontman, since that is very important in the visual aspect of a live performance.
Which singing drummer was your example? The one of Zoetrope, Exciter, Deceased or Exciter?
None of them actually. The first time I did vocals was for our Demo 1996, and since that worked out fine, I also became the singer of Enthral.
How are you doing it live? Guess you recorded the new album in two sessions?
Yes, I recorded my parts for the album in separate takes of course. I’ve done that on all Enthral recordings. Since you can record separately in the studio, I naturally choose that way. Studio and live are two different issues.
Don't you think it looks strange with no singer on stage?
I agree, and for live performances in the future we will use a session singer, Lloyd Hektoen, from the black metal band Koldbrann. Check out their website: www.koldbrann.cjb.net. Great band! Anyway, I will do backing vocals. We will try to recreate the studio recording as close as possible when we perform live. The music we perform doesn’t really have any space for improvisation etc.
Also active in other bands. Not afraid to mix the styles?
I know for sure that we won’t mix up the styles. The music and arrangements of Enthral is written by all members of the band, and the music, lyrics and arrangements for Crest of Darkness is written by Ingar Amlien exclusively.The sound of both bands differ very much from each other. If you own any albums by Crest of Darkness, and compare the music towards what we do in Enthral, you will understand what I mean.
Is Enthral your priority? And why the urge to play in other bands? Earning more money?
Both bands are very important to me. Music is my life, so if I have the possibilty to express myself in different acts I’d do it, knowing I can give of myself 100%, and feel 100% comfortable of course. If i wanted to earn much money, I certainly wouldn’t perform black metal!
Do you wish you could live from music? What are you doing for a living?
As any other musician out there, the wish to live from only playing music is there of course. But it’s almost impossible. You got to have a day job to take care of bills and beers, I work at TONO, a musicians rights organization here in Norway.
What do you ask from your fellow bandmates? How big has to be their dedication?
From my fellow bandmates I ask for total dedication and respect, which is what I want to give them too. When you are in a band, you have certain goals with your music, and then it’s important that all parts involved stand together. If someone doesn’t share that same “vision”, you have to sort that out immediatly. You can’t allow others to slow you down.
How satanic are you? Care about religion? How religious are people in your country?
I share a lot of the views with satanism, but I wouldn’t call myself a satanist. I still have a lot to learn about that way of life.
Think relegion is just a cover up for being afraid to die?
Mankind has always had the need to believe in a “higher power” or someone to blame! I believe religion suffocates all free thinking, natural instincts and creativity.
Why do you think people believe in a kind of god?
I guess the idea of a paradise suits them well, and it makes their lives easier to deal with it... If they want to, let them live the lie!
How do you think life started on earth? Who was first, the chicken or the egg?
I put my faith in the ’big bang’ till’ we eventually are proven wrong.
Do you have cosmic interest? What also fascinates you?
My interest in cosmic issues is very limited. I mostly care about the existence I have here on planet Earth, and try to make the best out of it.
What is your fav fastfood snack? Why on what time of the day?
I don’t eat much snackfood, but if there has to be any, pizza comes to mind. If I eat snackfood, I prefer it in the evenings.
How do you sell your albums to a hiphop fan?
I certainly don’t hope a hip hop fan will ever pick up an album by Enthral or Crest of Darkness! I wouldn’t even try to sell him/ her a copy of our albums! What a horrible question!
Any statements about anything?
Don’t be ignorant towards music (especially new bands) because someone tells you to be so. There’s too much herd mentality in the metal scene as it is!
Make sure to check out www.enthral.org, and www.crestofdarkness.com once in a while.
Also check out www.koldbrann.cjb.net, and www.lunarisweb.com for some lethal doses of metal!
Last rites?
Thanks a lot for your support, it’s very appreciated! All the best with BRUTALISM!
