Tsjuder and their beginning of reincarnation



Norway's Tsjuder has been a fixture of the Norwegian black metal movement since 1993. Pissed off and frustrated with the way the movement was, the band decided to go on a sabbatical. 2011 The band band regrouped and released an excellant true Norwegian black metal album titled "Legion Helvate". This release shows the band at their best pissed and defiant. I sent the questions out about a year ago and due to delays caused by their busy schedule and other commitments the interview is finally online. I like to thank Nag for taking the time to answer the questions, which I really appreciate.

First I would like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview and I hope everything is all well with you?
Yes, it truly is a busy schedule... So, I appreciate your patient for waiting for my answers.

Why the band decided to split up in 2006, second, what led the band to get back together?
Tsjuder goes way back to 1993. After so many years of playing together, a couple of years with the band on ice are not exactly astonishing. There was no particular cause for the split. We just needed a break. In the meantime we all played in other bands, but in 2009 we decided to reignite Tsjuder.

What were you guys doing during your hiatus from the scene?
I played in Kryps (which I still do), while Draugluin and Anti-Christian played in Tyrann.

Tomorrow is the release date of your new album Legion Helvete". Have read any of the reviews so far?
Wow, is it that long since you sent me this interview? Since it’s already January 2012 now, I have read quite a few reviews. Some are very good, and some are totally crap. I don’t really care that much, since we will always do what we like to do. Anyways, it’s great to see that the majority of the reviews are very good.

In your own opinion, how much of the Norwegian black metal scene has changed since it's earlier beginnings?
Well, I could write a book about that. To sum it up, in the early 90s people was afraid of Black Metal. In 2012, we have “Black Metal” bands in the Eurovision song contest. So, a lot has changed.

You feel that it became more trendy because of it's popularity?
Of course. It’s like a lot of other genres. There will always be trends. Take a look at what happened to the punk scene/music. The same thing happened to Black Metal.

Tsjuder has any shows lined up in support of the new album?
We have no shows to support the new album. We do shows because we like to do it. But yes, we have a busy schedule now until June 2012. After that we won’t play live for some time. We want to spent that time on creating new music, and hopefully a new album.

You feel this album is your most strongest effort yet or you guys just warming up?
Ohh we are just warming up... This was just the beginning of our reincarnation! Hehe... wait and see.

What I like about the album it's not your typical trendy Norwegian black metal album. It's very straight forward and brutal.
Yeah, it’s the music we like ourselves, and we are not following anyone else.

Plus the band sound very pissed off and angry on this album?
I agree. The music itself is aggressive, but I’m also very happy with the recording of the vocals. Everything went pretty much flawlessly, which let me concentrate more of my aggression and not only “to put the vocals on the tracks”.

Name some of the bands you listen to when you're not composing music for Tsjuder?
Beastcraft, Carpathian Forest, Marduk, Endezzma, Urgehal, Taake, Kreator, Sodom, Sepultura, Volcano, pluss tons more. A lot of different bands within the metal genre.

Is there any horror movies you consider as your favorites?
I used to see a lot of horror movies, but I haven’t seen any really good lately. I have to say that Evil Dead II is one of my favorite movies of all times. But I’m also very inspired by the Omen movies.

How hard to compose some of your music live as a three piece?
It’s not hard at all. You just need to have the aggression it takes to fill the stage and whole area. Even when Draugluin is doing guitar solos it’s no problem.

You write most of the lyrics and music for the band?
Draugluin and myself makes all the music. Most of the lyrics are written by the two of us, but we have also a few lyrics from people from outside of the band.

When planning to do any shows in the USA?
We will play at Maryland Deathfest, and we have gotten quite a few offers for playing in the US. So, hopefully we’re able to put together a tour in 2013.
Interviewer: Paul Lewis
Feb 9, 2012

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